Independence Day is poised to explode across the nation with fireworks shows, symphony concerts and neighborhood barbecues, whether we’re ready for it or not. The Albuquerque area offers plenty of flag-waving, hamburger-eating events to mark the anniversary of our nation’s freedom from tyrannical English rule. How well we’ve done on our own over the last 249 years may be open to debate, but there’s no reason not to celebrate our own personal vision of this thing called America this 4th of July. And you don’t even have to stick to Albuquerque to do it. You can use the holiday as an excuse to jump in your car (how American!) and check out some of the villages and suburbs in the immediate area for some authentic, old-fashioned, small-town Americana.
Freedom 4th Celebration
Albuquerque’s biggest annual Independence Day party goes down at Balloon Fiesta Park (5500 Balloon Fiesta Parkway NE) from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Local bands (The Danny Duran Band, La Ansiedad Norteña, Michael Moxey and The Easy Sinners) entertain all day on the main stage followed by national headliner, multi-instrumentalist and platinum-selling country music artist Hunter Hayes. There will be loads of food trucks and plenty of kids’ activities (inflatable jumpers, climbing walls, free face painting). Admission is free, but parking will set you back $10. Park and Ride is available. (Go to cabq.gov/artsculture/things-to-do/annual-events/freedom-4th) for details. Chairs, umbrellas, tents and coolers are welcome. Alcohol, glass, grills and pets are not allowed. Neither are fireworks, but there’s a huge fireworks show scheduled at sundown (around 9:15 p.m.)
Corrales 4th of July Parade
For the past 30 years the Village of Corrales has sponsored a 4th of July Parade. Beginning at 10 a.m. on July 4. The route this year is from Target Road to Double S Road and includes all the usual small-town marchers: a color guard, military veterans, local organizations, equestrians and packs of vintage cars and tractors. But Corrales separates itself from run-of-the-mill holiday parades by including both “wet” and “dry” floats. The wet ones start about 15 minutes after the dry ones (allowing folks to bug out, if they want). The wet floats include water balloons, squirt guns and other water delivery methods, allowing the parade to end in an all-out water fight. If you don’t want to get soaked, head for cover. And if that’s not enough dampness for you, the Corrales Pool at 500 Jones Road will be open to the public that afternoon, free of charge.
City of Rio Rancho 4th of July Parade
The City of Rio Rancho cordially invites revelers to join the 2025 4th of July Parade on Friday evening. Residents can gather for the parade in front of City Hall in City Center. The parade route will begin and end in the upper Northwest lot of the Rio Rancho Events Center (3001 Civic Center Cir NE). All participants must be pre-registered. Observers, on the other hand, don’t have to fill out any paperwork. In addition to the colorful marching, this year’s 4th of July Extravaganza promises to feature plenty of fun family activities at Campus Park including music, food trucks and a beer garden! (OK, that last one more for the parents than the kids.) The parade gets moving at 5 p.m. Fireworks follow at 9:15 p.m.
4th of July Parade & Celebration
Just south of Albuquerque, the village of Los Lunas hosts an Independence Day parade starting promptly at 9 a.m. The parade begins at Heritage Park (53 Lambros Loop SE) across from Smith’s and ends at the Village of Los Lunas Administration offices (119 Luna St. SE). After the parade, head to the Los Lunas Sports Complex (1601 Highway 314 SW) for a big celebration including the village’s third annual 4th of July car show. Music performances by Mickey Cruz, the Outlaw 505 Band and others begin at 5 p.m. The requisite fireworks show starts around 9:15 p.m.
4th of July Mayor’s Benefit
The Town of Bernalillo’s getting wet and wild on Independence Day with a splash-fest for kids of all ages. Expect water balloons, squirt guns and more! The Bernalillo Fire Dept will even be there with a water cascade from their 33’ ladder engine! Hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments will be served. Donations for the Town’s Annual School Supply Drive and Winter Coat Drive to benefit the children of Bernalillo will be accepted. It all happens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rotary Park (370 Rotary Park Rd.)
Edgewood 4-5 Celebration
The town of Edgewood (on the other side of the Sandias along I-25) is having such a big holiday celebration that it takes two days. Head to Venus Park (181 NM-344) on Friday and Saturday for an arts & crafts fair, live music, food trucks, beer garden and more. Friday morning there’s a parade starting at 8 a.m. That’s followed by a car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music from Tripple X hits the stage from 6 to 9 p.m. A fireworks show closes out the night with a bang. Saturday starts bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with a 5k run at 8 a.m. and a Civil War reenactment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Music (MisDemeanor on Saturday) runs 6 to 9 p.m. again. Admission is free.
Let Freedom Ring! with The New Mexico Philharmonic
The New Mexico Philharmonic gets in on the red, white and blue action with a patriotic selection of classical music on Saturday, July 5 at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden (2601 Central Ave NW). Starting at 7 p.m. Music Director Roberto Minczuk leads the orchestra in a vibrant program filled with music that complements the natural beauty of the surroundings. Enjoy iconic works by Bernstein, Copland, John Williams, and more in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for an evening of marvelous music beneath the stars.