Fourth of July fun, watermelon beers, Cherry Creek Arts Fest and more things to do in Denver

Free Fourth of July fun

Saturday-Sunday. In honor of the July 4th weekend, Denver’s historic Larimer Square is hosting two days of free music, face painting, chalk art, caricature artists, a scavenger hunt and more. The scavenger hunt will feature $100 gift cards to Larimer Square stores and restaurants like Cotopaxi, Bistro Vendome, Corridor 44, B-Fresh and Bao Brewhouse.

Events run 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 3. Visit larimersquare.com/events/independence-day for the full schedule. 1430 Larimer St.

And for The Denver Post’s Fireworks Guide, which includes updates on dozens of Fourth of July shows this weekend from Littleton to Lafayette and everything in between, visit dpo.st/3xWAyBy. — Jonathan Shikes

An arty party in Cherry Creek

Friday-Sunday. Browse to your heart’s delight — and maybe even pick up something new — as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival returns to its namesake neighborhood with more than 250 national and international artists, music, performing artists, food, interactive art experiences and activities for the kids.

This year’s juried artists will showcase diverse media, including painting, photography, ceramics, drawing, glass, metalworks, jewelry, wood, fiber, digital art, printmaking, and sculpture. And the admission for browsing, people watching and community sun-strolling? That’s free.

Takes place 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 3. Located at 2nd and 3rd avenues between Clayton and Steele streets, and between 2nd and 3rd avenues from Detroit to Steele streets. cherrycreekartsfestival.org — Jonathan Shikes

The fight against beerflation

Begins Friday. Inflation got you down? River North Brewery is doing its part to fight back with $5 beers through the summer. And if $5 seems like a lot, you haven’t had a craft beer in a while. The brewery will kick off its “malt-fueled anti-inflation initiative” this weekend with the release of a new session IPA and a lemon-pomegranate shanty at both of its Denver taprooms. Those two, along with RiNo Constant lager, will all be $5.