Top 25 4th of July Fireworks Displays

Celebrate the nation's birthday with a big bang at any of the top 25 fireworks displays in the United States. Enjoy the colorful shows from a boat, blanket or even the hood of a car. Arrive early to enjoy the music and food sold prior to the beginning of fireworks displays.

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl boasts an enormous and colorful fireworks display annually on the fourth of July. Activities begin in the early afternoon with family friendly games and food concessions. A drum corps plays a military tribute at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin launching at approximately 9 p.m.

AmericaFest
July 4 - Annually
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasadena, CA 91103
800-745-3000

The Big Bay Boom fireworks event in San Diego include a large array of colorful pyrotechnics. The best places to catch an unobstructed view of the display are Harbor and Shelter Island.

Big Bay Fireworks
July 4 - Annually
1492 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92108
619-258-4100

Big Bear Lake fireworks display can be seen for miles around. Sparkling pyrotechnicsshoot from the mountain lake, cclearlyvisible in the Los Angeles skyline for all to enjoy.

Big Bear Lake
July 4 - Annually
630 Bartlett Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
800-4BIG-BEAR

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular combines fantastic pyrotechnics with classical and patriotic music. Nearly 20,000 pounds of explosives are used to create the fireworks show on an annual basis.

Boston Pop Fireworks
July 4 - Annually
Beacon St.
Boston. MA 02101
617-817-2111

The Cal Expo in Sacramento entertains spectators awaiting the annual fireworks show at the fairgrounds with musical performances and a talent show. The United States Air Force performs an air show just prior to the beginning of the annual fireworks display.

Cal Expo
July 4- Annually
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
916-263-7959

Chicago Navy Pier Independence Day Celebration include not only a bright and sparkling display of fireworks, but musical entertainment, games and plenty of food and drink along the waterfront area.

Chicago Navy Pier
July 4- Annually
600 East Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
800-595-PIER

Nearly every day is like the 4th of July at Disneyland. Nightly fireworks shows entertain the exiting crowds, but on America's birthday, the opulent display tops the charts. Brilliant lights adorn the sky above "The Happiest Place on Earth" drawing huge smiles and shouts from the spectators below.

Disneyland
July 4 - Annually
1313 S. Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-781-4656

The annual fireworks display at the Hollywood Bowl includes an outdoor concert led by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The smell of grilled hot dogs and children carrying melting ice cream cones complete an idealistic of an old fashioned 4th of July celebration.

Hollywood Bowl
July 4 - Annually
2301 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90068
323-436-2821

The Freedom Over Texas fireworks display lights up the skyline around downtown Houston with colorful explosive bursts. Musical performances by local musicians and concession stand are also a part of this annual Independence day celebration.

Freedom Over Texas
July 4 - Annually
500 Allen Pkwy.
Houston, TX 77002
713-247-3500

Ft. Myers 4th of July Fireworks Display begins at dusk along near the Ft. Myers Beach Fishing Pier. Spectators gather along the beach throughout the day for picnics and live musical performances while awaiting the explosive light show at dusk.

Ft. Myers
July 4 - Annually
1000 Estero Blvd.
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
239-454-7500

Hocking College Thunder in the Valley Fireworks Spectacular brightens the small college town on Nelsonville for 45 minutes each July with a massive pyrotechnics display. A patriotic parade and full day of music, children's games and food lead up to the fireworks show at dusk.

Hocking College Thunder in the Valley
3301 Hocking Pkwy.
Nelsonville OH 45664
740-753-3591

The Key West Fireworks Cruise combines colorful bursts of fireworks in the sky with a boat parade and plenty of live entertainment, activities and foo along the shores of the southernmost point of the United States.

Key West Fireworks Cruise
July 4- Annually
510 Greene St.
Key West, FL 33040
305-294-2587

Knoxville Independence Day Pops Concert and Fireworks Show provides musical and old fashioned family fun at the World's Fair Park. Patriotic music booms in the background as the sky comes alive with colorful bursts of light twinkling overhead.

Knoxville Independence Day Pops Concert and Fireworks Show
July 4- Annually
525 Henley St.
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-291-3310

Toss a blanket onto the sand, or hop a ride on one of the riverboats and look toward the sky for sparkling fireworks displays at the Lights on the Lake extravaganza. Fireworks emit from a barge on Lake Tahoe, visible throughout the beach and downtown areas.

Lights on the Lake
July 4 - Annually
812 Kekin Street
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
530-573-1939

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show lights up the Hudson River to the delight of the spectators lined along the waterfront and watching from the deck of boats which flock to the area for the annual event.

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show
July 4 - Annually
151 W. 34th St.
New York, New York 10001
212-594-3312

The Marina Del Rey fireworks display is the highlight of the 4th of July activities in the Santa Monica area. A parade which includes local marching bands, community groups and decorated bicycles. Spectators can view the show from the waterfront area, or catch a front row seat in a boat. Fireworks shoot into the sky from a barge, before falling into the cold water below.

Marina Del Rey
July 4 - Annually
13534 Baqli Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
800-82-4000

The Newport Beach annual fireworks displays also includes a boat parade and performances by local musicians along the boardwalk. Fireworks shoot high into the sky from the parking area of the Newport Dunes Resort.

Newport Beach
July 4 - Annually
1131 Back Bay Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-729-3863

The Philadelphia Sunoco Welcome America Festival offers a fireworks display and gigantic birthday bash near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The week long festival includes cultural and musical exhibits leading up to the final evening and fireworks display.

Philadelphia Sunoco Welcome America Festival
July 4- Annually
26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia PA 19101
215-763-8100

Red White and Boom is lights of the skies of Columbus with sparkling fireworks and crackling fountains. A parade and full day of family friendly activities in the downtown area draws thousands of visitors from over a hundred miles away. Musical performances and special guests delight the crowd both in attendance, and those watching the show at home on television. The event, started by Columbus Mayor, Buck Rinehart, grows larger each year, with the fireworks display lasting almost an hour.

Red White and Boom
July 2 - Annually
929 Harrison Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-299-9221

Riverside celebrates the national day of independence with a fireworks show at the Riverside Sports Complex and live music. Spectators can bring a cooler for of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy during the display.

Riverside
July 4 - Annually
3900 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92522
951-687-9922

Saint Louis Fair Saint Louie Fireworks Show includes musical performances by nationally known groups on the Budweiser Main Stage, regional musical performances, children's activities and food. This two day event culminates with a spectacular fireworks display at the Gateway Arch celebrating the birth of a nation.

Saint Louis Fair Saint Louie Fireworks Show
July 3 and 4 - Annually
707 N. First St.
Saint Louis, MO 63102
314-434-3434

San Francisco Bay Area Fireworks Show includes boat tours to Alcatraz and musical performances on Pier 39. Concession offerings typically available at the event include sandwiches, wine and ice cream. The fireworks displays is simulcast on local KISS FM to a score of patriotic music.

San Francisco Bay Area Fireworks Show
July 4- Annually
Pier 39
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-981-7437

San Juan Mountain is flanked by colorful shooting fountains and cascading pyrotechnics during the annual Silverton 4th of July Fireworks Show. Shrine Hill and the base of San Juan Mountain are the best locations for unobstructed viewing of the sparkling display.

Silverton 4th of July Fireworks Show
July 4 - Annually
1360 Greene St.
Silverton, CO 81433
415-705-5500

The annual Temecula fireworks festivities originate at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park. A "Star Spangled Fourth of July Parade in Old Town Temecula" kicks off a full day of festivities prior to the first match being struck for the display. Children's games and performances by local musicians entertain the crowd of spectators waiting for the sky to come alive with colorful bursts.

Temecula
July 4 - Annually
45000 Pechanga Pkwy.
Temecula, CA 92592
951-694-6444

The Washington D.C. USA Independence Day Celebration fireworks show include performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, celebrity guests, and a parade with over 100 float and group entries. The fireworks displays typically last thirty minutes.

Washington DC USA Independence Day Celebration
July 4 - Annually
Constitution Ave.
Washington, DC 20001
202-789-7000

Sources used for this article were a combination of personal experience and event websites.