12 Spectacular Fireworks Shows Best to Watch This July 4th

What are the best places in the country to see a dazzling fireworks display on the 4th of July this year? Our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has curated a list of 12 of the best firework displays ever to create awe and wonder for the entire family on Independence Day this year. 

12 of the best firework shows to watch this July 4th holiday

It’s Fourth of the July, and you know what that means: time for the fireworks! Though your mileage may vary on how much you enjoy these annual eruptions, they’re a classic, and we’re sure that many of you are wondering where you can catch a glimpse of some tonight.

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We are here to advise. If your local area isn’t putting on a display this year, here are twelve epic firework shows that are worth attending, whether that means in person, or from the comfort of your living room.  No matter how you spend today, we hope you have a wonderful celebration.

12 of the best firework shows to watch for 4th of July

1. best fireworks for Independence Day: Las Vegas.

Looking to go all-out to celebrate July 4th this year? We can’t think of any destination more appropriate than Vegas. Fireworks will illuminate the iconic Strip beginning at 10:00 pm, and many of the hotels will participate with their own displays. ‘Cause who wants one fireworks show, when you can have many?

Of course, one night’s not enough to celebrate Vegas style, so expect events, concerts, fireworks shows and more for several days before July 4th itself.

2. best fireworks for Independence Day: Washington DC.

If you’ve never spent a July 4th holiday in the nation’s capital, add it to your “must do” list, and perhaps make this the year to do it. It would be hard to top the feeling of a clear summer night, the iconic monuments of the city washed in white light, and glorious fireworks illuminating the sky and reflecting in the Potomac River.

We’ve done it several times, and it never gets old. During the day, there’s always a parade. After dark, The National Park Service hosts the fireworks show on the National Mall. There’s an annual Capitol Fourth Concert held right beforehand. And if you can’t be there in person, the concert and the fireworks are always broadcast live on PBS.

3. New York City.

Macy’s annual July 4th Fireworks Display is the biggest and most famous in the nation, in our humble opinion as residents of Gotham. If you’re planning to attend in person, check in with Macy’s where to watch section, which will have the latest information on official viewing sites. And of course, many locations throughout the city offer “unofficial” views – find a favorite bar or restaurant or friend’s rooftop to enjoy this beloved spectacular.

Watching from home? You can catch the show on Independence Day on NBC at 8 pm. There’ll be musical performances, special guests and more.

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4. Philadelphia.

Philly’s annual July 4^th celebration is a terrific way to spend Independence Day, capped off with a great fireworks show. It starts during the day with “the Party on the Parkway” from 12-7 p.m. You’ll find entertainment, games, activities, food trucks, giveaways, and more.

The “Wawa Welcome America” festival concludes on the 4th with a spectacular fireworks display above the Philadelphia Museum of Art along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 9:45 p.m. There’s a concert just before the show, also on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

You’ll find a great view anywhere from Eakins Oval to Logan Circle. And if you’d rather experience it all from home, you can tune into NBC10.

5. Cedar Point Amusement Park, Ohio

Light up the Point! If you’re from Ohio (or maybe even if you’re not), you know that Cedar Point is among the most legendary theme parks in the nation. So why not make July 4th a full day of fun?

Buy tickets to the Point’s VIP viewing experience, and you can nab a front-row seat to their beach-side Fourth of July spectacular. Ride some heart-stopping rollercoasters, and then head to the sand for a buffet of summer treats and an unforgettable light show. Fireworks start at 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the park.

6. The Berkshires, Western Massachusetts.

Tanglewood is one of our favorite classical and pop music summer festivals, and their Fourth of July celebration is something special to behold. Head to Lenox, Massachusetts where every Independence Day for as long as we can remember, James Taylor has performed a July 4th concert. He’s on deck again this year.

Bring your own lawn chairs, picnic dinner and beverages of choice, and hang out under the stars. An awe-inspiring fireworks display will close out the night. Don’t worry if you can’t make it in person, because this magical evening is almost always broadcast live, as well.

7. Seattle.

Seattle will have bragging rights once again for being on the list of best places for July 4th fireworks after a hiatus for the global pandemic.

Amazon Seafair Summer Fourth has been voted one of the nation’s best fireworks shows by USA TODAY and Business Insider. It has the advantage of taking place in one of the best natural amphitheaters in the world for fireworks – which hardly seems fair, actually.

There are both free and reserved (paid) seating options and multiple vantage points to enjoy the show each year. The event’s website notes that there’s “Lake Union for an overhead view, Gas Works Park for a hilltop view, and Lake Union Park for a darker sky view.”

Whichever one you pick, you can make almost a full day of it. The gates open at 3:00P, and there are Field Games at 5:00P. The fireworks start at 10:15P, preceded by a Glow in the Dark Dance Party. What? Are you hearing this, New York City? We should totally be doing this, too.

8. St. Louis

St. Louis is famous for their breathtaking Fourth of July fireworks, and they’ve promised that this year’s display will be their biggest ever. The show will be visible from downtown, as well as streamed on KMOV.

While the fireworks are on the Fourth itself, Fair Saint Louis will host holiday celebrations from July 2-4 at Kiener Plaza and Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis.

9. The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

The Hollywood Bowl is home to lots of glamorous events all summer long, but the Independence Day celebration is one of the standouts every year.

Fireworks crown the Hollywood sky on three nights at the Bowl, when the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs a program of favorites. There are always special guest hosts and performers, as well. It all kicks off at 7:30P.

10. Bar Harbor, Maine.

As they proudly proclaim: Acadia National Park’s Fourth of July celebration has been publicly praised as one of the best in the nation. We can understand why – it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful backdrop for fireworks than Frenchman Bay.

Besides the show, guests can experience a jam-packed day of activities, including a scavenger hunt, parade, and craft fair.  Of course, the area’s restaurants will be open for business, so you can come early and stay late, making this one unbeatable Fourth of July.

11. Nashville.

Nashville is going all-in for this year’s Fourth of July. They have boldly declared that this year’s extravaganza will be the largest fireworks show in the city’s history – and we can’t wait to see it.

Head to music city to hear the Nashville Symphony, and then watch the sky burst with beautiful colors.

12. Orlando, Florida.

You know that Orlando and its theme parks know a thing or two about fireworks, right? But Independence Day is a night to dial it up even a notch further. So if you’re in the mood for something truly mind-blowing, consider a visit to Florida this year for July 4th weekend.

Walt Disney World hosts incredible Independence Day fireworks in the skies above EPCOT and Magic Kingdom park.

Orlando’s SeaWorld isn’t doing one night of fireworks – they’re doing three. From July 2^nd to July 4^th, they will light up their central lake with “Ignite.” They describe the event as “high-energy” which sounds perfect for anyone looking to make the most of this summer holiday.

Universal has the Marvel Captain America franchise, so you know they’ll be doing interesting. And that’s just a small slice of all the fun planned in Orlando to celebrate America’s birthday.

12 of the best firework shows to watch on independence day

Whether you’re viewing them in person or virtually, that’s our take on the best places to see a dazzling fireworks display on the 4th of July – the top Independence Day fireworks to watch in 2021. What are your plans this year, dear reader?

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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links. 

Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.