Music and pyrotechnics go together like peanut butter and jelly. Few days out of the year exemplify this holy matrimony as much as the Fourth of July, celebrating the nations independence with a beer in hand, music filling the night air and explosions illuminating the sky. Fortunately, Denver has the hook up for some of the most exuberant displays of combustion surrounding the Fourth, soundtrack included.

Saturday, July 1

Independence Celebration

When: Saturday, July 1, 5 – 10 p.m. 

Where: Four Mile Historic Park — 715 S Forest St., Denver

Cost:  Free

The Lowdown: If taking a rather authentic approach to celebrating the Fourth of July strikes a chord with you, the Independence Celebration at Four Mile Historic Park will be right up your alley. Featuring an assortments of old-fashion games, historic demonstrations and wagon rides, Four Mile’s celebration will be a testament to getting as close to reliving the historical aspects of the Fourth of July without having to dump your British friend’s tea. In addition, Denver’s own The Heresies will be performing their signature homegrown honky-tonk tunes to bring the event full circle.

Rubedo’s Independence Day III

Photo Courtesy of Rubedo’s Facebook Page

When: Saturday, July 1, 7 – 11 p.m. 

Where: The Bluebird Theater — 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: $5 – 14.  Get your tickets here.

The Lowdown: July 1 will mark the third installment of local rock band Rubedo’s annual Independence Day Celebration. Rubedo — along with Mouse Powell, Los Mocohetes con Baubo, Don Chicarron, Luke Krutzke & the High Tides and DJ Reubot will be lighting up the Bluebird Theater as a precursor to our nation’s proper birthday on Tuesday. If last year’s promo is any indication of what to expect, it’ll be the second most bewildering thing you’ll see this week aside from the fireworks.

Sunday, July 2

iHeartRadio + Broncos Block Party w/ Andrew McMahon

When: Sunday, July 2, 7 – 11 p.m. 

Where: The Lawn at Sports Authority Field at Mile High — 1701 Bryant St., Denver 

Cost: $15. Get your tickets here.

The Lowdown: While Sports Authority Field will still have its annual fireworks display on theFourth, the Bronco’s have announced a preseason block party in collaboration with iHeartRadio, featuring a live performance from Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness on July 2. The first-ever show of its kind for the Broncos will play out on the Lawn at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Monday, July 3

Independence Eve

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When: Monday, July 3, 8 – 11 p.m. 

Where: Civic Center Park — 101 14th Ave., Denver 

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: For the eighth year in a row, Independence Eve will return to Civic Center Park.  The light show, firework display and the concert this year featuring Taylor Rae, Soul X and the 101st Army Band is a downtown Denver staple of honoring patriotism and the pride of being an American. Not to mention, few places in Denver manage to put on a spectacle quite like that of Independence Eve.

Tuesday, July 4

FASOR 4th of July Pop-Up

When: Tuesday, July 4, 8 – 2 a.m. 

Where: Lion’s Lair  — 2022 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: Denver’s own indie label FASOR will be taking over the Lion’s Lair dive bar for a night of future bass, hip-hop and general debauchery. Taking place after most fireworks have been vanquished, FASOR will be facilitating performances by local favorites iLL Faded, CRL CRRL, Guilla and Bouxku Jones. If the annual company picnic is too laid back an affair, then the irresponsibility awaiting you at Lion’s Lair is not to be missed.

Colorado Symphony

Photo courtesy of Sports Authority Field’s Facebook

When: Tuesday, July 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High — 1701 Bryant St., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: For this Fourth of July concert, you can enjoy fireworks alongside the soothing sounds of Colorado Symphony and a lacrosse game all in one evening. This annual event will feature the Denver Outlaws against the Atlanta Blaze. As an added bonus, you can catch Thunderstorm — the official parachute team of the Denver Broncos.

Blues Traveler

4th of July

Photography By Roman Tafoya

When: Tuesday, July 4, 5 – 11:30 p.m. 

Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre  — 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison 

Cost: $39.95 – 45. Get tickets here

The Lowdown: Blues Traveler’s annual Red Rocks Fourth of July show has become somewhat of a Colorado tradition in and of itself.  Apart from the fireworks downtown visible from Red Rock’s tiered seating, this year, Blues Traveler will be joined by Rusted Root, Spin Doctors and The Samples. The view, the tunes and the opportunity to take in the Fourth of July at one of the world’s greatest venues is an unforgettable time in the making.

Russell Dickerson

When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 – 11 p.m. 

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park — 6000 Victoria Way, Denver

Cost: $39 – 91. Get tickets here. 

The Lowdown: Even though soccer doesn’t exude “America” like football or wrestling, we’ll let it slide. Following the Colorado Rapids vs. the Seattle Sounders game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will be a performance by rising country artist Russell Dickerson. Following up Dicks’ firework show, Dickerson’s performance will be the icing on the cake of a rowdy Fourth of July. You can probably already hear the “USA” chants as you read this.

Train w/ O.A.R and Natasha Bedingfield

4th of July

O.A.R performing at Red Rocks

When: Tuesday, July 4, 6:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. 

Where: Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village

Cost: $30 – 99.50. Get tickets here

The Lowdown: Taking the place of Fiddler’s Green’s usual Fourth of July Celebration will be a blow-out concert featuring Train, O.A.R and Natasha Bedingfield. All is not lost on the fireworks however, as the show is slated to have its own firework show at the conclusion of the performance. Between “Peace,” “Pocketful of Sunshine” and “Drops of Jupiter” you’ll be thankful the fireworks distracted from the tears bound to run down your face and everyone you came with.