There’s no better place to be over the 4th of July than in Denver! You’ll be treated to festivals, concerts, pro sports – and of course all the brilliant fireworks displays you could ever wish for. Check back next year for 2014 events and information.

Great Rates at Denver Hotels for the 4th of July

Denver hotels are offering great rates over the holiday weekend. All these rates are based on availability. Browse all the offers at http://www.denver.org/hotels/specials.

Festivals & Events

Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 5-7, Cherry Creek North, Denver
This free, outdoor extravaganza – the city’s signature cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts – gives more than 350,0000 annual visitors the chance to meet and talk with international visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family friendly fun sample fine cuisine. Experience Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activities perfect for youngsters. Visit the Cultural Pavilion, where music, dance and theater from around the globe will be presented. Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver’s most popular eateries.

Olde Town Arvada Spirit of America 4th of July Festival
July 4, Arvada
Join close to 30,000 other revelers at Arvada’s spectacular annual celebration of the spirit of America. Free family-friendly events throughout the afternoon and evening include a Kids’ Park featuring an obstacle course, bungee run, big slide, face tattoos and more fun activities, a classic Car Show and plenty of food and drinks concession stands and carts.

Fireworks at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
July 4
Spend the day riding the roller coasters and the water slides at Denver’s downtown amusement park and then watch a brilliant fireworks display light up the night sky, starting at dusk.

Liberty 4-Mile Run
July 4, Washington Park
Work off all the bbq and cake by running in the Liberty 4-mile run. Wear your red, white and blue proud and enjoy the celebration. Prizes will be given to kids and adults with the best patriotic flair. After the run enjoy food and beverages. Adult advance registration is $35; free for kids participating in the Firecracker Kids Fun Run.

Park Hill 4th of July Parade
July 4, Park Hill
The Park Hill 4th of July Parade is back! This community-friendly event will again be marching along 23rd Avenue on Independence Day. This year’s parade promises to be bigger than ever before, with marching bands, acrobats and festive floats.

Skyline Market
July 5, Skyline Park, Denver
Located in the heart of Downtown Denver, The Skyline Market offers artisanal products, ready to eat food and a farm fresh experience. Get some lunch and maybe a beer from the beer garden and enjoy this refreshing oasis.

First Friday Art Walks
July 5, Denver's Art Districts
Visit with Denver's vibrant creative community at The Mile HIgh City's art districts, including Art District On Santa Fe, RiNo (River North Art District) and the Tennyson Street Cultural District. Galleries stay open late as art lovers enjoy live music, food and drink, and of course, plenty of great art.
 

Music

Concerts at Red Rocks
July 3-7, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and State Park, Morrison
Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at Red Rocks! Get things started on July 3 with the powerful grooves of Michael Franti and Spearhead. Franti is even hosting a special Yoga On The Rocks event earlier in the day, if you want to work up a sweat. On July 4, jam band favorites Blues Traveler return to the Rocks for another amazing Independence Day show with moe. The Avett Brothers hit the Rocks for a two-night stand, July 5-6, while Josh Groban will be joined by the Colorado Symphony for a special concert on July 7.

Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park
July 3, Civic Center Park (Broadway and Colfax), Denver, 8 p.m.
The fourth annual Independence Eve Celebration will feature a free patriotic concert by The Colorado Symphony, an innovative light show on the Denver City and County Building and a stunning fireworks finale. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs are encouraged. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics; concessions will also be present on-site. Civic Center is easily accessible by light rail, bus, bicycle or the 16th Street FREE MallRide and use of public transportation is encouraged. Information on nearby Denver B-cycle bike-sharing locations is available. Parking is available at nearby surface lots and parking garages as well.

Sports

The Rockies -- and FIREWORKS!
July 3 and July 4
At Coors Field, catch The Colorado Rockies taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers during a three-game homestand, July 2-4. There will be a spectacular fireworks show following the July 3 and 4 games!

The Rapids -- and FIREWORKS!
July 4 and July 7
Denver’s hometown heroes the Colorado Rapids are taking on the New York Red Bulls at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on July 4 – stick around for the fireworks display after the game! There's another match on Sunday, July 7 against the D.C. United.

The Outlaws -- and FIREWORKS!
July 4
Over at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver's professional lacrosse team the Outlaws are battling it out with the New York Lizards. After the game, enjoy fireworks within the bowl at Sports Authority Field -- pyrotechnics paired with visuals on a 220-foot wide, hi-definition screen. You'll never forget this kind of fireworks show!

Can't-Miss Exhibits

Nick Cave: Soundsuits
Through September 22, Denver Art Museum
Renowned contemporary artist Nick Cave will debut a new body of work at the Denver Art Museum in the summer of 2013. The exhibition features a combination of multimedia elements and performances along with a selection of figurative sculptures the artist dubbed “Soundsuits.

Spun: Adventures in Textiles
Through September 22, Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) takes a wide-ranging look at textiles from pre-Columbian weavings to modern fiber art, Navajo blankets to an examination of clothing in art and photography.

Catalyst: Colorado Sculpture
Through January 12, 2014, Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens celebrates the achievements and vision of Colorado sculptors in this astonishing outdoor group exhibition. Twelve artists view the garden spaces differently, altering the landscape with amazing 3-D work.