Adams County: Independence Day Celebration

July 4: Family-friendly activities and live music with Spinphony and the 6 Million Dollar Band, a Children’s Fun Zone, games, eating contests, food vendors and a beer garden are included. A “Stars and Stripes” opening ceremony honoring first responders and the military get things started at 4 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. A screening of the film “Top Gun” follows. Adams County Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, 303-637-8000, adcogov.org

Arvada: Independence Day Celebration

July 4: Activities kick off at 4 p.m. with live music, food, bounce houses, games, human hamster balls, vendors and more followed by fireworks simulcast to KOOL 105 radio at dusk. New this year are Berg cars (similar to tricycles) and remote control cars. Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex, entrance at 58th Avenue and Oak Street, 720-898-7000, arvada.org

Aurora: Fourth of July Spectacular

July 4: Festivities are offered 4 to 10 p.m. with food, a hot dog eating contest, car show and more. Emily West, country/pop singer and finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” takes the stage at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. with choreographed music on Studio 1430 KEZW. Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, auroragov.org

Boulder: Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast

July 4: The celebration is presented by The City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder. Gates open with free admission at 8 p.m. Activities begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Mad Hops jump rope team, The Mighty Twisters and Ralphie. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave., boulder4thofjuly.com

Brighton: Fourth of July

July 4: Entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and music with DJ Tidal Wave, Romero Unplugged and Dotsero (includes a laser show). Activities begin at 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., 303-655-2000, brightonco.gov/4thofjuly

MAP: Denver metro area July Fourth celebrations

Broomfield: Great American Picnic

July 4: Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a children’s carnival offering inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo along with food vendors and live music with Princess and That Eighties Band. The ninth annual Bike Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m. Broomfield County Commons Park on Sheridan Boulevard, 303-464-5530, broomfield.org

Castle Rock: Rockin’ the Fourth

July 4: The Red, White & Boom! fireworks celebration begins between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road, 303-660-1364, crgov.com/july4

Commerce City: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

July 4: Fireworks follow the Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC soccer game starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $31. Patio and field seating also available. 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, coloradorapids.com

Denver: Coors Field

July 10: The Rockies are on the road so fireworks follow the Atlanta Braves game starting at 6:10 p.m. Tickets vary. 2001 Blake St., coloradorockies.com

Denver: Civic Center Park Independence Eve

July 3: The sixth annual free community celebration presented by the Civic Center Conservancy includes live music with Funkiphino and the 101st Army Concert Band from Buckley Air Force Base, 8-10 p.m. A light show and fireworks are included. Lawn seating is available. Blankets and low-rise chairs recommended. Food trucks will be on site, and picnics are welcome. Civic Center Park, Colfax and Broadway, 303-861-4633, civiccenterconservancy.org

Denver: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

July 4: Fireworks show begins at dusk. Included with admission. 2000 Elitch Circle, elitchgardens.com

Denver: Four Mile Historic Park

July 2: Annual celebration, “A modern take on our traditional 4th of July celebration,” includes historic demonstrations, children’s activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, games, live music, food and a beer garden, 5-10 p.m. Admission is free, some activities require a fee along with food and drinks. 715 S. Forest St., 720-865-0800, fourmilepark.org

Denver: Cranmer Park and Glendale Fireworks

July 2: Save Our Sundial, a project of The Park People, hosts a celebration with games, live music with Hank Troy and the Sundialers and others, food trucks and entertainment 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Cranmer Park, 4501 E. First Ave. Proceeds benefit the efforts to rehabilitate the historic sundial and Cranmer Park Plaza. Glendale fireworks begin at dusk with recommended viewing at Cherry Street, north of Virginia Avenue, south of Cherry Creek Drive and west of Colorado Blvd. Glendale’s Whole Foods Market at 870 S. Colorado Blvd. is hosting its eighth annual party with Colorado craft beer, a vendor village and specialty foods, 5:30-9 p.m. glendale.co.us, saveoursundial.com

Denver: Mile High Stadium Fourth of July with the Denver Outlaws

July 4: Major league lacrosse with the Denver Outlaws vs. the Boston Cannons. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Fireworks follow. Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, 303-OUTLAWS (688-5297), denveroutlaws.com

Englewood: Fourth of July

July 4: Family-friendly activities offered in Belleview Park, Cornerstone Park and Progress Park as part of the 20th annual celebration. Some fees apply. Times vary, visit the website for the schedules. Fireworks start at approximately 9:30 p.m. englewoodgov.org/englewood-happenings/4th-of-july-festivities

Estes Park

July 3-5: The “4th of July Weekend Celebration” includes music, a car show, pancake breakfast, Historic Hoedown and more. Dates and locations vary. Fireworks begin at dusk over Lake Estes on July 4. 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com

Evergreen: Music Festival

July 4: Gates open at 9:45 a.m. for a day of festivities from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with live music with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra with Colorado Ballet Classical, Queen City Jazz Band, Frangelo Jazz Quintet, The Denver Brass, The Hazel Miller Band and others along with a circus performance, juggling and balloon show, pie and hot dog eating contests and children’s activities. Blankets and chairs welcome. $10, $5 ages 13-18, free age 12 and under, veterans and active military. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Mt. Evans Home Health & Hospice. Buchanan Park, corner of Highway 74, Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road, evergreenmusicfestival.org

Fort Collins: Independence Day 2015

July 4: Day-long festivities include the FireKracker 5K, a golf tournament, parade, 33rd annual Old Timer’s Game, live music and fireworks at approximately 9:35 p.m. over Sheldon Lake. Times and locations vary. fcgov.com/july4th/

Golden: Lions Park Festival

July 4: The Golden Lions Club presents its annual festival with children’s activities, food and drink, rides, live music and more, noon-11 p.m. The Johnny O. Band, Chuck Hughes and the New Classic Band perform. Picnics welcome. Fireworks at dusk. Lions Park, 1300 10th St., visitgolden.com

Greenwood Village: Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

July 4: The Colorado Symphony performs a family-friendly concert with music from Frozen, Harry Potter, Star Wars and more along with traditional patriotic favorites. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$36.50. Fireworks follow. 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, fiddlersgreenamp.com/events/detail/277859

Lakewood / Morrison: Bandimere Speedway

July 4: Gates open at 2 p.m. for the “Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival” offering games, food, live bands, contests and more along with “fire breathing jet dragsters racing down the quarter-mile track at more than 290 mph.” Admission is $28, $25 in advance; $16, $14 in advance for juniors; free for children age 5 and under. Fireworks, sponsored by the City of Lakewood, begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. Fireworks are viewable outside Bandimere without buying a ticket. 3051 S. Rooney Rd, Morrison, bandimere.com

La Junta: Bent’s Old Fort

July 4: The “Frontier Fourth Celebration” is commemorated 1840’s-style with a parade, orations, games, storytelling and cannon firings from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Enter a contest for a replica 1845 flag that was flown over the fort. Included with regular admission of $3 for ages 13 and over, $2 ages 6-12, free age 5 and under.Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas nps.gov/beol



Kiowa: Elbert County Museum



July 4: Celebrating a “Pioneer Fourth” with live music, games, food, watermelon and pie-eating contests and artisan demonstrations, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Museum admission is free. 515 Comanche St., Kiowa, elbertcountymuseum.org

Littleton: Clement Park

July 3: The Foothills Park & Recreation District presents “Red, White & You!,” a family fest offering children’s activities including a bounce house, live music with the Nacho Men, booths, food and a beer and wine garden, 5-10 p.m. Free admission. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. 7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, foothills.org/rwy.asp

Northglenn: Family Festival

July 4: The festival runs 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a pancake breakfast, Patriotic Pooch Parade, Firecracker and Flapjacks Run, Bike, Trike & Wheelchair Parade, booths, children’s activities, car show, Ducky Derby and more along with live music by Soul X. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. over Webster Lake. E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11801 Community Center Drive, northglenn.org/july4th

Parker: Salisbury Park

July 4: “Let Freedom Sing” is the theme for a concert with Rocky Mountain Brassworks kicking off a celebration at 6 p.m. Bounce houses, games, slides, human hamster balls, food and more is also included. Fireworks begin at dusk. Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road, Parker, 303-805-3253, parkeronline.org/1102/let-freedom-sing-independence-day



Park Hill: Fourth of July

July 4: The sixth annual parade with more than 60 registered groups and 750 participants offers handcrafted floats, drum lines and pageant queens, 1:30-3 p.m. The route travels along 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street where it ends at the Kearney Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney Street. Food trucks, live music and children’s activities are included. 303-918-6517 parkhillparade.org

Thornton: Fourth of July

July 4: Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with food vendors, a beer garden, live music including the Thornton Community Band and the Kory Brunson Band and more. A parachute jump at 9:30 p.m. is followed by fireworks. Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, cityofthornton.net

Westminster: Fourth of July

July 4: Festivities are offered 3 to 10 p.m. and include a Patriotic Bike Parade, Activity Zone, food vendors, a car show, live music with Daddy Blue and fireworks around 9:15 p.m. City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd., ci.westminster.co.us/ParksRec/SpecialEvents.aspx

Compiled by Vickie Heath, The Denver Post, with contributions from Laura Daily, MileHighOnTheCheap.com