Try something new this year for the Fourth! Fireworks, festivals, and more are in the Washington area this Fourth of July so bring the family out to try something new!
Fireworks in DC-
9:10 PM
Viewing areas on the National Mall between 14th and 3rd street, US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial, White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, and many other locations in Washington, DC
http://www.nps.gov/foju/fireworks.htm
DC Events from the National Park Service-
PARADE- 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The parade route follows Constitution Ave. NW from 7th to 17th St.
LIVING HISTORY– 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Jefferson Memorial rangers will portray life in 1776, the year of America’s declaration of independence! The program takes place in the Jefferson Memorial lower level.
JUNIOR RANGER ACTIVITIES– 3:00 – 8:30 p.m. At Sylvan Theater (15th and Independence Ave. SW)
CONCERTS–
6:00 – 9:10 p.m. Onstage performances at the Washington Monument grounds. 2012’s performers include the U.S. Army Blues jazz ensemble featuring Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen
8:00 – 9:30 p.m. A Capitol Fourth concert at U.S. Capitol west lawn.
http://www.nps.gov/foju/thingstodo.htm
National Archives-
Home of the original Declaration of Independence holds festivities for the whole family. Starting at 10 AM with a ceremony, presentation of colors, performances, and a dramatic reading of the Declaration. From 11 AM to 2 PM, additional family friendly activities are scheduled including appearances by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and other historical figures.
Constitution Ave. NW, Between 7th & 9th Sts., Washington, DC 20408
202-357-5000
http://www.archives.gov/news/july4/
Smithsonian Folklife Festival-
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall of the United States in Washington, D.C., by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Festival takes place for two weeks every summer overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational presentation that features community-based cultural exemplars. Free to the public, like other Smithsonian museums, each Festival typically draws more than one million visitors.
Outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, DC between the Smithsonian museums.
202-633-1000
11 AM – 5:30 PM
A Capitol Fourth Concert and Celebration-
Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the US Capitol
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Featuring Tom Bergeron, Barry Manilow, Candice Glover, Scotty McCreery, Darren Criss, Jackie Evancho, Megan Hilty, John Williams, The National Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Jack Everly, United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, Choral Arts Society of Washington, US Army Herald Trumpets, US Army Ceremonial Band, Military District of Washington.
http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/concert.html
Palisades Parade and Picnic-
11:00 AM
Line-up begins on Whitehaven Pkwy at 10:00 AM, no registration necessary
Parade goes from Whitehaven Pkwy, down MacArthur, takes a left on Edmunds, a left on Sherier and ends at the Palisades Rec Center. Following the parade there is a free picnic for all at the Rec Center with hot dogs, watermelon, drinks, live music, moon bounces, and pony rides.
202-363-7441
Mt. Vernon-
Historic Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, salutes our first commander-in-chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event! Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River.
The Independence Day event also includes an inspirational naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens, military reenactments, a special wreathlaying ceremony, and a visit from the “first” first couple, “General and Mrs. Washington.”
Adults, $17; children ages 6-11, $8; and children 5 and under are admitted free.
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,
Mount Vernon, VA
1-800-429-1520
http://www.mountvernon.org/calendar/view/2013-07-04/5031
Ida Lee Park Celebration-
60 Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg, VA 20176
Parade goes through Downtown Leesburg at 10:00 AM through King Street to Fairfax Street. Put on your patriotic best and join us! Then, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM join us for food, music, and fireworks on the Ida Lee lawn!
http://www.idalee.org/index.aspx?page=21&recordid=19961
Stars and Stripes Explosion-
Multiple live performances on oceanfront stages attract tens of thousands of visitors and residents of Hampton Roads to a “star-spangled” salute to this great country of ours at Stars & Stripes Explosion! Musical acts offer something for everyone with tribute bands saluting some of the biggest names in music.
From 8:00pm-9:30pm, a stage erected right on the beach at 20th Street becomes the focal point for performances by Symphonicity (the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach) together with the Virginia Beach Chorale. This musical program encompasses patriotic songs, Broadway standards, movie themes, and folk music. The show segues into a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm that explodes over the ocean in a burst of colors and patterns!
20th Street and Atlantic Ave
And in the 24th and 31st Street Parks and between 16th and 18th Streets
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757-491-7866
Great Falls Celebration and Parade-
Great Falls Village Centre, Great Falls, VA
8 AM– 5k Walk/Run, Freedom Memorial on the Library grounds
9 AM– Little Patriot Parade, Babies and Toddlers up to age five participate in dressing up for a parade
10 AM– Main Parade, Floats, horses, antique cars, pets!
10:30- 12:30 PM– Food, games, festivities on the Village Centre Green
6:00 PM– Games, activities, music, and fireworks!
571-293-0474
For more details visit http://www.celebrategreatfalls.org/July4th.html
Fairfax Independence Day-
Independence Day Parade: 10:00 AM to noon in the Downtown Fairfax Historic District
Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center Open House– 9 AM to 4 PM, 10209 Main Street
Ratcliffe-Allison House Tours– 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 10386 Main Street
Old-Fashioned Fireman’s Day– 12:30 PM, 4081 University Drive, Firefighter competition, food, beverages, and games
Evening Show and Fireworks– Fairfax High School 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Annual Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks-
Leave the grilling to us on the 4th of July and bring your family and friends down to Town Point Park from 5pm-10pm! Guests can feast on traditional All American Fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, buttered corn on the cob, juicy watermelon, lemonade… with all the fixin’s and much more! Relax on the lawn and enjoy patriotic sounds by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. Then watch as the sky lights up with the fireworks display at 9:30pm!
Town Point Park, Waterside Dr, Norfolk VA 23510
5:00 PM- 10:00 PM
757-441-2345
Independence Day Celebration at Colonial Williamsburg-
103 East Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185
10 AM-9:30 PM
Celebrate the anniversary of the nation’s birth in Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City for a vibrant and patriotic celebration. With a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, a leisurely picnic, a performance by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra featuring the talented JoAnn Falletta, and a dazzling display of fireworks- you’ll want to come early and stay late into the evening.
Yorktown Independence Day Celebration-
Historic Yorktown, 301 Main St, Yorktown VA 23690
757-890-3500
Thursday, July 4 – Independence Day Celebration, 9 am. Come to historic Yorktown and salute America along the waterfront beginning with a 9 a.m. patriotic parade on Water Street and during its evening Independence Day Celebration, featuring a bell-ringing ceremony at 7 p.m. and patriotic entertainment at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing, followed by spectacular fireworks on the York River at 9:15 p.m. Free.
Berkeley Plantation Wreath Laying Ceremony-
12602 Harrison Landing Road
Charles City, VA 23030
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Annual commemoration honoring Benjamin Harrison V, one of seven Virginiasigners of the Declaration of Independence and 18th century owner of Berkeley Plantation. Enjoy walks in the restored boxwood and flower gardens, breathtaking vistas of the James River, guided tours of the 1726 manor house and a formal living history program with the Daughters of the American Revolution.
(804) 829-6018
Fourth of July Bonfire-
695 Chippokes Park Road
Surry, VA 23883
9:00 PM-10:00 PM
Enjoy a bonfire on the beach in celebration of Independence Day! Join others as we observe fireworks from several nearby locations along the banks of the James River. Show your pride and patriotism alongside the historic James River! Plan to park at the Visitors Center or the River House Parking Lot and walk a short distance down College Run trail, for easy access to the location of the bonfire. It will be on the ‘Visitor Center Side’ of the footbridge on College Run Creek Trail. For comfort, bring chair/blanket, drinking water, and family friendly games to share.While minimum lighting will be available along the trail, a flashlight is recommended. Marshmallows will be provided for roasting! The Bonfire will be lit at 9:00 p.m., fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.
757 294-3728
Takoma Park Independence Day Celebration-
10:00 AM– Parade starts at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Ave, travel South, turn right on Maple Avenue, continue to Ritchie Avenue where it will disband
2:30 PM– Wiffleball Tournament at Takoma Park
7:00 PM– Takoma Park Middle School, ilyAIMY folk band, Acro-Airs gymnastics team, Takoma Park Community Concert band, parade winner announcements, raffle prize winnders, National Anthem
9:30 PM– Fireworks by Bay Fireworks
7600 Takoma Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912
http://www.takomapark4th.org/sitecode.fol/pages.fol/tpidchome.aspx
Fourth of July Bike Parade-
The 18th Annual Bike Parade will be held on Thursday, July 4that St. Paul Park. The Bike Parade begins at 10 am and the Town asks that those wishing to participate begin lining up by 9:45 am. This event is open to all those young at heart that wish to decorate their bike, scooter, wagon or stroller and follow a Kensington Volunteer Fire Department truck through the streets of Kensington.
St Paul Park, Kensington, MD 20895
http://tok.md.gov/events/fourth-of-july-bike-parade/
Inner Harbor Celebration-
Live music and a spectacular fireworks show! Live entertainment at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater on Pratt and Light streets. Maryland based band Mason Vixon performs original music and country songs with rock rebellion. The US Naval Academy Band Electric Brigade will play at 7 PM. At 9:30 PM colorful fireworks will ignite the sky
4 pm- 10 pm
401 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
City of Laurel Fourth of July Celebrations-
If you can’t celebrate on the fourth, don’t worry! Laurel has taken control and planned great events for Saturday, July 6 instead!
9:30am…. Parade Lineup @ 6th and Montgomery Streets
Antique and Classic Cars Line up on Montgomery Street starting at Stanley Place
10:00am.. Parade Begins, Judging Stand on 4th Street behind Shopping Center
11:00am.. Horseshoe Contest @ Gude Park (Laurel Lakes)
2:00pm…. First Annual Hotdog Eating Contest
3:15pm…. Grand Opening, Flag Raising, Pledge and National Anthem sung by Christina Landis
Invocation by Reverend Warren Litchfield
4:00pm… Reading of Parade Awards and Acknowledgements
4:30pm… Classic Car Show Awards Announced from the hill
5:15pm… Music by Oracle
7:00pm… Welcome & Introduction of Mayor and City Council
7:15pm… Acknowledgements & Committee Awards
7:30pm… Music by Oracle
9:15pm… Fireworks from the Lake
http://www.cityoflaurel.org/content/fourth-july-committee
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland- Fire on the Mountain-
8:00 PM
On July 4th, fireworks are launched out toward Deep Creek Lake from the top of Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park at Wisp Resort. The best views are from your boat in McHenry Cove, across the lake and at businesses along Garrett Highway, and Deep Creek Drive. The fourth of July is also Free Fishing Day in the state of Maryland! No license is required to fish in any of Maryland’s freshwaters for the day! Pack a picnic, bring the family and listen to your favorite band tunes as the Garrett Community Concert Band takes the stage under the tent on the Garrett College lawn at 7:30 pm.. It’s also a perfect spot to view the fireworks display immediately following the concert.
23789 Garrett Highway, McHenry, MD 21541
800.336.7303
Annapolis Independence Day Fireworks Cruise-
Thursday, July 4th – 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Step aboard the Harbor Queen for a lovely evening cruise of the Annapolis Harbor and the Scenic Severn River. Sit back, relax and enjoy abeautiful summer sunset followed by the full City of Annapolis fireworks display from Queen’s spacious top deck. The cruise will include light snacks and a cash bar.
Annapolis, Maryland, Depart from City Dock
$48/Adults, $28/Children 11 & Under
http://cruisesonthebay.com/special-cruises/fireworks-cruises/
Solomons Island Fourth of July-
The Solomons Business Associations proudly sponsors the annual Solomons Independence Day fireworks display, to be held on Thursday, July 4th at approximately 9:15 – 9:30 pm (after dusk). Fireworks will be shot from a barge in the Patuxent River and can be viewed from the Riverwalk. Celebrate our nation’s birth, and show your colors all day long!
– Boat Parade – watch a glorious parade of decorated boats and crew showing their patriotic colors! Parade begins at noon, and can be viewed from many waterfront locations (Creek or River) in Solomons
– Stop by the tent at the Chesapeake Biological Lab campus for an afternoon of family activities – hands-on science, fishing games, nature crafts and more!
From Washington, D.C. – Take State Route 4 east from the Washington Beltway to State Route 2-4 to Solomons.
For more directions- http://www.solomonsmaryland.com/directions-to-solomons-island.html
Watermelon Bash-
11 AM to 2 PM
Celebrate the 4th of July at Town Hall. Lots of free family fun including the watermelon eating contest, watermelon toss, water slide, hot dogs and plenty of watermelon! Decorate a watermelon and bring it to display at the event!
305 Queen Anne St, La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-8421
http://www.townoflaplata.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={199ACCAE-FA78-4763-97C5-3F32AB9D9B91}
Catonsville Independence Day Celebrations-
9:30 AM– Decorated Bike Contest, Lollipop Scramble, Quarter Hunt, Ball on Spoon Race, Shoe Scramble, Leapfrog, Wheelbarrow and Sack Races, Water Balloon Toss for all ages. Prizes for the winners!! Boys and girls events to be divided among children in four age groups; 2–3 years, 4–6 years, 7–9 years, 10–13 years
Catonsville High School Grounds (corner of Rolling and Valley Roads)
11:00 AM– Concert is free and open to the public. Call 410-747-2041. 5820 Edmondson Ave at Academy Rd
1:30 PM– 4th Annual Catonsville Hot Dog Eating Contest
Twenty contestants will compete for the title of “Catonsville Biggest Weiner” and the Hebrew National trophy. Duesenberg’s Café
3:00 PM– Grand Parade! Starts at Frederick Rd and Montrose Avenue, proceeds east on Frederick Rd to Bloomsbury Ave, south on Bloomsbury to the Community Center
6:30 PM– Fireworks Family Fun Fest
Avoid the traffic and bring the family to the fireworks early for an evening of fun. Enjoy live music featuring the rock and roll sounds of The School of Rock. A dozen food vendors will provide fun foods including Nathan’s hot dogs, Frito pies, snowballs and drinks. No long lines this year! – Catonsville High School Grounds
9:15 PM– Fireworks at Catonsville High School!
10 Mellor Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Wye Plantation-
Wreath laying Ceremony at grave site of William Paca, program in the garden with music and speaker. Co-sponsored with Aspen Institute. Free to the public.
201 Wye Woods Rd
Wye Plantation
Queenstown, Maryland 21658
410-758-3010
http://calendar.visitmaryland.org/Views/Events/Details.aspx?id=65427
