A 2017 Guide to Colorado Springs Fourth of July Events

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fireworks

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching. Luckily for you, you live in one of the most patriotic cities in the country.

Did you know that the song “America the Beautiful” was originally written as a poem entitled “Pikes Peak”? In 1893, a Wellesley College English professor had taken the train to Colorado Springs to teach summer school at Colorado College. Katharine Lee Bates’ poem was first published in a church periodical in 1895. Music was later added and today, it is one of America’s most popular patriotic songs. Over the years, four major military bases including the gorgeous United States Air Force Academy have made their home here. Fast forward to Independence Day 2017. Activities abound in and around Colorado Springs, so get out and take advantage of them!

Below, we have assembled a list of local events for you. We have done our best to provide accurate information, but please click on the web sites below before heading out to make sure nothing has changed.

How to use this guide :: Simply click on the + next to each event to expand the details.  Each event has a website link to even more information!

BEFORE THE FOURTH

Celebrate America’s independence a day early with an evening of fun games and activities, followed by a spectacular Fort Carson fireworks display. Come play games, spin the trivia wheel, do crafts with the kids, dig for dinosaurs, get your face painted, and enjoy some great local food! The fireworks show will begin around 9 p.m. July 2 from 5-8 p.m. at CMSP’s Prairie Skipper picnic pavilion. A daily parking pass is $7 daily (or $70 for an annual vehicle park pass). A limited number of daily park passes will be offered to active duty and retired military personnel on a first come, first served basis. Pick up at the Visitor Center beginning 9 a.m. Please check web site for details and specific times. 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs.

The Cripple Creek Fourth of July Celebration will feature live entertainment starting around noon on July 1 in the The Brass Ass parking lot. Food vendors and a beer garden will be available. Many casinos will also offer special promotions for the holiday. Fireworks about 9:30 p.m. Corner of Bennett Avenue and 3rd Street, Cripple Creek.

Antler Creek Golf Course and the Meridian Ranch Rec Center have teamed up to offer the annual Falcon Days on July 1. This year, there will be a 6:30 a.m. pancake breakfast at Meridian Ranch Rec Center, followed by 5K and 10K races and a hike, bike and stroll parade. There will be music, food, face painting, kids games, dunk booth, blood mobile, inflatable jumpers and more. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm. Admission is free. Proceeds from sales to participate in some activities will go to the Rocky Mountain Childhood Cancer Foundation. Antler Creek Golf Course, 9650 Antler Creek Drive, Falcon.  

Head down to Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park on July 1 and 2 from noon to 10 p.m. to enjoy a huge lineup of fun for the whole family: Live music, carnival rides, a car show, bounce houses and even a movie in the park (Steven Spielberg’s ‘80s classic E.T.). Bring a picnic or visit the food and beverage vendors. On July 2, a laser lights show will start at 9 p.m., followed by the 1812 Overture, then the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. 6751 Sheridan Ave.

Head over to America the Beautiful Park on July 1-2 to see national and local artists display and sell their fine art in categories that include painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, wearable art, leather, painting and more. Something for everyone! The Music Stage rocks all weekend with stellar performances by Wounded Warrior Band Motown Rock & Soul Revue, Milo Hayes Meld with a jazz, funk, bluegrass throw-down, John Stones’ Flyin’ Libre Band, Ponder The Albatross, Scarecrow Revival, Band On The Fence, Doc & Kit, Tullis Blues, and Ceruleus. The free Creative Station will delight kids of all ages with quality art projects to take home. And watch amazing aerialists on silks. Free admission/parking. Lawn chairs, coolers, leashed pets welcome. City park rules apply. July 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. 126 Cimino Dr.

Take a ride on the gondola and enjoy the rest of the long weekend’s events. On July 1, Pam Tillis and John Michael Montgomery will take the stage at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.  On July 4, the group Potcheen will play on the Bridgeview Bandstand from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Near the Visitor Center will be free face painting. Try the Royal Rush Skycoaster or the Royal Gorge Cloudscraper zipline. 4128 Fremont County Rd. 3A, Canon City.

ON THE FOURTH

Bring your own flag to start your Fourth of July with a little adventure and a lot of patriotism. Adventures out West will host a flag flying festival at Pikes Peak Ziplines. Max flag size is 5’x7’. A photographer will capture your flight.  Beginning at 8:30 a.m. $45 includes unlimited zips during the session. 1335 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs. Call to register, 1-800-755-0935.

Looking for a short getaway? Cumbres & Toltec offers a special 4th of July train ride followed by dinner and finished with a fireworks display. Seating is limited so reservations are highly recommended. Parlor, $185.75 per adult. Deluxe tourist, $145.75 per adult, $79.75 per child. Coach, $99.75 per adult, $49.75 per child. Train departs from Chama at 5 pm, arrives at Cumbres Station for dinner at 6:45 pm and arrives back at Chama at 9:30 pm for fireworks display. 500 Terrace Avenue, Chama, NM 87520 (about four hours from Colorado Springs). 888-286-2737.

The Dinosaur Resource Center is offering active duty and retired military personnel half price admission on July 4th. 9 am to 5 pm. 201 S. Fairview St. Woodland Park.

The Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department will host the free Fourth of July fireworks. Fireworks will be shot off about 9 p.m. from Higginbotham Flats, just off Hwy 24, across from the entrance to the Cave of the Winds.

Visitors have an opportunity on July 4 to walk through the reenactment of revolutionary war camp, hear General William Jackson Palmer read the Declaration of Independence, play carnival games and more. Tickets are available for carnival games for a nominal fee. 10 am-5 pm. Those in active military are eligible for discounts with an ID.

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball team will play the Nashville Sounds at 7 p.m. on July 4th. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free mini American flag. Fireworks will follow the game. 4385 Tutt Blvd.

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Fabulous Fourth summer concert at Memorial Park is a free family event. The region’s largest event will feature troops from Fort Carson, The Liberty Belles, amazing food, and thunderous fireworks to light up the night sky. Get there early to claim a prime spot. Picnics are welcome and a variety of food will be available for sale, as well. Activities and concessions begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Philharmonic at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk, about 9 p.m. 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs.

The Tri-Lakes 4th of July is a full-day celebration. It starts with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast at St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument, followed by the annual 4-mile fun run at Palmer Lake Trailhead. The children’s parade begins in Monument at 9:30 am, followed by the main parade. A street fair will feature food, arts & crafts vendors until 3 pm. Multiple concerts and a beer garden will run until 7 p.m. The party moves back to Palmer Lake at 7 p.m. with live music, followed by a fireworks display at 9 pm over the lake.

The Ute Pass Historical Society will hold its annual Cemetery Crawl July 4th from 1-3 pm at the Woodland Park Cemetery. Guided tours will depart every 15 minutes, with local volunteers portraying some of the area pioneers who are laid to rest in the cemetery. $5; tickets are available at the gate. Guided parking is at 540 Manor Court, Woodland Park. 719-686-7512.

AFTER THE FOURTH

The Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District will hold its annual open house at Fire Station No. 1 later than usual this year: July 15. A Flight for Life helicopter will land at the station. Firewise displays will be available, as will a special live demonstration. There will be soft drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill by firefighters. Tours of the station also will be available. Check the web site later for more details. 11445 Teachout Road.

Want to celebrate, but avoid the crowds? Wait a day and listen to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in the 37th Annual Symphony Above the Clouds in Woodland Park on July 5.  The concert will feature patriotic music and tunes from the American songbook. Fireworks at dusk, about 9 p.m. Free. Woodland Park Middle School, 600 East Kelley’s Road, Woodland Park. Gates open at 5 pm, with music starting at 5:30 pm.

If you have updates or corrections to this list, please feel free to comment below. And if you know of other events around the Pikes Peak region, please share those, too!

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2 COMMENTS

    • Hi Katie! THANK YOU so much for pointing this out- We edited this typo on our end so it should be reflected correctly.

      Best,
      Colorado Springs Moms Blog Team

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