The Fourth of July falls on a Sunday this year, which means a weekend full of patriotic festivities and celebration. Plus, many of our favorite community events are back for 2021! This means there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday, in Fort Collins and Loveland, and all the way over in Estes Park.
To help you properly celebrate the Fourth of July in Northern Colorado, here are some of the region’s most-anticipated annual Fourth of July events, from festivals and parades to fireworks shows and 5Ks.
Happy Fourth!
Greeley Stampede | Greeley
June 24–July 4, 2021 | Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley
Photo Courtesy of Michael Spear via Greeley Stampede
Celebrate the Fourth — and the days leading up to it — at the Greeley Stampede, which is celebrating its 99th year in 2021! For 10 days, enjoy a variety of family-friendly attractions and special events, including Carnival Americana, Kids Korral, outdoor music stages, multiple parades, the Western Art Show, fireworks, rodeo tours and more. On July 4th, the fun increases with a Demolition Derby in the afternoon and fireworks filling the sky above Island Grove Park beginning at 9:45 p.m. To see the full schedule, click here.
Freedom Fest | Fort Collins
July 1–5, 2021 | Fort Collins / Lakeside KOA Holiday, Fort Collins
Fort Collins / Lakeside KOA Holiday is hosting a long weekend of festive fun with Freedom Fest from July 1–5. While you camp and enjoy the great outdoors, show off your American pride with all things red, white and blue for a site decorating contest. Plus, enjoy tournaments, arts and crafts, and much more!
4th of July Celebration at Jellystone Park | Estes Park
July 2–4, 2021 | Jellystone Park, Estes Park
Head to Jellystone Park in Estes Park for a weekend of camping fun, enhanced by Independence Day celebrations. From July 2–4, enjoy a Pots n Pans Parade, laser tag, candy bar bingo, karaoke, crafts and scavenger hunts. Plus, end the weekend with fireworks over Lake Estes on July 4!
4th of July Town Celebration & Fireworks | Wellington
July 4, 2021 | Community Park, Wellington
Wellington’s annual Fourth of July Celebration kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by a festival at Community Park at 11 a.m. Stick around for a special audio/visual presentation starting at 9:15 p.m. followed by a spectacular fireworks show at 9:40 p.m. To get all the details on this year’s event, click here.
2021 4th of July Community Celebration | Fort Collins
July 4, 2021 | Various Locations
A beloved tradition in Fort Collins, the City’s annual 4th of July Community Celebration is back for 2021! The day kicks off with a hot air balloon launch at 6 a.m., followed by a driving motorcade parade at 10 a.m. Then, residents are encouraged to celebrate the day with neighbors and friends, by hosting a front yard cookout, decorating your front porch for the holiday, etc. The day’s festivities culminate with a drive-in fireworks show, in collaboration with the City of Loveland, Larimer County, and The Ranch Event Complex. For more information about the 4th of July Community Celebration, click here, and to learn more about the drive-in fireworks show, keep reading!
FireKracker 5K | Fort Collins
July 4, 2021 | City Park, Fort Collins
Celebrating its 22nd year in 2021, the FireKracker 5K is a race event for the whole family. Race options include the Citizen’s 5K around City Park, the Elite 5K around Sheldon Lake, and the free Kid’s Race for children ages 5 through 12. And it all kicks off at 7:25 a.m. with a performance of the National Anthem! And be sure to stick around for the awards ceremony at 9:15 a.m. To register, click here.
Larimer County Drive-In Fireworks Show | Loveland
July 4, 2021 | The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland
For the second year, the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins are teaming up with Larimer County for a unique drive-in fireworks show at the Ranch in Loveland. This provides a safe and distanced option, as well as an opportunity for local budgets to recover from a year of COVID-related closures. Doors open for vehicle entry at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show will start at approximately 9:15 p.m. and conclude around 9:35. There will be snack trucks parked on site and patriotic music played by Big Rob on 96.1 KISSFM. Click here for more details about this COVID-friendly event!
Timnath Drive-In 4th of July Celebration | Timnath
July 4, 2021 | Timnath Reservoir, Timnath
The town of Timnath will celebrate the holiday with a Drive-In 4th of July Celebration at the Timnath Reservoir. Residents are invited to enjoy live music from Atomic Fusion Initiative and tailgating starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the reservoir synced to patriotic music beginning at 9:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs, yard games and picnic food for a fun evening, drive-in style!
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July at the 1879 Avery House | Fort Collins
July 4, 2021 | 1879 Avery House, Fort Collins
Coinciding with the all-day 4th of July Community Celebration throughout Fort Collins, the 1879 Avery House hosts their own celebration every year. You can watch the motorcade from the lawn then continue the fun with live music, old-fashioned games like croquet and a bean bag toss, kids’ crafts, Victorian-era costumes, Avery House tours, and more. Admission to this event is free!
Loveland Liberty 5K | Loveland
Hosted by Sweetheart City Racing, this July 4th event invites racers to Loveland Fairgrounds Park before the fun in North Lake Park begins. More than 1,500 runners are expected and proceeds go to a local veteran group, High Plains Honor Flight. This year, there will also be a 400-yard kids’ race for toddlers to elementary kids. To register for the Loveland Liberty, click here.
4th of July Celebration | Estes Park
July 4, 2021 | Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, Estes Park
Estes Park’s Independence Day celebration lasts all day in Stanley Park. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Estes Park Events Complex, you can see hundreds of cars in the Coolest Car Show. Then, head to the Estes Park Fairgrounds at 7 p.m. for the Big Bang Concert, food, craft beer and wine, followed by a patriotic concert and fireworks show over Lake Estes at 9:30 p.m.
Happy Fourth of July!
What community events are you most looking forward to this Independence Day? Let us know in the comments below!
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