What is America celebrating July 4, 2026?
Two hundred and fifty years ago, representatives from thirteen colonies met to formally separate from Britain, and define the government of a new country.
The result was a Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, and the country was named the United States of America.
July 4 is the day Congress created a democracy, governed not by a king, but by representation of the people. This year we affirm the ideals that define our country for 250 years, and what we stand for.
Traveling around the United States this summer, stop into festivals with music, community parades and activities, local food, and of course, fireworks.
Fourth of July parades were first celebrated in 1777 in Philadelphia and Boston, small towns have always put on annual parades, some for more than 100 years.
Independence Day celebrates unity and continuity in each community, crowds are enthusiastic because everyone knows someone in the parade.
This is America.
Photo above is a July 4 kite celebration at Bodega Bay, California.
St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is often called the “Oldest City” in the United States.
Every year on July 4, St. Augustine has a fireworks display of the Matanzas Rivers, framed by Castillo San Marcos, a 17th century Spanish fortress.
At 6:00pm in Plaza de la Constitucion in the historic downtown is a free two hour concert with big band and music show.
Fireworks start at 9:30pm.
Best places to see the fireworks, more info: St. Augustine July 4
More family fun in St. Augustine – Explore Castillo San Marcos, a spectacular star shaped stone fort, oldest wooden schoolhouse in U.S., pirate museum, chocolate factory and ghost tours, alligator farm, mini-golf, and enjoy waves at the beach.
Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, celebrates Independence Day with a naturalization ceremony, where people becomes citizens of the United States.
Before and the after the ceremony is live music from a children’s chorus and fife and drum corps. And free beer floats and snow cones.
More info: Monticello July 4
Thomas Jefferson was author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, but Monticello was his home and life.
At Monticello, Jefferson constantly improved the plantation, growing vegetables and gardening, making scientific observations, playing music, reading books in multiple languages and playing with his grandchildren. A visit to Monticello this summer will be especially memorable.
In Jackson Hole, kids can get a taste of the Old West, with stagecoach rides and rodeos in summer, and Fourth of July with cowboys and frontier history.
In downtown Jackson, Fourth of July Parade starts at 10am, lasts about 2 hours. In the Town Square, at 6pm is Jackson Hole Square Shootout, 20 minute re-enactment Wild West frontier justice with cowboys and outlaws.
Fireworks display at 10pm from two locations – Teton Village and Snow King mountain. Snow King display is visible from downtown Jackson, Teton Village lights up the mountain.
More info: Jackson Hole July 4
Jackson Hole has plenty of family fun, memorable rodeo, easy hikes on Snow King mountain, Teton Village aerial tram for panoramic views. And of course, Grand Teton National Park to explore.
Bar Harbor has a full day Independence Day activities.
Start the day with blueberry pancakes, Independence Day Parade at 10am, Seafood Festival with lobster and crab rolls, hot dogs, family activities at Bar Harbor ball field 11am – 2pm.
At the Town Pier, 1pm – 9pm – The Great Maine Lumberjack Show, then live music.
Fireworks over Frenchman’s Bay starts around 9:15. Best viewing is from the marina.
More info: Bar Harbor July 4
Bar Harbor is adjacent to Acadia National Park, with lots of family friendly hikes (even little ones can get to the top of Mt. Sargent), lakes for kayaking and swimming.
Fun food is fruit pies – wild Maine blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, mixed berry strawberry, raspberry, blueberry – eat them for breakfast.
Tip: Photo is from the Oceanarium aquarium, where you can see blue lobsters.
Port Angeles, gateway to Olympic National Park, has one of biggest July 4 celebrations on the Olympic Peninsula.
Independence Day begins with a pet parade at 11am, pets wearing red, white and blue. In the afternoon, Kids Zone with putt-putt golf, giant slide, obstacle course, toddler ball pit, apple pie and Uncle Sam’s eating contests, lawn mower derby. Live music from local bands 4pm – 6pm.
Fireworks begin at 10:15 pm.
All events are in downtown Port Angeles at the harbor
More info: Port Angeles July 4
Spend a week on the Olympic Peninsula – Glacier covered mountains, old growth forests, mossy rain forests, miles of beaches to explore, lakes for swimming and boating, visit northwest tip of the United States.
Calistoga has celebrated a Fourth of July parade for over 100 years.
Celebration starts at 11am with the parade with array of homegrown floats, dancers, horses, classic cars, tractors and cars creatively decorated.
In the afternoon at Pioneer Park is live music, food stalls, family fun zones with bouncey houses and activities for little ones, climbing walls, carnival style games.
In the evening is live performance and spectacular Laser Light Show, instead of fireworks.
All the details: Calistoga July 4
Calistoga has lots of fun things to do with kids – Bothe – Napa Valley State Park has a campground, (stay in a yurt) hiking, horseback riding, and swimming, don’t miss Bale Grist Mill. Lots of fun food, farmers market is on Saturday, ice cream shops are must.
Traverse City, at the southern end of Grand Traverse Bay, is a summer destination beloved by families for generations.
Often called “the cherry capital,” July 4 celebrations this year also include 100th National Cherry Festival.
July 4
At Clinch Park, kids cherry picking game, cherry bean bag toss, bowling, craft projects 10am – 5pm.
Air Show by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, West Grand Traverse Bay 1pm
Fireworks – West Traverse Bay 10:30pm
One hour fireworks display, good viewing spots are Open Space Park, Clinch Marina, Bryant Park, West End Beach.
July 5
Old Town, 11am classic car show with Midwest cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles.
July 6
Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 1pm – 3pm, at F & M Park.
More info: Traverse City July 4
Fun food – Chocolate covered cherries, cherry brownies, cherry popsicles, cherry soda pop, cherry coffee cake. And also delicious fudge in different flavors.
Concord and Lexington are famous for launching the American Revolution April 15, 1775.
July 3
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
North Bridge 8:30pm
Nighttime reading of the Declaration of Independence on hillside next to the North Bridge, musket and cannon salute.
July 4
Picnic in the Park – Emerson Field
11am – 4pm
Children’s parade 11am, in the afternoon field games, such as potato sack races and sponge toss, live music with local bands.
Robbins House – Frederick Douglass
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”
10am to Noon
Robbins House was the home of free African Americans living in Concord in early 19th century. Annual tradition is reading of Douglass famous speech July 5, 1852.
Also, visit Minute Man National Historical Park, and take a walk down Battle Road Trail.
Independence Day in Hawaii is unique, with free events, music and spectacular fireworks.
Walter J Macfarlane Memorial Regatta
Waikiki Beach
Outrigger canoe race through the surf, 6 man crews wear red white and blue.
Ala Moana free concerts
Local musicians perform live at Centerstage and Ewa Wing Stage in the afternoon.
Waikiki Beach Fireworks Show
8:30pm
If you’re driving to Waikiki Beach, park by the zoo, walk towards Royal Hawaiian, fireworks will be launched in front of hotel.
Kailua Independence Day Parade
Kailua Town
10am
Fun family-friendly small-town parade with local businesses, clubs and school groups, classic cars, Marine band, treats, lasts 2 hours.
Tip: After the parade, there are cafes and delis for lunch, then go back your hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing.
To return for fireworks in the evening, it’s about a 20 – 40 min drive from Waikiki to Kailua Beach Park.
Kailua Beach Fireworks
Kailua Beach Park
8pm
Enjoy Kailua Town before the fireworks, free shuttles will run every 30 minutes from the town to Kailua Beach Park. There are parking lots in town, park and take shuttle to the beach.
More info: Honolulu July 4
Fun food – Shave ice in colorful flavors – waiola rainbow (strawberry, vanilla, banana), lilikoi, coconut cream, orange and pineapple, mango, lemon lime, and of course, red white and blue.
Celebrations begin in downtown Anchorage with a parade at 11am, followed by fun food, music, carnival rides all day in Delaney Park.
Remember, this far north it’s 19 hours of daylight – sun doesn’t set until close to midnight. Fireworks start at 11pm!
More info: Anchorage July 4th
In Anchorage, Alaska Zoo is full of wonderful wildlife – polar bears, arctic foxes, river otters, moose, ravens, caribou. Visit Alaska Native Heritage Center for five village sites, also demonstrations by Native artists, drumming, dance and ceremonies.
Eagle Point nature center has viewing decks and trails to see beavers, salmon or moose, nearby at Mirror Lake enjoy kayaking and swimming on a warm day.
In the 1860’s and 1870’s, V&T Railroad connected Carson City with bonanza mines in Virginia City, and the US mint churned out gold and silver coins.
July 4
Reading of Declaration of Independence
Nevada State Museum
9:30 am
Also replica Liberty Bell is run 13 times in honor of thirteen colonies
The Freedom Cruise 250
11am
Classic vehicle parade through city downtown, vehicles decorated to celebrate 250 anniversary of America.
Steam train rides
Nevada State Railroad Museum
July 3, 4 and 5
10am – 4pm
Ride three different historic steam trains, games and activities for the whole family.
More info: Steam train rides
Tip: If you’re staying in Lake Tahoe, Carson City is an easy day trip.
Along with the Railroad Museum and steam train rides, Nevada State Museum is a gem. Walk through a Nevada ghost town, go into replica of underground mine, collections of gold and silver dollars from the mint, wildlife exhibits including Mammoth skeleton and Ice Age horse.
Looking for fireworks at the beach – Oregon Coast is your best bet.
Here’s a complete list of events: Oregon Coast Fireworks
Two of our favorite towns on the coast are Lincoln City – Siletz Bay, and Bandon.
Photo above is sunset at Siletz Bay Park.
Bandon has July 4 Celebration Parade, followed by apple pie and ice cream at the waterfront, barbeque at VFW Post, cardboard boat regatta races, crab derby, local live music.
Fireworks display over the Coquille River, best viewing is on south side of the river.
More info: Bandon July 4th
On the Oregon Coast, Bandon is one of our favorite places to stay. Coquille Point is magical – a long sand beach, driftwood forts, harbor seals and sea lions, fabulous tide pools and don’t miss Washed Ashore Gallery.
This year, Independence Day stands for ALL Americans, the United States of America!
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