From parades to pyrotechnics, Las Vegas goes all in for the Fourth

Editor's note: Este artículo está traducido al español.

As darkness falls over the Las Vegas valley this Fourth of July week, bursts of color will paint the desert sky in a celebration that rivals the city’s most famous light shows.

From intimate neighborhood celebrations to grand pyrotechnic extravaganzas, dazzling shows are being planned across the valley to mark America’s birthday.

Whether you’re looking for a free family-friendly event or a premium celebration, there will be plenty of choices available.

Here’s a roundup of fireworks displays and Fourth of July festivities happening throughout Las Vegas and the area.

Thursday

• The Las Vegas Aviators will have a fireworks display after their game with the Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin. First pitch at 6:05 p.m. Tickets, starting at $26, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

• The Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s “Night of Fire” combines racing with Independence Day traditions. Gates open at 5 p.m. with opening ceremonies at 6:40 p.m. and races at 7 p.m. Fans can watch nine races, including pro late models, modifieds and outlaw stocks, then enjoy a fireworks show. Adult tickets are $19; children 12 or under are free. Get tickets at: tinyurl.com/Night-of-Fire25

Friday

Local events

• Boulder City’s festivities begin with the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 1100 Colorado St., followed by the Damboree Parade at 9 a.m. The fireworks party runs from 4-11 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park off Buchanan Boulevard, and it will feature food, music and fireworks, which begin at 9 p.m. The entry fee into the park is $10 per vehicle, a lower price than originally announced. Officials said the charge was cut after finding out the Chinese supplier for the fireworks show canceled the order because of a catastrophic explosion. “Canceling the show would disappoint residents, especially children, so we worked with our vendor to get a smaller supply. The show will go on, but it will be noticeably shorter,”said Roger Hall, who chairs the Damboree committee.

• More than 2,500 people and 70 entries are scheduled to participate in the 31st annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade. The parade steps off at Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive, travels south on Hills Center Drive to Village Center Circle, then turns west onto Trailwood Drive ending at the Trails Village Shopping Center. The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. For more: summerlinpatrioticparade.com/parade-day

• Cowabunga Canyon Las Vegas is hosting its “Red, White and Kaboom” event, with a fireworks show at 8:45 p.m. Festivities include: go-go dancers, a hot dog-eating contest and mermaid appearances. Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/Cowabunga-tix.

• Henderson is hosting a community gathering from 6-9:30 p.m. at Heritage Park off Racetrack Road. Attendees can enjoy a night of live country music, family activities and food vendors before the pyrotechnics pop off. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to the park.

• The Las Vegas City Council’s “Blast Off in the Basin” is at 8 p.m. at Buckskin Basin Park off Buckskin Avenue and North Pioneer Way. The free event features fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m., a live DJ, Somerset-SkyPointe Marching Band and food trucks. Attendees should bring umbrellas, water and sunblock, officials said. An additional viewing area is available at Wayne Bunker Park at 7351 W. Alexander Road.

• Three of Station Casinos’ resorts — Durango, Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock — are hosting fireworks shows by Fireworks by Grucci, the same group that produces the annual New Year’s Eve display on the Strip. Onsite viewing is $10 for children ages 2-11, and $35 for guests 12 and older. However, many residents line the road near the resorts for free viewing. Registered hotel guests staying through Friday will receive up to four complimentary wristbands for onsite viewing, officials said.

The event at Durango starts at 7 p.m. at the Bel-Aire Backyard, the property’s pool area. It will feature live DJ entertainment leading into the 9 p.m. fireworks.

At Red Rock, doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Sandbar Pool with fireworks blasting off starting at 9 p.m.

At Green Valley, the viewing party at the resort’s pool starts at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.

• Lake Las Vegas and Henderson will offer free fireworks at 9 p.m. Nearby viewing options include The Village at Lake Las Vegas (waterfront restaurants and shops), Seasons Grocery and Deli (grassy seating), plus the Westin, Hilton, Reflection Bay Golf Club and Lake Las Vegas Sports Club.

Resort Corridor events

• Rose Rooftop at Resorts World from 8-10:30 p.m. offers panoramic skyline views of fireworks displays across the valley. From 8-10:30 p.m., the Athena Infinity Ultra Pool at Resorts World will have a live DJ, poolside dancing and swimming. For more: tinyurl.com/RWLV-4th

• Rio’s VooDoo Steak will host a Fourth of July fireworks party on its 51st-floor patio from 7-9:30 p.m. A $150 admission charge includes open bar and fireworks viewing, plus free entry afterward (cash bar). The property’s beach club offers night swimming and fireworks viewing from 7-11 p.m., with drink specials, country décor and live music from Bigg Vinny and Matt Farris. The pool event is free for children, hotel guests and Rio Rewards members; it’s $10 for other adults. Reservations can be made here.

• The Palms’ Ghostbar offers Strip views for the 7 p.m. fireworks party. General admission starts at $25 (no patio guarantee). VIP options include inside tables for four ($212, $800 minimum spending) and patio tables for up to 12 ($265, $1,000 minimum spending). Make reservations here.

• The Plaza in downtown Las Vegas will begin a free fireworks show from its South Tower at 9:15 p.m. Main Street will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue to accommodate street viewing of the pyrotechnics. The Plaza’s rooftop pool deck will open to the public for free at 7 p.m.

• Caesars Palace’s fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. It’s free — and usually draws a big crowd of locals and visitors to the Strip.