July 4 fireworks

BOOM! BANG! CHEAP! Fourth of July fireworks and festivities sparkle throughout Colorado. Fortunately, there are many free and low-cost festivals and parades to keep families entertained from July 2 to 5. One of the biggest celebrations is Indy Eve at Civic Center in Denver on July 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. Enjoy live music from the Colorado Symphony and a night market with food, local artisans and family-friendly activities. Performers from Circus Foundry come together at 9 p.m. for an LED light acrobatic and aerial show, followed by 300 drones filling the sky at 9:40 p.m. Commerce City boasts the largest public fireworks display in Colorado as part of its Fourth Fest on July 4. Revelers can enjoy the show from the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park following the Colorado Rapids game, at around 10 p.m. Find a comprehensive round-up of all the patriotic festivals and celebrations at milehighonthecheap.com/denver-fourth-of-july.

Krispy Kreme July Fourth

Celebrate the Fourth of July by enjoying one of America’s favorite treats for free: doughnuts. Through Independence Day, Krispy Kreme is honoring the summertime holiday with a special Stars, Stripes & Sweetness doughnut collection. On July 4, any customer wearing red, white and blue can get a free original glazed doughnut in-shop. There are four participating shops in Colorado: Fort Collins, Lone Tree, Thornton and Colorado Springs. krispykreme.com/promos/july4th

Colorado Renaissance Festival — Children’s Weekend

Hear ye! Hear ye! Merriment (on a budget) awaits. The 48th annual Colorado Renaissance Festival (650 W. Perry Park Ave.) in Larkspur is back for adventure and family fun on weekends this summer. There’s plenty for families to do and see, including entertainment, an artisan’s marketplace and themed weekends. On July 5 and 6, kids 12 and under get in for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. The offer is only available at the box office on-site. If you’re going without children for the holiday weekend, find discounted tickets at King Soopers. The festival runs on weekends through Aug. 3. coloradorenaissance.com

AMC Theatres’ 50% off Wednesdays

Frugal film fanatics have always known that Tuesday is the day to go to the movies, as most chains offer discounted tickets. This summer, AMC Theatres is expanding the options to see the latest blockbuster at reduced admission with its 50% off Wednesday special, starting July 9. (Price varies by location.) This is in addition to the chain’s ongoing discount Tuesdays offer. There is an upcharge for premium formats, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema and 3D. Plus, fees still apply for online ticket orders. The new discount is only available for AMC Stubs members, which is free to join at the basic level. amctheatres.com/offers

Colorado Black Arts Festival

It’s the 39th year for the Colorado Black Arts Festival at the West End of Denver’s City Park, happening July 11 to 13. Multiple stages will showcase local and regional talent performing jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, dance and gospel. In addition, festival-goers will find a wide variety of artwork for sale, as well as food, games and services. The Watu Sakoni (People’s Marketplace) is the place for unique gifts, crafts, woodcarvings, clothing, jewelry, oils, incense, music and books. Plus, a Children’s Pavilion will offer the younger set lots of hands-on fun with various activities and games. The Food Court serves up affordable dishes from the American South, Africa, the Caribbean and America. The festival is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. colbaf.org

Boulder’s Summer Sidewalk Sale

Get your walking shoes ready. Boulder’s annual Summer Sidewalk Sale takes place from July 11 to 13. Shoppers can find lots of deals up to 75% off from many merchants on the Pearl Street Mall. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays in the five downtown Boulder municipal garages; metered parking is free on Sundays. boulderdowntown.com/shopping/side-walk-sale

Erie Hot Air Balloon Festival

It’s worth getting up early for the colorful hot air balloon launch that highlights the annual Erie Hot Air Balloon Festival from July 11 to 13. The balloons take off at 6 a.m. each morning (weather permitting) in the open field across from Erie High School, on the northwest corner of County Road 5 and Colliers Parkway. Coffee and breakfast will be available from food trucks. If you’re not an early bird, there is also a Balloon Glow on July 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the same field. Attendees will also enjoy food trucks, music, face painters and a lighted-up walk-through balloon. erieballoonfestival.com/event-guide

Rocky Mountain PBS KIDS Fest

Kids can see their favorite characters come to life at the Rocky Mountain PBS KIDS Fest on July 19. The family fun takes place at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park (11701 Community Center Drive) in Northglenn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features games and activities for all ages, a scavenger hunt, music, an art project, face painting and more. Most important, many of PBS KIDS characters will be there for a meet-and-greet (including photos!) with little fans, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Daniel Tiger, Zeke, Buddy from Dinosaur Train and Super Why. Food trucks will also be on-site selling food, snacks and drinks. Admission is free for all. While tickets are not required, advance registration is encouraged by organizers. events.rmpbs.org/event/rocky-mountain-pbs-kids-fest-metro-denver/e685832

Tennyson Street Fair

Block off the weekend for summer fun! The Tennyson Street Fair is now a two-day affair, set for July 18 and 19. The fair runs from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. The neighborhood block party extends multiple blocks on Tennyson from West 41st to West 43rd avenues and brings local businesses out into the street for a festive atmosphere. Shop from more than 100 artisans and local shops at the fair’s marketplace, enjoy eats from local food trucks and drink Tennyson-brewed craft beers and libations — all while listening to live music and more. Don’t forget to bring water to beat the heat. tennysonstreetfair.com

Evergreen Summerfest

It’s a festival of arts, crafts, music and more at Evergreen’s annual Summerfest, with more than 100 artists from across the country. The event takes place on July 19 and 20 at Buchanan Park (32003 Ellingwood Trail). Enjoy live music, entertainment, kids’ craft activities and shopping at a multitude of artists’ booths and vendors. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. No pets, please. evergreenarts.org/summerfest-2025

Arapahoe County Fair

The Arapahoe County Fair offers four days of family fun July 24-27 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (25690 Quincy Ave.) in Aurora. Gate admission includes unlimited carnival rides and all main stage performances, rodeos, 4-H livestock shows, public competitions, mutton bustin’ and more. Only midway arcade games cost extra. See rabbits, pigs and poultry in the east wing and horses, cattle, llamas, alpacas, goats and sheep in the livestock pavilion. Weather permitting, fireworks are planned for Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m. Single-day general admission tickets are $25 for adults. Kids under 36 inches get in for free. arapahoecountyfair.com

Colorado Lottery concert ticket

The Colorado Lottery is offering a free concert ticket when Cheap Trick plays the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo on Aug. 31. Expect to hear the iconic group’s greatest hits, including “Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “Dream Police.” Through Aug. 31, purchase a qualifying Colorado Lottery ticket valued at $30 or more and receive a voucher good for one free digital ticket — which includes gate admission — to the show. The voucher will print at the retailer when you buy an eligible lottery ticket. Then, visit coloradostatefair.com and enter the code on the voucher. The free ticket will be sent digitally. Learn more at coloradolottery.com/en/cheap-trick-concert.

Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 14 to 21 days in advance. Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez are freelance writers.