Haul out the red, white and blue — it’s going to be a firecracker 4th of July. Not only are there parades, community festivals and fireworks, but also deals, discounts and low-cost things to do on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2024. You can start off at dawn with fun runs and pancake breakfasts; then, picnic and groove to tunes through the day, and finally, find a spot around 9 p.m. for a show that lights up the Colorado sky.
And you might be surprised to learn that many attractions and museums are open as well.
Plus, there are parties galore at restaurants, breweries and other fun spots.
If you know of any we’ve missed, email Laura@milehighonthecheap.com.
We’ve pulled together a list of everything we could find that’s free or cheap on the 4th in the metro area. Click on each listing for more details or this list of Festivals, Parades & Fireworks.
Have a great one!
INDEPENDENCE DAY
More 4th of July Fun
Denver Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Best to buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Best to buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Art Museum will be open regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City is open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitors Center will be closed.
Concerts, Parties & Other Fun 4th Events
Outlets at Castle Rock
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Live music from David Chapa, food trucks, and plenty of room for your lawn chairs. 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock.
Boulder Symphony’s July 4th Concert
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Boulder Bandshell. Symphonic classics, from Bernstein’s Candide to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory. Also John Williams’ music from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and other cinematic classics, and patriotic tunes by John Philip Sousa.
There will also be seating at the base of the stage for those who want to bring their own lawn chairs and sit in the front row. Food and drink for sale. Tickets $15/adults, $5/children. 1212 Canyon Blvd., Boulder.
Dirty Dogs 4th of July Bike Night
Hillbilly Demons perform at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse at 6 p.m. They’ll be rockin’ the stage, filling the air with electrifying tunes that’ll make you dance. 17999 W. Colfax Ave., Golden.
Backyard Bluegrass Bash Featuring Star Spangled
3 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. family-friendly event at The Wrong Planet. Features The Star Spangled Bluegrass Band — Evan Shely (Guitar) of Tonewood, Elijah Donovan (Banjo) of Tonewood, Travis Lawson (Upright Bass) of Timber, Alex Tocco (Fiddle) of Rosales Bluegrass Band and Ricky Otte (Mandolin) of Slidewok.
Also late night entertainment featuring DJ Charisma and Alex Tocco. Free hot dogs and open grill for whatever you wanna cook up. Kid/Family friendly. BYOB (they will also have a cash bar for beer/simple cocktails.) Asking attendees for $10 to pay the musicians and cleaning. Pay at the door. 2120 S. Tennyson St., Denver.
Neighborhood BBQ at Legacy Christian Fellowship
Noon to 4 p.m. Annual BBQ & Potluck at Legacy Christian Fellowship Church. Bounce houses for the kids, food, fun, and live music from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. featuring Christafari, a gospel reggae band. Everyone is invited. 9200 Hoffman Way, Denver.
July 4th 2024 Deals on Food & More
The offers are available at participating locations, while supplies last.
Applebee’s
Kids (12 and under) eat FREE at Applebee’s on Independence Day, July 4, 2024. Find more details here.
Cheers! Applebee’s is serving its Star-Spangled Sips — choose a Watermelon Breeze Mocktail for $4, Blue Bahama Mama for $5 or All-American Mucho for $7.
Combine the drinks with the restaurant’s popular 2 for $26 meal deal for big savings over the holiday weekend.
arc Thrift Stores
Go shopping on the Fourth of July. On July 4, 2024, arc Thrift Stores is offering $10 off a purchase of $30 or more. If you keep your bill to the $30 minimum required, it’s just like saving 33%! Get the required coupon here.
The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the patriotic holiday.
Denver Passport
Cheers! Celebrate summer with lots of 2fer cocktails, beers and more in the Mile High City with the popular Denver Passport. The savings are valid through October 1, 2024.
The Denver Passport is offering FREE shipping for its Fourth of July Fireworks Sale — use promo code REDWHITEANDBOOZE at checkout online.
Fazoli’s
Enjoy oodles of savings at Fazoli’s!
From July 3 to 10, 2024, Fazoli’s is offering Spaghetti with Marinara (or meat sauce) or Fettuccine Alfredo for just $4. The deal is available for dine-in, at the drive-thru and online.
Gunther Toody’s
Enjoy a good ol’ American diner for the Fourth of July!
From July 4 to 7, 2024, Gunther Toody’s is offering 20% off all items on the menu — for dine-in only. The deal is available from 2 p.m. to closing. (Note: The diner closes at 4 p.m. on July 4, 2024.) Be sure to mention the offer to your server.
There are five locations in Colorado — Colorado Springs (2), Denver, Littleton and Thornton.
Grocery Store Deals
Spark lots of big savings on many essentials for a Fourth of July celebration or BBQ at King Soopers, Natural Grocers, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market. Check out our round-up here.
Hammond’s Candies
Make the Fourth of July (and summer) even sweeter! Hammond’s Candies is offering a 4th of July Sale with 20% off sitewide — use promo code FIREWORKS20 online at checkout.
The sale ends on June 30, 2024.
Photo: Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme
Celebrate the Fourth by enjoying one of America’s favorite treats at Krispy Kreme. On July 4, 2024, the shop is offering a FREE Original Glazed doughnut to any customer wearing red, white and blue.
McDonald’s
Thanks to the Colorado Rockies, fans can bite into a FREE Double Cheeseburger at McDonald’s on July 4, 2024. The offer requires an additional purchase of at least $1.
Papa Johns
Pizza and any summer gathering are the perfect pairing.
Papa Johns Rewards members earn a FREE medium one-topping pizza on their next order, when they place any order from July 4 to 7, 2024.
The FREE pizza reward is redeemable from July 8 to 21, 2024 with a minimum $20 purchase.
P.F. Chang’s
Enjoy a family feast for the Fourth of July at P.F. Chang’s!
The popular restaurant just introduced its new value menu with more affordable options — Chef’s Feast Menu. Starting at under $20 per person, the menu includes soup or salad, an appetizer and entrée from a select menu.
The value menu is available for a limited time.
Image: Popeyes
Popeyes
Just wing it for the Fourth of July!
From June 26 to July 14, 2024, Popeyes is offering six (6) FREE boneless or bone-in wings with a minimum purchase of $10. The offer is only available via Popeyes’ site or app.
Image: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Make your July 4th gathering a little spicier!
Taco Bell is offering one of its biggest meal deals every with its $7 Luxe Cravings Box — including a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, Chips & Nacho Sauce and medium fountain drink.
The box is available for a limited time.
Target
Right on, Target! The popular big box retailer is offering military, veterans and their families 10% off two separate purchases — from June 23 to July 6, 2024.
The bonus discount applies to all qualifying items in each of the two transactions. Find out how to get the deal here.
Walgreens
Walgreens is honoring military and veterans with 20% off regular price items — from July 4 to 7, 2024. The offer requires a MyWalgreens membership and proof of service, in-store only. Exclusions apply.
Wendy’s
July is National Ice Cream Month! And Wendy’s is celebrating with a FREE small Frosty for one week — from July 1 to 7, 2024. Get more details here.