Independence Day is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. Activities associated with the day include watermelon or hotdog eating competitions and sporting events, such as baseball games, three-legged races, swimming activities and tug-of-war games.
Independence Day is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the positive aspects of the United States. Many politicians appear at public events to show their support for the history, heritage and people of their country. Above all, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today’s Americans. The Statue of Liberty is a national monument that is associated with Independence Day. The day is celebrated in diverse ways in various parts of the country. Here’s a list of the places where you can celebrate this historic day in the United States
4th July, Independence Day celebrations at Washington DC – National Mall
Washington D.C.
Washington, DC is arguably the most patriotic place in America to celebrate Independence Day, and the nation’s capital doesn’t disappoint. From spectacular fireworks to moving musical performances to family-friendly festivals, there’s more than enough fun to fill Fourth of July week.
A National Parade on July 4th, Independence Day of USA
America’s National Independence Day Parade takes place annually on July 4th at 11:45 am in Washington, D.C., on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street before a street audience of hundreds of thousands of spectators. The Parade consists of invited bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, VIP’s, national dignitaries, and celebrity participants. The Parade is a major national event which seeks to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday. It is a patriotic, flag-waving, red white and blue celebration of America’s birthday! The Parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events, which is under contract to the National Park Service.
Participating bands are invited based on recommendations from each state’s Governor’s office. Other times these recommendations come from a state’s music educator’s office or other music education organizations at the governor’s request.
The Nation’s Capital offers unlimited excitement on July 4th in addition to the parade. A National Folk life Festival on the Mall features different cultures in the Americas and a variety of ethnic groups. That evening, parade participants are all part of the audience of the PBS Concert at the Capitol Building featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and one of the country’s largest fireworks displays. There is no greater location displaying greater excitement on America’s birthday than in our nation’s capital!
Fireworks for America
The fireworks display in Washington, DC is unlike any other in the United States. The show, administered by the National Park Service, illuminates everything from the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Spectators can gain access to the National Mall through secure access points, and it’s important to arrive earlier than the 9:10 p.m. start time. The show lasts roughly 17 minutes and will be accompanied by live music from “A Capitol Fourth,” the concert held each Independence Day on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn.
Freedom Over Texas Houstons official 4th July, Independence Day celebration
Houston, Texas
Freedom Over Texas Celebrations – Houston’s official July 4th, Independence Day celebration takes place in Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou and features live entertainment, food booths and a world-famous fireworks display. The Houston Symphony continues its annual celebration at Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre. Festivities include fireworks accompanied by a dramatic 16-cannon salute.
San Francisco
San Francisco marks July 4th celebrations with fireworks, picnics, concerts and Family fun. Every year, San Francisco holds large fireworks display over the bay. There are two sets of fireworks, synced, to allow visitors to get a glimpse from all around the area. Try the one at Marina Green and the other at PIER 39, Fisherman’s Warf.
San Francisco
PIER 39 offers a whole day of family fun featuring musical entertainment, activities at the Entrance Plaza and some of the best sea food eateries along the bay. Make your holiday more interesting by taking a day’s cruise onboard at The SS Jermiah O’BRIEN or a lunch cruise at Pier 45 before enjoying the bay area’s spectacular fireworks from onboard. Ghiraedeli Square also has splendid activies to fill your day with fun, food , music and shopping.
Hot dogs, fireworks, picnics in the park — San Francisco may occasionally march to the beat of a different drummer but on the Fourth of July she’s right in step with the rest of the nation. Outdoor concerts and cruises on the bay to watch the fireworks are just part of the Independence Day fun. Planning for a Fourth of July picnic should begin with a visit to the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market. There will be cupcakes and candles, special one-time deals throughout the market and a raffle for vendor goodies.
The City of San Francisco’s Fireworks display will illuminate the offshore skies on the northeast waterfront from Aquatic Park down to Pier 39 beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. Alcatraz Cruises. Join Alcatraz Cruises for a fireworks viewing cruise. Gaze up at Independence Day celebrations from the open sky deck or from the large windows surrounding the interior decks. Snack bar service including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
USS Hornet Museum, docked at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, the USS Hornet Museum will celebrate Independence Day from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The family event will include live music, interactive games, a bounce house for kids as well as tours of the restored aircraft carrier.
Chicago
a) Each and every year Chicago’s known to host some pretty stellar events for the 4th of July, but this time around July Fourth is putting out all the stops as they produce a massive celebration at the quintessential event space in the Windy City – the Navy Pier Rooftop. With enough space for create a colossal gathering, the rooftop at Navy Pier is a very inviting and exclusive place to come and indulge in the weather and sights of one of the most anticipated days of the year (definitely the most talked about day of the summer).
Chicago-Holidays_CC Fireworks
Freedom Fest 2015 at Navy Pier’s rooftop is the absolute best place to watch the firework spectacular once the sun begins to set on the bright lights of Chicago. This Independence Day event will feature a delicious BBQ to satisfy your hunger, a full bar where you can indulge in your favorite drinks, and music by a live DJ to keep the atmosphere festive. This is an all-ages event, so bring the entire family along for the experience.
Taking place on Friday, July 4th, it doesn’t get any better than this. Just be sure to get your tickets before they sell out! It may not be summer just yet, but before you know it…you’re enjoying the breeze and views of Lake Michigan.
b) Witness a breathtaking fireworks show with beautiful lights illuminating the dark night sky, the city has never looked so stunning. Take part in America’s birthday with an upscale Fireworks Dinner Cruise aboard Odyssey departing from Navy Pier. Creative cuisine. DJ and dancing. Outstanding service. See the magnificent fireworks display from the most elegant seat on the lake!
c) See the Independence Day fireworks display from Chicago’s Navy Pier aboard the city’s most exciting excursion!
Hours: 8:45 – 10 p.m.
Watch the sky light up during a spectacular fireworks show choreographed to a patriotic score on Lake Michigan.
d) Where to Watch :-
1) Arrive early and cozy up on Navy Pier’s dock.
2) Board an evening cruise with Odyssey Cruises, Shoreline Sightseeing Company or Spirit of Chicago off Navy Pier.
3) View the fireworks from 1,000ft above the city in 360 Chicago.
Boston
Celebrations at Boston
Boston is arguably one of America’s most stylish and sophisticated cities with a New England charm. Boston loves to celebrate events in style while remaining strongly rooted in tradition. July 4th the national day is no different. Boston greets the national day with a flag raising ceremony at the City Hall Plaza followed a parade to the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths are laid on the graves of the patriots and then the parade continues on to the Old State House. Be sure to arrive City Hall Plaza before 9 am to witness this grand event.
With the patriotic fever surging the declaration of Independence is read from the balcony of the Old State House, just as it was read to the citizens of Boston on July 18, 1776. The USS Constitution leaves her berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and sails out into Boston Harbor for her turn-around and fires a 21-gun salute just off Castle Island at noon. The best viewing sites are at the end of Long Wharf in Boston, Piers Park in East Boston and Castle Island in South Boston.
After a day of ceremonies, at 7:30pm Conductor Keith Lockhart directs the Boston POPS Orchestra at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade followed by a spectacular 23-minute fireworks display over Charles river. The seating for this free event is on a first come basis and area opens to the public at 9am. The best place for viewing the fireworks display is along Memorial Drive on the Cambridge side of the Charles River. Its wise to bring along a radio so that you can hear the concert.
Greater Boston
Boston Harborfest
– July 2-6
Festival includes more than 220 events: walking tours, concerts, Revolutionary-era historical reenactments, the famous Chowdafest, visits from U.S. and foreign naval ships; harbor cruises; State House tours; guided walking tours of the North End, Boston’s underground and the Harbor Islands; treasure hunt; tour of Coast Guard ships; whale watch and dinner cruises; chowder fest; USS Constitution Turnaround Cruise; Boston Pops concert and fireworks.
New York City
The days surrounding Independence Day in New York are packed with music, dancing, tours, exhibits, food, and of course fireworks. Celebrate this day in New York with lady liberty with the iconic Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, a dazzling pyrotechnics display. Fireworks light up the skyline, with musical accompaniment by the New York Pops orchestra and special guest stars.
A unique tradition since 1916 is Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest where competitors with steely grit, limber swallowing abilities and highly expandable stomachs devour Nathan’s hot dogs to the delight of screaming fans every year. This is definitely a no miss event.
Macy’s fourth of July fireworks
It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in New York City without the annual Macy’s fireworks show, which made its debut in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial. The iconic display will return to the East River this year; fireworks will be set off from the Brooklyn Bridge and from barges in the water below. The best viewing spots will be from Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and along the east side of Lower Manhattan. If you plan on heading to where the action is, arrive by 5pm to snag a good spot (the light show starts at 9pm).
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island
With a combination of steely grit, limber swallowing abilities and highly expandable stomachs, contestants in the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest take on competitors to the delight of screaming fans. A select group of skilled eaters convene near the boardwalk, eating Nathan’s dogs for 10 minutes straight. Don’t miss this year’s competition, which continues a tradition established in 1916.
Hot Jazz/Cool Garden at Louis Armstrong House Museum
July 4 marks jazz legend Louis Armstrong’s birthday and each year, his former home hosts a musical celebration. Beginning at 2pm, catch a set by Bria’s Hot Five with Bria Skonberg out in the garden. Concertgoers will also be treated to free red beans and rice and sweet tea during performances, plus a slice of birthday cake to celebrate the museum’s namesake musician.
Philadelphia
In Philadelphia you can celebrate 4th July with the country’s birth place. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway hosts the “Largest Free Concert” in the country on July 4th with great food, fun and entertainment all day long. It all leads up to the incredible Fourth of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Expect large crowds and closed streets throughout the city for the Fourth of July. Your best bet is to take public transportation including SEPTA and the Phlash Trolley.
Some of the best places to watch Philadelphia’s amazing fireworks would be Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Paine’s Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Schuylkill River Park, Belmont Plateau to name a few.
Celebrate America’s independence in the most historic city in the country! Kicking off June 27 and running through July 4, 2015, Wawa Welcome America! will be hosting a plethora of exciting historical, cultural, and family events. Enjoy this multi-day extravaganza complete with food, outdoor concerts, an ice-cream festival, face-painting, a Fourth of July parade, and much more! To conclude the festivities, our city hosts the largest free concert in America with premiere musical headliners (details to come), followed by a dazzling display of fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Some of the country’s top musical artists are expected to perform this year, including: The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc, Ariana Grande and Vicci Martinez.
Philly’s week-long fourth of July celebration, which just happens to be completely free. Or are music festivals more your scene? The Roots Picnic (June) is coming on its seventh year, and last year the festival boasted performers such as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (and of course, The Roots. Visit the many educational exhibits at the National Constitution Center and make sure to see the live production of “Freedom Rising.” Just down the block, groups can visit the Liberty Bell Center, and the President’s House Commemorative Site. The President’s House will honor the nine enslaved Africans who worked for President George Washington at this site, which was the nation’s first White House.
Take a walking or driving tour focusing on African-American history and culture in Philadelphia with one of Philadelphia’s receptive tour operators. Points of interest include: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was the nation’s first major museum designed by a black architect.
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