Fourth of July celebrations across US

The 4th of July is a day for family fun.

Whether you’re taking a trip or looking for fireworks close to home, here’s a sample of festivities.

• Philadelphia: Welcome America Festival
  Philadelphia’s annual Independence Day festival celebrates for almost two weeks, starting the last week in June with concerts, food events, and much more, and leading up to a full day of festivities on July 4th.
  Events on the 4th of July include a parade, a Liberty Bell tapping ceremony, a “Party on the Parkway”, and an evening concert followed by fireworks.
• Fourth of July in New York City
  From Hot Dog Eating Contests to Cruises to Concerts…
• A highlight in NYC is Macy’s stupendous Fourth of July Fireworks, set off from several locations from barges on the Hudson River.
• Long Island, NY
  Fireworks, parades, festivals, races, more.
• Boston’s Fourth of July Harborfest
  “America’s Biggest Independence Day Party” is a multi-day bash with hundreds of events – from historic tours to Children’s Day to Chowderfest- and attracts more than 2.5 million visitors. Fourth of July Pops Concert at the Esplanade is a tradition, leading up to fireworks over the Charles River.
• July 4th in Chicago
  Chicago’s biggest fireworks spectacle took place for decades on July 3rd at Grant Park, with over a million people – with blankets, coolers, picnics – watching from the lakefront, but this event was discontinued. On July 4th, Navy Pier – which has fireworks all summer – will have a special fireworks display.

• Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration
  Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the place to be: check Calendar for all-day fun, and grand finale fireworks.
• Washington DC: 4th of July
  A giant National Independence Day Parade starts the celebration along Constitution Avenue; in the afternoon, the annual Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife entertains; the National Archives has a Family Day; and in the evening, the National Symphony Orchestra performs while one of the country’s largest shows of fireworks lights up the reflecting pool on the National Mall.
• 4th of July in Colonial Williamsburg
  Colonial Williamsburg is living history: real-life actors in the streets and in historic houses bring to life the days before the American Revolution. Expect fireworks, and the chance to ask a few questions – ask Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry, that is.
• Virginia Beach
  It’s a Stars & Stripes Explosion for July 4th: oceanfront stages with live performances; thousands of visitors; many styles of live music; spectacular fireworks over the ocean.
• Fourth of July in Orlando
  Expect great fireworks in this town! Find fireworks and celebrations at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, more.
• Houston, Texas
  Festivities and live entertainment in Eleanor Tinsley Park lead up to “the nation’s largest land-based fireworks show” (-NYC’s fireworks are on a river).
• Austin, Texas
  Bring a blanket and picnic basket, for fireworks and music by the Austin Symphony; other venues too.
• New Orleans
  Celebrate Independence Day New Orleans style: Go 4th on the River is a major bash, with live entertainment followed by the “Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza” on the Mississippi River. Other events, too.
• Top Picks for 4th of July in St. Louis
  The Fair St. Louis has a parade that’s been rolling for over 130 years, a Family Fun Village, free concerts, and of course fireworks. Other celebrations too in nearby towns.
• Phoenix Independence Day
  Picnics, concerts, rides, etc., leading up to the fireworks.
• Los Angeles: 4th of July Festivities
  Where to celebrate the 4th of July in and around LA: festivals, fireworks, BBQ’s, and more, including events in the Valley and Orange County.
• LA: Americafest at the Rose Bowl
  A standout event for July 4th for families in the LA area: the Rose Bowl stadium, in Pasadena, has a day-long festival with live music, food, entertainment, and “the biggest and best fireworks show in Southern California”.
• San Francisco
  The 4th of July Celebration takes place at Pier 39, part of the popular tourist complex that includes Fisherman’s Wharf, the Cannery, and Ghirardelli Square. Free family fun, bands, street performers, marionettes, face-painting, and, of course, fireworks.
• Seattle
  Celebrations include the day-long Family Fourth at Lake Union which ends with a fireworks extravaganza, Tacoma’s Fourth of July Freedom Fair, and more.