Wednesday, July 1, 2015

4th of July: Mile High City Welcomes Zac Brown Band, the Musical “Wicked,” Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Independence Eve Celebrations Among Others

Don’t be surprised this Fourth of July weekend if there are as many cars coming down I-70 to Denver as there are going up to the mountains, because the Mile High City is putting on one multi-sensory show for the holidays.  From the Broadway smash musical Wicked to three-time GRAMMY winners Zac Brown Band, Denver brings top performances; while the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and First Friday Art Walks provide stunning visual offerings. 
And of course, no Fourth of July is complete without fireworks.  In Denver, that means not one, but two evenings of color-filled skies, as the traditional Independence Eve Celebration continues on July 3 at Civic Center Park with a free concert, light show and fireworks display.

See more after the jump.
 

SUPER STAR EVENTS ON JULY 3
INDEPENDENCE EVE PRESENTED BY ANADARKO
WHEN: July 3, 2015, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax
COST: Free
The annual Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park will feature a free patriotic concert, an innovative light show on the Denver City and County Building and a stunning fireworks finale. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; blankets or low-rise concert and beach chairs are allowed. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics; concessions will also be present on-site. Civic Center is easily accessible by light rail, bus, bicycle or the 16th Street Free MallRide and use of public transportation is encouraged. Information on nearby Denver B-cycle bike-sharing locations is available here

ZAC BROWN BAND JEKYLL + HYDE 2015 TOUR
WHEN: July 3, 2015
WHERE: Coors Field, 2001 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Three-time GRAMMY winners and multi-platinum artists Zac Brown Band have become one of music's most heralded acts and will be at Coors Field as part of their national JEKYLL + HYDE tour.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALKS
WHEN: July 3, 2015
WHERE: Denver's Art District Neighborhoods
COST: Free
Party with Denver's vibrant creative community at The Mile High City's art districts on First Friday, July 3, including the amazing Art District On Santa Fe with more than 40 galleries, RiNo (River North Art District) and the Tennyson Street Cultural District. Galleries stay open late as art lovers enjoy live music, food truck roundups and drinks (many of the galleries serve beer and wine during this special event).  And of course, guests will experience a wide selection of art in all mediums and see why the Mile High City is gaining a national reputation for its outstanding local artists.

WEEKEND LONG EVENTS

CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL
WHEN: July 3-5, 2015
WHERE: Cherry Creek North, from 2nd to 3rd avenues, on the seven blocks between Columbine and Steele streets
COST: Free
This free, outdoor extravaganza — the city's signature cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts – gives more than 350,0000 annual visitors the chance to meet and talk with international visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family friendly fun and  sample fine cuisine. At the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, experience Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activities perfect for youngsters. While the Cultural Pavilion offers music, dance and theater from around the globe, the Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver's most popular eateries.

CONCERTS AT RED ROCKS
WHEN: July 3-6, 2015 
WHERE: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison
COST: Varies
Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at Red Rocks! July 3 sees the improvisatory genius of Umphrey's McGee arrive at this one-of-a-kind venue. Blues Traveler, along with Guster and Hanson, will return to Red Rocks on July 4 for their 21st year at the historic venue. On July 5, things get loud with the the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which features Slayer as headliner, plus five more heavy metal bands. July 6 brings rockers Steely Dan with special guest Elvis Costello & The Imposters.

AMERICA-PROUD: JULY 4 EVENTS   

FIREWORKS AT ELITCH GARDENS THEME & WATER PARK
WHEN: July 4, 2015
WHERE: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, 2000 Elitch Cir.
ONLINE COST: Tickets start at $34.99
Patrons can spend the day riding the roller coasters and the water slides at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Denver's downtown amusement park, and then watch a brilliant fireworks display light up the night sky, starting at dusk.

LIBERTY 4-MILE RUN AND FIRECRACKER KIDS FUN RUN
WHEN: July 4, 2015
WHERE: Washington Park, bordered by Virginia Avenue on the north, Downing Street on the west, Louisiana Avenue on the south, and Franklin Street on the east
COST: Adult registration is $35, kids are free
Participants can work off all the BBQ and cake by running in the Liberty 4-Mile Run, where red, white and blue proud attire is not only encouraged, but rewarded. Prizes will be given to kids and adults with the best patriotic flair. After the run, enjoy food and beverages from area food trucks and concession stands.

PARK HILL 4TH OF JULY PARADE
WHEN: July 4, 2015, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Park Hill, on 23rd Avenue from Dexter to Krameria streets
COST: Free
The Park Hill 4th of July Parade is back. This community-friendly event will again be marching along 23rd Avenue on Independence Day. This year's parade promises to be bigger than ever before, with marching bands, acrobats and festive floats.

PRO SPORTS + FIREWORKS = JULY 4 IN DENVER

THE RAPIDS - AND FIREWORKS!
WHEN: July 4, 2015
WHERE: Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City
COST: Tickets start at $31
Denver's hometown heroes, the Colorado Rapids, are taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 4 — stick around for the fireworks display after the game.

THE OUTLAWS - AND FIREWORKS!
WHEN: July 4, 2015
WHERE: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St.
COST: Tickets start at $26
Denver's professional lacrosse team, the Denver Outlaws, are battling it out with the Boston Cannons. After the game, enjoy fireworks within “the bowl” at Sports Authority Field at Mile High — pyrotechnics paired with visuals on a 220-foot-wide, hi-definition screen for a performance sure to be remembered!

ARTS & CULTURE

WICKED
WHEN: Through July 5, 2015
WHERE: The Buell Theatre, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St.
COST: Tickets start at $35
The wildly popular Broadway hit performs its final weekend in Denver over the 4th of July holiday. Don't miss Wicked's story of how two girls — one born with green skin — became friends in the land of Oz, long before that girl from Kansas arrived.

WEEKEND FINALE: JULY 5 WIND-DOWN CONCERT 

CITY PARK JAZZ
WHEN: July 5, 2015, 6 p.m.
WHERE: City Park Bandstand, 17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard
COST: FREE
There’s no better way to end the long weekend than with a free concert in City Park. Taking place every Sunday evening in June and July, City Park Jazz provides a perfect summer atmosphere, complemented by brought-from-home picnic suppers and a Rocky Mountain sunset over the lake.

For a complete list of all events and times, visit the most comprehensive Denver event list online at:  www.visitdenver.com