Thursday, July 1
Not of This Earth
Feel the need to get out of town for a day or two? The First Annual MainStreet Roswell AlienFest will take place during the Roswell UFO Festival. Businesses are coming together to celebrate the infamous 1947 UFO crash July 1 through 3 in Downtown Roswell. Scheduled events include a scavenger hunt, an official Roswell UFO Passport, costume contests, crafts, entertainment and more. Visit the Goddard Planetarium, catch a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, join a celebrity golf tournament alongside “Roswell, New Mexico” star Brendan Fehr and attend an “Abduction Parade.” All events are free and take place July 1 from noon to 10pm, July 2 from 10am to 10pm and July 3 from 10am to 10pm. For a complete schedule of otherworldly events, go to ufofestivalroswell.com.
Sunday, July 4
Boom!
The majority of us spent last year’s Fourth of July safe at home under the pandemic lockdown. But that doesn’t mean you should use that as an excuse to go crazy this year with the fireworks. In fact, with our state as hot as it is, maybe its best to leave the explosions to the professionals. After a year off, the City of Albuquerque is hosting Fireworks in the Metro at Balloon Fiesta Park (9401 Balloon Museum Dr. NE). It takes place on July 4 from 6 to 10pm. This is a pre-ticketed event at $20 per vehicle for a maximum of 3,500 vehicles. Vehicles can parked in Balloon Fiesta Park parking lots, and spectators are allowed access to the 43 acres of the North Launch Field. So feel free to bring your own picnic. Gates open at 6pm for the 9:15pm fireworks shoot. Access Balloon Fiesta Park via San Mateo (Balloon Fiesta Parkway or San Diego Drive). Vehicle access is not allowed via Balloon Museum Drive. Glass containers, alcohol and outside fireworks are prohibited in the park. There will be no tickets at the gate, so get yours in advance at holdmyticket.com/event/372490. If you can’t make it to Balloon Fiesta Park, Fireworks in the Metro are also launching from North Domingo Baca Park, Expo New Mexico, Tom Tenorio Park, Ladera Golf Course and Isotopes Park. Spectators, however, are not allowed inside those parks. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Sunday, July 4
Heavy on the Blue
Celebrate Independence Day by hitting up Red, White and Blues with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. The concert takes place July 4 from 6 to 7:30pm at the Homestead Village Shopping Center in Placitas (221 Highway 165). Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets, and get ready to be entertained by one of the best big bands in the Southwest. Organizers are practicing COVID-safe protocols, so bring a mask and social distance. This is an outdoor event, so bring sunscreen and hats as well. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online by going to canyonbluesandjazz.org. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Sunday, July 4
Play La Bamba!
If the heat of the city is getting to you, you might consider heading to a higher climate for the upcoming holiday. Taos’ Hometown Fourth of July Celebration returns to Kit Carson Park (211 Paseo del Pueblo Norte in Taos) on July 4 starting at 4pm. The musical headliners for this event are eclectic East LA icons Los Lobos. Music starts at 4:30pm, with Los Lobos hitting the stage at 7:30pm. A fireworks show follows the concert. This is a free, all-ages event, but you need to register in order to attend. Do that by going to ampconcerts.org/event/374847/los-lobos. (Devin D. O’Leary)
Sunday, July 4
Freedom Ain’t Free
Not everyone in America gained their freedom on July 4, 1776. If you’re in a slightly less jingoistic mood this year and feel that beer and fireworks aren’t gonna do it for you, you have the option of heading over to Phil Chacon Park (7505 Kathryn Ave. SE) for 4th of the Lie. Albuquerque Anti-War Coalition, The Hook Up, New Mexico Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, Millions of Prisoners New Mexico, Free Access to Movements Childcare Collective and All African Peoples Revolutionary Party are the hosts of this event featuring an afternoon of “revolutionary speakers, music, delicious shared food (with vegan options!), flag burning and international and working class solidarity against oppression.” Join organizers as they “expose the lie of American Independence Day and continue to build Albuquerque’s movement for social justice and against imperialism, capitalism and colonialism—all while having a great time with good food on a beautiful day.” This event is free and open to all: Families, children, elders, LGBTQ+ folks are welcome! It all takes place noon to 5pm. (Devin D. O’Leary)