The Fourth of July is just around the corner, so shake the dust off of those picnic blankets and get ready to celebrate the birth of our country.
Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was on that day that the Continental Congress declared the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire, but rather a new nation called the United States of America.
That was 240 years ago!
If you’re looking for family-friendly ways to enjoy the long weekend, we’ve assembled a list for you. While we’ve done our best to provide accurate information, 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!
Head down to Fort Carson’s Iron Horse Park on July 3 starting at 4 pm to enjoy a free, fun-filled evening before the grand fireworks display. Listen to live music including a concert by the 4ID Band, participate in family activities including rock wall, bounce houses, a corn maze and more. Bring a picnic or visit the food and beverage vendors. Fireworks begin about 9:30 pm. 6751 Sheridan Ave.
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 a.m. $45. 1335 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs.
The Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District will hold its fourth annual open house at Fire Station No. 1. 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. Event will run from roughly 9 am to 3 pm, but check the web site to confirm. 11445 Teachout Road.
The Colorado Springs on the 4th Half Marathon & 5K is a 13.1 mile run starting and finishing in South Monument Valley Park. The run will follow the Greenway Trail south and racers will turn around just north of Hwy 87/85. Runs from 7 am to 6 pm.
The Cripple Creek Fourth of July Celebration will feature live entertainment all day in the City Park. Food vendors and a beer garden will be available. Many casinos will also offer special promotions for the holiday. Fireworks after dark. Corner of Bennett Avenue and 1st Street, Cripple Creek.
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 per adult. Deluxe tourist, $145 per adult, $79 per child. Coach, $99 per adult, $49 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).
The Dinosaur Resource Center is offering active duty and retired military personnel half price admission on July Fourth. 9 am to 6 pm. 201 S. Fairview St. Woodland Park.
This one will happen a day earlier than most, on July 3. There will be music, food, face painting, kids games, inflatable jumpers, outdoor golf games and more starting at 5 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm. Admission is free. Proceeds from sales to participate in some activities will go to help expand the NICU at St. Francis Medical Center. Antler Creek Golf Course, 9650 Antler Creek Drive, Falcon.
Start the evening with a free concert by Little London Winds at Soda Stream Park (35 Park Ave) from 7-8 pm. Around 9:30 pm, the Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department will host the free Fourth of July fireworks. Fireworks will be shot off from Higginbotham Flats, just off Hwy 24, across from the entrance to the Cave of the Winds.
Enjoy the exhibits of more than 100 national, regional and local artists at the 11th annual Pikes Peak Art & Music Festival in America the Beautiful Park, downtown. The three-day event features a primary focus on visual artist booths and also includes three days of music performances and arts happenings. Food, wine, beer and activities for children. July 2 from 10 am to 8 pm; July 3 from 10 am to 6 pm; July 4 from 10 am to 4 pm. $5 admission. Children under 16 free. Free entrance to folks with military ID on July 4. 126 Cimino Dr.
Rock Ledge Ranch will host its Family Fourth event. Visitors have an opportunity 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.
Take a ride on the gondola and enjoy the rest of the long weekend’s events. On July 2-3, The Geezers will play rock ‘n roll and oldies from 10:30 am-2:30 pm on the Entertainment Stage, followed by the Native American Dance troupe Northern Wind Dancers from 3:30-7 pm. Near the Visitor Center will be free face painting. Or head over to the Elk Park Amphitheater from 12:30-4:30 pm to meet Toy Story Characters Woody and Jesse and see the world’s largest bubbles. The Geezers will also play from 12:30- 4:30 pm on July 4. Admission is $25 (ages 12-59), $18 (ages 4-11), $20 (60 +). Military and other discounts available – look online for details. For an extra fee, try the Royal Rush Skycoaster or the Royal Gorge Cloudscraper zipline. 4128 Fremont County Rd. 3A, Canon City.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball team will be away on July 4th , so the Independence Day celebration and fireworks will be held a day early on July 3. They’ll host the New Orleans Zephyrs at 7:05 pm. Ticket prices range from $5 to $15. 4385 Tutt Blvd.
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Fabulous Fourth summer concert at Memorial Park is a free family event. Picnics are welcome and a variety of food will be available for sale, as well. The U.S. Air Force Academy Band & Blue Steel ensemble will perform before the Philharmonic. Donate at least $4.30 to help offset the $1000-per- minute show and your name will be added to the sponsor roster. Also find out ways you can volunteer alongside U.S. Air Force Academy cadets by visiting the website below. Activities and concessions begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Philharmonic at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs.
Want to celebrate, but avoid the crowds? Wait a day and listen to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in the 35th Annual Symphony Above the Clouds in Woodland Park on July 5. The concert will feature patriotic music and tunes from the American songbook. Free. Woodland Park Middle School, 600 East Kelley Road, Woodland Park. Gates open at 5 pm, with music starting at 5:30 pm.
The Tri-Lakes 4th of July is a full-day celebration. It starts with a pancake breakfast at St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument, followed by the annual 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. A street dance and multiple concerts will run from noon until 9 pm. Palmer Lake is planning a fireworks display at 9 pm over the lake.
Cheyenne Mountain State Parks’ Western Heritage Day Celebration will be held on July 3rd , beginning mid-afternoon. Lots of activities and live music, too. The park provides a great view of the 9:30 pm fireworks display from Fort Carson. Pack a picnic dinner or purchase food from an on-site vendor. All proceeds from food purchases will go to charity. Please check web site for details and specific times. 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs.
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. 650 Short St., Woodland Park.
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!
You may want to check with El Paso county fairgrounds. They are having car races on the Saturday before the 4th and almost always have an amazing firework show. This is located in Calhan.
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