The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and this year is an especially big milestone for America, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of the Independence. You probably already know it’s a big birthday for Colorado too: 150 years for the Centennial State. Celebrations have been happening all year, but the Fourth of July is going to be big. Of course, red, white and boom fireworks are the biggest entertainment, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic is playing again at Ford Amphitheater, keeping their long-running Star-Spangled Symphony and fireworks tradition alive.
Not every celebration is featuring fireworks in this drought-stricken year, and weather conditions could change plans last minute. So be sure to doublecheck your venue of choice. But there are still many ways to celebrate with fireworks and festivals in the Pikes Peak region. Here’s a full list of where you can find 4th of July fun this year.
Fireworks Shows in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region
Star Spangled Symphony & Grand Fireworks Show
July 4
This is the big July 4th celebration in Colorado Springs, and the city’s only official public firework show this year, due to extreme drought conditions. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic will perform at Ford Amphitheater for the Star Spangled Symphony concert, followed by fireworks at Ford Amphitheater. The evening will feature a full symphony performance featuring hits from Dolly Parton, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, a Star Wars suite and classics including the 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever.
“There’s no better way to celebrate than with our community, under the stars, surrounded by the power of live symphonic sound,” says Nathan Newbrough, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
Tickets are required for the concert, and they start at $18. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks around 9 p.m.
Switchbacks FC Fourth of July Fireworks
Join the Switchbacks to celebrate the 4th of July at Weidner Field downtown as they take on Phoenix Rising FC. The game starts a 7 p.m., but hang around after the game for a spectacular, long-lasting firework show in honor of Independence Day. Celebrate and cheer the Switchbacks to a holiday win!
Banning Lewis Ranch Summer Concert & 4th of July Fireworks
July 4
Banning Lewis Ranch’s summer concert series shifts to Saturday, July 4, and includes a dazzling fireworks show. It’s a double concert featuring Tiny Pockets 4-6 p.m. and Funkology at 7-9 p.m. There will also be 30 food trucks. Kick back on the big grassy lawn to ooh and aah at the overhead light show.
Cripple Creek 4th of July Fireworks
On July 4, Cripple Creek comes alive with old-fashioned fun throughout town and features a spectacular fireworks show, weather permitting. The historic mining town goes all out for its Independence Day celebration. “It’s basically a grand finale for almost 25 minutes,” says Jeff Mosher, special projects director for the City of Cripple Creek. “Cripple Creek prides itself on having fireworks like nobody else around.”
The day begins with a parade at 11:00 a.m., followed by a great lineup of food vendors, beer garden and live music all day long. The Lake George Gem & Mineral Show will be taking place July 3–5 in the Cripple Creek District Museum parking lot.
4th of July Celebrations Without Fireworks
Fort Carson Freedom Fest
July 3
Fort Carson starts early with its Fourth of July festivities, so you can celebrate America more than once. BUT take note: Fort Carson will not be shooting off fireworks this year due to wildfire risk. Freedom Fest takes place on July 3 starting at 4 p.m. There will be concerts by Tyler Hubbard, X Ambassadors and Bryce Vine.
The festival includes free bounce houses, a Boingo Adventure Zone for all ages, food and drink specials and more. Freedom Fest is free and open to the public. If you don’t have a Department of Defense ID, pre-register online to speed up and ensure your base access.
carson.armymwr.com/freedomfest
Falcon Freedom Fest & Stars, Stripes & Strides 5K Run
July 4
Start your July 4th festivities in Falcon with a 5K run or walk at 8 a.m. Then join the Falcon Freedom Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Meridian Ranch Fieldhouse. The event will feature local vendors, a petting zoo, bounce houses, music and food trucks. Note that there will not be a fireworks show in Falcon this year.
Tri-Lakes 4th of July Street Fair
You can celebrate the Fourth of July all day in Monument and Palmer Lake. The Street Fair happens in downtown Monument from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a parade at 10 a.m. Explore local businesses, arts and craft merchants, food vendors and a beer garden. Note that parking in Monument will be limited, so visitors are encouraged to park at Lewis Palmer High School and ride the shuttle bus. Here’s a list of all the festivities.
- Pancake Breakfast: Start the day at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument. Get tickets at the door.
- Palmer Lake Fun Run: Get moving at 7 a.m. in this 4-mile fun run on the Santa Fe Trail from Palmer Lake to downtown Monument, where you’ll arrive in time for the parades.
- Tri-Lakes Chamber Street Fair: Explore arts, crafts, food vendors and more in downtown Monument, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- 4th of July Parade: The children’s parade starts at 9:30 a.m. with the main parade following at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Monument. This year’s theme is 250 Years of Freedom, 150 Years of Colorado Statehood.”
- Family Friendly Beer Garden in Limbach Park: Enjoy cold beer and live music in Monument’s Limbach Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Live Music in Limbach Park: The El Paso County Outlaw Band will play at 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Collective Groove takes the stage from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Green Box Arts Festival: 4th of July Block Party
The Green Box Arts Festival gets started on July 4 this year, and there’s a full day of celebration planned. It all culminates with evening concerts and a 4th of July Water Lantern Launch on Palmer Lake’s Gazebo Lake. Here’s a quick overview of the schedule.
• Water Lantern Design Studio ($10.00 per lantern kit), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• 4th of July Parade – 10 a.m. on the street between Sallie Bush Community Center and Gazebo Lake (free)
• Community Performance Hour – Lakeview Terrace Amphitheatre (free)
At 11 a.m., performers will include the Ute Pass Elementary School’s Fife & Drum Corps and Choir and Ormao Dance Company
• Community Hot Dog Lunch – At noon, the hot dogs and fixings are free. There will be other concessions for purchase.
• 4th of July Pie Contest – Green Box Farm Stand
1 p.m. This Green Mountain Falls tradition is free to enter a pie in the contest, $10.00 to sample pies.
• Opera Cowgirls – Lakeview Terrace Amphitheatre
Free concert at 2 p.m., where grand opera meets the grand ole opry, thanks to this alt-country band.
• 4th of July Block Party – Green Box Farm Stand & Lake Street
You might call this celebration the main event at 5-9 p.m. It features three concerts:
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- Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
Fresh off their 2025 win at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition. - Cary Morin & Ghost Dog (6:45-7:45 p.m.)
The Colorado musicians form a high-energy roots rock band with hints of blues, Americana and world groove, intent on getting folks up and out of their seats. - Jeremy Mohney & His Orchestra (8-9 p.m.)
One of Colorado’s most popular swing bands for over a decade.
- Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
• 4th of July Water Lantern Launch – Gazebo Lake
The beloved Green Box Arts tradition is free to attend at 9-9:30 p.m. It’s $10.00 to decorate a water lantern kit. The launch on the lake is beautiful ending for the night.
Rock Ledge Ranch’s Family Fourth 2026
Celebrate the Fourth with some good old-fashioned family fun at Rock Ledge Ranch. Play carnival games. Enter the pie-eating contest. Cool off with an old-school soda. Visit the historic sites. Listen to patriotic music, and hang out with historical interpreters from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Woodland Park Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration and Symphony Above the Clouds
Enjoy a day of old-fashioned games and contests, including pie-eating contest, a watermelon-eating contest, tug or war, sack races, a dunk tank and more. You’ll also find activities like line dancing, caricature drawings and other family fun — not to mention food and beer. It’s the 60th year of this celebration, and you’ll find it all in Memorial Park starting at 8 a.m. At 5:30 p.m. the Woodland Park Wind Symphony plays a free concert.
4th of July Glow SUP
Want to watch fireworks as you float on Quail Lake on a glowing SUP? Join Dragonfly Paddle Yoga to celebrate the Fourth of July on the water. You’ll enjoy the tranquility of the lake and night sky before being treated to Fourth of July fireworks shows. It might just be the best seat in the house.
