Celebrate our country’s independence and the forming of our nation this Fourth of July – Independence Day 2018, in and around Denver, with our special family-friendly guide!
Psst… Check out more Independence Day events in the ‘Denver 4th of July Celebrations!‘ guide!
WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS IN DENVER THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND 2018
BUTTERFLIES AT CHATFIELD
Photo: ©Denver Botanic Gardens
When: Friday, June 29, through September, 2018
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost: General Admission + $2 – $4; Free for Children 2 & under
Psst… July 3rd is free admission day!
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
Encounter native Colorado butterflies and plants in the one-of-a-kind butterfly house at Chatfield Farms.
This seasonal habitat is home to hundreds of native Colorado butterflies, such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks and painted ladies.
Butterflies at Chatfield is presented to you through a partnership with Butterfly Pavilion & Denver Botanic Gardens.
ELITCH GARDENS DIVE-IN MOVIE: “DESPICABLE ME 3”
Photo: ©Screenrant
When: Friday, June 29, 2018
Where: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: Park Admission or Season Pass
Ages: Film Rated G
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park will screen the film “Despicable Me 3”, outdoors at its Island Kingdom Water Park pool. The Dive-In Movie can be viewed in the water or on lawn-chairs and cabanas outside the pool.
MOVIE ON THE GREEN: “SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING”
Photo: ©Marvel
When: Friday, June 29, 2018
Where: Founders Green Park, 29th Ave & Roslyn St, Denver, CO 80238
Time: Starting at Dusk
Cost: Free
Ages: Film Rated PG
Join Stapleton MCA for their Movie on the Green Series. This Friday, they will be screening the film “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. Movie will feature a concessions stand to benefit a local nonprofit organization. The concessions stand will sell freshly popped popcorn, candy, sodas and bottled water. Food trucks are often parked at these events, providing local goodies and food items.
Psst… Check out our complete guide of ‘Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in Denver this Summer 2018‘!
LEGO BUILDING WORKSHOP | HISTORY COLORADO CENTER
Photo: ©History Colorado Center
When: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Time: 9am – 10am
Cost: $40 Members / $45 Non-Members
Psst… Ticket price includes one adult and one child, legos and instructions.
Ages: Recommended for Children 5 – 12
Build (and keep!) your own Colorado-style LEGO set, then take a special guided museum tour based on your creation at the History Colorado Center. This Saturday, build the Lego City Mountain Fugitives Kit. The 88-piece kit includes a police ATV, buildable tree with loot hideout, buildable log, four mini-figures and accessories.
COLORADO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Photo: ©Kendra Nicole Collett Petersen
When: Saturday, June 30 & Sunday, July 1, 2018
Where: 650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur, CO 80118
Time: 10am – 6:30pm
Cost: $11 – $22.50
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
The Colorado Renaissance Festival is a thematic recreation of a 16th Century village and marketplace set in the picturesque mountain venue of “Larkspurshire”, just south of Denver. Hundreds of colorfully costumed characters entertain continuously upon the village streets and on the Festivals 10 stages, performing 60 shows daily.
CITY PARK JAZZ
Photo: ©City Park Jazz
When: Sunday, July 1, 2018
Where: City Park, 1700 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
City Park Jazz returns this Sunday with a special performance by Euforquestra. This summer concert also features food trucks and family-friendly entertainment!
Psst… Check out our complete guide of ‘Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Denver 2018‘!
INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION | FOUR MILE HISTORIC PARK
Photo: ©Four Mile Historic Park
When: Monday, July 2, 2018
Where: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver, CO 80246
Time: 5pm – 10pm
Cost: Free Admission
Ages: All Ages
Delight in an annual Four Mile tradition, the Independence Celebration, brimming with old-time games and historic demonstrations. The celebration will include food trucks, a beer garden, and a viewing of the Glendale fireworks show after dark, and a special a cappella tribute to 1980’s music with Denver’s own Rubix.
INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMUNITY PICNIC & FIREWORKS | CRANMER PARK
Photo: ©Save Our Sundial
When: Monday, July 2, 2018
Where: Cranmer Park, 4501 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Time: 6pm till Conclusion of Fireworks
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The Cranmer Park Hilltop Civic Association and Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman are pleased to sponsor a community picnic in Cranmer Park in celebration of Independence Day!
The celebration will feature food trucks and The Denver Municipal Band’s Jazz Quintet will play patriotic, jazz and popular music until the launch of the Glendale fireworks. Bring your own picnic baskets and beverages, along with lawn chairs, blankets and games to play and consider using reusable and/or compostable products/utensils.
Psst… Be sure to arrive early to meet the Denver Fire Department’s Fire Crew and see their Fire Engine up close!
STARS & STRIPES EXPRESS FEST | DENVER UNION STATION
Photo: ©Denver Union Station
When: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Where: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 1pm – 10pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
All-aboard Denver Union Station’s third annual Stars & Stripes Express Fest. Celebrate America with a free concert on Terminal Bar’s extended patio with music through the decades and tributes to your favorite hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today! Avery Brewing Company will also be on-site with giveaways and special beer tappings of their award winning brews.
FREE FIRST TUESDAY NIGHTS AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Photo: ©Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
When: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Where: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 4pm – 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Visit the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus for free on the afternoon of the first Tuesday of every month! Create in The Art Studio, power a hot air balloon or make giant bubbles. There is always something new to explore.
INDEPENDENCE EVE 2018 | CIVIC CENTER PARK
Photo: ©Civic Center Conservancy
When: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80202
Time: 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Independence Eve 2018 presented by Anadarko and produced by the nonprofit Civic Center Conservancy is the ninth-annual free community celebration featuring a concert, light show and fireworks finale. The concert will feature performances by Chris Daniels and The Kings and the 101st Army Band of the Colorado National Guard.
Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; arriving early is greatly encouraged, as are blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs. A variety of food trucks and two beer & wine gardens will be available on-site; attendees are also welcome to bring their own picnics. The event will take place rain or shine.
PARK HILL 4th OF JULY PARADE
Photo: ©Park Hill 4th of July Parade
When: Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Where: 2300 Dexter St, Denver, CO 80207
Time: Starting from 1:30pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The eighth annual Park Hill 4th of July Parade is a community-friendly event that will march along 23rd Avenue in northeast Denver’s historic Park Hill neighborhood, one of the city’s largest, oldest and most diverse areas.
Stretching from Dexter St. to Krameria St., this year’s parade will include more than 50 groups, including floats, marching bands, costumed characters, classic cars and more!
FIREFALL FIREWORKS CONCERT | HUDSON GARDENS & EVENT CENTER
Photograph Courtesy of ©The Hudson Gardens & Events Center
When: Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Where: The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
Time: 7:30pm; Gates Open from 5:30pm
Cost: Adults $22 Children $10.
Purchase Tickets Online
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate Independence Day at The Hudson Gardens & Events Center with Firefall. Concert will conclude with a special fireworks show!
BOULDER 4th OF JULY – RALPHIE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY BLAST
Photo: ©WK Real Estate
When: Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Where: Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 8pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
WK Real Estate, University of Colorado, and The City of Boulder Present Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast, the special Boulder 4th of July spectacular!
The Boulder 4th of July event will feature performances by School of Rock, Funkiphino, Jeff & Paige – Open Space and Mountain Parks, Pearl Street Jive and Beat Frequency with Boy Scout Troop #72, presenting the American flag in honor of July 4th.
Psst… Also, a one-of-a-kind sing along to traditional songs like “Old Mr. Ford” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” with the entire community and of course, the fireworks show!
FIREWORKS SHOW | ELITCH GARDENS
Photo: ©Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
When: Wednesday, July 4th, 2018
Where: Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 10pm
Cost: Included with Admission
Ages: All Ages
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park are hosting a special fireworks show from 10pm at the amusement park. Spend your Independence Day day-off at the park with the entire family, and watch a magnificent fireworks show to conclude the holiday!
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