Places to watch Independence Day Fireworks in the USA

Recently updated on August 30th, 2022 at 05:46 pm

The Fourth of July; it’s the USA’s biggest national holiday, the day the country declared independence from the British Empire back in 1776. Of course, no holiday is complete without some serious celebrating and Americans do it in true patriotic style. If you’re visiting the States this Fourth of July, here’s where to catch some dazzling Independence Day fireworks displays.

National Mall, Washington DC

You couldn’t find a more iconic location to celebrate Independence Day than America’s political heartland, Washington DC. Each year, A Capitol Fourth festival takes place on the National Mall’s West Lawn, with top performances from music stars, followed by sensational fireworks at 9pm.

New York, New York

There’s a plethora of glittering fireworks displays to choose from in New York that see the city skyline sprinkled with dozens of colourful illuminations. Most popular are the Macy’s 4^th July Fireworks on the East River and the Freedom & Fireworks Festival at Liberty State Park.

Seattle, Washington

With its futuristic Space Needle piercing the night skies, Seattle is an awesome place to catch Independence Day fireworks. You’ll find them closing the family-friendly Seafair Summer 4^th festival after an evening of music, food and entertainment. Catch the reflection of 8,500 pounds of fireworks on Lake Union, choreographed to a musical score.

San Francisco, California

Each 4^th July, San Francisco Bay is lit up by two sets of synchronised fireworks displays, ensuring viewers get to see the entire spectacle. One is on the end of Municipal Pier and the other at Pier 39. Expect live music and other festivities in the area.

Boston, Massachusetts

Part-display, part-pop concert, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade showcases great tunes, as well as an awesome light show. Half a million spectators flock to Boston every Independence Day to see the breath-taking fireworks light up the skies over the Charles River.

Chicago, Illinois

To catch an astonishing pyrotechnic display synchronised to music over Lake Michigan, head to Chicago’s Navy Pier. To get a VIP view, why not take a ride in Pier Park’s Centennial Wheel or head out on a river cruise? If you can’t be there for Independence Day, Navy Pier’s fireworks are on twice-weekly from May through August.

St Louis, Missouri

With the slogan, ‘America’s Biggest Birthday Party,’ Fair St Louis is the annual unmissable Fourth of July celebration for St Louisans. An all-singing, all-dancing whopper of an event with rides, attractions, live music and more, its free fireworks display is recognised as being one of the USA’s finest.

If you’d like to witness sensational fireworks over America’s Independence Day, click here to discover our USA destinations.

Image Credits: Main image © iStock/franckreporter. Washington © iStock/AdamParent. St Louis © iStock/fotoguy22. New York © iStock/Lady-Photo. Chicago © iStock/Lisa-Blue. San Francisco © iStock/Spondylolithesis. Seattle © iStock/freebilly.