From Highlands Ranch turning 45 to Colorado’s 150th birthday and America’s 250th, 2026 is shaping up to be one giant celebration across the Front Range.

Here’s the breakdown:

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Fourth of July events and 150 + 250 celebrations
• Drone shows, concerts, festivals, fireworks, races, and community festivities worth checking out
• Highlands Ranch’s 45th anniversary — bringing things full circle

The numbers feel fitting this year.

Celebrate local. Celebrate this state. Celebrate this country.

Before finalizing plans, be sure to check local event calendars for possible weather or fire restriction changes.

Highlands Ranch may be skipping traditional fireworks this year due to fire restrictions, but the Ranch still has a full lineup of Fourth of July traditions—from a morning 5k to community celebrations and family-friendly events throughout the week.

Star-Spangled Birthday Bash — July 2
🕒 6–9 p.m.
📍Highlands Ranch, Highland Heritage Regional Park
💵 Free
➜ View details
Highlands Ranch kicks off Fourth of July celebrations — and America’s 250th anniversary — with live music, lawn-chair hangs, and patriotic summer vibes at this year’s Star-Spangled Birthday Bash.

HRCA Independence Day 5k — July 4
🕒 7:30 a.m.
📍Highlands Ranch Town Center
💵 Paid registration
➜ View details

Kick off the Fourth of July with one of Highlands Ranch’s signature holiday traditions — a festive community 5K featuring patriotic gear, pancake breakfasts, post-race beers, and a family-friendly course welcoming runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs alike.

Fourth of July Parade — July 4
🕒 9–10:30 a.m.
📍Highlands Ranch Parkway
💵 Free
➜ View details

One of Highlands Ranch’s biggest community traditions returns with patriotic floats, local organizations, neighborhood groups, and family-friendly energy lining the streets of the Ranch. Arrive early for the bike and pet parade beginning at 8:45 a.m

Littleton’s Fourth of July lineup leans heavily into community celebration season this year with a patriotic race the week before the 4th, concerts, fireworks, and two of South Denver’s biggest holiday gatherings taking over Clement Park and Hudson Gardens.

Before the Fourth 5k — June 27
🕒 8 a.m.
📍Littleton, Clement Park
💵 Paid registration
➜ View details

Kick off Fourth of July celebrations early—great if you’re going out of town the week of the 4th. This community 5K is through Clement Park and features a festive atmosphere, local runners, and post-race hangs around Littleton.

Red, White & You Celebration — July 3
🕒 5–10 p.m.
📍Littleton, Clement Park
💵 Free
➜ View details

One of South Denver’s biggest Fourth of July celebrations returns to Clement Park with live music, kids activities, food vendors, beer gardens, and a fireworks show to cap off the night. Expect lawn-chair hangs, community vibes, and thousands gathering for the holiday weekend.

Red, White & ROCK Celebration — July 3
🕒 5–9:30 p.m.
📍Littleton, Hudson Gardens & Event Center
💵 Ticketed
➜ View details

Hudson Gardens kicks off Fourth of July weekend with live music, food trucks, themed drinks, and a fireworks finale celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th birthday. Expect throwback hits from The Spazmatics and plenty of patriotic summer vibes.

Independence Day Events — July 4
🕒 Throughout day
📍Prairie Sky Park
💵 Registration for some events
➜ View details

Lone Tree’s Fourth of July celebrations take over Prairie Sky Park with a full day of family-friendly fun including bike rides, inflatables, live music, food trucks, and a fireworks finale to cap off the night.

Stars & Stripes Celebration — Bike Parade & Aerial Photo — July 4
🕒 9–11 a.m.
📍Providence Park
💵 RSVP
➜ View details

Sterling Ranch celebrates the Fourth of July with a patriotic bike parade, community festivities, and a special USA 250 / Colorado 150 aerial photo bringing residents together for one giant summer celebration.

Glendale Fireworks at Infinity Park — July 2
🕒 6–9:30 p.m.
📍Glendale, Infinity Park
💵 Free
➜ View details

A little north but worth including—Infinity Park’s Fourth of July kickoff combines an outdoor showing of F1, food trucks, lawn-chair movie vibes, and a fireworks finale lighting up the Glendale sky.

Colorado’s milestone celebrations are officially taking to the skies through Stories in the Sky — a statewide series of nearly 150 drone shows and aerial celebrations happening across Colorado through the end of 2026.

We selected a few celebrations to consider—including some that are a part of this greater state wide celebration— which are happening around Highlands Ranch and South Denver that are worth noting on your summer calendar.

Colorado 150 Celebration — August 1
🕒 1–9 p.m.
📍Highlands Ranch Town Center
💵 Free
➜ View details

Highlands Ranch celebrates Colorado’s 150th birthday with a full-day festival featuring live music, Colorado-themed vendors, local food and drinks, and community festivities highlighting the culture, flavors, and spirit of the state. Expect everything from bluegrass and jazz to craft beer, local makers, and summer festival energy.

Summer Sunset Concert + Stories in the Sky Drone Show — August 22
🕒 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍Highlands Ranch, Civic Green Park
💵 Free
➜ View details

Highlands Ranch joins Colorado’s official Stories in the Sky celebrations with a summer concert night at Civic Green Park featuring live music, food trucks, and a large-scale drone show honoring America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th birthday—this is one you don’t want to miss.

Illuminate Littleton + Stories in the Sky Drone Show — July 24
🕒 6–10 p.m.
📍Littleton, Main Street
💵 Free
➜ View details

Littleton is also hosting one of Colorado’s official Stories in the Sky drone events, transforming Main Street into an open-air celebration featuring illuminated art installations, roaming performers, outdoor dining, and a large-scale drone show celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th birthday.

Western Welcome Week Opening Night — August 7
🕒 5–9:30 p.m.
📍Littleton, Sterne Park
💵 Free
➜ View details

Western Welcome Week kicks off its 98th annual celebration with live music, food trucks, hometown festivities, and a community drone show honoring Colorado’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th celebration. Expect a classic Littleton summer night atmosphere with plenty of local pride.

Labor Day Lift Off With Balloons & Drones — September 5 - 7
📍Colorado Springs
💵 Free + ticketed experiences
➜ View details

This one is worth the drive—Colorado Springs’ iconic Labor Day Lift-Off returns with sunrise balloon launches, nighttime balloon glows, concerts, skydivers, beer gardens, and large-scale Stories in the Sky drone shows lighting up the city throughout Labor Day weekend. If you’re up for a drive south and want to find something out of the Ranch for Labor Day, look no further.

Happy Birthday Highlands Ranch — September 17
🕒 5–7:30 p.m.
📍Highlands Ranch, Max Taps
💵 Free
➜ View details

Highlands Ranch Metro District and Highlands Ranch Water celebrate the Ranch’s 45th anniversary with local trivia, fun facts, refreshments, and a community look back at how Highlands Ranch evolved from ranchland into one of Colorado’s largest master-planned communities.

As Colorado celebrates 150 years, America turns 250, and Highlands Ranch reflects on 45 years of growth, this summer feels a little bigger than usual around the Front Range.

From fireworks and parades to drone shows, concerts, races, and community gatherings, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate south of Denver this season.

We’ll continue updating this guide as additional events, drone shows, and celebration details are announced throughout the summer.

If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing The Ranch Scoop with friends, neighbors, and fellow locals looking to make the most of summer around the Ranch.

—Grace
Editor, The Ranch Scoop