Where to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks in El Paso and Las Cruces

El Paso County Parks & Recreation is inviting the community to the largest fireworks display in El Paso being held at Ascarate Park on Thursday, July 4.

Activities will begin at noon and will include food trucks, swimming, music, and a golf skills tournament. Within the park on the east side of the lake, an assortment of food trucks will be set up by 3 p.m. and the summer party music by DJs set up in three locations along the lake will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. prior to the fireworks display that will take place on the west side of the lake at 9:00 p.m.

Parking will be $5 per vehicle, and there is no charge for those who walk into the park. Picnic shelters are free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Here’s a list of other Fourth of July events happening across the El Paso and Las Cruces areas…

Las Cruces 4th of July Celebration:

4 p.m. until after dark, with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Pat and Lou Ssbarro Community Park, 3205 Arrowhead Dr., NMSU campus

Gates open at 4 p.m. Food vendors will be on site. Jake Shimabukuro will be performing at 6 p.m., Night Ranger at 8 p.m. and the fireworks display will be at 9:45 p.m. The cost is free. No grilling, personal fireworks, alcohol, RV’s or overnight parking will be allowed. For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 575-541-2550.

Wet N’ Wild Waterworld:

4th of July park hours: 10 a.m. – 8p.m., Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

8804 S. Desert Blvd, Anthony, TX

See the biggest fireworks show in town as Wet N’ Wild celebrates its 40th year of 4th of July fireworks! Families can have a traditional backyard grill fest in Wet ‘n’ Wild’s spacious picnic grounds, enjoy more than 25 different water adventures for all ages with extended hours, and cap it off with more fireworks than ever before! Don’t miss a brand-new surprise in the night skies above West Texas and Southern New Mexico!

Pop Goes the Fort:

4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Biggs Park, 11388 Sergeant Major Blvd., El Paso

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert celebrating America’s Independence July 4. Assistant orchestra conductor James Welsch will lead the symphony in a patriotic and pops concert featuring USO Show Troupe in salute of the brave men and women of Fort Bliss and all those who served to protect the country.

Western Playland:

3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

1249 Futurity Dr. Sunland Park, N.M.

Take the kids out for a day of amusement rides from 3 to 10 p.m. on July 4. And then enjoy the fireworks show in the evening.

Independence Day Extravaganza:

4 p.m. until after dark

Cougar Park, 10664 Socorro Road, Socorro, TX

The city of Socorro’s annual celebration has music, food trucks, rides and fireworks on July 4. Admission is free. Call 915-860-8615 for more info.

Star Spangled Celebration:

3:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road Mescalero, NM

The Star Spangled Celebration is FREE and begins at 3 p.m. with concessions, jumping balloons, live music, and the LARGEST fireworks show in New Mexico. There will also be outdoor barbecue featuring all your favorite summer classics! (Please no outside food or drink)

La Viña Fourth of July Picnic:

11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4201 S. NM Highway 28 in La Union, N.M.

Enjoy a Country picnic at La Vina Winery. Musical entertainment will be provided. Water Slide for the Kids. La Viña will have tents, tables, and chairs set up, but you may wish to bring your own lawn chairs. There will be croquet and badminton. Join us in celebrating our country’s birthday. Admission Free. No pets are allowed. No outside alcohol will be allowed as well.

Personal Fireworks

There are several places in the Borderland where you can light your own fireworks.You cannot light fireworks in the City of El Paso. Doing so could result in a fine of up to $2,000. You can light fireworks in the unincorporated areas of El Paso County. In Las Cruces, you can light fireworks, but there are restrictions. You can only discharge ground fireworks and handheld sparklers, along with smoking devices like cone fountains and crackling devices. Aerial and ground audible devices like missile rockets, chasers and firecrackers are not allowed. You cannot light them in parks or on other people’s property, like school grounds. These rules also apply in the unincorporated areas of Doña Ana County.