THURSDAY
Fireworks displays tonight? Absolutely, weather permitting. And the traditional, enjoy from your yards, area-wide celebration featuring music by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and televised, too, is mapped out at coloradospringssports.org/events/4th-of-july In Denver area, fireworks in most cities and after the Rockies Coors Field games, 6:10 p.m. Thursday against Milwaukee Brewers, Friday against KC Royals. Elitch Gardens fireworks after park closes at 9 p.m. Friday.
THURSDAY
July Fourth history comes alive at the traditional Rock Ledge Ranch Family Fourth at Garden of the Gods. Take wagon rides around the historic site, watch dancing by the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, eat ice cream and watermelon, try your luck in the pie-eating contest and hear stories about the past at the Civil War encampment. $10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tickets $4-$8, rockledgeranch.com/event/family-fourth-3
THURSDAY
Everyone’s invited to the community holiday celebration in Monument with its 9:30 a.m. July 4 Parade, Fourth of July Street Fair and so much good food from vendors and at the restaurants. Add to that a beer garden, Palmer Lake Fun Run and festival, ending with fireworks. townofmonument.org/338/4th-of-July-Events
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Head to Denver’s Cherry Creek North for the primo holiday Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of a kind with 250 artists chosen from 1,942 applicants from around the country and other countries, vendors, food and creative activities for the youngsters. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday). CherryArts nonprofit provides art education for students year round. cherryarts.org/events/cherry-creek-arts-festival
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
Cosplay, sci-fi, anime, celebrities, comics. They’re all part of the gigantic Fan Expo Denver, Thursday to Sunday at Colorado Convention Center downtown. An expected fandom of 100,000. Show hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday). Parking and Light Rail to the Convention Center restricted because of construction. Plan alternatives on RTD Trip Planner. fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/celebrities
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Racing, a car show, music and fireworks down at PPIR for the ASCEND Music & Motorsports Festival. Time Attack Series and cash prizes, too. 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. ppir.com
FRIDAY-JULY 10
Holiday rodeo time at the Rooftop Rodeo at Estes Park, called “the rodeo with altitude.” Six days of PRCA rodeo competition and activities. Tickets: $12-$35. rooftoprodeo.com
SATURDAY
Get those yoyo fingers ready to Rock the Baby and even more difficult moves at Mile High Yoyo Club Jamboree 2: Electric Bugaloo, noon to 4 p.m. at 9995 E Colfax Ave., in Aurora. All ages, all yoyo levels, beginner instructions and there will be great tricks to watch. Free club also meets monthly.tinyurl.com/34awuuxy
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Opening weekend for the acclaimed annual Colorado Music Festival, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder. A full summer concert season, chamber and orchestral music and even a “Green Eggs and Ham” family fun concert. coloradomusicfestival.org.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY