Haul out the red, white and blue — it’s going to be a firecracker 4th of July. While the ways we celebrate this year will differ from the past, there will be a smattering of fireworks, small parties at restaurants and bars, as well as deals and discounts on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. If you hope to visit one of the museums or local attractions, be sure to buy your tickets now. Most require advance purchase of timed-entry tickets and are selling out fast!.
We’ve pulled together a list of everything we could find that’s free or cheap on the 4th in the metro area. Click on each listing for more details or this list of Festivals, Parades & Fireworks. If you see anything we have missed, especially celebrations at bars or restaurants, please drop a note to Laura@MileHighOnTheCheap.com. Have a great one!
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Saturday, July 4, 2020
More 4th of July Fun
Denver Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Botanic Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Must buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must buy timed-entry tickets in advance.
Fourth of July Live Eagle Presentation at Barr Lake State Park. The Raptor Education Foundation brings its female bald eagle to the park’s Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Be sure to bring your camera.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City is open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitors Center is closed.
Independence Day Food Deals
Active Military & Veterans Eat FREE at TravelCenters of America — All active duty military, veterans and reservists to enjoy a FREE meal of their choice at select quick service restaurants, and at Country Pride and Iron Skillet locations on Saturday, July 4. Proof of service should be presented prior to ordering.
FREE Hot Dogs & Soda — Ted’s Philly Cheesesteaks will dish out FREE hot dogs and sodas (while supplies last) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 7215 E. 72nd Ave., Unit A, Commerce City.
Kids Eat Free at Applebee’s — Kids (12 & under) eat for FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée — up to two kids per adult. The offer is available on July 4 and 5.
Kids Eat Free at Fogo de Chão — Kids (12 & under) eat for FREE with each purchase of a regular-priced Churrasco. The offer is available from July 1 to 5.
Get 50% Off at Jimmy John’s — Through July 6, buy one 6″ or 16″ sub and get a second one (of equal or lesser value) at 50% off.
Get BOGO Free Cookies at Insomnia Cookies — From July 3 to 6, the cookie shop is offering buy-one-get-one FREE 12-packs. The deal’s available in-store and online — no promo code needed. Just find BOGO 12-packs under the Deals section of its menu, when ordering and add to cart for redemption.
Vets Get 50% Off at Cafe Rio — All active duty, retired and military veterans get 50% off their entire purchase — valid on dine-in, carryout or phone orders only.
Restaurant and Bar Events
Bootstrap Brewing Co. Fourth of July — 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Joe Dutka, Denny Driscoll and multi- instrumentalist and vocalist, Jimmy Goetz perform. 142 Pratt St., Longmont.
Elevate Fourth of July Block Party — Starts at 5 p.m. Outdoor block party at Elevate Grill & Bar. They are blocking off the cul-de-sac and throwing a shindig in the fresh air! Vended food, parking lot beverages and live music. 2831 W. 120th Ave. #200, Westminster.
Mirror Image Brewing Fun on the Fourth in Frederick — Noon to 8 p.m. Serving signature wings, rib tips and hot dogs. Activities for kids and BYO bags for cornhole. 5969 Iris Pkwy., Frederick.
Odyssey Beerwerks 4th of July — Noon to 9 p.m. New beers. Red, white & blue beer draft specials. Food, including ribs, from The G Wagon. 5535 W. 56th Ave., Arvada.
Platte River Bar & Grill Independence Day — 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy classic rock tunes from The BarMisfits from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aural Deception plays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 5995 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton.
St. Julien Hotel Outdoor Show — 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Highway 50 Band performs ska and reggae on the hotel’s Red Garden Terrace. No cover. Open to the public. 900 Walnut St., Boulder.
State House 4th of July Parade & BBQ — 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Decorate your bike, wagon or stroller and celebrate. Bike parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Stuart Middle School and ends at the BBQ in the State House parking lot. Prizes, raffles, and tons of giveaways. 15591 E. 104th, Commerce City.
Talnua Distillery 4th of July BBQ — Noon to 9 p.m. Food, specialty cocktails and fun. In-house seating, but also to-go available. 5405 W 56th Ave., Unit C, Arvada.
ViewHouse Ballpark Fourth of July — Celebrate red, white & blue with a VIEW! Dozens of Colorado beers, brunch, and BBQ. Enjoy al fresco courtyard or rooftop dining, music, and fun. Opens for brunch at 10 a.m. Courtyard DJs spin tunes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Zuni Street 4th of July Celebration — Live music in the back parking lot of Zuni Street Brewing Company with plenty of tables and tents for shade, specialty beer release, the debut of the Great Keg Wall, and tons of outdoor patio fun! Tony Schiess Band at 1 p.m. and Sam Walker Trio at 5 p.m. 2355 W. 29th Ave., Denver.
Penny says
Now that the Art Museum and other museums are open are they continuing with the scheduled free day’s?
Laura says
Penny – Unfortunately, for now all museums and other attractions have put their free days on hold. This is because they can only allow a limited number of people in per day and are desperate to generate much needed revenue as they were closed for so long without any income. We’ll let you know if and when free days resume. — Laura
Carol Reinhardt says
MOA has a free day 7/7 but you still need to reserve tickets.
Laura says
Carol — That’s true, but unfortunately tickets are already sold out for the free day. — Laura