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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 the weekend of July 1, 2023 (8am-8pm) to help you avoid parking frustrations. Route map and details here. The Eldo Shuttle will also be running all weekend, so you can ride to Eldorado Canyon State Park and trailheads in South Boulder.

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 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.

Folsom Field

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."

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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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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.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
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.

Boulder Farmers Market Food Court
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.

Boulder Reservoir Beach
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.

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.

Boulder Arts Week 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.

do not use - CO Glass Works