The Fourth of July is approaching quickly, and if you’re coming to northern Colorado for the holiday, Loveland is an ideal place to stay to take advantage of all of the Independence Day festivities in and around Loveland. While lodging can be a bit hard to come by for this popular weekend, due to a large regional softball tournament, our campground options, such as Boyd Lake State Park, Sky View Campground and Pinewood Reservoir, are all scenic sites to make your home base for a fun weekend.
When it comes to formal Fourth of July celebrations, things are a bit more low-key here in Loveland this year. But there are plenty of ways to capitalize on Loveland’s outdoor destinations as you celebrate. Swimming, kayaking and fishing are popular ways to beat the heat and make the most of the holiday. Read more about the best locations for water activities in our recent blog. Also, North Lake Park has long been a focal point for the Fourth of July, and they’ll have the Buckhorn Railroad operating and plenty of pavilions to rent and BBQ with family and friends.
Our surrounding communities also offer a wide variety of activities, and there is something for everyone, from running a 5K to going to the rodeo. If you’re staying in Loveland this Independence Day, here are some of the top activities in town and in the surrounding communities.
The Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede deserves its own category because it is such a big deal in the region. The multi-day rodeo, carnival and concert series have something for everyone. The Stampede starts on June 24, 2025, this year with events every day through July 6, 2025.
On the Fourth of July, the Stampede features the Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m., lots of activities for the family throughout the day, then fireworks at 9:30 p.m. and a musical performance from country star Rodney Atkins afterward. Whether you’re a fair and rodeo enthusiast or this would be your first time, you can’t go wrong with the Greeley Stampede. Check out the full schedule and get tickets at greeleystampede.org.
Daytime Festivities
Even though you might just be counting down until the fireworks, that’s not the only thing going on in northern Colorado to celebrate the Fourth of July. Both Loveland and Fort Collins host a 5K run. The Loveland Liberty 5K starts and finishes at the beloved Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and raises money for Health4Heros. The Firekracker 5K in Fort Collins starts and ends in historic City Park. Both runs allow same-day registration even if you didn’t sign up in advance. They also both have a one-mile run/walk for kids.
Fort Collins City Park keeps the party going all day with a food truck rally, parade at 10 a.m., family fun zone, trolley rides and live music.
For a classic, small-town vibe, the Town of Wellington offers entertainment and family fun all day. They start with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., followed by a parade at 10 a.m. and a market and car show in Centennial Park all afternoon.
The City of Longmont starts the fun a little later in the day, but still with plenty to enjoy leading up to the fireworks. Beginning at 5 p.m., they have a Street Party on Emery St between 1st and 3rd Avenues with food and beverage vendors, carnival games and live music.
While the City of Boulder isn’t hosting anything formal during the day, their recent blog highlights going to the Farmer’s Market, visiting Boulder Reservoir or dropping into one of several festivals as great ways to kick off the holiday weekend. And, if you’re lucky enough to land tickets, the legendary jam band Phish will perform on Folsom Field in Boulder on July 3, July 4 and July 5, 2025. While it’s not a fireworks show, “Phishheads” would probably rather spend the evening listening to music than watching fireworks anyway!
Fireworks & Drone Shows
And now for the line-up of northern Colorado fireworks and drone shows. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic, small-town vibe like in Timnath, a college-town festival feel in Fort Collins or stunning nature as the backdrop of your fireworks show as in Estes Park, you won’t be disappointed.
- Berthoud (July 3) – Fireworks start around 9 p.m. at Waggener Farm Park.
- Berthoud (July 4) – Fireworks at dusk at TPC Colorado.
- Fort Collins (July 4) – Fireworks start around 9:35 p.m. at City Park.
- Greeley (July 4) – Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. at Island Grove Regional Park (part of the Stampede, but you can see them for miles around if you didn’t get tickets).
- Wellington (July 4) – Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m., spectators can gather on the Eyestone Elementary North and South fields.
- Timnath (July 4) – Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at Timnath Reservoir.
- Longmont (July 4) – Fireworks and drone show start around 9:30 p.m. during The Street Party (on Emery St between 1st and 3rd Aves).
- Estes Park (July 4) – Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. at Lake Estes.
At-Home Fireworks Reminder
While you’ll find fireworks stands around northern Colorado selling legal fireworks—think small fountains, sparklers and other ground-based displays—it’s essential to know that anything that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal in Colorado. Beyond legality, there’s a bigger reason to be careful: Colorado’s dry climate and high wildfire risk make personal fireworks especially dangerous. One stray spark can have devastating consequences. That’s why we highly encourage you to enjoy one of the area’s many professional, sanctioned shows. They’re safer, bigger and way more fun. The Loveland Fire Authority has more information on legal versus illegal fireworks and other safety tips.
Enjoy the Holiday and Be Safe!
If you’re staying in Loveland or another northern Colorado community over the Fourth of July, we encourage you to celebrate safely, have an excellent stay and enjoy some of the many activities our region has to offer!
