This year marks America’s 250th birthday and that means that Fourth of July this year is going to be big. Beyond the fireworks, plenty of cities are extending the celebrations for a few extra days this year, complete with parades, rodeos, live music and more. Whether you stay home or take a road trip, here’s where the parties really happen for America’s birthday in the Southwest.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Tristan Loper, San Diego Tourism Authority
Coronado 4th of July Celebration | Coronado
“The Coronado Independence Day holiday celebration will be observed on Saturday, July 4. The Crown City Classic run, the parade down Orange Avenue, the fireworks display, three concerts, and a Navy parachute demonstration will be held on July 4.”
Learn more coronado.ca.us/1045/Coronado-Fourth-of-July.
Stars & Stripes and Big Bear Nights | Big Bear Lake
“Imagine it - an evening on Big Bear Lake, floating on the water and watching spectacular fireworks explode overhead. Or, maybe you're seeing it from a beautiful vantage point you hiked to on the trails. Wherever you are, the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is truly a sight to behold!”Learn more at bigbear.com/events/4th-of-july.
July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with the Beach Boys | Los Angeles
“It's a celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday! The Beach Boys perform chart-toppers from throughout their career, including “Surfin’ USA,” “I Get Around,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun,” and pay tribute to the 60th anniversary of their seminal album Pet Sounds. Plus, Thomas Wilkins leads the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and it’s all topped off by a huge fireworks show.”
Learn more at hollywoodbowl.com/events.
Gloria Molina Summer Block Party | Los Angeles
“The West Coast’s Largest Free 4th of July Celebration Returns! Experience a free and vibrant celebration of music, art, and community in the heart of DTLA. Featuring an Iconic Drone Show, Interactive Art, Live Music from Acclaimed Trumpet Player Tatiana Tate and Afro-Latin Band L.A. Tropifunk Collective, Dance Performances by Kaimera, and Epic DJ Sets from Anthony Valadez and Pangea Sound.”
Learn more at grandparkla.org/blockparty.
ARIZONA
Derek Cashman CC BY-SA 3.0
Tempe Fourth | Tempe
“Tempe 4th is Arizona’s biggest Fourth of July celebration bringing the community together for an unforgettable night of energy, music, and patriotic pride. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the sky, alongside an exciting lineup of food trucks, refreshing water slides, a lively beer garden, and countless attractions for all ages. Join us as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in true Tempe style bigger, brighter, and better than ever.”
Learn more at tempefourth.com.
Hometown 4th at Schnepf Farms | Queen Creek
“Come celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day at Schnepf Farms!
Join us for one of Arizona’s largest Independence Day celebrations as we honor our nation’s historic milestone with an unforgettable evening of family fun, patriotic pride, live entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display!
This year, the event will be hosted inside Schnepf Farms, creating an exciting festival atmosphere for the entire community. Enjoy delicious food trucks, local craft vendors, live music, family attractions, water inflatables, rides, and much more!!”
Learn more at schnepffarms.com/events-on-the-farm.
Red, White & Boom| Prescott Valley
“Dust off your lawn chairs and grab your sunscreen! The Town of Prescott Valley is thrilled to invite you to our annual Red, White & Boom celebration… The party kicks off at 3pm, with free admission, carnival rides and bounce houses all afternoon. Browse unique finds from local market vendors or check out a variety of food trucks serving up local favorites. Just make sure to bring a little pocket money for shopping, food and beverages, and face painting!”
Learn more at prescottvalley-az.gov.
Star Spangled Spectacular | Marana
“Marana’s Star-Spangled Spectacular is the largest Independence Day festival and fireworks show in Southern Arizona! Held each year on the 4th of July, the town comes together to celebrate freedom in a big way. This event is free and open to everyone; entertainment, games, vendors, the park's splash pad, and more will keep the entire family entertained until the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Mobile vendors from across the region will give you a chance to sample everything from funnel cakes and cotton candy to full meals with complex flavors.”
Learn more at discovermarana.org.
UTAH
Ben P L, CC BY-SA 2.0
America’s Freedom Festival
“America’s Freedom Festival at Provo is recognized as one of America’s biggest and best patriotic celebrations, drawing in hundreds of thousands of spectators every year from all 50 states and other nations.”The list of events is a long one for this all-out Fourth of July celebration. Enjoy a Freedom Run (a 5K with costumes), the Grand Parade (the largest in the Western United States), a Historic Homes Tour, Balloon Festival and a Stadium Rave featuring Brad Paisley—and, of course, a fireworks show.
Learn more at freedomfestival.org.
Sandy City Fourth of July Celebration | Sand City
“Join the biggest 4th of July celebration in Salt Lake County! We will have our annual 5k morning race, free activities for the family, bounce houses, K9 demonstrations, an incredible market with local businesses, bands performing throughout the day, a hometown evening parade, food vendors, and a huge free concert with a firework finale and so much more!”
Learn more at sandy.utah.gov/715/Fourth-of-July.
COLORADO
Star Spangled Symphony & Fireworks Show | Colorado Springs
“The Star-Spangled Symphony returns to Ford Amphitheater on July 4, 2026, for a night that feels bigger than most. America turns 250 this Independence Day, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic will be on stage to mark it. The evening will feature a full symphony performance featuring hits from Dolly Parton, Marvin Gaye, and Tina Turner, a Star Wars suite, and classics including the 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever. The night closes with fireworks set against the Pikes Peak skyline.”
Learn more at coloradospringssports.org/events/4th-of-july.
40th Annual Salute to the USA | Avon
“The 40th Annual Salute to the USA – a celebration that's all about family, tradition, community, and pure excitement! Join us at the heart of the action in Harry A. Nottingham Park, where the atmosphere is buzzing with kids’ activities…But the real magic happens when Grammy® Award-nominated artists hit the stage, setting the scene for a night of dancing and singing that will resonate through the entire community. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, brace yourselves for one of the biggest fireworks shows in Colorado, lighting up the night sky over Nottingham Lake!”
Learn more at avon.org/414/Salute-to-the-USA.
Fourth of July Celebration | Steamboat Springs
“Since 1927, the Fourth of July in Steamboat Springs has celebrated more than national pride – it’s an annual opportunity for the Yampa Valley community to honor our Western heritage. Deep-rooted Independence Day traditions like the largest Pro Rodeo Series event of the summer and a hometown parade will be happening again in Steamboat Springs!”Learn more at steamboatchamber.com/events.
SOUTHERN NEVADA
The America250 Fireworks Celebration | Las Vegas
“Las Vegas will celebrate America250 with eight straight weekends of fireworks kicking off on June 6. The collective scale and scope of the weekly, eight-minute synchronized show will make it the largest summer fireworks show in the nation, transforming The Strip and Downtown into a citywide celebration.”Learn more at visitlasvegas.com/plan/summer.
Fourth of July Celebration at Heritage Park | Henderson
“It’s America’s Party! Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's independence with an evening full of family-friendly fun. Be sure to grab your red, white and blue and bring your family and friends out for a night to remember. The celebration kicks off at 6pm with live entertainment. Then, get ready for the grand finale—a dazzling fireworks display that is set to be the biggest and best yet, starting at 9pm with music simulcast on Mix 94.1.”
Learn more at cityofhenderson.com.
Boulder City Damboree | Boulder City
“The celebration kicks off with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at Bicentennial Park at 7AM. The annual 9AM Flyover signifies the start of the Parade which begins on Colorado Street... The festivities move to Veterans Memorial Park at 4PM for music, food, games and the show in the sky. The Splash Pad is flowing and the evening ends with a spectacular fireworks show accompanied by Music from DJ Mike Pacini.”
Learn more at bcnv.org/806/Damboree.
NEW MEXICO
Freedom Fourth | Albequerque
“Join the City of Albuquerque and bring the family to Balloon Fiesta Park to celebrate America’s 250 years of independence. Enjoy a concert featuring local bands, followed by a headlining performance from WAR, and end the night with a dazzling firework show lighting up the sky.”
Learn more at cabq.gov.
Fourth of July Parade & Celebration | Red River
“Do you want to take part in one of the biggest and best mountain 4th of July parades and celebrations in New Mexico? Then you've found the perfect event for you and your family! Please plan to join us for one of the most spectacular times of the year in Red River, NM.”
Learn more at redriver.org/events.
Fourth of July Fun in Santa Fe
“Santa Fe’s Fourth of July takes place July 4, 2026, with a full day of events including Pancakes on the Plaza, live music, a wine festival, and a citywide fireworks show. Not every city celebrates Independence Day with a pancake breakfast, but in Santa Fe, the holiday unfolds through a mix of unique traditions, performances, and gatherings across the city.”
Learn more at santafe.com/fourth-of-july-fun-in-santa-fe.
WEST TEXAS
America 250: Independence Day | El Paso
“El Paso is marking America’s 250th anniversary with a full week of events that bring together culture, community, and celebration…The week begins with a large-scale kickoff at Biggs Park on Fort Bliss and builds day by day, leading to a July 4 finale in Downtown El Paso at the El Paso Convention Center. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or planning a longer stay, this is a chance to experience the city in its most unforgettable and patriotic fashion!”
Learn more at elpasolive.com/events.
Red, White & Boom! | Amarillo
“Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at John Stiff Park this July 4th with Amarillo Parks & Recreation and Outdoor Amarillo! Enjoy live music, food trucks, a kid zone, a beergarden, a sand volleyball tournament, and a spectacular display of over 200 drones lighting up the night sky with a firework show to follow once the sun has set.”
Learn more at amarilloparks.org.
4th on Broadway | Lubbock
“Civic Lubbock, Inc., Stage Left Productions, and many community partners are organizing this year’s 4th on Broadway celebration on July 4, 2026. The main focus of all entities involved is to honor the legacy, and continue the free, family-friendly tradition Broadway Festivals Inc. started and carried out for 34 years. The annual Fourth of July celebration will feature a new parade route, an afternoon picnic with live music, an evening concert and the fireworks show at the end of the night.”
Learn more at civiclubbock.org/july-4th.