New England has some of the best Independence Day celebrations in the country. From parades and cookouts to carnivals and great orchestral performances, there is something for everyone. But. it isn't a July 4th celebration without the fireworks. Here is a guide to some of the main celebrations taking place in towns and cities across New England.
Massachusetts
Boston will be holding its annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Esplanade. The headliner of the two-day event is Queen Latifah. On July 3, the concert with all guest artists, begins at 8:30 p.m. On July 4, the concert begins at 8 p.m. with a firework show at 10:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
The city of Salem will be hosting an Independence Day celebration on July 4 at Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf. The festivities will start at 5 p.m. with music acts on stage and a kids’ space with fun and games. At 7:15 p.m. Hillyer Festival Orchestra will perform Broadway favorites. Finally, at 9:15 p.m. a firework show will kick off accompanied with live music from the orchestra. Click here for more information.
Six Flags New England, Agawam celebrates the Fourth from July 3 to July 6 with its annual Coca-Cola July 4th Fest. There will be exclusive ride times, an All- American food fest, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. every night. Click here for more information about the event including exclusive ride times.
Nantucket will host traditional activities on July 4 beginning at 10 a.m. At noon, there will be a water fight between Town of Nantucket’s Fire Department and the Boynton Lane Reserves. Activities for kids will take place at 5 p.m. and at 6 p.m. there will be music on the bandstand. A firework show is scheduled for July 5 at 9 p.m. on Jetties Beach. Click here for more information.
Worcester will have its firework show on July 2 at Cristoforo Colombo Park (East Park) on Shrewsbury Street. At 4 p.m. there will be food, Kids Korner activities and a ceremonial flag raising begin the festivities. The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra will perform after the flag raising at 7:40 p.m. Finally, Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
North Adams will hold its annual fireworks show at the Joe Wolfe Field after the SteepleCats game end. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
Quincy will launch fireworks from a barge on Town River beginning at 9:15 p.m. Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant will again be hosting a watch party with the best view of the fireworks. The restaurant will have an outdoor barbecue, live music and a wine tasting. Click here for more information.
In Fall River, fireworks will be launched from the deck of the USS Massachusetts, starting at 9:30 p.m on July 4. The tickets are $10 per person to see the show. Click here for more information.
The town of Marblehead will again host its illumination and fireworks show on July 4. The harbor illumination will begin at 9 p.m., and at 9:15 p.m., fireworks will launch from the mouth of Marblehead Harbor. Click here for more information.
Lowell’s Independence Day celebration takes place at Edward A. LeLacheur Park. The park opens at 6:30 p.m. and there will be activities starting at 7 p.m. The Lowell fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. The city will give away free American flags to the first 2,000 attendees. Click here for more information.
Old Sturbridge Village will host a range of activities on July 3 and 4. There will ongoing demonstrations throughout the day and activities, like riding the river boat and learning how to make a tin ornament. There will also be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, cannon firing and toy balloon fights. Click here for more details and schedule information.
In Lenox, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence with Shakespeare & Company starting at 1:30 p.m. James Taylor and his all-star band will also return to Tanglewood to perform on July 3 and July 4. After the July 4 concert, there will be a fireworks display. Click here for more information.
The city of Middleborough will be holding its annual carnival at Pierce Playground from July 3 to July 7. There will be games and rides. On July 5, fireworks will be launched over the carnival at 10 p.m. Click here for more information.
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Plymouth’s July 4 celebration will begin with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Later, at 7:30 p.m., the town will host a waterfront concert featuring the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. Finally, a fireworks show will start at 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
Salisbury will be celebrating the Fourth with events throughout the week at Salisbury Beach. The Joppa Flatts will perform on July 4 with a fireworks show afterward at dusk. Click here for more information.
Chelmsford’s Independence Day celebration will take place on July 3 and July 4. The main event, the parade, will commence at 10 a.m. from McCarthy Middle School. Other than the parade, there will be a country fair and art festival at Center Common. Click here for more information.
The Pittsfield Parade, with this year’s theme being “The Berkshires - Past, Present, and Future,” will start at 10 a.m. on July 4. It begins at the intersection of South and Housatonic. This parade has been ranked among the top 10 July 4 events around the country by USA Today. Click here for more information.
Chatham will host an Independence Day parade. This year’s parade theme is “Chatham Honors You! Service Members Past, Present, Future.” It begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 4. Click here for more information.
Rockport has plans for a full day of celebrations on July 4. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Dock Square. Later there will be the Firemen’s parade, Legion band concert and bonfire on Back Beach. Click here for more information.
Barnstable has a packed schedule of events. At 9 a.m., the 2K run and parade kicks the day off. There will be multiple parades in the area, as well as concerts, games and activities. The day is capped off with fireworks at 9 p.m. in Lewis Bay. Click here for more information.
The Edgartown parade starts at 5 p.m. on July 4. Later on, fireworks will be launched at dusk from the harbor. Click here for more information.
Sandwich’s Independence Day celebration is an all-day affair. The day begins with a fun run through the town at 8:30 a.m. The Spirit of Sandwich parade starts at 10 a.m. There is the famous egg toss, picnic in the park with live music, band concert and boat parade. The day ends with fireworks launched at 10 p.m. over Shawme Pond. Click here for more information.
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and the city of Everett will be celebrating Independence Day on July 6 at Glendale Park. Beginning at 5 p.m. there will be a petting zoo, inflatables, live music and barbecue. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
New Hampshire
Concord will hold a July 4 celebration at Memorial Field. There will be food vendors with concessions, a live performance from The Nevers’ Band and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
Merrimack will host several events to celebrate Independence Day on July 3 and July 4. On Wednesday, the celebration commences with the annual patriotic concert in Abbie Griffin Park at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, there will be two morning events: the 5K road race and a pancake breakfast. Throughout the day, there will be a celebration with fun activities and food as well as a parade. The day ends with fireworks at 9 p.m. behind Merrimack High School. Click here for more information including a detailed schedule.
Nashua’s Independence Day celebration will take place at Holman Stadium on July 4. It begins at 10 a.m. with a children’s field day. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a live performance from The Slakas. The day culminates with fireworks at dusk. Click here for more information and details on all the July 4 events in Nashua.
In Derry, a fireworks show begins at approximately 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
A July 4 parade will take place in Conway Village at 1:30 p.m. More festivities, like a dance performance and a jazz rock concert, will happen later. A fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Click here for more information on these and other events in Conway Village.
The city of Portsmouth is holding its annual fireworks celebration on July 3 at South Mill Pond at 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
Rhode Island
Providence will celebrate America’s independence on the evening of July 4. Starting at 7 p.m. in India Point Park, there will be food, fun activities, live music and finally, a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
In Bristol, an evening waterfront party will be hosted by the Hereshoff Marine Museum on July 3 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. There will be an open bar, barbecue food, live music and dancing, followed by fireworks at the end of the night in view of the beach. Click here for more information on the party. On July 4, the annual parade through Bristol begins at 10:30 a.m.
Newport has a day of celebration scheduled for July 4. Beginning at 9 a.m. there will be activities like live colonial music in Washington Square. Click here for a more detailed schedule.
The town of Warwick will celebrate the Fourth at Oakland Beach Sea Wall. A fireworks show will start at 9 p.m. Click here for more details.
Narragansett will host an all-day beach party at Town Beach. Fireworks will be displayed at dusk. Click here for more information.
In Misquamicut, fireworks will be at Misquamicut Beach, kicking off at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
Block Island will have its annual fireworks show at Town Beach Pavilion on July 3. There will be live music at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at around 9 p.m., depending on the light. Click here for more information.
Maine
Portland Pops is the rebranded Independence Day celebration in Portland. A performance from the Portland Symphony Orchestra will be followed by a fireworks show at the Eastern Promenade. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
Bar Harbor has a day full of events scheduled. There will be a blueberry pancake breakfast at 6 a.m., a craft fair at 9 a.m. and a parade at 10 a.m. Fireworks will be launched at 9:15 p.m. over Frenchman Bay. Click here for more information about the many other events being held in Bar Harbor on July 4.
The town of Ogunquit will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on Main Beach on July 4. Click here for more information.
The town of Old Orchard Beach will begin the day of celebration at 10 a.m. with its annual July 4 Parade in downtown Ocean Park. At the end of the day, the town will host a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. in downtown Old Orchard Beach. Click here for more information about the parade and here for more information about the firework show.
Vermont
On July 3, Burlington will have food, music and other entertainment. It all begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. around Waterfront Park. Click here for more information.
Colchester will start the day early with a 5K run at 7:30 a.m. Then a parade starts at 11 a.m. around Colchester High School. The fireworks display will take place at Bayside Softball Field at dusk. Click here for more information.
Rutland’s Fireworks Extravaganza starts at 9:45 p.m. at Vermont State Fairgrounds. Click here for more information.
Connecticut
The city of New Haven is hosting a firework show at Wilbur Cross High School. Before the show at 7 p.m., there will be live music and food trucks to enjoy. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
In Middlebury, Quassy Amusement and Waterpark is hosting the “Special Blast at the Beach Party” from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on July 4. There will be a 3-D firework display at 10:15 p.m. Click here for more information.
Waterbury will have its fourth annual Brass Mill Center Food Truck & Firework Extravaganza on July 7 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The fireworks start at dusk. Click here for more information.
Madison will launch fireworks from West Wharf Beach on July 3 starting at 9:30 p.m. The show will be seen anywhere along the waterfront. For more information click here.
Norwalk will host its Independence Day celebration on July 4. The firework show will begin at 9 p.m. and will light up the sky over Bayley Beach. Click here for more information.
