We’ve got a long Fourth of July Weekend ahead of us—which means parades, carnivals, cookouts, and shimmering firework shows planned everywhere from Cherry Hill to the Carroll County Farm Museum. Grab a picnic blanket and check out our master guide for details on where to find some of the most dazzling displays in the area.
Annapolis: After kicking off the celebration with the annual parade at 6:30 p.m., the Naptown fireworks will launch over the harbor on July 4 starting at 9:15 p.m. For the best viewing experience, head to public spaces northeast of the Severn River, City Dock, the Naval Academy Bridge (be aware of limited parking), or park spaces facing Spa Creek.
Bel Air: This year, the Bel Air Independence Committee is back with its all-day Fourth of July funfair—which will feature everything from a pancake breakfast and family water balloon toss to a bicycle rodeo and the annual parade. The day starts with flag-raising ceremonies in the morning and culminates with the blazing fireworks from Rockfield Park at approximately 9:30 p.m. You can watch the sparks fly from any permitted area in or around town.
Catonsville: Break out those lawn chairs. Now in its 79th year, Catonsville’s Fourth of July festival is back with the theme “Celebrating Our Community Spirit.” Leading up to the fireworks, there will be concerts, games, all-ages activities, and the annual grand parade—for which locals traditionally set out their lawn chairs along Frederick Road days in advance—to look forward to throughout the day. The Grand Fireworks Show will kick off at 9:15 p.m. on the Catonsville High School Athletic Fields.
Cherry Hill: At the neighborhood’s annual Arts & Music Waterfront Festival, spend the day enjoying food trucks, art installations (don’t miss Cherry Hill Charm, a new exhibit detailing residents’ fight against segregation and environmental racism throughout the years), and small business vendors at Middle Branch Park. This year’s nonstop live performance lineup highlights Bmore Club legends Mighty Mark and TT the Artist, plus reggae sets by Navasha Daya, Nakeeba Amaniyea, Jonathan Gilmore, and Femi the DriFish. Other acts fuse everything from jazz and gospel to Afrobeat and Congolese pop.
In lieu of fireworks this year, organizers with Youth Resiliency Institute, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, and the mayor’s office are pumped to debut an eco-conscious drone show, which will go on rain or shine. Scheduled for 9:30 p.m., the new display will “merge technology and art in a breathtaking aerial show” over the Patapsco.
Cockeysville: Per tradition, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Star-Spangled Spectacular will honor our country’s history on Thursday, July 3 with a jaw-dropping fireworks show and performance at Cockeysville’s Oregon Ridge Park. Spread a blanket on the lawn to hear renditions such as the finale from Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, as well as John Williams selections from Star Wars and Stephen Schwartz highlights from Wicked. No need to pack a picnic—food and drink vendors on deck this year are plentiful, including Wanna Pizza This, Glizzy’s Wagyu Dogs, Soul Smoked BBQ, DMV Taqueria, Kona Ice, Boordy Vineyards, Checkerspot Brewing, Peabody Heights Beer, and Charm City Meadworks.
Columbia: Co-hosted by Howard County Recreation & Parks, the Columbia Association, and the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center, the annual fireworks display will return to the Columbia Lakefront on Independence Day. If you are driving there, free public parking is available at The Mall in Columbia, Symphony Woods Garage, the One and Two Merriweather garages, and at Sterrett Place North. The party will kick off with live music by Dustbowl Revival (Americana, funk, and bluegrass) and The Sidleys (rock and soul) at 6 p.m. before the fireworks spectacular lights up Lake Kittamaqundi around 9:15 p.m. You can arrive as early as 3 p.m. to lay out your blankets and claim a spot while enjoying food truck fare.
Dundalk: File this one under Baltimore comeback stories guaranteed to warm your heart. After the Dundalk Heritage Fair Association announced that their 50th-annual Fourth of July festival would be cancelled this year due to financial strain, the community rallied hard with fundraising events and volunteer support to save the time-honored tradition. Now, the fair is back on July 4-6 with carnival rides, hourly live music on three stages, arts and craft vendors, tons of food, and of course, the annual Independence Day parade. Fireworks are scheduled a day early this year, shooting off from Grange Elementary School around 9:15 p.m. on July 3.
Glen Burnie: Bring your blankets and chairs to Sawmill Creek Park (or additional viewing at 3rd Avenue Park) on July 3 at 9 p.m. to watch the sky sparkle, thanks to the Glen Burnie Improvement Association.
Havre De Grace: Before the fireworks, all launched from a barge in the Susquehanna River, fizzle over Concord Point Park at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, groove to live tunes to get the party started. Funk and soul rockers Tidewater Adams will take the stage at Hutchins Park at 5:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., a free show by the Maryland Military Band will kick off the fireworks at Concord Point Park.
Inner Harbor: Nothing quite compares to watching fireworks illuminate the Inner Harbor skyline. The Inner Harbor Amphitheater will host local performers beginning at 6 p.m., before Mayor Brandon Scott—per tradition—kayaks onto the scene to address the crowd. To get the best view, take a walk along the Waterfront Promenade, head up to a roof deck, climb atop Federal Hill, or, if you’re looking to splurge, purchase front-row seats with the Baltimore Museum of Industry‘s annual fundraiser—which includes museum admission, parking, and a live concert by John Lamkin Favorites Jazz Quintet. You can also head over to the Sagamore Pendry in Fells Point for a posh pool party and barbecue (Wagyu burgers, housemade crab chips, and caramelized banana pudding? Yes, please.) with prime views.
Laurel: This all-day celebration on July 5 begins at 3 p.m., featuring a parade, car show, live music, and family-friendly games. To end the day, bring your chairs and blankets to the 45-minute firework show over Laurel Lake, which starts at 9:15 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to find the best seats.
Mount Airy: Happening on July 3, this free community tradition at the Mount Airy Carnival Grounds invites guests to bring their own chairs, blankets, and coolers with food. Or you can indulge in some fairground treats from an array of food trucks onsite. The gates will open at 4 p.m., followed by live music at 5 p.m., and fireworks around 9:30 p.m.
Ocean City: If you’re heading downy ocean for the long weekend, make plans to go to either uptown (Northside Park on 125th Street) or downtown (the Caroline Street Stage on the boardwalk) to enjoy live music at 8 p.m. before the big fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. To watch from the water, get tickets aboard the Sea Rocket’s 4th of July Fireworks Cruise.
Towson: Post up along Bosley and Washington Ave. before 10:30 a.m. on Friday to enjoy Towson’s patriotic parade. Feeling extra festive this year? Decorate your bike in theme with the holiday and line up for the bike rush an hour before the parade starts, finishing just in time to grab your seats before the floats come by. After dark, the Towson Communities Alliance hosts its annual fireworks show from Loch Raven Technical Academy.
Westminster: Head to the Carroll County Farm Museum to partake in this annual summer soiree. Gates will open at 4 p.m. on July 4, followed by fireworks around 9:30 p.m. While you wait, stop by the children’s activity tent and enjoy treats from on-site vendors including The Cow (Italian ice and frozen custard), The Crabby Pretzel, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Nina’s Cookie Explosion, and more. Admission is $10 per vehicle (cash only) and groups can feel free to bring their own coolers with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Fact-checking by Alana McCarthy Light