Best Fourth of July Celebrations in New England
Looking for a new spot to celebrate Independence Day this year? Here are some of our picks for the Best Fourth of July celebrations in New England.
By Yankee Magazine|Jun 20 2019|
Fireworks over Boston Harbor in Massachusetts.
Credit: Wikimedia CommonsThis year is sure to be a big deal with America’s 250th and the honoring of New England’s Revolutionary history. Towns and communities all across the region are planning special Independence Day celebrations, with most featuring parades, music, food, and (best of all) fireworks! Here are just some of the best Fourth of July celebrations in New England.
Best Fourth of July Celebrations in New England
Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade#/media/File:BristolParade.jpg">TwoSheds/Wikimedia Commons</a>
America’s Oldest Continuous Fourth of July Celebration | Bristol, RI
Bristol holds the record as the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the USA (since 1785). The signature parade features bands and drum corps from all over the United States. Along with the parade, the weekend includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, ringing of the church bells, and fireworks over Bristol Harbor.
See More: The Bristol, Rhode Island, 4th of July Celebration | A Red, White & Blue Day
Bath Heritage Days | Bath, ME
The town’s biggest celebration of each year coincides with Independence Day, offering the state’s largest parade, a firemen’s muster, Art in the Park, live music, a community dance, children’s activities, and, of course, fireworks.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular | Boston, MA
Boston hosts America’s most famous birthday bash, which draws thousands of visitors and is nationally televised. The Boston Pops Orchestra leads the celebration on the banks of the Charles River, including performing a rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with real cannons and the ringing of church bells. The entire event ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the river. Pack a picnic lunch and get there early for a seat!
4th of July Celebration | Gorham, NH
Spanning multiple days leading up to and including the Fourth, this event features live music daily, plus a carnival, classic car show, three parades, and fireworks.
Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AUS_Navy_110704-N-GA722-456_Information_Technician_2nd_Class_Ryan_Flowers_interacts_with_a_child_during_the_Independence_Day_Parade_in_Eastport%2C_Mai.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>
4th of July Festival | Eastport, ME
The largest Fourth of July celebration in Maine, with dozens of scheduled events over the long holiday weekend, including a Grand Independence Day Parade with decorated floats, fireworks, live music, antique car show, craft fair, kids races, and food contests.
4th of July Parade | Groton, CT
Known for its fire engines, antique cars, floats, and marching bands, this community event draws out impressive crowds to celebrate America’s birthday and honor the town’s long military history (the US Navy has its primary submarine base here).
Fourth of July Town Celebration | Enfield, CT
This three-day celebration features a parade, road races, a car show, the Taste of Enfield food festival and beer garden, and several big cover-band musical acts. Everything wraps up with a spectacular fireworks show that’s not to be missed!
Credit: Old Sturbridge Village
Independence Celebration at Old Sturbridge Village | Sturbridge, MA
Old Sturbridge Village portrays life in a New England village in the 1830s. Celebrate July 4 the old-fashioned way, with a rousing patriotic reading of the Declaration of Independence, plus make a tri-corner hat, enjoy fife and drum music, learn dances, stroll the charming village, experience the firing of the museum’s reproduction cannon, and watch the parade.
Montpelier’s Independence Day Celebration | Montpelier, VT
In and around the state house, celebrate Independence Day with a road race, parade, bouncy houses, live music, evening fireworks, and more!
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration | Stowe, VT
A day-long extravaganza of food, music, entertainers, and events: favorites include a Main Street parade, an art and crafts sale, a running race, and a dance party. In the evening, everyone turns out for the incredible annual fireworks display over the open fields of Mayo Farm.
What are your picks for the best Fourth of July celebrations in New England?
This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated.
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We spend every July 3rd on the Grafton Town Common. The Grafton Lions Club has sponsored, for the past 30 plus years, a free concert. They put up a tent for the orchestra on the 2nd and people come and put their chairs out on the common. When they return on the following evening not a single chair has disappeared. They have different bands but this year will be the 215th Army National Guard Concert Band from Fall River. There is something very special about listening to a concert under the massive trees and knowing that it just doesn’t get any better than that.
Thank you for naming Eastport Maine. As a child growing up in Massachusetts we went to Eastport to visit my Grandparents most years. The whole family would be there and It was a wonderful time for us to see our aunts and uncles and cousins. Eastport goes all out to celebrate the Fourth. I have many fond memories of getting up early to go to the Calathumpian parade and going to town to participate in the games. I crawled around in sand for coins and did blueberry pie eating contest. Always so much fun. I toured the ships. We had a big cookout on the lawn at Grammies house Washington St.and watched the parade as it went by. In the evening we would walk up to Battery Field for the fireworks. Eastport is a wonderful place to be on the Fourth.
We love to spend the 4th of July in the Eastport Maine area. We will travel the whole area Lubec, Dennysville…….A lot of good old fashioned fun.
Going to “the 4th” is a Canadian tradition as well. Neighbours from Deer Island take the ferry, friends from nearby Canadian towns make the trip as well. The parade, the shops, the vendors and a hot dog from Rosie’s make it a day for the whole family to enjoy.
I grew up on Deer Island, New Brunswick, Canada- a 20min ferry ride away from Eastport, Maine. When we were kids, going to Eastport on the 4th was a highlight of summer. We would go to watch the parade, see and sometimes tour the navy ship in port, and get something to eat- lots of food vendors and of course ” Rosies” on the wharf, famous for the hotdogs! As an adult I don’t always make it back, but I do when my schedule permits, and I’m looking forward to being able to go the 4th in Eastport again this year!! ( now I drive 45 min from my nearby hometown ).
Wonderful to share our holiday with our friends to the North and Oh! Canada, we too stand on guard for thee.
the Enfield Celebration web site is http://www.enfieldcelebration.org
what happened to the huge parade in Pittsfield MA? Was live on PBS TV several times
Nashua New Hampshire has the 2nd best fireworks show I’ve ever seen in New England (2nd only to Boston).
What about Plymouth, Mass – America’s hometown? Loved living downtown go to the beach and then celebrate with the best fireworks over the harbor
I’m surprised Gorham made the list. There is like 6 rides, all from the early 80’s. The fireworks are generally not that good, no rode race, local bands, an elvis tribute…. need I go on?
Salem has quite the spectacular Fourth celebration too! Residents of Marblehead and Salem share a wonderful fireworks display over the harbor.
Bar Harbor Maine is my all time favorite!
I have lived in Boston all my life. I have to say that in 1976 there was a blowout celebration. Boston never fails to always put on a top show not just for the native residents, but for all our tourists. There is a week long celebration with something to do or see during both day and night. And during the day there is always something for the kids. Puppet shows, Children’s Theater, Children’s Museum, etc. No one is left out. And we love our tourists. Ask a question of a Bostonian, and they will have the right answer for you. For myself and my family, we no longer go into ‘see’ the Boston Pops. We watch it with the rest of the nation on TV, and then up to the roof top to watch the fireworks. Welcome to Boston. Enjoy your stay. We love having you.
Gloucester, MA has the best small town Fireworks display on the 3rd of July!
Amherst, NH will always be my family’s favorite!! Fireworks the night before, a wonderful parade up Main Street and festivities on the common!! New England at it’s best!
Have been returning to Eastport, ME 4th celebration for 54 years and will continue forever. Eastport is the epitome of Yankee Spirit with a working harbor and out of this world sunrises thrown in. Nothing says “down-home like Eastport.