Durango celebrates the Fourth of July with food, music, races, rodeos, fireworks, dancing and even a little bit of magic! Put on your red, white, and blue and join us!

Schedule of Events

July 3, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm: Ice Cream Social at VFW Post 4031

Stroll down the Animas River Trail and stop at Rotary Park for an evening dinner and concert. The VFH Hall is hosting an Ice Cream social in conjunction with the Southwest Civic Winds Jazz Concert. Prices: $3 Hot dog, $1 Chips, $1 Soda, and $2 Ice cream.

6:30 - 8:00 pm: Southwest Civic Winds Concert and Dancing, Rotary Park

Wear your dancing shoes! Buy your dinner and dessert at the VFW Hall and walk across the lane to Rotary Park to dance to the Southwest Civic Winds Jazz band, featuring Swing and Sala music. Bring a chair or a blanket for the grass and enjoy an evening concert by the river. This event is free. Learn more about Southwest Civic Winds here

6:30 - 11:00 pm: True Western Roundup at the La Plata County Fairgrounds

Enjoy a night celebrating the working ranch activities of the American Cowboy and Cowgirl. True Wester Roundup is proud to promote and preserve our Western heritage in a positive family atmosphere. True Western Roundup is brought to you by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, TBK Bank and many other impressive businesses. Ticket price: $18 - $20. Doors open at 5:00 pm, Rodeo starts at 6:30 pm. Click here for more information and tickets.

July 4, 2024

7:30 - 10:30 am: All-American Gourmet Breakfast at Rotary Park

Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Durango and the Daybreak Rotary Club. Scrambled eggs, green chili eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit topping, biscuits and gravy will be served. Tickets may be purchased online or by using the QR code on posters around town, or from a local Rotary Member. Adult ticket price is $15 presale or $20 after July 1. Children 6-12 $8 presale or $10 after July 1. First Responders are $10. Children under 6 are free. For more information and to buy tickets use this link

9:00 - 11:00 am: Freedom 5K Run, Stroll & Walk at Rotary Park

Join the City of Durango's Parks and Recreation Department and start your 4th of July festivities on the right foot. Bring your whole family and all your friends to participate, and dress to celebrate Independence Day! All ages are welcome to run, walk, stroll or stride this festive 5K along the scenic Animas River Trail. The race begins at 9:00 am at Rotary Park. Participants are encouraged to dress in creative and patriotic attire. Prizes will be distributed for first place in 3 categories: 12 & under, 13-18, and over 18 years of age. Participants must check in at the Freedom 5K race tent between 8:15 am and 8:45 am. This event is free.

9:15 - 10:45 am: Southwest Civic Winds Patriotic Concert at Rotary Park

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Rotary Park to listen to the Southwest Civic Winds Concert. This full concert band plays toe-tapping patriotic music with some great surprise arrangements. You will feel like you are in the right place to enjoy and celebrate Independence Day! This event is free.

12:00 - 4:30 pm: Building Homes for Heroes BBQ & Bands Picnic at Buckley Park

Presented by FastSigns Durango and Local News Network and benefiting Building Homes for Heroes. Bring a blanket or chair to Buckley Park for a mid-day picnic and great music. Burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks are on the menu. A beer garden featuring Ska Brewing and Steamworks is available. Vinyl Lust will play at 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by the James Kirk Band from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Activities for all ages include face painting, henna tattoos, Ruby Balloon, and a great cornhole tournament. This event is free. Participants must purchase their food and drink.

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm: 4th of July Parade - Play It Like a Local at Main Avenue

Line up early on Main Avenue for the annual 4th of July Parade. The theme this year is Play It Like A Local! Summer in Durango is all about us locals doing what we love: hiking, biking, rafting, concerts, festivals, campouts, and more. Expect some imaginative floats as well as bands, singers, cyclists, horses, fire engines and more. The Parade starts at College (6th Street) and Main Avenue at 5:00 pm and ends at 12th Street and Buckley Park. Bring a small American flag to waive and stand at attention when the VFW Color Guard passes by. Judges and announcers will be on the 800 block of Main by the Main Mall. This event is free to spectate. $5 entry fee for parade floats. Click here for information on entering the parade and inspiration for your floats.

6:00 - 9:30 pm: Street Dance featuring The Motet and Desert Child at Transit Center

After the parade, head straight for the Transit Center to celebrate into the night. The City of Durango and KSUT Presents bring you food, beer, dancing and two awesome bands. At 6:00 pm, Desert Child returns to start the party and get you on your feet and dancing. At 7:30 pm The Motet will take the stage to rev up the night. Arrive to eat and dance, stay for the fireworks! This event is free. Participants may buy their dinner and drinks from one of the many great vendors. The food court includes Ska Brewing, Crazy Coop Chicken, Elevated Eats, Tacos Carranzo, and the Ice Cream Lady. The activities area features corn hole, face painting, henna tattoos, and Ruby Balloon.

9:15 pm - 4th of July Fireworks at Transit Center

Weather permitting, Zambelli Fireworks will light up the sky with a big-boom fireworks show starting at 9:15 pm. The launch zone is the Durango Dog Park. Fireworks will be visible from most of downtown Durango, and along Rim Drive, with the Transit Center as the best view area.

July 5, 2024

1:30 pm: Oscar's Pie Eating Contest at Durango Beer & Ice

If you've eaten at Oscar's Café here in Durango, then you've seen the HUGE pies behind the counter. (And if you haven't eaten there, you should.) Oscar's Café is supplying the pies, and Durango Beer & Ice is supplying the venue for a pie-eating contest at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 5. For spectators we suggest a nice lunch and a beer at Durango Beer & Ice before watching the shenanigans. Contestants - we suggest you save room for the pie! Twelve pies, twelve contestants. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. Competitors must be 12 years or older. Competitors under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent. All competitors must sign a waiver. This event is free to spectate, $10 entry fee to compete.

4:00 - 6:00 pm: Watermelon Eating Contest at 11th Street Station

It's not summer until you have had watermelon! Join us at 4:00 pm to watch - or compete - in the watermelon eating contest sponsored by 11th Street Station and the Durango Business Improvement District. Eight contestants will be accepted for each of the three age categories - at 4:00 pm Ages 6 & under, at 4:30 pm Ages 7 to 15, and at 5:00 pm ages 16 & older. Prizes for 1st & 2nd Places. Early registration is strongly encouraged! Registration will end when all 8 spots per category are claimed or 15 minutes before the start for that age range, when all competitors must be present for check-in. Contestants under 18 years need a parent or guardian's consent. This event is free to spectate.

5:00 pm - July is for Pie! Baking Contest at EsoTerra Ciderworks

EsoTerra Ciderworks is all about applies! Bakers in the Junior (under 18) and Senior (18 or over) categories will submit a fresh-baked apple pie to be judged by area chefs. Once the winners have been selected, EsoTerra will serve $3 "taste" plates. All proceeds go to preserving heritage apple trees. Come early to see the beautiful designs before the pies are cut. Stay to taste the wonderful results!

6:00 pm - First Friday Art Walk at Downtown Durango

Celebrate Durango's creative side! Hosted by Local First, Durango Creative District, and The ArtRoom Collective, this evening of music, original performances, featured artist showcases and artisan pop-up markets all across town. Click here for more information on participating venues.

6:30 pm: Apple Slushie Slam Contest at EsoTerra Ciderworks

What do you need when it is HOT, HOT, HOT outside? A cold apple slushie! Watch or participate as teams of 3 each slam a frozen apple slushie (non-alcoholic) and compete for the fastest team time. This event is free to spectate. Entry fee is $15 per team.

7:00 pm - Live Music with "YES, NO, MAYBE" at 11th Street Station

YES, NO, MAYBE. is an acoustic musical duo based in Durango, Colorado. Strings and powerful female vocals define the sound of this band. Enjoy guitar, mandolin, and bass with classic covers ranging from Sam Cooke to Elton John to the Talking Heads. This band engages and entertains their audiences with professional live sound and musical presence. Vocals, strings, and smiles? This event is free. While listening to YES, NO, MAYBE, purchase and enjoy a dinner and drink from one of the eight unique and delicious food trucks at 11th Street Station - Durango's Premier Culinary Collective.

7:00 pm - Red, White & Bulls: Pro Bull Riding at the La Plata County Fairgrounds

Have you ever seen a bull up close and personal? Do you know the sounds and the thump on the ground when an 1100 pound animal tries to buck off the rider? Visit the True Western Roundup as they present pro bull riding on Friday July 5. And then dance in the dirt with the Josh Ray Band after the action! Ticket price: $35-$85. Gates open at 5:00 pm, with a variety of dinner and beverage options. Event starts at 7:00 pm. Click here for more information and tickets.

7:00 pm - The Mysto Really Big Magic Show at Animas City Theatre

This Family Friendly Vaudeville Style Magic Show features 5 big stage illusions. See a woman cut into thirds, pierced with swords, vanished into thin air, and the Fastest Trick in the West. By using character skits, and flawless magic technique, Mysto (the Master Magician and his lovely Assistant Alyssa) bring their audiences back to a simpler time of joy, wonder, amazement, and just good ole-fashioned FUN. Ticket price: $20. Door open at 7 pm. Show 7:30 pm. All ages. All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their legal guardian. Click here for more information and tickets.

7:00 pm - Music & Movies in the Park at Buckley Park

Watch the classic movie, Sandlot, on a 20' movie screen! Bring your blankets, chairs, family and friends to enjoy a night at the movies together at Buckley Park. Prior to the movie, enjoy live music by Stillwater Band XXX and a dance performance by YY. The music begins at 7:00 pm. The movie will begin 15 minutes after sunset. This event is free. Popcorn and sodas are available for purchase.

Date: July 3-5, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Durango, CO 81301.

Click Here for more information