The Most Incredible 4th of July Fireworks Shows in the US

In San Francisco, it doesn’t get much more vibrant than the 4th of July fireworks display at Fisherman’s Wharf. The show begins around sundown, and from there, the sky lights up with two synchronized fireworks shows from two locations. So you’re surrounded by a colorful sky no matter if you’re on the barges of Pier 39 or the end of the Municipal Pier. 

For more than 40 years, the Addison Kaboom Town 4th of July fireworks show is top-ranked for its impressive display. Even though the town of Addison is home to just 17,000 residents, a whopping 500,000 guests show up to watch the fireworks show each year! The big party is a town-wide event, with restaurants, bars, and hotels hosting events for the big day as well.

Food trucks, live music, and fun giveaways are only the beginning of the 4th of July party at Fair St. Louis. They’ll have a ton of live performances, family-friendly games and fun, plenty of good food, a thrilling airshow, and of course, a beautiful fireworks display. Watching the sky come to life above the iconic St. Louis Arch is a one-of-a-kind treat!

Navy Pier, right on Chicago’s Michigan Lakeside, is an iconic destination for many events, but especially for its 4th of July celebration. Thousands of pyrotechnics, fun renditions of patriotic music, and the lit-up boardwalk and ferris wheel make the event a feel-good party for all ages. It’s easy to see how Chicago was voted the “Best Place to See Fireworks” by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards in 2023.

Nashville’s July 4th festival is chock-full of events, from festival-like concert performances to delicious Southern barbecue. Music City has one of the largest fireworks shows in the country. Their display is fittingly synced to a live performance by the GRAMMY Award-winning Nashville Symphony.

Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America is truly a can’t-miss event. The 16-day festival features a plethora of free family-friendly activities, from a huge public concert to programs commemorating both Juneteenth as well as the 4th of July. Free museum admission days, a Freedom Day block party, and the beloved annual Wawa Hoagie Day are just some of the fun attractions to look forward to leading up to the grand fireworks display on July 4. Could you expect any less from the birthplace of America?

Fireworks on the Atlantic City beachfront? Yes, please! The extravaganza in the Las Vegas of the East Coast features everything from great food and entertainment to the lively fireworks display. Stroll along the boardwalk and watch as the pyrotechnics work their magic in the night sky.

Something that makes this event truly unique? Because the Big Bay Boom happens on the—you guessed it—bay, its panoramic display can actually be viewed from a variety of locations. Watch the sky light up in color from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, the Marina District, the Coronado Ferry Landing, or on boat.

Each year in the warm coastal city, Fort Lauderdale puts on a star-spangled show that features everything from live music and family activities to a kids zone complete with water slides, face painting, and beach games. Watch the night sky glow on Las Olas Oceanside Park or Fort Lauderdale Beach for an epic display right on the water.

Lighting up the Hudson River in style is the iconic Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event in New York City. The one-of-a-kind show will feature bright, colorful pyrotechnics as well as a star-studded lineup of performers.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the oldest public Independence Day celebration in the whole country. And they sure do celebrate like it! 2025 is the 51st anniversary of the Fireworks Spectacular—a huge occasion! Alongside the banks of the Charles River, you’ll get to watch an incredible orchestra concert roar into a dramatic half-hour fireworks display.

What better place to celebrate the nation’s holiday than in its very own capital? The famous fireworks show, A Capitol Fourth, not only has a grand display over many of the most historical monuments in the country, but it also a bunch of family games like charades, bingo, and a scavenger hunt. Come early and you can even enjoy the live concert put on by PBS.