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It’s that most American time of year when we gather to watch colors light up the sky, listen to good music, and enjoy a cold brew with friends and family. The only thing that could make it even sweeter is to do it in a mountain backdrop.
Many ski resorts—or their respective mountain towns—host 4th of July celebrations complete with live music, fireworks, and other fun family activities (toddler balance-bike races, anyone?). While most of the events on our list are having traditional fireworks displays this year, a couple are opting for drone shows or even to go firew0rks-free due to dry conditions. Regardless, events are subject to change due to fire danger, so always check the linked websites for updates.
Here’s a list of the bigger events taking place at or near ski resorts across the good ol’ US of A this holiday weekend.
Top 10 Independence Day Celebrations in Ski Country
Town of Killington 4th of July Celebration, Killington, Vt.
Enter your own float into the Independence Day Parade, join the raffle for a chance to win a Killington season pass, test your skills during the belly flop contest, or just listen to live music and stay for the fireworks that will light up with sky over town. This year’s festivities will also feature a hilarious belly-flop contest and a performance from the Summit Pond Quartet.
4th of July in Park City Parade and Fireworks, Park City, Utah
A Main Street parade and 5K fun run kick off the festivities in this ski town before the party moves over to Park City Resort, where tasty BBQ, free family activities, and live music are the preamble to a drone light show at the base of the slopes at nightfall.
4th of July Celebration, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Festivities begin on the 4th with Bingo, then continue clear through the evening with diversions including a watermelon-eating content, a tie-dye station, live music, and a Duck Race down the Rio Hondo, the proceeds of which will benefit the local Taos Field Institute. See the full schedule here. Another nearby option is to ride the Cumbres and Toltec train for a special 4th of July excursion. It leaves out of the Chama Depot and climbs Cumbres Pass, the highest operational railroad pass in the country. Read more about it here.
Independence Day Celebration, Snowshoe, W.Va.
It’s an entire weekend’s-worth of celebrating the nation’s independence at Snowshoe, starting on July 4 with crafts, mountain biking, family attractions, and full slate of live music daily. Don’t miss the mountaintop fireworks display after dark on Saturday, July 5.
38th Annual Salute to the USA, Avon, Colo.
Nestled at the base of Beaver Creek Resort, the town of Avon’s Nottingham Park hosts a formidable July 4th event (which actually takes place on July 3) with plenty of family-friendly activities—face painters, balloon sculptors, bounce houses, and carnival food—capped by live music in the evening. This year’s headliner is Grammy Award-nominated Lettuce, with an opening set by The Main Squeeze, The night ends on a high note with one of the biggest fireworks shows in Colorado, set over Nottingham Lake.
4th of July Festivities & Fireworks, Whitefish, Mont.
Boasting a spectacular fireworks display launched off a barge from the middle of Whitefish Lake, this light show is one of the best in ski country. Come early and rent a paddleboard or kayak or just lounge on Whitefish Lake beach and soak in the vibe. Come hungry to enjoy some of the best bites Americana has to offer, including shaved ice, mini donuts, and corndogs.
4th of July Events, Jackson, Wyo.
This quintessential small-town celebration has it all: pancake breakfast, parade, live music—including a performance by the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra on July 3—plus a rodeo and a reenactment of a Western shootout in Town Square. The massive fireworks shows—yes, there are multiple—take place in Teton Village on both July 3 and 4, plus Snow King puts on a show of its own on July 4 at the base of the ski resort in downtown Jackson.
4th of July, Crested Butte, Colo.
Another charming small-town Independence Day fete, the town of Crested Butte hosts a parade down main drag Elk Avenue that ends in a massive water fight. There’s also a pancake breakfast sponsored by the local fire department, a crafts market, and a huge fireworks display with Mt. Crested Butte in the background.
Summer Music Festival, Holiday Valley, N.Y.
This three-day festival kicks off on the 4th this year and offers a full late of activities and performances through Sunday, July 6. Held in the town of Ellicottville as well as the ski resort, the annual Summer Music Festival still presents a great excuse to spend the holiday weekend in the mountains. There’s a pet parade followed by two days of music performances, the highlights of which include a Battle of the Bands competition and an appearance by country music star Hailey Whitters. A huge fireworks show caps off the evening following a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday.
Independence Day Celebration, Breckenridge, Colo.
Breckenridge hosts a fireworks-free 4th, but that doesn’t seem to detract from the overall vibe of this longstanding event. Breck’s celebration features an arts festival, a 10K race, a 50-mile mountain bike race, a Strider bike competition for kids, a parade, and live music—including a twilight performance by the National Repertory Orchestra in tribute to everyone who has served, or is serving, our country.
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