Wherever you decide to go on July 4 — the beach or a national park, the city or your local community, enjoy the fun and spirit of Independence Day parades, picnics, and pyrotechnic displays.
Find a July 4th Event
Spectacular July 4 festivities are scheduled in places that played key roles in early American history.The July 4th Celebrations Database compiled by librarian James R. Heintze puts national events in context: It includes a history of gatherings that commemorate when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. There are also links to current Independence Day celebrations around the country that you can participate in on and around July 4.
Washington, D.C. hosts a July 4th holiday trifecta: a parade along Constitution Avenue with more than 100 marching units, free concerts, and a half hour of evening fireworks. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival (June 24-June 28 and July 1-5, 2009) will feature delicious demonstrations from acclaimed chefs.
A beloved tradition, the Boston Pops performs Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, musical accompaniment to dramatic fireworks over the Charles River while Harborfest (June 30 -5, 2009) infuses Boston with patriotic spirit. Tanglewood in the Berkshires's is a beautiful, grassy place for a picnic and a concert.
Colonial Williamsburg July 4 celebrations include a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a cannon salute to the original 13 states.
If none of those destinations are on your July 4 vacation itinerary, use the searchable National Historic Landmarks Database to find patriotic points of interest on your summer vacation.
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