Alamogordo

Alamogordo presents its most patriotic theme yet with the “Salute to Freedom” Independence Day Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on Oregon Avenue and travels down 10th Street to New York Avenue. For a dazzling fireworks show, check out the views at New Mexico Museum of Space History, where a Fireworks Extravaganza blasts off from 9:15–10 p.m.

Albuquerque

Bring the family to Balloon Fiesta Park for Albuquerque’s Freedom 4th. Along with a fireworks show, indulge in burgers, turkey legs, corn, and ice cream. Visit The Cantina for a view of the main stage and enjoy a beer, wine, and other spirits from local purveyors. Entertainment featuring surf-rock band The Fabulous Martini-Tones, country artist Austin Van, acoustic Latin group Divino, and headliner Lindsay Ell runs from 4 p.m. until the firework display at 9:15 p.m. A park-and-ride shuttle is available at Cottonwood and Coronado malls.

Angel Fire Resort hosts the town's first drone Fourth of July celebration. Photograph courtesy of Angel Fire Resort.

Angel Fire

The second annual Angel Fire Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, where you can wave to Grand Marshal Nancy Burch, see a variety of floats and vehicles decorated by theme, and enjoy some free candy. At the Country Club, fresh barbecue is served in front of Par & Grill from 1–3 p.m. Tickets are $25.99 for adults, $19.99 for children 12 and under.

On July 3 and 4, Oliver Bradley Skate Park Festival begins at 1 p.m. at Plaza Del Sol, behind the fire station. Watch professional skaters compete, give demonstrations, and offer free classes (and helmets) to kids.

On the evening of July 4, come celebrate a different kind of visual spectacle at Frontier Park: fireworks without the fire. For the first time ever, Angel Fire Resort will be hosting a fireless visual spectacle, as hundreds of drones take to the skies to form fun patterns and shapes. Bring lawn chairs to sit back and enjoy the safe and dazzling presentation as the drones take off around 8 p.m. For more information about these events, visit Angel Fire Resort’s Fourth of July events.

Elephant Butte

Take a break from the heat and cool off in New Mexico’s largest body of water this holiday weekend. Friends of Elephant Butte Lake State Park are hosting their popular Fireworks Show at dusk on Saturday, July 1. Park entry fees are waived starting at 6 p.m. the day of the show, which is expected to begin around 8 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and other recreational activities before watching colorful explosions reflect off the water.

Las Cruces

On July 3, light up the holiday festivities with the Electric 5K and One-Mile Fun Run at 7:30 p.m., at Meerscheidt Recreational Center.

If you’d rather relax and see a sparkling light parade, come to this year’s Electric Light Parade to enjoy the cooler air and end your night with a bang. This year’s parade theme is “Red, White, and BOOM!”, and it starts at 9 p.m. in Apodaca Park.

On July 4, enjoy headliner Randy Houser, with support from opening acts Chris Baker and Dzaki Sukarno, at the free Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks. The concert begins at 6 p.m. at Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, and the fireworks show will commence after the concert.

Red River hosts an All-American parade for the Fourth of July. Photograph courtesy of Red River.

Red River

Looking for a truly family-friendly event? Come see one of northern New Mexico’s largest parades, held annually in the mountain town of Red River. The beautiful floats at the annual 4th of July Parade & Celebration start their route at 10 a.m. After the parade, stroll down to Brandenburg Park to enjoy live music and family-oriented fun. Then head to the Red River Community House for its annual July Fourth Egg Toss & Family Games.

Socorro

4th of July in Socorro, at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex, includes a lineup of contemporary and traditional enternainment from noon to 10 p.m.. All tastes are represented: the unique personality of Al Hurricane Jr., the enchanting movements of the Et Alia Belly Dance Troupe, country dance band Up a Creek, local favorites The Murillos, contemporary troubadours The Full(ish) Professors, members of the Socorro Community Band, and local guitar guru Rob Lopez.

Taos

Get your jam on with a free concert at Kit Carson Park, in Taos, featuring energetic Los Angeles–based rockers Ozomatli, whose music will get you on your feet, and special guests Grupo Fantasma and Taos Pueblo musician Robert Mirabal & Rare Tribal Mob. The Fourth of July events begin around 4 p.m, and picnics are welcome. Food and drink vendors sell refreshments, and the show will close with a fireless, first-of-its-kind laser “firework” show by FullColorLasers.