From fireworks to concerts to parades, the Vail Valley celebrates America’s independence with a slew of events that are diverse, fun and family friendly and free.

Given that there’s so much to do, and no way to do it all, we’ve taken the lead in curating a list of the best of the 4^th. The events you won’t want to miss, the parades you have to watch and the fireworks shows that will wow.

Fireworks

You can’t really go wrong with fireworks this 4^th, with two great big shows and a couple of smaller ones if you want to miss the crowds. The big daddy, of course, is Avon’s Salute to the USA presented by The Westin Riverfront Resort. Scheduled for Monday, July 3. This free event kicks off at 5pm in Avon’s Nottingham Park and features face painters, fire jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon sculptors, magicians, food stands, and more. But you’re here for the fireworks, right? And with 10,000 shells set to blast to the heavens in a visual feast, you’re not going to go home disappointed.

But wait, there’s more! Vail’s fireworks display comes on tap the next night – the 4^th. Wander on over to the base of Golden Peak, where the show commences at dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.). While more modest than the Avon display, there should be plenty of pyrotechnics to keep even the most critical of viewers happy.

Best of the rest: The towns of Eagle and Gypsum tag-team the Valley’s western light show with Gypsum hosting the festivities this year at the Brush Creek Pavilion. Info

Parades

Kids will be front and center in Vail’s Vail America Days Parade as well on July 4^th. Running from Gold Peak to Lionshead through Vail Village, the procession starts at 10 am and wraps up at noon.

But while parades are fun to watch, they’re even more fun to be in. Grab some bunting and a red white and blue top hat, decorate your bike and be part of the Eagle’s home town bike parade. Scheduled for July 4, the event starts at 5 p.m. at Eagle’s Brush Creek Park before the fireworks.

Live Music

Bravo organizes some of the best concerts of the summer, but it's hard to imagine one that's more loved than the annual Bravo! Vail Patriotic Concert. This year the Dallas Symphony Orchestra holds fort at the Ford Amphitheater for a fun and festive show that features patriotic favorites. Reserved seats cost $25 (with all proceeds going to the Vail Veterans Program) while lawn seating is free, and available on a first-come-first-served basis beginning at 12:30 p.m.