From cute neighborhood celebrations to large citywide extravaganzas, there are many fun ways to celebrate the Fourth of July in Denver. Notably, some of Denver’s best celebrations take place in the days leading up to July 4th and after the 4th as well.
Denver Neighborhood Celebrations
Lowry
When: June 29, 10 am – 1pm
Lowry is hosting its Annual Lowry Independence Parade and Celebration at Tailwind Park, E. 5th Avenue and Alton Way, this weekend on Saturday June 29th. There will be a festive pet and human parade that will march around Tailwind Park led by the Denver Police Mounted Patrol and the “Stilt Man.” Decorated pets, kids, bikes, strollers, other wheeled vehicles and adults are all welcome. Prizes will be awarded in several categories including cutest decorated dog, kid and adult. Other festivities include face painters, a dance party with DJ “Rock’n Rob”, and a big cool off by The Denver Fire Department who will spray water over a section of the park for kids to run through from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Hilltop
When: July 2, 9:00 p.m.
The City of Glendale, just South of Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood has a spectacular annual fireworks show at Infinity Park. However, for years, the best spot to view the Glendale Fireworks is in Cramner Park. Bring lawn chairs, a frisbee and a picnic dinner to make a fun night of it.
Washington Park
When: July 4th, throughout the day and evening.
From 6 to 10 pm, Washington Park (“Wash Park” to locals) will be hosting a great fireworks show along with live music and family friendly activities. The band What She Said will perform at 6 pm, and the Denver Municipal Band will perform twice, both in the day at 11 a.m. and again at night around 7 p.m. The park will be filled with family-friendly games and activities throughout the day and into the evening! The firework show will take place after sunset. Arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy the festivities!
Central Park
When: July 4th
In Northeast Denver, Central Park will be hosting its annual Central Park Pancake Breakfast & Parade on July 4th. The breakfast starts at 9 a.m.at the South Green (29th & Roslyn). There will be a suggested donation for the breakfast with all proceeds going to a local non-profit. There will also be a balloon artist and a face painter. At 10:30 the neighborhood parade will begin. Bring decorated bicycles, tricycles, wagons or scooters to be in the parade. Central Park always has lots of great spirit and neighborhood fun.
Park Hill
When: July 4, 1:30 p.m.
The Park Hill neighborhood hosts Denver’s longest annual Fourth of July parade, which runs through the heart of one of Denver’s oldest, most historic and diverse neighborhoods. The parade includes floats, marching bands, costumed performers and tons of red, white and blue fun. This year the parade will start at 1:30 p.m. with 50+ floats, costumes, classic cars and marching bands. The parade ends about 3 p.m. at the Kearney Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney with live music, food and fun kids’ activities. If you have never been to the Park Hill Fourth of July parade and after party, it’s something worth checking out!
Highlands
When: July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Another great historic Denver neighborhood to find Fourth of July Fun is in the Highlands. This year marks the 16th Annual Fourth of July parade in this very popular Northwest Denver. On July 4th, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is hosting a bike decorating party starting at 9:30 at the Holiday Theatre and will have all the decorations to make your bike look extra special for the parade! . The parade starts at 10:20 a.m. and will wind down W. 32nd Avenue to Hirshorn Park. Festivities in the park include a fire truck water spray and Little Man Ice Cream This is a fantastic, fun and free community event. Be sure to go by Little Man Ice Cream for the after parade party!
Cherry Creek
When: Friday, July 5: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (accessibility hour from 9 to 10 a.m.); Saturday, July 6: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Denver Citywide Celebrations
Colorado Rockies Game & Fireworks
July 1, 6 p.m.
On July 1st, the Colorado Rockies play the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field at 6:10 p.m. followed by a huge fireworks display. If you aren’t going to the game the best place to see the fireworks over Coors Field is at one of the great restaurants in the Highlands that has rooftop. Love the food and view at Linger, El Five and Avanti F&B.
Indy Eve at Denver Civic Center Park
When: July 3. 5 to 10 p.m.
The Civic Center Conservancy and the City and County of Denver are bringing back Indy Eve again this year. The evening features: music by Colorado Symphony Brass & Percussion Ensemble and live DJs from Youth on Record. There will be a hopping Night Market with food, local artisans and family-friendly activities. There are light shows every 15-minutes projected onto buildings, and the main event is Denver’s biggest ever drone show with 300 drones over Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park. Civic Center is easily accessible by free light rail, bus, bicycle or 16th Street MallRide, and the City recommends you use public transportation.
Four Mile Historic Park Family Friendly Independence Celebration
July 6, 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
Four Mile Historic Park throws a great family fun Independence Day party every year. This year, on Saturday, July 6 head to Four Mile Park to experience the spirit of the West with live music, fun activities and prairie games starting at 10 a.m. Try your hand at pig racing! Listen to patriotic tunes by the Denver Concert Band at 12:00pm and 1:00pm. Create a custom craft that’s perfect for the season at the craft station. Catch a glimpse of the past as our blacksmiths expertly create forged-over-fire works of art, just like they did in the 1800s. See living history as re-enactors set up camp, mine for gold, and create rustic dishes in our Summer Kitchen. Denver’s Four Mile Historic Park is one of the most fun and memorable learning opportunities in Denver.
With so many fun activities to experience on the Fourth of July, the whole City is your playground this week! Be sure to follow Denver I Love on Instagram @denverilove for more ways to have the best summer in Denver!
