The Best Fireworks Displays in Every State
Updated: Jul. 12, 2024
Happy birthday, America! These are the best 4th of July fireworks displays nationwide for Independence Day.
Find the most spectacular fireworks displays near you
The 4th of July and fireworks go hand in hand, just like America and apple pie. This tradition started in Philadelphia in 1777, and today, nearly every big city and tiny town will be launching fireworks on the big day (not to mention your neighbors in the states where fireworks are legal, much to your dog’s dismay). So, which ones are worth checking out? We’re so glad you asked! We rounded up the best fireworks displays of 2024 in every state—including yours.
Even better, many of these fireworks displays are the culmination of an entire day’s worth of 4th of July fun. Some of their accompanying festivals include parades, live music, car shows, kid-friendly activities, food trucks and 5K runs, and one even includes a lobster race (in Maine, of course). No matter what your ideal Independence Day celebration looks like, there’s something here for you—and this list may even inspire you to plan a last-minute 4th of July weekend. So grab a lawn chair and your favorite people, and get ready for a truly spectacular night.
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Alabama
Vulcan Park and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, hosts Thunder on the Mountain, one of the best fireworks displays in the country. The park and museum close at 6 p.m., and the free program starts at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be set to a combination of popular and patriotic music by artists James Brown, Imagine Dragons, Neil Diamond and more.
Alaska
Nineteen hours of daylight in the summer doesn’t stop Anchorage from setting off a fantastic fireworks display after the sun briefly clocks out for the night. Starting at 10 p.m., Anchorage will host an Independence Day celebration that includes a carnival ride, a festival at Downtown’s Delaney Park Strip, curbside food carts, a parade and so much more!
Arizona
Scottsdale’s 4th of July Celebration at WestWorld is the best in the state, in part because the brilliant and bright fireworks display set against the McDowell Mountains is just the nightcap on a fun, family-filled day. Check out a bull-riding rodeo, an eating contest, cake walks and their fifth annual Parade of Heroes, which “honors outstanding leaders in six categories.”
Arkansas
While the Pops on the River in Little Rock is the largest 4th of July celebration in the state of Arkansas, some things are just better on a boat—like watching the Ventris Trail’s End Resort’s fireworks display in Northwest Arkansas. To be fair, you can enjoy the show from shore, but it was designed to be viewed on the water. Apparently, there’s just something about the way the bursts of light and color reflect on the waves of Beaver Lake, one of the prettiest lakes in the country, that will make this experience truly amazing. Sounds like an excellent excuse to do a little research on that if you ask us!
California
Anyone who has experienced New Year’s Eve at Legoland knows that the popular family resort can throw an amazing all-ages party, and the 4th of July is equally fabulous. Legoland’s Red, White and BOOM! 4th of July fireworks display is set to patriotic music that can be enjoyed from a variety of viewing spots throughout the park, so you don’t have to worry about crazy crowds. During the day, kids of all ages can enjoy performances, meet their favorite Lego characters, and of course, check out the amusement park’s rides. Bonus: All the 4th of July activities at Legoland’s Carlsbad location are included in the cost of admission to the park.
Colorado
Colorado is known for its breathtaking landscapes, and on the 4th of July, one of the top spots to take in the scenery is Commerce City, just north of Denver. Commerce City’s annual Independence Day celebration promises a day packed with activities and entertainment. The festivities kick off with a free festival outside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, featuring attractions like a DJ, a bounce house, soccer darts, a rock-climbing wall, a mechanical bull and so much more! The highlight of the day is a Colorado Rapids soccer match, which requires a ticket and starts at 7:30 p.m. The evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display, touted as one of the largest public shows in the state, viewable both inside and outside the stadium. The festival begins at 5 p.m. and bonus—it’s free and open to everyone.
Connecticut
While New London’s Sailfest will send fireworks into the air on July 13, the biggest 4th of July fireworks display in the tiny state of Connecticut will be found in New Haven—and enjoyed on land or water. Starting just after sunset, the fireworks show is best watched from Wilbur Cross High School, but it will be visible from any point in the city or from a cruise, as well as broadcast live on local television. Attend the festivities in East Rock Park in person, though, and you’ll be treated to food tastings and a live concert.
Delaware
Delaware offers one of the most unique 4th of July fireworks displays on the East Coast. If you set up your chair beachside on the northern end of Dewey Beach, between Silver Lake and Bellevue Street, and if the night sky is clear, you’ll be able to see the fireworks from nearly every location in town, although the best views are advertised as being on the bay side.
Florida
St. Augustine is home to some of the most stunning historic buildings and most gorgeous beaches in Florida, but on July 4, all eyes will be trained on the explosions of color bursting above the waterfront. The fireworks will illuminate the sky over Matanzas Bay, in full view of the Castillos de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions. Visitors are invited to stand along the streets or on the bridge to take in the fireworks show, which will be preceded by a two-hour program of live big band music played by a local orchestra.
Georgia
For more than 60 years, idyllic St. Simons Island has hosted a family-friendly 4th of July. This year, the annual St. Simons Island Sunshine Festival will once again descend on Pier Village. A 5K and one-mile fun run kick off the free event that also includes live music and an arts and crafts fair. And the day will come to a close with fireworks at Neptune Park, which start at 9 p.m. Don’t forget to BYOB—as in, bring your own beach chairs!
If you find yourself in Savannah, Georgia, head over to Savannah’s Waterfront Independence Day Celebration on July 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m. from a barge in the Savannah River, right in front of the Savannah Convention Center. There, you can enjoy a spectacular 20-minute show that your family will want to remember forever.Â
Hawaii
There are many Independence Day celebrations happening across the Hawaiian islands, but the best might entail enjoying a sunset in Maui followed by a local fireworks display from a luxury ship. A three-hour trip from Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures departs from historic Ma’alaea Harbor and includes live entertainment, premium appetizers, dessert and drinks while you watch the show from the sea. This 4th of July party is intimate, memorable and will take your breath away.
Idaho
For the best fireworks display in Idaho, head to Idaho Falls—specifically, the 30th Annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration at Snake River Landing. The show starts at 10 p.m. If you’re traveling cross-country this summer, overnight RV parking is available on 4th of July weekend too.
Illinois
Celebrating Independence Day in what was once voted America’s Best City just makes sense—and Chicago has more to offer than just deep-dish pizza and the Cubs. On July 3, enjoy one of the Navy Pier’s fireworks displays, held every Wednesday and Saturday night from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The pier, originally built to honor Navy veterans, is an ideal patriotic spot for your holiday. Additionally, you can attend the Six Flags Great America July 4th Fireworks Celebration on the 4th (and also the 5th and 6th), with fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m. This event is a favorite of kids, as well as adults who love amusement parks!
Indiana
The lovely suburban town of Carmel, just north of Indianapolis, is home to a two-day July 4th celebration called CarmelFest. The festival will offer live musical performances, an outdoor street fair and a parade. The fireworks display will launch from the Carmel Ice Skadium on July 4th at 9:45 p.m. Arrive early to find the perfect spot to view the 30-minute show.
Iowa
Is there a more fitting place to celebrate Independence Day than Independence, Iowa? Thanks to the free, two-day Celebrate Indee festival, the answer may be no! July 4, 2024, marks the 23rd anniversary of the event being held in Riverwalk Parks in the tiny town, and this year, revelers will get to enjoy an array of live music, dance shows, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, loads of delicious 4th of July food and beverages, and Iowa’s most awesome and awe-inspiring fireworks display happening over the Wapsipinicon River. The name of this town alone will make you want to learn some new 4th of July trivia!
Kansas
Kansas City’s grandest fireworks show returns to the National WWI Memorial. Starting at 3 p.m., the Stars and Stripes Picnic invites you to relax on the lawn with your blanket or chair. Enjoy a variety of local vendors and a performance by Kansas City’s own Casi Joy, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display around 9:40 p.m.Â
Kentucky
The Paducah Fourth of July Riverfront Festival once again will delight locals and visitors alike in the far western part of the state, with music and a spectacular closing fireworks display. The aerial show will be launched high into the night sky and viewable along the riverfront near Wilson Stage, Schultz Park and the Transient Boat Dock, starting at 9:15 p.m. Food vendors in the downtown farmers market pavilion area will be serving all sorts of 4th of July food starting around 5 p.m.
Louisiana
Of course, New Orleans is one of the best places in the state to be on the 4th of July with its rollicking music and party atmosphere. But if you’re looking for something a little more low-key, check out the city of Donaldsonville, which is about an hour away. Its 4th of July celebration takes place on July 3 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Crescent Park and will feature food, activities and live music by the Michael Foster Project. The fireworks display will start at night.
Maine
One of the prettiest, most idyllic and most charming small towns in the country, Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park. On the 4th of July, things get even better, with Maine’s best blueberry pancakes, a craft fair, a parade and a mouthwatering seafood festival that’s capped off with actual lobster races! Music and fireworks finish off the celebration, illuminating the sky over Frenchman Bay. If you don’t live nearby, make a vacation out of it with a Great Northern road trip and a proper trip to Acadia.
Maryland
It’s hard to beat celebrating Independence Day in Annapolis, home of the U.S. Naval Academy and the “Sailing Capital of the U.S.” Over the 4th of July weekend, you’ll enjoy al fresco dining downtown, Maryland’s premier art festival, and parades at sea and on land. At night, the waterways will reflect the fireworks display that will begin at 10 p.m. in Annapolis Harbor. Pro tip: Some of the best spots for viewing include public spaces northeast of the Severn River, the City Dock and the Naval Academy Bridge.
Massachusetts
The booms you hear during Boston’s 4th of July celebration aren’t just from the fireworks exploding overhead—there are also real cannons fired during the show, a tradition that started in 1974. The concert begins at 8 p.m. in Boston’s historical Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, and the half-hour fireworks display starts at 10:30 p.m.
Michigan
For the best and most quaint fireworks display in the state, head to the Biggest Little Town Parade in Curtis, way up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each year, more than 16,000 people gather to celebrate the 4th of July here with a parade of marching bands, bagpipe performances, floats and kid-friendly activities. There’s also a beer tent, barbecue, arts and crafts, and live music. The day is capped off with a memorable fireworks show that’s best viewed from Erickson Center Park.
Minnesota
Duluth’s Fourth Fest will be the finishing touch on a long weekend of free entertainment at Bayfront Park. Craft food and beverage vendors will be on hand to keep you busy and your belly full for days as you get ready to enjoy the upper Midwest’s largest 4th of July fireworks display. On the big day, there will be music and dozens of food and drink vendors in the park. And the amazing fireworks display that we mentioned? That will start at 10:10 p.m.
Mississippi
The Annual 4th of July Celebrate Your Independence Fireworks Festival in Olive Branch, Mississippi, is being held on Monday, July 3. The free event kicks off at 4 p.m., with food vendors and a kids zone, music scheduled to start at 6 p.m., and a fireworks display booming and bursting overhead at 9 p.m. in Olive Branch City Park.
Missouri
It isn’t called “America’s biggest birthday party” for nothing. The Fair St. Louis, reimagined as Celebrate St. Louis, is a three-day extravaganza at Gateway Arch National Park, arguably the most popular tourist attraction in the state. You’ll find live music, games and more before fireworks are launched from three barges over the Mississippi River. The stunning backdrop? The arch itself, of course.
Montana
Whitefish Lake, Montana, is not only a gorgeous part of the country—it’s also home to a magnificent celebration of American independence. Each 4th of July weekend, residents and lucky visitors alike are treated to activities, parties and great food. This year, there’s a fun run, a boat float parade and a big fireworks display over the water. Onlookers can watch from land or in a boat. If you’re visiting the area, you’ll want to check out this guide to a Glacier National Park road trip, since that’s most likely on your agenda as well.
Nebraska
The people of Seward, Nebraska, will once have a spectacular fireworks display on the 4th of July! There will be live music, dancers and a craft show, all building up to the 10 p.m. fireworks display at Plum Creek Park.
Nevada
If you’re in the area, Lights on the Lake in South Tahoe is the place to be. And with the beautiful backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the glittering bursts of light reflecting off the water, it’s easy to see why. You can watch the show—which is synchronized to patriotic tunes like “The Star-Spangled Banner”—from the shore on Nevada Beach or Timber Cover Marina, though the best views are from up high, on top of Mount Tallac or Van Sickle Bi-State Park, each accessible via a short hike.
New Hampshire
The city of Gorham’s 4th of July Spectacular is one of New Hampshire’s longest-running parties to celebrate America’s independence. Four full days of events are scheduled each year, featuring antique cars, cooking competitions, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, a festival and a parade, and culminating in an epic fireworks display at 10 p.m. on the 4th.
New Jersey
Watch a gorgeous fireworks show light up America’s iconic Statue of Liberty at the Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival. Kids will love the carnival games and amusement-park rides, while adults will love the variety of food-truck fare, the beer garden and the price: free! Plus, the Manhattan skyline is a striking background for your 4th of July photos.
New Mexico
Spending time in Taos is always a great idea, whether as a stand-alone vacation or a pit stop on one of the best national park road trips. This year, celebrate the 4th of July in this cool desert town with street-band performances, food vendors, and a fireworks display hosted by the Taos Volunteer Fire Department after the sun goes down.
New York
The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks display is the stuff of legend, and everyone needs to experience its big-city splendor in person at least once. It’s also a free New York City attraction, and you don’t get many of those in the Big Apple. More than 65,000 shells will be fired into the air from five barges on the East River over the course of 25 minutes. Official viewing spots are typically along East 23rd Street, East 34th Street and East 42nd Streets, but definitive details will be released closer to the big day.
North Carolina
If you’re in North Carolina, head to downtown Asheville on the 4th of July for the Ingles Independence Day Block Party. The event, which is free to attend, will take place specifically on Coxe Avenue and Buxton Avenue. Enjoy the main stage music from a DJ and jam house band starting at 4:30 p.m. The fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m.
North Dakota
The Old West town of Medora in the North Dakota Badlands is planning another spectacular 4th of July celebration this year, complete with a patriotic parade and breathtaking fireworks display. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. and the best views will be at Chimney Park, where spectators can spread out on blankets and lawn chairs.
Ohio
Enjoy the largest single-day event in the capital city of Columbus with Red, White and Boom! A community tradition for 40 years that brings together more than 400,000 attendees, it’s a free, all-ages event that features a parade, street festival and two stages of live musical performances.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma will always be known as the place where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, but the state is also known for some pretty fantastic Independence Day celebrations. This year, at Tulsa’s annual Freedom Fest, the community will enjoy kid-friendly activities, food trucks, live performances and more. The event will be concluded by the explosion of brightly colored fireworks spraying across the night sky.
Oregon
To protect the trees, neighboring buildings and wildlife, Portland and other cities like Cannon Beach have canceled fireworks due to the very real threat of wildfires. However, if you want to experience a classic Independence Day, try the town of Bend, which is about a three-hour drive away. There, you’ll be able to see the fireworks launched from the top of Pilot Butte at 10 p.m., and before that, you’ll get to enjoy old-fashioned 4th of July games, local food, live music, a hilarious pet parade and more all day long.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the birthplace of America, so when you celebrate the 4th of July here, you’ll almost feel like you’re in the room where it happened. Plus, the WaWa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is something even Hamilton and Burr could agree is fantastic. The show starts at 10:45 p.m., and spectators gather on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. After the show, you can stay to enjoy a concert, headlined by performers Ne-Yo and Kesha.
Can’t make it there? The fireworks will also be broadcast on local weather and television stations—and afterward, you might as well watch one of these 4th of July movies too.
Rhode Island
Head to Bristol, Rhode Island, for the oldest Independence Day celebration in the country—it’s been going on since 1785! And while they do have fireworks over the harbor and a patriotic parade on the 4th of July, the festivities actually begin on June 14 with a Flag Day ceremony and continue through the holiday weekend. One of the highlights? A drum and bugle corps competition.
South Carolina
The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Blast is back for 2024. Starting at 6 p.m. on the 4th of July (and for $95), you can enjoy a party on the USS Yorktown, a historic World War II aircraft carrier. You’ll be treated to live music, food trucks and, of course, a fireworks show above Charleston Harbor. To take your fireworks viewing to the next level, bring a beach chair and watch the show from the Yorktown‘s flight deck!
South Dakota
Head to Hot Springs for Custer’s Old Time Country Fourth of July Celebration. Fireworks will be set off around 9:30 p.m. from the top of Pageant Hills. Set up camp on Washington Street by the Custer Chamber and the school campus for prime viewing spots, but come early to enjoy a patriotic parade, old-fashioned games, arts and crafts, sack races and live musical performances.
Tennessee
Nashville is going all-out this Independence Day with the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th celebration. Bonus: It’s free! And, of course, there will be tons of great patriotic music to go along with the stunning fireworks display, including performances by headliner Chris Young and musical artists Yola, Girl Named Tom, Blessing Offor and more!
Texas
Although the celebration takes place on July 3, the Addison Kaboom Town Independence Day, just north of Dallas, still found its way onto our list. It’s one of the most iconic 4th of July fireworks displays in the country, drawing almost 400,000 annual visitors to gaze at more than 1,500 pounds of fireworks exploding in the sky. The 25-minute fireworks can be watched throughout the city, including at watch parties hosted by many of the area’s restaurants. Take note, though: Tickets are required for everyone attending.
Utah
The annual 4th of July celebration at Sandy, Utah, is back in 2024 with a 6:45 a.m. flag raising and national anthem performance by the Sandy Police and Fire Colorguard, a 5K at 7 a.m., local bands performing throughout the day, a show from the local police K9 unit, a colorful parade and vendors serving up all sorts of 4th of July eats. This year, there will also be a Spikeball tournament, though the highlight, of course, will be the 30-minute fireworks display that starts at 10 p.m.
Vermont
Fodor’s named Stowe’s old-fashioned Independence Day party one of America’s 15 Best Small-Town Fourth of July Celebrations, and it’s just as amazing as it sounds. It includes a classic patriotic parade down Main Street, live music performances all day and night, local food vendors and, at dusk, a big, bright and bold fireworks display that will rise high above the lush green mountains. On the 4th or not, Stowe is one of the most charming small towns in the country.
Virginia
The 4th of July is an all-day event in historic Yorktown, Virginia, a great town for history buffs. The day starts early with runs and walks at 9 a.m., followed by a parade along Water and Main Streets. Throughout the day, visitors are encouraged to wear red, white and blue as they hang out on the beach, visit shops or listen to live music. The capstone of the evening will be a concert followed by an awe-inspiring fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Washington
The city of Everett’s 4th of July festivities return this year with the legendary Thunder on the Bay fireworks display over Port Gardner Bay. Because this is a waterfront city, you’ll have plenty of options for great viewing spots, including Legion Memorial and Grand Avenue Parks. To complete the experience, munch on local bites from food trucks, enjoy adult beverages and bring the kiddos to enjoy the all-ages entertainment. When the fireworks begin, set your radio to KXA FM 101.1 or AM 1520 for the show’s musical soundtrack.
West Virginia
Ripley, West Virginia, has what many consider to be the best (and biggest) small-town Independence Day celebration in the entire country. And this shindig isn’t new—Ripley’s 4th of July party dates back to the late 1800s, and it boasts the oldest parade and oldest Independence Day celebration in the state. This year’s festivities, which take place over a full seven days, will include live musical entertainment from the stage on the Jackson County Courthouse Lawn, a carnival, a grand parade and lots of food that will combine to make this slice of “Almost Heaven” smell remarkable! Of course, no 4th of July would be complete without a fireworks display, and Ripley’s starts at 10 p.m.
Wisconsin
Close your eyes and picture this: waking up to a pancake breakfast and fresh cinnamon rolls, rolling into midday with live music, arts and crafts while munching on popcorn and frozen custard, checking out vintage cars, watching the kids get their faces painted, and then checking out the stunning 4th of July fireworks at Anclam Park at dusk. All this can be yours over Independence Day weekend in Door County, one of the Midwest’s best vacation spots.
Wyoming
Lander, Wyoming, hosts one of the Wild West’s most iconic small-town 4th of July celebrations and fireworks displays. The oldest paid rodeo in the world, Lander Pioneer Days predates Pioneer Days in Cheyenne by a few years. This year, you’ll enjoy a half-marathon, pancake breakfast, rodeo (of course) and a parade, along with fabulous fireworks at the Wyoming Life Resource Center, starting at 9 p.m.
Washington, D.C.
It doesn’t get much more patriotic than celebrating the 4th of July in the nation’s capital. The fireworks display on the National Mall will be visible throughout the District, but the best places to roll out your blanket and set up camp are President’s Park, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, Columbia Island, Gravelly Point and the Washington Sailing Marina. In Northern Virginia, the fireworks display will also be visible along the North Potomac River.
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Additional reporting by Tamara Gane.
Originally Published: June 30, 2021
