
4th of July Activities in Boulder
In early July, it’s easy to love Boulder’s combination of fresh air, beautiful outdoors, great patio restaurants, breweries and fun Fourth of July events.
Free Shuttles
- If you want to hike or picnic at Chautauqua, the Park-to-Park hiker shuttle will be running July 1, 2 and 4, 2023, 8am-8pm (note there's no shuttle July 3) to help you avoid parking frustrations. Route map and details here.
- The HOP, a bus that runs a circular route through Boulder, will be free all day on July 4, 2023.
- The Eldo Shuttle will also be running July 1, 2 and 4, 2023 (note there's no shuttle July 3) so you can ride to Eldorado Canyon State Park and trailheads in South Boulder.
Accessibility
These shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and operate lifts for passengers.
Folsom Field’s 4th of July Spectacular: A Night Sky Drone Show
Celebrate this Fourth of July with an all-new experience for 2023 at Folsom Field — Boulder's very first Night Sky Drone Show. Previously the Boulder fireworks show known as Ralphie's Independence Day Blast, this spectacular event will feature live music from School of Rock, The Custom Shop-Band and Funkiphino while colorful lights create celebratory displays in the sky.
Gates open at 7pm and the drone show begins at dark, usually around 9:35pm. UPDATE: Drone show may begin as early as 8:15pm due to the uncertainty of tonight's weather. Learn more.
Concessions will be available. Only small clear bags are allowed. Pets and outside food or drinks are prohibited. Plan your parking and free bus routes in advance.
Note: Flagstaff Road will close beginning at 6pm on July 4, 2023.
Accessibility Info
Entrances at Folsom Field are accessible for guests with disabilities. Wheelchair seating is available at Folsom Field and can be obtained when purchasing your ticket. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the athletics department in advance of your visit at 303-492-8337.

Colorado Music Festival
The internationally acclaimed Colorado Music Festival is held four nights per week for seven weeks at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, showcasing an orchestra of professional classical musicians from all over the world. The July 2, 2023 performance is a family show entitled, "Peter and the Wolf + Goodnight Moon."
Accessibility Info
Chautauqua Auditorium is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Chautauqua maintains a useful list addressing accessible parking, service animals, ADA restroom facilities, assistive listening devices, and more. Please visit the Chautauqua website for more information.
Wheelchair-accessible seating is available on the south side of the hall adjacent to section AL as well as at the back of section A. To purchase, look online for the wheelchair symbol or call the Chautauqua Box Office at 303-440-7666.
July 4th Concert Celebration
Celebrate July 4th with Independence Day symphonic classics, from Copland to Bernstein and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," at the historic Boulder Bandshell with the Boulder Symphony. Also featured will be John Williams' music from Star Wars, Indiana Jones and other fun cinematic classics.
Accessibility Info
The Glenn Huntington Band Shell is in Boulder’s Civic Area, which provides ADA accessible paths and sidewalks.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
See Shakespeare under the stars at the gorgeous Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on the University of Colorado campus. The series runs for much of the summer, with special Independence Day holiday weekend performances.
Accessibility Info
Colorado Shakespeare Festival venue entrances are wheelchair accessible and wheelchair seating is available. Contact the box office at 303-492-8008.
Assisted listening devices are available on request. If you need an assisted listening device, please ask an usher or the box office for one as soon as you arrive, as quantities are limited.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival offers American Sign Language interpretation, audio description services, and live captioning for its productions upon request. Email cupresents@colorado.edu at least two weeks in advance for more information.
More information is available on the CU Presents website.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Dead & Co. at Folsom Field
Dead & Co. will be playing their last stint at Folsom Field for three nights, July 1, 2 and 3, 2023, as part of The Final Tour. This is a great show to catch on CU campus' beautiful football field, with mountain views, good vibes and legendary tunes.
Accessibility Info
Entrances at Folsom Field are accessible for guests with disabilities. Wheelchair seating is available at Folsom Field and can be obtained when purchasing your ticket. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the athletics department in advance of your visit at 303-492-8337.

Dead & Co. at Folsom Field
Boulder Farmers Market
The Boulder Farmers Market is a fun place to start a Saturday. Established in 1986 by a handful of local farmers looking to sell farm-fresh produce directly to the public, the market is one of the largest in Colorado. It is a growers-only market, and shoppers can enjoy seasonal produce, eggs, cheeses, meats, herbs, flowers, wines and gourmet food products. Plus, the market enjoys a lovely setting next to shady Central Park and the Boulder Creek, at the doorsteps of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) and the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.
Accessibility Info
While the Boulder Farmers Market can be busy, it is held on a wide street, closed to motor traffic, and there are no stairs. The bathroom behind the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is ADA accessible.

Boulder Farmers Market
Cool Off in the Boulder Reservoir
The beautiful Boulder Reservoir welcomes families to come hang out at the reservoir to picnic and cool off in the water. Open July 3 from 6am-8pm and July 4 from 6am-5pm. Alcohol is prohibited on July 4 unless you are part of a group renting a picnic site.
Accessibility Info
The visitor center at the Boulder Reservoir is ADA accessible and other improvements are planned for increasing restroom and water ramp accessibility.
There is also EXPAND Beyond, an adaptive water ski program, that gives folks with physical disabilities the opportunity to hit the open water. The program operates Tuesday mornings from 8-11am in mid-June for eight weeks at the Reservoir.

Boulder Reservoir
Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament
June 26-July 2, 2023
For more than two decades, the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament, an 80-team competitive girls softball tourney, has been hosted in Boulder. Come join in this Fourth of July Boulder tradition, and see these powerhouse girls pitch, swing and run at the Stazio Ballfields and the East Mapleton Complex.
Accessibility Info
The Gerald Stazio Softball Fields offer ADA-compliant sidewalks and paths.
First Friday Art in NoBo Art District
NoBo First Friday is a free, self-guided tour of artists’ studios and creative businesses in the NoBo Art District. Meet painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, artists and artisans along your stroll through the area, featuring live music, demos and special activities in many locations. Located along Broadway from Violet to Highway 36. Follow the bright colored flags to find surprises around every corner. First Friday runs 6-9pm. Find the map here.

First Friday
Holiday Glass Class
Celebrate the Fourth of July weekend with a patriotic-themed stained-glass class at Colorado Glass Works. In this 1.5-hour workshop, you and your loved one (the class fee covers two people) will join forces to create a stained glass star.

Colorado Glass Works
More Events June 30–July 4, 2023
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