This year on July 4th, America will celebrate its 243rd birthday. As with every Independence Day, there will be celebrations, picnics, concerts, and amazing firework displays, all across the country. While most events may be crowded, it’s often easier to find a quieter place to watch fireworks from. Whether you venture out for the show or stay in the comfort of your car, both of which are sure to be an exciting experience for the family. Check the websites from your city to see what time the shows will start and to make sure you have the right station to tune into to hear the music. Below we have listed 15 of some of the best firework displays and festivities to see across the whole country, for wherever you will be spending this holiday.
- Wawa Welcome America!
Throughout the whole week of the 4th, Philadelphia celebrates with over 50 free events at locations throughout the city. These include block parties, fireworks, parades, concerts, and free museum days at more than 20 different places. Visit their website to see dates, times, and locations of all the fun events happening daily from June 29th– July 4th. - Boston Harborfest
The historic city of Boston is home to one of the largest events in the country to celebrate Independence Day. This year, the events will take place from July 1st-7th and will include an arts fair, live concerts, Chowderfest, parades, fireworks, Freedom Trail walks, and historic reenactments. - Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
This famous show will host its 43rd annual firework display this year on the 4th, which will be broadcasted on NBC from 8-10 pm. Live performances from Maren Morris, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, and Khalid will take place before the fireworks, which will go off to a score designed to pay tribute to American culture through films. - Addison Kaboom Town!
This Dallas show is rated in the top ten in the country by USA Today, the American Pyrotechnic Association, Yahoo, the Wall Street Journal, and Travel + Leisure Magazine. They have been performing this show for more than three decades and will be held this year from 5-10 pm. - Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital will start its celebration at 11:45 am with a parade down Constitution Avenue. After other festivities, a concert will be held from 8-9:30 pm and will include performers such as Vanessa Carlton, Colbie Caillat, and Carole King. To enter any of the events, you’ll have to enter through security points so make sure to leave extra time. - Chicago
Two of their major events include a concert in in Millennium Park featuring classic patriotic scores, as well as fireworks of the Navy Pier. If you want to skip the crowds on the fourth, check out the free fireworks held at the Pier every Wednesday and Saturday during the rest of the summer! - Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th, Nashville
Ranked as one of the top celebrations in the country, Nashville features food, drinks, live music, and fireworks. Free music will be performed by a variety of artists including Dylan Scott, Joe West Band, the Nashville Symphony, Brett Eldredge, Mac McAnally, Jessy Wilson, and Jackson Bruck & The Duke of Hume. - Seattle
Events will take place all day in multiple locations across the city, followed by several different firework shows. These shows will occur at Bellevue Downtown Park, Kirkland, Tacoma’s Ruston Way waterfront, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, and at two locations on the lake: Gas Works Park and South Lake Union Park. - Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks, Austin
Over 100,000 will attend this years celebration to watch a performance by the Auston Symphony Orchestra followed by fireworks. These events will take place from 8:30 pm onwards, but can be heard on Majic 95.5 FM if you cannot attend. - New Orleans 4th of July Fireworks, New Orleans
Two different firework shows will take place on the river, shooting off from dueling barges. The show will start at 9 pm and can be seen from the river front or heard on WWL AM 870 or FM 105.3.
- Jackson Hole 4th of July Parade, Jackson
Starting at 10:30 am, the Chamber of Commerce will host the Independence Day Parade to celebrate community and culture. Live music will continue all night starting at 4 pm and a town square shootout reenactment, the longest running in the country, will be at 6 pm. Fireworks will be at 10 pm, which will take place at both the base of Snow King Mountain and the base of the Tetons. - Lights on the Lake, Lake Tahoe
This show is among the top 5 rated shows according to The American Pyrotechnics Associations and NBC today! The show will begin at 9:45 pm and can be seen from all across the city. - 4th of July Celebration, Las Vegas
The 25th Annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade will start at 9 am and will showcase more than 70 different entries, including floats, inflatables, veterans, musical features, all put on by over 500 volunteers and 2,500 participants. Parties will take place across dozens of different restaurants and hotels, and at least 14 different firework displays will take place at resorts, beaches, and parks. - Oceanfest on the Jersey Shore
Oceanfest is the largest event that takes place not only on the Jersey Shore, but also across the whole state of New Jersey. Hundreds of thousands of attendees will come to the 29th annual festival which includes an all-day family friendly festival of food, music, and wonderful beachfront views of fireworks. - Big Bay Boom, San Diego
The San Diego show is the largest on the west coast with over 500,000 people coming to see the show. The firework show will last about 20 minutes starting at 9 pm and can also be heard on The Mighty 1090 and MAX FM 105.7 radio.
