Ultimate 4th of July 2025 Guide: America’s Best Fireworks, Parades & Live Music
July 4th falls on a Friday this year, and cities aren’t holding back. You’ll find fireworks over lakes and city skylines, brass bands marching down wide boulevards, crowds packed in for outdoor concerts, and plenty of local food to try along the way. Some towns bring out quirky contests, while others stick to big traditions. The list below covers 15 of the country’s top celebrations for 2025.
Austin, TX – Symphony and Fireworks by the Lake
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Auditorium Shores becomes a glowing hub on July 4 with the 48th annual Star Spangled Fest. The event features a live performance by the Austin Symphony Orchestra during a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show. Kicking off at 5 p.m., it includes a taco-eating contest, family-friendly activities, and local music acts. Admission is free, and the prime viewing area is located at 950 W. Riverside Drive.
Round Rock, TX – Parade, Pepper Contest, and Fireworks
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Round Rock gives Independence Day the full treatment with a morning Sertoma Parade, followed by Frontier Days at Old Settlers Park. Highlights include carnival rides, patriotic performances, and a pepper-eating contest that draws daring locals every year. The Austin Symphonic Band leads the musical lineup before fireworks wrap things up at dusk.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks – New York, NY
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The biggest fireworks display in the nation returns to the East River, with more than 80,000 shells bursting over the skyline. The Macy’s show starts at 8 p.m. and features performances from Keke Palmer, Lenny Kravitz, and the Jonas Brothers. You can catch it live from rooftops across Manhattan and Brooklyn or stream it on NBC’s Peacock.
Wawa Welcome America – Philadelphia, PA
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America’s birthplace celebrates big with a 16-day citywide festival running from June 19 to July 4. The grand finale includes a massive free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway featuring Jazmine Sullivan, LL Cool J, and the Bongo Boys, plus a fireworks show over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular – Boston, MA
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The Hatch Shell along the Charles River becomes a sea of picnic blankets and American flags for Boston’s annual music-meets-fireworks bash. The Boston Pops Orchestra headlines alongside LeAnn Rimes and Leslie Odom Jr. This year’s event starts at 7 p.m. and ends with the 1812 Overture and a booming finale that lights up the riverbanks.
Let Freedom Sing! – Nashville, TN
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Nashville’s downtown hosts Let Freedom Sing! on July 4 with a free Dierks Bentley concert and fireworks set to music by the Nashville Symphony. The event takes over Lower Broadway with live performances, food vendors, and family zones. Fireworks begin after dark and are visible from pedestrian bridges, rooftops, and the riverfront.
National Mall Fireworks & Parade – Washington, D.C.
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The capital pulls out all the stops. The National Independence Day Parade marches down Constitution Avenue starting at 11:45 a.m., and the Capitol Fourth Concert kicks off at 8 p.m. on the West Lawn. Stick around for the 9:09 p.m. fireworks show, which can be viewed from the National Mall, Virginia’s riverfront parks, or even a cruise on the Potomac.
Big Bay Boom – San Diego, CA
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San Diego’s bay lights up with fireworks launched from four barges in the Big Bay Boom. Beginning at 9 p.m., the show is synchronized to music broadcast on local stations. The best spots to watch are Shelter Island, Harbor Island, and Coronado Ferry Landing. It’s Southern California’s largest display, which draws over 400,000 people for a night of patriotic flair under the palms.
Riverwalk Boat Parade – Tampa, FL
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Here, the Friends of the Riverwalk in Tampa host a patriotic boat parade followed by a waterfront fireworks show at Sparkman Wharf. The event includes water ski shows and a blessing of the fleet, with VIP seating available but not required. For a prime view, grab a lawn chair and head to Channelside Drive by 5:30 p.m.
Bristol Fourth of July Parade – Bristol, RI
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Bristol’s been doing this since 1785. The town hosts the country’s oldest continuous Independence Day celebration, including a 2.5-mile parade on Hope Street. Fireworks take place the night before at Bristol Harbor. It’s small-town tradition at its finest: colonial re-enactors, military bands, and all the bunting you can handle.
Big River Fireworks Festival – St. Louis, MO
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Fair St. Louis is back at the Gateway Arch grounds with live music, air shows, and fireworks over the Mississippi River. On July 4, concerts begin at Kiener Plaza, followed by fireworks. The event includes a family fun zone, food trucks, and flyovers from military aircraft. It’s free to attend and stretches along the riverfront for prime views of the celebration.
SkyShow at Truist Field – Charlotte, NC
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Baseball fans get more than a ballgame at the SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular. After the Charlotte Knights play the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on July 3, a massive fireworks show lights up uptown Charlotte. Truist Field offers front-row seats, but the display is visible across the city. Arrive early for themed festivities and food vendors outside the stadium.
Wawa Welcome America – San Antonio, TX
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Stars & Stripes Salute at the Alamo tops the list in Texas this year. The historic plaza hosts music from the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, family games, food trucks, and a nighttime fireworks show. The H-E-B celebration at Woodlawn Lake Park also runs all day with water activities and music. Both events are free and open to all.
Pops on the River – Little Rock, AR
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Little Rock’s Pops on the River turns the River Market into a busy stretch of music, crowds, and food trucks. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra takes the stage in the evening, leading up to a fireworks show over the river once the sun goes down. Throughout the day, the Clinton Presidential Center opens its doors for free activities and a break from the summer heat.
Fourth on the Wharf – Washington, D.C.
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While the National Mall gets the spotlight, the Wharf serves up a more laid-back 4th. Local country bands play along the waterfront, and restaurants stay open for outdoor dining. Visitors bring chairs to enjoy live music with a breeze, and the same beautiful fireworks show from a calmer crowd.
Gatlinburg Midnight Parade & Fireworks – Gatlinburg, TN
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The celebration begins July 3 at 9:50 p.m. with a 20-minute fireworks and drone show launched from the Space Needle in downtown Gatlinburg. At 12:01 a.m. on July 4, the 49th Gatlinburg Midnight Parade steps off from Baskins Creek Bypass, proceeding along Parkway to traffic light #10. The event features patriotic floats, local high school bands, first responders, and community groups.
Huntington Beach Celebration – Huntington Beach, CA
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This iconic coastal bash kicks off with a Main Street parade and continues with surf contests, a carnival, and fireworks over the Pacific. The four-day event wraps on July 4 with a fireworks display shot from the Huntington Beach Pier. Over 500,000 visitors are expected, so plan ahead if you want a spot in the sand.