It's that magical time of year again when the world becomes aglow in beautiful lights, making it appear to be a real-life fairyland! The perfect example of this Christmas magic is the can't-miss Estes Park Holiday Trail in Colorado, which may just boast one of the most festive and beautiful light displays in the state:
Located in - you guessed it! - Estes Park, the Estes Park Holiday Trail is an annual event that transforms the town's already beautiful streets into a magical fairyland full of colorful lights and displays!
Spanning the entire community, the Estes Park Holiday Trail begins in the downtown area, where the streets are lined with twinkling lights, and local businesses decorate their windows.
It isn't just the downtown area that decks the halls (err, streets?), as the Holiday Trail stretches in every direction and includes homes and residential neighborhoods.
In addition to the dazzling decor, Estes Park also hosts several can't-miss events, like the annual tree lighting ceremony, Catch the Glow Parade, and Holiday Wine Festival.
If you find yourself saying, "I wish I knew where to watch fireworks near me this July 4th!" then we have the perfect list here for you! Celebrating Independence Day is a fun and important American tradition, and fireworks are a big part of that for most of us. Here, we've put together a list of some of the very best fireworks displays in Colorado for this holiday weekend, and no matter which one you choose, you're sure to be quite pleased. Have a great time celebrating America this year, and happy July 4th to you!
Arvada's Fireworks Display is well-known around the region for being one of the best in Denver metro. This display has been happening since 1979 and will start around 9pm.
2. Aurora 4th of July Spectacular
Aurora's July 4th celebration includes food trucks, live music, and a big fireworks show that starts at 9:30 and lasts about 30 minutes.
The celebration in Brighton includes food vendors, music, and fun, family-focused activities, and an impressive fireworks display at dusk.
4. The Great American Picnic - Broomfield
Your whole family will love The Great American Picnic in Broomfield. Bounce on inflatables, eat food from local food vendors, and grownups can sip beer in the 21+ beer garden. Watch the Bike Parade and enjoy the big fireworks show at 9:30pm.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park and the Colorado Rapids offer the largest fireworks display in the state every year. Fireworks start after the Rapids play Kansas City and will begin around 9:30pm.
6. Colorado Rockies Post-Game Fireworks - Denver
Another big fireworks display on July 4th in the Denver metro area is the one that happens after the Rockies game at Coors Field. This year the Rockies play the Milwaukee Brewers and fireworks will commence when the game ends.
7. Englewood 4th of July Independence Day Celebration
Enjoy local vendors, food trucks, and fun times with your neighbors at the Englewood 4th of July Independence Day Celebration! Fireworks start around 9:15pm.
8. Estes Park 4th of July Celebration
Fireworks are especially beautiful over Lake Estes! Check out music, food, local craft beer, and more before things start to explode in the sky!
The Fort Collins July 4th Celebration includes a golf tournament, a 5K, a parade, baseball games, and live music. Fireworks begin at 9:15pm.
10. Independence Day Fireworks - Grand Lake
Grand Lake is known for being one of the very best fireworks displays in our mountains! Before fireworks, which start around 10pm over Colorado's largest natural lake, you can check out a variety of festivities around town and on the lake during the day, too.
Everyone loves the Highlands Ranch Family Pet & Bike Parade and the Community Parade on the morning of July 4th. After that, go home and relax and rest up to prepare for the town's big fireworks display at 9:30 pm at Highland Heritage Regional Park.
12. July 4th Festival - Loveland
The City of Loveland goes all out for its July 4th celebration! Check out the bike parade, the Kids' Zone Play Area, live music, a cornhole tournament, beer gardens, and fireworks over the course of a very exciting day.
13. Westminster 4th of July Celebration
Westminster has one of the best July 4th fireworks displays in the north metro area. Enjoy food, activities, beer, live music, and fireworks at 9:15pm.
Colorado is full of fun activities on July 4th! No matter where you live, you're sure to find festivities and fireworks within easy driving distance. Get out there and have a blast - no pun intended - with your friends and family and make some memories that will last for many years to come! Have a great holiday, everyone!
Taking a road trip to see fireworks in Colorado? Don't forget to pack some snacks!
Editor's Note: The 2024 festival has been canceled.
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Let me ask you a question: Where is the best place on earth to get BBQ? Don't worry, I'll give you a second to think about it... Time's up! What do you think? Memphis? Kansas City? Texas? While all of the above is very true, you are missing by far the best BBQ on earth, which can be found at this Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge that you simply cannot miss. After learning more, you'll be ready to pack your bags and head to get some of the best BBQ in the U.S.
The Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge features 70+ BBQ vendors competing for the prestigious title of Grand Champion.
The competition usually takes place over Father's Day weekend. The 2024 festival was unfortunately canceled when Copper Mountain declined to host the festival. Stay tuned with the Town of Frisco to learn more as the festival searches for a new home next year.
Started in 1993 with a mere 12 competitors, this popular Colorado tradition now welcomes not only 70 professional and amateur chefs from around the state, but also a whopping 30,000 guests each year!
Last year's musical lineup included the 101st Army Rock Band, Buckner Funken Jazz, and Beau Thomas. Hopefully the festival will be able to score so many awesome acts when the event reappears.
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...the Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey Tour and a whole lot more!
As per their website, "Hogback Tickets are the official currency of the Colorado BBQ Challenge. Hogback tickets can be purchased at ticket booths throughout the event. $1 = 1 Hogback."
More information on the Colorado BBQ Challenge -- which takes place over 6 blocks worth of Frisco's Main Street -- can be found on the Town of Frisco's website.
Stay tuned for more information on where the 2025 competition will land.
Have you been to this fabulous festival, the Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your firsthand accounts of these unique events and experiences.
