There’s no better place to be over the 4th of July than in Denver. You’ll be treated to festivals, concerts, pro sports – and of course all the brilliant fireworks displays you could ever wish for. Enjoy such must-see exhibits as Lizards and Snakes at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum -- both close on July 8!  Make a weekend of it and take advantage of these great Denver hotel deals.

Denver hotels are offering great rates over the holiday weekend. All these rates are based on availability. Browse all the offers at http://www.denver.org/hotels/specials.

Festivals

Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 6-8, Cherry Creek North, Denver
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 sample fine cuisine. Experience Artivity Avenue, a full block of interactive activities perfect for youngsters. Visit the Cultural Pavilion, where music, dance and theater from around the globe will be presented. Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver’s most popular eateries. 
More Info: www.cherryarts.org


Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
July 4, Four Mile Park, Denver
Go historic this Independence Day and bring the entire family for a day of fun at Four Mile Historic Park's Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration! Festivities will include visits from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Uncle Sam; the reading of the Declaration of Independence and musical performances. Tour Denver's oldest standing structure, the Four Mile House museum and see how early settlers celebrated the Fourth and dealt with the summer heat. Traditional summertime food and refreshments will be available.
More Info: www.fourmilepark.org

Olde Town Arvada Spirit of America 4th of July Festival
July 4, Arvada
Join close to 30,000 other revelers at Arvada’s spectacular annual celebration of the spirit of America. Free family-friendly events throughout the afternoon and evening include a Kids’ Park featuring an obstacle course, bungee run, big slide, face tattoos and more fun activities, a classic Car Show and plenty of food and drinks concession stands and carts. The star of the show, Arvada’s spectacular fireworks display, is one of the best (and safest) fireworks programs in the metro area.
More Info: www.arvadafestivals.com

Music

Concerts at Red Rocks
July 2-4, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and State Park, Morrison
Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at Red Rocks. On Tuesday, July 3, catch Foster the People for a night of catchy tunes and good vibes. Jam the night away with the double bill bill of Blues Traveler and Fitz the Tantrums on Wednesday, July 4. If you're sticking around through the weekend, String Cheese Incident sets up at Red Rocks for a three-night stand, July 5-7.
More Info: www.redrocksonline.com 

CBS4 Independence Day Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park 
July 3, Civic Center Park (Broadway and Colfax), Denver
The third annual Independence Eve Celebration will feature a free patriotic concert by The Colorado Symphony, 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/beach chairs are encouraged. 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 at www.denver.bcycle.com. Parking is available at nearby surface lots and parking garages as well.
More Info: www.civiccenterconservancy.org


Sports

The Rapids, The Outlaws -- and FIREWORKS!
July 1-3, Various Locations
Denver’s hometown heroes the Colorado Rapids are taking on the Vancouver Whitecapsat Dick's Sporting Goods Park on July 4 – stick around for the fireworks display after the game! Over at INVESCO Field at Mile High on July 4, Denver's professional lacrosse team the Outlaws are battling it out with the Ohio Machine. After the game, enjoy fireworks within the bowl at Sports Authority Field -- pyrotechnics paired with a show on the 97 foot wide THUNDERVISION screen. You'll never forget this kind of fireworks show!
More Info: www.coloradorapids.com, www.denveroutlaws.com 

Can't-Miss Exhibits

LIZARDS & SNAKES at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Starring the Burmese Python, Gila Monster, Komodo Dragon, Green Basilisk, and more live reptiles from five continents, this interactive experience introduces visitors to these adaptable, colorful, and sometimes dangerous creatures. Through July 8
More Info: http://www.denver.org/events/detail?e=4257

Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) presents Yves Saint Laurent, a sweeping retrospective the designer’s 40 years of creativity. The DAM is the only United States venue for the exhibition, which features a stunning selection of 200 haute couture garments along with numerous photographs, drawings and films that illustrate the development of Saint Laurent's style and the historical foundations of his work. Book a hotel package and skip the lines!
More Info: www.ysldenver.com