Forget blowing out candles. America prefers a blowout celebration. 

Trading goodie bags for the gift of independence and the birthday song for the national anthem, the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday this Fourth of July.

Since it’s not every day a country celebrates its semiquincentennial, when it does, apparently the proper gift is block parties and red, white and blue flyovers.

While Colorado Springs has canceled all firework shows across the city due to wildfire conditions, the community is still hosting non-firework related celebrations.

Consider it the largest birthday party of the year, and locals are celebrating with patriotic festivities across Colorado.

So whether you’re looking for a symphony under the stars at Ford Amphitheater or a daylong Woodland Park block party, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.

Stars, stripes and staying local 

National Museum of WWII Aviation Independence Day Celebration: Trade fireworks for flyovers at the National Museum of WWII Aviation Independence Day Celebration, featuring demonstration flights, open cockpits, a classic car show, performances by The Denver Dolls and more. With admission ranging from $13 to $17 and free for WWII veterans, visitors can enjoy food vendors, crafts and prize drawings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 775 Aviation Way; worldwariiaviation.org.

Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration: If your ideal Fourth of July includes pie contests, line dancing and a little small-town charm, head to Woodland Park for the 60th annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Hosted by SOAR’s Nonprofit Cooperative, the free event begins with sunrise yoga at 7 a.m., while festivities officially kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, 200 N. Park St.

Family Fourth at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site: The annual event features patriotic performances by the Pikes Peak Brass Band, a children’s parade, historic games, live music and tours of the ranch’s historic homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission ranges up to $14 at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, 3105 Gateway Road; rockledgeranch.com.

Independence Day Restorative Yoga Crystal Sound Bath and Brunch: Trade sparklers for self-care at Quail Lake, where Dragonfly Paddle Yoga is hosting a morning of restorative yoga, crystal sound healing and brunch overlooking the water. The event runs from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, with tickets ranging from $58.30 to $63.60, 915 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.; dragonflypaddleyoga.com. 

Banning Lewis Ranch July 4 Celebration: More than 20 food trucks and two live bands make the Banning Lewis Ranch July 4 Celebration an anticipated gathering. Bringing retro favorites and dance classics to the stage, Tiny Pockets will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by Funkology from 7 to 9 p.m. The free celebration runs from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday at 6883 Vista Del Pico Blvd.; banninglewisranch.com. 

Star Spangled Symphony: Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s patriotic finale to its American Soundtrack Festival at Ford Amphitheater. Tickets start at $18, gates open at 5:30 p.m., 95 Spectrum Loop; fordamphitheater.live.

Independence Day in Denver 

Independence Eve: A Free Concert Presented by CU Anschutz: The Colorado Symphony celebrates America’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th anniversary with a free community concert. The patriotic program features iconic American music conducted by Scott Terrell starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver; coloradosymphony.org. 

Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band: Pack a blanket and head to Washington Park for an evening of patriotic favorites performed by the Denver Municipal Band. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at South Franklin Street and East Tennessee Avenue, Denver; denvermunicipalband.org. 

Sunset Cinema: “National Treasure”: Celebrate Fourth of July weekend with a free screening of “National Treasure” at Sculpture Park. The evening includes food trucks, pre-show entertainment, an appearance by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and a drone show following the film. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1736 Speer Blvd., Denver; artscomplex.com. 

Park Hill Parade: Floats, marching bands and classic cars will roll through one of Denver’s oldest and most diverse neighborhoods during the annual Park Hill Parade. The free community tradition begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and marches along East 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street; parkhillparade.com. 

A statewide celebration: Events across Colorado 

Independence Day 5K: Start Fourth of July with the Highlands Ranch Independence Day 5K. After crossing the start and finish line on Dorchester Street, continue the celebration at the free Fourth of July parade along Highlands Ranch Parkway. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, with $30-$55 for 5K registration; hrcaonline.org.  

Beaver Run July 4th Fest: Spend some time in the mountains at the Beaver Run July 4th Fest, featuring five days of live music, a drone show, parade and performances by members of the National Repertory Orchestra. General admission is free, with VIP packages available, Thursday through Monday, Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, 620 Village Road, Breckenridge; beaverrun.com.  

Independence Weekend Celebration: Cripple Creek celebrates Fourth of July with a full day of free family-friendly festivities, including a parade down Bennett Avenue, live music, food vendors, a beer garden, classic cars and an art show at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday; cityofcripplecreek.com. 

Red, White & You: One of South Jefferson County’s largest community celebrations returns to Robert F. Clement Park with live entertainment, food vendors, community booths and more. The free event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at 7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton; ifoothills.org.

Red, White & ROCK: Ninety Percent 90s and The Spazmatics will take the stage at Hudson Gardens & Event Center during the annual celebration, which also features food trucks and family activities honoring America’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th anniversary. Tickets range from $15 to $50 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton; hudsongardens.org. 

Where to watch fireworks fly 

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants: Watch the Rockies take on the Giants and stick around for postgame fireworks following both Friday and Saturday’s games at Coors Field. Tickets start at $45, 2001 Blake St., Denver; mlb.com/rockies.

Arvada’s Independence Day Fireworks: Pack a picnic and enjoy a free fireworks display beginning at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Stenger Sports Complex. The family-friendly event offers free parking and a large viewing area, 11200 W. 58th Ave., Arvada; arvadaco.gov.

Aurora’s 4th of July Spectacular: Food trucks, live music, face painting and a 30-minute fireworks show headline Aurora’s free Independence Day celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday on the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway; auroragov.org.

4th on the Second: Celebrate with a free family movie night and fireworks at Infinity Park, where gates open at 6 p.m., the movie begins at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 950 S. Birch St., Glendale; infinityparkatglendale.com.

Stars & Stripes: Riverdale Regional Park hosts an evening of live music, food vendors, family activities and fireworks from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. The free celebration takes place at 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton; adamscountyco.gov.