In observance of the Fourth of July, there will be parades, fireworks, and many festive celebrations across America. After all, it’s among the biggest holidays of the year and the 248th birthday of the U.S. The best celebrations include the oldest July 4 parade and one of the world’s largest fireworks shows. While the Fourth of July holiday is fast approaching, there may be time for you to make plans to enjoy one of the best in the country. In doing so, you’ll get to visit a great American destination while celebrating a holiday that’s unique to the U.S. Therefore, without any further delay, read about 10 of the best celebrations for the Fourth of July.
Fourth of July Celebrations in the U.S.
Addison Kaboom Town
4545 Jimmy Doolittle Dr.
Addison, TX 75001
www.addisonkaboomtown.com
Date: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Time: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
There is no better 4th of July celebration in the Dallas-Fort area than Addison Kaboom Town. This fireworks show in Addison is among America’s largest, drawing a half million visitors annually. The Texas-sized event starts with a thrilling Addison Airport airshow and the Addison Circle Park festival. Addison Kaboom Town will conclude with a massive fireworks show, which begins at 9:30 p.m. Please check the official website for directions, parking, and traffic information.
Arizona Celebration of Freedom
263 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
www.azcelebrationoffreedom.com
Date: July 4, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Greater Phoenix will host several Independence Day celebrations like many large metropolitan areas. For instance, Fabulous Phoenix 4th will feature one of the largest fireworks shows in the entire Southwest. However, Arizona’s “coolest” Fourth of July event is the Celebration of Freedom at the Mesa Convention Center. You can enjoy all sorts of fun things, including great food, live music and a fireworks show. Additionally, there will be picnic games, a stunt show, military reenactments, a kid’s zone, and much more.
Related: World’s Most Colorful Celebrations
Big Bay Boom
San Diego Bay
San Diego, CA
www.bigbayboom.com
Date: July 4, 2024
Time: 9 p.m.
California’s largest fireworks show isn’t in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, or Sacramento. Instead, it is held in San Diego, which happens to be California’s second-largest city. Starting at 9 p.m., the fireworks will be launched from four barges floating on the San Diego Bay. Because of this, there will be many places for you to enjoy the show. For instance, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, and the Marina District are all great spots to see the fireworks. If that’s not enough, San Diego will host many other Fourth of July celebrations. This includes Fireworks on Mission Bay on July 3 and the Coronado Fourth of July celebration.
Related: Best SF Bay Area Pumpkin Farms
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
The Hatch Memorial Shell
47 David G. Mugar Way
Boston, MA 021
www.bso.org/boston-pops-fireworks-spectacular
Date: July 4, 2024
Time: 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Without the Boston Symphony Orchestra show, no list of America’s best Fourth of July celebrations would be complete. Better known as Boston Pops of BSO, the first 4th of July performance was first held in 1929. However, in 1974, organizers decided to accompany Boston Pops music with a fireworks show. Today, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is among America’s largest Independence Day celebrations, drawing up to 500,000 spectators. If you can’t see the orchestral performance at Hatch Memorial Shell, you can see the fireworks all along the Charles River. Among viewing suggestions are the Esplanade and across the river in Cambridge.
Related: A Closer Look of the Godfrey Boston
Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
Chestnut and Hope
Bristol, RI 02809
www.fourthofjulybristolri.com
Date: June 14, 2024, to July 4, 2024
The Bristol Fourth of July celebration isn’t the largest or even the best known. However, it’s America’s oldest Independence Day celebration, first held in 1785. While the parade is held on July 4, Bristol will host many other events. In fact, events have already begun on Flag Day and will continue through July 3. The others for you to consider are a Fourth of July Ball, the Summer Concert Series, and a fireworks show on July 3. The list of performers for the Summer Concert Series at Independence Park is currently unavailable. However, you can revisit the event’s website for updated information.
Celebrate St. Louis
Gateway National Park
St. Louis, MO 63102
www.celebratesaintlouis.org
Not all details are for Celebrate Saint Lous, formerly Fair Saint Louis. However, the city known as the Gateway to the West will host one of America’s best Fourth of July celebrations. First of all, is America’s Birthday Parade, which is the nation’s second oldest July 4 parade. Then there is an air show, the Celebrate Saint Louis festival, and the celebration at the city’s iconic Gateway Arch. The 140th America’s Birthday Parade will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the July 4 celebration at Gateway Arch National Park at noon.
Macy’s Fourth of July
Hudson River
New York, NY
www.macys.com/s/fireworks
Date: July 4, 2024
Time: Televised on NBC/Peacock beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m.
If you want to see America’s biggest and best-known Fourth of July celebration, go to New York. That’s where you can see the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show over the Hudson River. Held since 1976, the pyrotechnics show was initially presented above the East River. However, in recent years, it has been held along the Hudson River to accommodate spectators across the river in New Jersey. Today, the event will draw 3 million spectators, and 8 million more watching at home on NBC/Peacock. Due to the enormity of the crowds, there are many great spots for you to see the fireworks. This includes Hudson Yards, Chelsea Pier, and the Intrepid Museum. Of course, there are many other viewing spots, so plan ahead.
Related: Where to Watch Euro 2024 in London
Navy Pier’s Independence Day Fireworks
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL
www.navypier.org
Date: July 3, 2024
Time: 9 p.m.
While Chicago will have many Fourth of July celebrations, the most popular is held at Navy Pier. After all, this is said to be the best place in America to see fireworks, not just for Independence Day. Presented by the city’s tourism group Choose Chicago and NASCAR, the fireworks show over Lake Michigan begins at 9 p.m. Because more than one million people will see the show, get to Navy Pier early. Of course, there are other great spots to see the pyrotechnics show, such as Ocean Street Beach and Grant Park. While Chicago doesn’t typically host fireworks on the Fourth of July, other celebrations will be held across Greater Chicago. For other ideas, visit Choose Chicago’s website. By the way, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race is set for July 7 at 1;30 p.m.
National Independence Day Parade
Constitution Ave.
Washington, D.C.
www.july4parade.com
Where else can you enjoy a Fourth of July celebration other than Washington, D.C.? That’s where you can enjoy one of America’s best Independence Day parades. The National Independence Day parade will feature marching bands, drum and bugle corps, colorful floats, and more. Traveling along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets, the parade will draw a massive crowd of spectators. However, there is much more to see in the Nation’s Capital. For instance, you can visit attractions like the Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. That’s not to mention the enormous fireworks show over the National Mall, drawing 700,000 spectators.
Wawa Welcome America
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
www.july4thphilly.com
Dates: June 19 to July 4, 2024
Held over 16 days, Wawa Welcome America is America’s largest Fourth of July celebration. Moreover, it’s one of the largest free festivals in America, featuring a parade, a fireworks show, and a free concert. In addition, many of Philadelphia’s top museums and attractions will be accessible on select days. For example, the National Constitution Center is admission-free on June 27, and the Eastern State Penitentiary is free on July 3. Of course, the highlight of Wawa Welcome America is the free concert featuring Kesha and Ne-Yo. Also, there will be a spectacular fireworks show during the concert held in Philadelphia, the Birthplace of America.
Related: America’s Best Summer Solstice Celebrations
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS for eight years. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a media fellowship from Stanford University and is a member of Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW).
