Parades, Concerts, Barbecues, and Parties

Vail America Days Parade

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Vail Village

Vail's annual 4th of July bash kicks off at Golden Peak, where a parade filled with floats, bands, and classic cars meanders through Vail Village before ending at Lionshead Village. This year's festival theme is the "A Tribute to the 10th Mountain Division," with a special meet and greet featuring 10th Mountain Division soldiers at the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum following the parade. Plan on arriving early (and take the bus into town if you can)—the 4th brings out the masses to see the parade crawl by, and organizers suggest arriving at least a half an hour before festivities begin. vailamericadays.com

4th of July Bike Parade

11 a.m., Brush Creek Park Pavilion, Eagle

Eagle's 4th of July celebration is all about two wheels—decorate your bicycle in red, white, and blue before joining the group ride from Brush Creek Park Pavilion to Eagle Town Park, where games and kids' activities await. eagleoutside.com

Beaver Creek's Independence Day Celebration

12 to 9 p.m., Beaver Creek Mountain

Beaver Creek celebrates America's birthday with a full day of live music (courtesy of country star Tyler Rich—8:15 p.m. at Centennial Park—and other artists throughout the day), and a slew of kid friendly activities including bouncy castles, face painting, yard games, and more. Families looking for a more upscale experience can opt for the VIP event ticketing, which includes access to the resort's tony White Carpet Club, drinks and snacks, private kids' activities (from 4 to 5 p.m.), swag, and parking ($250 for a family of four). beavercreek.com

Bravo! Vail's Patriotic Concert

2 p.m., Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail

Bravo! Vail's Independence Day Concert features the Dallas Symphony Orchestra serenading the crowd at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater with classic patriotic ballads, free(!) lawn seating, and conductor Jeff Tyzik leading the show. Tickets go on sale July 1, and can only be purchased at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater box office ($25 per person). bravovail.org

4th of July Pool Party

2 to 6 p.m., Eagle-Vail Swimming Pool, Eagle-Vail

If you're looking to keep your cool (in the company of hyperkinetic kids) this 4th of July, head to Eagle-Vail's pool party, where the party's free entry is topped only by complimentary ice cream. eaglevail.org

All-American Barbeque Lunch and Fireworks Supper

The Fitz at Manor Vail's patio provides the perfect spot for firework-watching, BBQ eating, beer drinking, and all-around 4th fun. BBQ lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. $26 per adult, $12 per kid under 12. Supper: $42 per adult, $20 per kid under 12. manorvail.com

Barbeque and Pig Roast

For an in-town foodie celebration, the Sebastian is hosting an old-fashioned BBQ party on its Mountain View Terrace. Its offerings are fresh-off-the grill fare including Wagyu beef & shrimp anticuchos, ginger margaritas, and homemade ice cream sandwiches. 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. $34 per adult, $16 per kid under 12. thesebastianvail.com

Fireworks

Avon

The Valley's 3rd of July Fireworks show. Carpool or take public transportation to Salute! Shuttles available from Freedom Park in Edwards, the Eagle-Vail Community Center, and the Elk and Bear parking lots. If you drive, EXPECT LONG DELAYS TO EGRESS AND READ THE SALUTE IMPACT FOR ROAD CLOSURES www.avon.org/gettingtosalute

Vail Mountain

After last year's cancellation of local fireworks shows due to record-breaking heat and dry conditions, Vail's annual pyrotechnic display is back and starts around dusk (9:30 p.m.) over Golden Peak. Pro tip: snag your spot early, as prime real estate on slopeside patios (like The Fitz at Manor Vail) fill up fast—although, a short hike up Vail Mountain from the base of Gondola One rewards with some of the best views in the Village. vailamericadays.com

Gypsum

The Town of Gypsum will be hosting its own fireworks display at Lundgren Theater at 9 p.m. Be sure to come early, however, to catch 90s beat by "Denver's premiere 90's cover trio" JV3, and free hot dogs and ice pops before the show (7 p.m.). townofgypsum.com

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek's fireworks show begins at 9:15 over the slopes, following live music from country musician Tyler Rich at Centennial Park and a day full of festivities around Beaver Creek Village (as listed above). beavercreek.com

Also Try

You don't have to wait until the 4th to celebrate America's birthday—head to Avon for the Berkshire Hathaway Salute to the USA, which boasts one of the state's largest 4th of July fireworks shows, a lakeside carnival at Nottingham Park, and live music from Ziggy Marley and Colorado's own Hazel Miller Band before the main event lights up the night sky. Carpool or take public transportation to Salute! Shuttles available from Freedom Park in Edwards, the Eagle-Vail Community Center, and the Elk and Bear parking lots. If you drive, expect long delays to Egress and read the Salute impact for road closures. www.avon.org/gettingtosalute

And if you're hungry for something other than carnival booth funnel cake, head to Maya at the Westin for live music (4 to 7 p.m.) plus a BBQ pig roast on the patio overlooking the Beav (4 to 10 p.m., $55 per person) before you head over to Nottingham Lake for the fireworks show. westinriverfront.com