Time to Celebrate: The Best Places To See Fourth of July Fireworks in Every State in 2023

When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, fireworks are as synonymous with the Fourth of July as hot dogs, parades and apple pie. Fireworks on July 4th are a deep tradition in America, as small towns and big cities alike across the nation light off the celebratory explosives to commemorate the passage of the Declaration of Independence and the colonies’ freedom from Britain. With so much anticipation, you might be thinking, “Where are the fireworks near me?” And we’ve got you covered!

While the Fourth of July is always a special time to celebrate, it’s even more fun when the holiday lands around a weekend. Even though in 2023 July 4th lands on a Monday, there will still be fireworks all over. You should be able to check out local fireworks shows on Saturday and Sunday too!

This 4th of July, we’re sure you are going to take loads of Instagram-worthy photos as you spend the day hanging out at the beach or cooling off in the pool at a backyard cookout. So why not add some photos of you and your pals watching the night sky light up in red, white and blue to your digital photo album? We’ve rounded up a selection of where you can watch some cool fireworks shows in every state. Be sure to check the dates, because these displays are happening on Saturday, July 2, Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4. And don’t forget to check the website for the specific event before you leave the house just in case there are any last-minute scheduling changes!

Related: 75 Happy 4th of July Quotes 

Fireworks Near Me in 2023

Alabama

Gulf Shores

Watch the sky light up over the Gulf of Mexico at Gulf Shore’s Independence Day Celebration on July 4 with a stunning firework display at Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. The festival—featuring live music and food trucks—begins at 6 p.m. with the fireworks set to launch at 9.

Huntsville

The three-day festival in the MidCity District is the place to be from June 30 through July 2, for live music, fireworks, a watermelon carving contest and more. The fireworks display will be July 1 at 9:30 p.m. Get the full rundown of events here.

Alaska

Wasilla

Wasilla has a large Fourth of July celebration every year. The town has a parade that kicks off at 11 am. From 1-3 pm is the mayor’s picnic and the night ends with a firework display at 11 p.m. (once it’s dark enough) at Wonderland Park.

Arizona

Mesa

The Celebration of Freedom festival returns to Mesa on July 4 with a car show, live music, a BMX Bike stunt show, food, drinks, historic reenactments and spectacular fireworks. The fun begins at 6 p.m. in Downtown Mesa at the Convention Center and Amphitheater with the fireworks display scheduled for 9:30.

Peoria

The All-American Festival at the Peoria Sports Complex on July 4 will feature a full day of entertainment for the whole family, including water slides, food, and beverage vendors, cornhole tournaments, and live music—ending with fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Admission is free, with VIP experiences available for purchase.

Arkansas

Conway

Last year, in 2022, The Freedom Fest took place on July 3 starting at 6 p.m. at Beaver Fork Lake featuring food trucks, live music, swimming, and a spectacular fireworks display at dark. Check the website for 2023’s date and times. 

Heber Springs

You can watch the fireworks over Greers Ferry Lake on July 1 at 9:30. The extravaganza will take place at Sandy Beach starting at 7 p.m. with a live performance from the band Just Sayin’—and then tune in to 101.9 The Lake-KSUG for the fireworks music.

California

Lake Tahoe

The Lights on the Lake fireworks extravaganza is one of the nation’s best—it was even named by The Today Show as one of the nation’s top five displays. The spectacular light show will take place on July 4 at 9:45 p.m, and can be seen from just about any spot in town.

Newport Beach

Nestled along the waterfront of the Newport Harbor, Balboa Bay Resort has a birds-eye view of the iconic Newport Beach fireworks display. In 2022 they took off from the Back Bay on July 4 (check their site for news on 2023’s festivities). The resort is open to the public and has a sprawling lawn. For a prime viewing location, book a patio table at A+O Restaurant | Bar, and enjoy live music as a backdrop to the fireworks.

San Diego

The Big Bay Boom over the Port of San Diego is touted as California’s largest fireworks show. Bring your own lawn chairs to watch from several surrounding locations—or take your boat out into the bay—as the pyrotechnics are launched from four barges on the water. It’s tentatively still at 9 p.m on July 4 this year, like last year, but check their site in June for details.

Colorado

Colorado Springs

The Star-Spangled Symphony and July 4th Block Party will feature a free patriotic concert by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, music, food, games, and more. The block party begins at 3:30, the concert at 4:30, and a beautiful fireworks show will launch at 9 p.m. that can be seen throughout Colorado Springs. You can register for free general admission tickets to attend the concert at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts or request a livestream link through the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

Denver

The traditional Independence Eve celebration is happening again at Denver’s Civic Center Park (they took a two-year hiatus from 2020 to 2021). On July 3, local musicians and the Colorado Symphony will perform ahead of the fireworks show, with gates opening at 4 pm and music starting at 6 pm. The fireworks display is set to start around 9:15 pm and 9:30 p.m. from the roof of the City and County Building.

Connecticut

Branford Point

Branford Point’s Independence Day celebration is taking place on June 24 at dusk, according to Patch. In year’s past, a fireworks display launched from the town dock with the show able to be viewed from several areas around town, including Parker Memorial Park.

Middletown

Fun awaits the whole family at the city of Middletown’s Fireworks Festival. Happening on Saturday, July 1, at Harbor Park and along DeKoven Drive, the festival kicks off at 5 p.m. with live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, and then caps off with a dazzling fireworks display launched from a barge on the Connecticut River around 9:30 p.m.

Delaware

Dover

The first state’s capital city hosts an all-day-long Fourth of July Celebration not to be missed. While the 2023 schedule isn’t posted yet, in years past you could tour the Old State House, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, check out the free colonial-inspired programs and activities at Heritage Park, visit the food and craft vendors around Legislative Mall before the old-fashioned patriotic parade down State Street and then listen to live music at Legislative Mall. All before the grand finale—fireworks lighting up the sky at 9:15 p.m. Check their website for more info on this year’s festivities closer to the date. 

Hockessin

Neighborhood relay races in the morning, a parade in the afternoon and fireworks at night are all a part of Hockessin’s Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks. In year’s past the fireworks show was able to be seen from all over town and went off whether rain or shine on July 4 at dusk. Check their website and Facebook for more info regarding 2023’s festivities. 

Related: Which Stores Are Open On July 4th?

Florida

Tallahassee

Head over to Tom Brown Park on July 4th for the city’s Celebrate America event. Starting at 7 p.m., the Billy Rigsby Band will play before the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra takes over, performing patriotic music as fireworks light up the sky at 9:45 p.m. The event will also feature food trucks and activities for children.

Winter Haven

The Rockin’ Freedom Fest at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park will feature live music and food trucks before the dazzling fireworks show at dusk. It all goes down on July 3 starting at 5 p.m. with more information to come on their site. 

Georgia

Kennesaw

Taking place on July 3 starting at 6 p.m, Kennesaw’s Independence Day Salute to America will have two stages featuring live music, food vendors, activities for the kids, and the biggest fireworks show in North Georgia! The lineup can be found here, with fireworks slated to begin at 9:30 pm. 

St. Simons Island

For more than 60 years, the Sunshine Festival in the Pier Village has been a St. Simons Island tradition. The family-friendly event includes a 1-mile fun run and a 5K race, and the day ends with two fireworks shows to choose from. One is Independence Day Fireworks on Jekyll Island, which start at 9:30 pm on Beachview Dr.. The second is St. Simons Island 4th of July Fireworks, from 9 pm to 9:30 pm, on St. Simons Island Pier. 

Hawaii

Kailua

The Kailua-Kona Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza has taken the “Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans” theme for this year’s annual event. Join the fun on July 4th for the parade at 6 p.m. and the fireworks display at 8 pm over Kailua Bay.

Maui

In past years, the Lahaina Independence Day festivities are happening at Campbell Park at 5 p.m. on July 4 for an energetic block party and stick around for the fireworks on Front Street around 8 p.m. Launched from a barge offshore, the fireworks can be seen for miles. You can also see the show from a boat, or enjoy the fireworks from one of the waterfront cafes and restaurants. Check their site closer to the event for updated 2023 times and locations. 

Idaho

McCall

The night sky over Payette Lake will be lit up at dusk with McCall’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration at Legacy Park. Check out the town’s website as it is updated for additional info closer to the date.

Star

The town may be small, but Star will present a big celebration on July 4 with a full day of activities like pie-eating contests, a fun run, a dunk tank, kids games, a parade, a concert, and fireworks at Hunter’s Creek Park. The activities begin bright and early at 7 a.m. with the fireworks show scheduled for 10:15 p.m.

Illinois

Skokie/Niles

Due to the unfortunate tragedy that occurred at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade in 2022, Skokie’s massive fireworks display was canceled. This year they’re back, though, and just as big as they’ve been for decades, now. There’s of course a parade that starts at Oakton Community College and makes its way through Downtown Skokie. Then Skokie’s 3D Fireworks Festival begins at 5 pm at Niles West High School. There is food, drinks, live bands and a massive field to picnic on. Every person attending receives 3D glasses to watch the musical fireworks show that starts at dusk. 

Chicago

If you find yourself in the Windy City for the Fourth of July, you of course will see the famous Navy Pier fireworks every Saturday and Wednesday in this summer, starting at 10 pm. So many places will be shooting off fireworks on July 4 (and all weekend), but Navy Pier is one of the best places to see some truly spectacular fireworks, especially since you can find a spot anywhere along the lakefront and get a good view (but if you want to brave the crowds at Navy Pier, you’ll get a special experience with the accompanying music). 

Streator

What used to be the 4th of July Celebration in Streator is now known as Streator Fest and will happen the first weekend of August (Aug. 3-6). The fireworks spectacular that is one of downstate Illinois’ largest fireworks displays, will happen on Aug. 5 at Anderson Fields Golf Course.

Indiana

Akron

Softball tournaments, cute baby contests, book sales, live music, a beauty pageant and more are all on the schedule for Akron’s Fourth of July weekend. Their the Facebook page shared that the theme for this year’s parade is “Take me back to the ’70s.” But in addition to the festivities is an annual 4th of July Firecracker 5K Run/Walk that starts at 8:00 am on July 4. Stay tuned to their Facebook for 2023’s information, but in 2022 the fireworks took place at 10 pm on July 4 at Pike Memorial Park.

Michigan City

The town’s traditional patriotic parade takes place on July 1 down Franklin Street, but the spectacular fireworks show will light up the sky on July 4. Last year they lit up over Washington Park. Enjoy the show (scheduled for dusk) from along the beach area or from a boat on Lake Michigan. All the info you need to plan your day (and night!) can be found on Michigan City’s website.

Related: Surprising Fourth of July Facts

Iowa

Coralville

The 4th of July Fest in Coralville is a multi-day event starting with a carnival on July 2, with more details to be determined. The fireworks over S.T. Morrison Park are scheduled to launch at approximately 9:45 p.m. on July 4. More info can be found on their site. 

Grand Mound

Known for its massive fireworks show, Grand Mound will begin the 4th of July celebrations with a water parade at 2 p.m. followed by fireworks at dusk at the Grand Mound Ball Park. The day’s rundown of events can be found online.

Kansas

Liberty

The Liberty Fest in Liberty will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Federal Sports Complex on July 3. The night of family fun will include kids’ activities, food trucks, a beer garden and live music before the fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Overland Park

An evening of concerts and fireworks, the Star-Spangled Spectacular will take place at Corporate Woods Founders’ Park on July 4. The festivities began at 5 p.m. Last year, the fireworks were scheduled for 9:45 p.m. 

Kentucky

Independence

2023 is the 25th anniversary of the Independence Day 4th Fest in the city of Independence. As usual, it will be a two-day celebration, and this year it’s taking place on June 30 and July 1. There will be rides, a car show, games, live music, food, a parade and a spectacular firework show on Saturday night in Memorial Park. 

Owensboro

The Owensboro 4th Fest is taking place for the 9th year on July 4th at the Owensboro Convention Center. Festivities start at 4 pm with inflatables for the kids, activities and more. The best seats in the house, so to speak, for the fireworks display will be at the Owensboro riverfront. Tickets for some of the activities like the inflatables start at $10 and the fireworks start at approximately 9:15 pm. 

Louisiana

Baton Rouge

Dress up in red, white, and blue, and head to Downtown Baton Rouge for a stunning fireworks display over the Mississippi River on July 4. If you’d rather stay home but still see the night sky lit up, the celebration will be telecast live on WBRZ+, WBRZ.com, and WBRZ News 2’s Facebook page. Details for the night’s event can be found here. More info will come about times, but the fireworks should start around 9 p.m. according to their site. 

Slidell

The Slidell Heritage Festival will cost you $15 a person to attend (12 & under are free), but all the proceeds go back to local non-profit organizations like the Cypress District Boy Scouts, the Women’s Civic Club, and the Slidell Police Association. Held on July 1 starting at 4 p.m., the event includes live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, and a huge fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Maine

Bath

The celebration is so big in this town that the Bath Heritage Days is a four-day event, spanning June 30 through July 4th! Free concerts, a carnival, a barbecue, an art show, a book sale, a car show, and more are all packed into the weekend’s events. It all leads up to fireworks on July 4 overlooking the Kennebec River, starting at 9:15 pm. 

Maryland

Annapolis

On July 4, Annapolis will launch its fireworks from a barge in Annapolis Harbor at 10 p.m. with viewing areas all around the city. There will be road closures around the Spa Creek Bridge area starting at 6 p.m. until the show is over, and parking downtown may prove difficult if you don’t get there early enough.

Baltimore

The fantastic lights display over Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is back again 2023. While this year’s information hasn’t been released yet, last year the festivities began at 4 p.m. In addition to concerts, there was street performers and other family-friendly activities, food trucks, a pet parade and so much more. This all lead up to a dazzling fireworks display over the Inner Harbor at 9:30 p.m. Again, check their site closer to the date to get updated information on times and activities. 

Related: Red, White & Blue Desserts

Massachusetts

Boston

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Concert returned last year to Beantown. The July 4 acclaimed concert should follow a similar schedule to 2022’s event, which took place at the Charles River Esplanade Shed at 8 p.m. More info will be released about 2023’s event in late May, according to their site. Last year it was broadcast live nationally via Bloomberg TV and radio, and locally in Boston on WHDH-TV Channel 7 as well.

Salem

The town known for its infamous 1800s witch trials will celebrate Independence Day in a spectacular fashion on Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. On July 4, bring lawn chairs to listen to the Hillyer Festival Orchestra play patriotic tunes as fireworks light up the sky over Salem Harbor. The festivities began at 5 p.m. last year with live music and food trucks, and the fireworks were scheduled to start at 9:15. Check their site for more updates for 2023. 

Michigan

Dearborn

The Henry Ford Museum has partnered with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a four-day Salute to America event in Greenville Village. Taking place from June 30 through July 3, each performance ends with a cannon fire and fireworks finale. You can view ticket packages here.

Grand Rapids

Launched at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, the fireworks festivities on July 1 will start at 6 p.m. with live music before the pyrotechnic show begins at 10:30 p.m. Visit the town’s 4th of July website for details.

Minnesota

Cannon Valley

The Cannon Valley Fair has a full slate of events happening from July 1 through July 4, including a fireworks show at dusk on Independence Day. Tickets to the fairgrounds are $5 per person (veterans and senior citizens can enter for free on July 4), and there is an additional fee for the Demo Derby & Truck Pull.

Delano

The home of the state’s oldest and largest Independence Day celebration, the festivities in Delano take place on July 4 with a parade, carnival games and rides, races, tournaments, and more. The night ends with a fireworks display lasting an impressive 27 minutes, starting at 10:30 pm, so grab a spot to view the show on the dike near Central Park.

Mississippi

Canton

The 37th Annual Hot Air Balloon Fest promises a weekend of fun for the whole family. Happening June 29 through July 1, the festival, in the past, has had fireworks at dusk on both the Saturday and Sunday of the festival (since this year ends on a Saturday, you can probably bank on fireworks happening July 1). Check their site for updated times closer to the event. 

Gulfport

Many cities along the Gulf Coast will celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks displays—like Gulfport. Rain or shine, the fireworks were planned to launch at 8:45 p.m. on July 4 last year. The best viewing areas are at the beach south of Highway 90, Jones Park, and the Gulfport Municipal Marina. 2023 should have a similar schedule. Check the Mayor’s Office’s Facebook for more updates.

Missouri

Independence

A town named Independence must have a great 4th of July celebration, right? It’s being held on July 1 at the Independence Visitors’ Center on W. Walnut Street. Gates open at 5:30, with live music and food trucks starting at 7. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30, and you can find all the details about the day on the event’s Facebook page.

Lee’s Summit

Fireworks are happening in Lee’s Summit on July 3 with the city’s Legacy Blast. The gates to Legacy Park will open at 6 p.m. for concessions, kids’ activities, selfie stations, and interactive games—all leading up to a grand fireworks display after 9:15 p.m.

Montana

Laurel

This small town puts on a big Independence Day celebration on July 4—including the biggest fireworks display in Montana. The day’s events include a fun run, parade, pancake breakfast, food and craft fair and fireworks at dusk.

Great Falls

Last year, the fireworks in Great Falls didn’t happen until it got dark around 10:30 p.m., but there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied before then during the city’s 4th of July celebration, including the Great Falls July 4 Hootenanny, which is a free concert starring Morgan Evans. 

Nebraska

Bellevue

The Family 4th celebration in Bellevue Downtown Park always draws a huge crowd, with its musical performances, kids activities, food vendors, and more, starting at 5 p.m. The night caps off with a spectacular fireworks show synchronized to a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Orchestra at 10:05 p.m.

Omaha

The city will celebrate America on Friday, June 30, this year with a free concert featuring Melissa Etheridge and other musicians at Memorial Park. The music starts at 6 p.m. and the not-to-be-missed fireworks show should launch around 10.

Nevada

Las Vegas

If you are in the downtown area on July 4, don’t miss the dazzling extravaganza put on by The Plaza Hotel around 9 p.m. Fireworks are staged from multiple locations of the hotel, making for an unforgettable show high above the Strip. Hotel guests can enjoy a prime viewing location at the rooftop pool.

North Lake Tahoe

The Nevada side of Lake Tahoe welcomed several eco-friendly aerial shows in 2022 with drone lights! Orchestrated to music, over 100 drones will light up the sky over Tahoe City’s Commons Beach on July 4. Check their site to see if they’re doing the same for 2023. Also on July 4, Incline Village Crystal Bay will present a drone SkyShow with viewing at the Incline Village Ridgeline Ball Fields.

New Hampshire

Laconia

This year’s Fourth of July celebration in Laconia featured two mesmerizing firework displays in 2022. This year, after the town’s parade ends at Opechee Park, bands will begin to play leading up until the fireworks show at 10 p.m. 

Merrimack

Merrimack’s 4th of July celebration has many moving parts. It starts off with a 5K run in the morning, a parade in the afternoon, and a dazzling fireworks display at 9 p.m. The spectacular light show will take place at Merrimack High School, so you can watch from the parking lot in front of the school (where a DJ will be spinning tunes), on the athletic fields at James Mastricola Upper Elementary School, or from Watson Park. Get info on the event here.

New Jersey

Bridgewater

Travel back to America’s colonial era by visiting a revolutionary war encampment reenactment by the NJ 3rd Regiment at North Branch Park on July 4, and then stick around for the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free for the encampment show, and the park gates will open at 6 p.m.

East Rutherford

The State Fair at the Meadowlands is the largest fair in the New York Metro area, spanning 18 days from late June to early July. So it goes without saying that the fireworks displays on July 3 and July 4 will be show-stopping! The show at the fairgrounds is free with a Fun Pass purchase on those days, but the sky show can also be seen from various areas around Met Life Stadium.

New Mexico

Alamogordo

Watch the sky light up in red, white, and blue from the comfort of your car at the drive-in Fireworks Extravaganza at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Museum members have access to free VIP parking in the museum’s lot starting at 6 p.m., but the July 4 show will be visible in the surrounding areas.

Capitan

The Smokey Bear Stampede—the nation’s largest open rodeo weekend—will be in town from July 1 through July 4. The festival has a full schedule of events planned for Independence Day, including a wow-worthy fireworks show.

New York

New York City

It doesn’t get better than The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks—and the 47th annual show is happening on July 4 at 8 p.m. ET. Last year, the fireworks were launched from five barges on the East River centered around Midtown Manhattan. But if you don’t want to deal with the crowds to see the display in person, the event will be televised from 8-10 p.m. on NBC and streaming on Peacock again this year.

Schroon Lake

For those folks in upstate New York, the 4th of July celebration in Schroon Lake is “more than just a parade”! Entertainment along Main Street, family fun in the town park, a BBQ, art expo, and more all lead up to a gala fireworks display at dusk. The various events will happen in different locations around town, so check out the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for details.

North Carolina

Corolla

One of the best Independence Day celebrations on the Outer Banks is in Corolla. Activities begin at 5 at Historic Corolla Park, with live music, family activities, and food vendors before the largest fireworks show on OBX begins at dusk. Admission is free and leashed dogs are permitted.

Asheville

In the mountains of western North Carolina, the Tweetsie Railroad 4th of July Extravaganza. You can see the show with admission to the park. There will be activities all day long, with fireworks launching at 9:30 p.m. The park itself is the best place to see the show, so get there early with your chairs and blankets.

North Dakota

Bismarck

The fireworks show above the North Dakota State Capitol followed a performance by the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra is considered one of the best July 4th displays in the state. Last year it was held on the grounds of the capitol, with the main performance will be at 9:45. It’s unclear if that event is happening again in 2023, but if you want something close by and a bit unique, you can head to the Mandan Rodeo Days from July 2 through July 4, 2023. And on July 4, a fireworks display is promised!

West Fargo

The July 4th Carnival and Fireworks at the Bonanzaville Museum is bananas! Doors open at 10 a.m. for a full July 4th day of family fun, and fireworks begin at dusk. Tickets are $6 for kids 6 and up, and $12 for adults (military and veterans and kids under 5 are free).

Ohio

Berea

The city celebrates Independence Day with its two-day Grindstone Festival on July 3 and July 4, featuring fun for the whole family. The main attraction—the fireworks show—takes place at 10 p.m. on July 4 at Coe Lake Park.

Newark

The Martha Grace Reece Amphitheater at Ohio State University will be the site for the Independence Day Concert and Fireworks on July 3. Several music groups will play before the crowd-pleasing fireworks go off at 10 p.m. Visit the website for safety guidelines and a rundown of the events.

Oklahoma

Edmond

The grand finale of Edmond’s Liberty Fest is the largest fireworks show in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. There are events throughout June and into July, and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on July 4 at E.C. Hafer Park.

Yukon

The Freedom Fest in Yukon will be held on July 3 and July 4—with loads of family fun on both days and fireworks on both nights! Last year, the free festival was held at Chisolm Trail Park (and it looks like 2023 will be the same), and the huge fireworks show went down at 10 p.m. on both nights of the fest. Check back at their site closer to July for more info. 

Related: 50 Songs About America

Oregon

Seaside

After the town’s charming parade, head over to the beach for Seaside‘s annual fireworks show on July 4. One of the largest displays in the state, this coastal town’s impressive show begins at dusk as the fireworks are launched over the ocean.

Hermiston

Spend the 4th of July at Butte Park with vendors, games and lots of other activities at the Stars & Stripes Celebration. Watch the fireworks at Butte Park at 10 p.m. for free from the areas around the park.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

The city’s Wawa Welcome America celebration begins on June 19, with loads of special programming and events all over Philly. The grand finale of the celebration is a free concert headlined by Demi Lovato and Ludacris and the Fireworks Spectacular at the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 9:45. Spectators can watch from Eakins Oval to Logan Circle, and the show will be broadcast live on NBC10.

Harrisburg

Riverfront Park will host the July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks starting at 1 p.m. on Independence Day with more than 45 food trucks and two stages of live music. At approximately 9:15 p.m., the largest fireworks show in Central Pennsylvania will light up the sky over the Susquehanna River, visible for miles around town.

Rhode Island

Bristol

America’s oldest Fourth of July celebration goes down in Bristol each year—the town has been celebrating Independence Day since 1785! The celebration starts on June 14 and goes through July 4, with concerts, a parade, a pageant for kids, a photography contest and more. But the crowning jewel is the fireworks display, scheduled for July 3 at 9:30 p.m. over Bristol Harbor.

Warwick

The Oakland Beach Seawall offers a fantastic view of the Warwick fireworks, happening on July 3 at approximately 9 p.m. Expect heavy traffic delays if you don’t get there early, or go to City Park for a fantastic view of the 30-minute show.

South Carolina

Columbia

Segra Park will host the Second Annual Fireworks With the Phil on July 4. A joint effort between the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball team and the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, gates at the stadium will open at 6:30 p.m., the concert begins at 8, and the spectacular fireworks go off at 9:15. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased here.

Myrtle Beach

Last year, there were plenty of fireworks around the popular resort area over the holiday weekend. But one of the best shows to check out in 2023 is the Surfside Beach 4th of July Celebration at Martin Field.

South Dakota

Custer

There won’t be fireworks lit over Mount Rushmore again this year, but another Black Hills-area show worth checking out is Custer’s Fourth of July Celebration. The day’s events include a parade, old-fashioned games, races and an arts and crafts festival. It all ends with fireworks from Pageant Hills around 9:30 pm on July 4.

Huron

Last year, after the town’s parade, vendor fair and BBQ, two dazzling fireworks shows took place at the Independence Day Celebration on July 4. You can check out the show either at Ravine Lake, or at Lake Byron, both scheduled for 10 p.m.

Tennessee

Chattanooga

It’s not confirmed yet if the city’s popular Pops on the River Independence Day Celebration is coming back for 2023. But last year it took place during July 4th weekend at Coolidge Park. Check back on their site closer to July for more info. But in the meantime, the Red, White and Blueberries market is definitely happening on July 2, which is an Independence Day tradition in Chattanooga. 

Nashville

Brad Paisley is headlining the free concert during Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing! Music City event this year. And while that’s certainly exciting, the July 4 celebration will culminate with the largest fireworks show in the city’s history as a 30-minute pyrotechnics display is synchronized to a musical performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.

Texas

Addison

Each July 3, this small North Texas ‘burg packs a big punch as it turns into Kaboom Town! to celebrate Independence Day. The city-wide event includes an airplane show, inflatable waterslides and a giant zip line. But the best part of the day is the amazing 25-minute long fireworks display, named among the top shows in the nation, that happens at Addison Circle Park at nightfall.

Houston

The Freedom Over Texas event on July 4 will cost you $10 a person, but you get six hours of festivities, concerts, a Space City Experience and “Texas-sized” fireworks along Allen Parkway for your money.

Utah

Park City

The ski resort town will run its 4th of July parade down historic Main Street, with an afternoon full of activities at City Park. Then, at dusk, head over to the Park City Mountain Base for live music, barbecue, and fireworks (weather permitting). Get all the info here for the celebration.

Provo

America’s Freedom Festival at Provo will feature the one and only band, Journey, as the headliner performer, along with a thrilling F-35 flyover and the biggest stadium fireworks show in the country! Tickets for the Stadium of Fire event—happening at Bingham Young University’s LaVell Edwards Stadium on July 2—range from $40 to $270.

Vermont

Burlington

One of the best fireworks displays in the area is Burlington’s annual July 3 celebration over Lake Champlain. The town is still finalizing the schedule of events at the waterfront, but the fireworks typically begin at Waterfront Park around 9:30 p.m.

Jeffersonville

The July 4th Celebration at Smugglers’ Notch Resort promises a full day of celebrations, ending with a concert by the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band at 8 p.m. and fireworks at dusk against the stunning backdrop of the Green Mountains.

Virginia

Norfolk

Town Point Park—downtown on the waterfront—will be the site for the annual 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks. In addition to a menu of all-American favorite fare, military brass bands will entertain the crowd before the amazing fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. above the Elizabeth River.

Virginia Beach

One of the best places along the coast to see fireworks is the Stars & Stripes Celebration along the waterfront in Virginia Beach. The schedule is still being finalized, but free live music performances will grace multiple stages along the beach starting at 7 p.m. The fireworks are typically shot off at 24th Street and the Boardwalk, but anywhere along the oceanfront will provide a spectacular view.

Washington

Seattle

The Seafair Summer Fourth festival returns to Seattle in the summer of 2023. Named the best fireworks in the Pacific Northwest by USA Today, the fireworks over Puget Sound are always a crowd-pleaser. Activities begin at 3 p.m., with the fireworks at dusk. Admission is free, or you can purchase reserved seating.

Spokane

Get to Riverfront Park early on July 4 if you want a seat at the stage for the annual Spokane Symphony concert at the Pavilion. (Blankets and low-backed chairs are permitted on the lawn.) The concert will begin at 9 p.m. with fireworks following at 10 p.m. at the Lilac Bowl.

Washington, D.C.

The National Mall

The greatest fireworks show in the country takes place annually over the National Mall in our nation’s capital—America’s most important civic space! Hosted by the National Park Service, the celebration will be on July 4 at 9:09 p.m. as fireworks are launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf

According to Pendry, their rooftop restaurant Moonraker “(which boasts expansive views from The Potomac to national monuments) will host an Independence Day party on Tuesday, July 4 where guests can witness fireworks from across the river to Fireworks on the National Mall.” The event is 21+, runs from 6-10 p.m. and costs $200 per person. 

West Virginia

Morgantown

The Hazel Ruby McQuain Park will be the place to be on July 1 for Morgantown’s celebration. The park will open at 4 p.m. for live music, food vendors, face painting, and other family-friendly activities near the amphitheater. The fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m.

Vienna

The city will host its Independence Day Celebration on July 2 at Yeonas Park starting at 4 p.m. with music, games, and family activities before a concert by the United States Navy Concert Band. After the concert, the 20-minute fireworks show begins at 9:30. Check out parking info and details here. You can catch another fireworks show (and tons of other activities) at the Freedom Festival the next night over at the Grand Central Mall on June 30 at 10:15 p.m.

Wisconsin

Clam Lake

The Northwoods provides a picturesque backdrop for the fireworks display put on by this small, unincorporated town in the heart of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Bring your chairs and blankets to the Community Center’s lawn on July 3 for the fireworks show on the shores of Upper Clam Lake at dusk. You may even see some wildlife since the area is the Elk Capital of Wisconsin!

Milwaukee

Get to Veteran’s Park early on July 3 for Fireworks at the Lakefront since it’s one of the area’s most popular displays and prime seating goes fast. The 45-minute display will start around 9:30.

Wyoming

Casper

The community will come together on July 4 at the Ford Wyoming Center for the Fireworks Festival. Designed to highlight local businesses, the event will include food vendors, live music, and free activities like a sidewalk chalk competition and a corn hole tournament. The event starts at 4 p.m. with the fireworks scheduled to begin at dusk.

Laramie

In 2023, the city of Laramie is hosting a “Fire in the Sky” fireworks show and it’s completely free! The event takes place on July 4 at 10 p.m. While 2023’s details are still being finalized, it’ll probably be similar to last year’s extravaganza.  

Next, check out…

Inspirational 4th of July Quotes
Fun 4th of July Party Games
Independence Day Trivia Questions