Best Fourth of July Fireworks Shows

Seattle Fireworks Show

Over 50,000 locals congregate each year for Washington Mutual’s fireworks display, hosted on Lake Union and including 2,300 shells with 10,000 effects over 21 minutes.

Disneyworld Fireworks Show

Disney theme parks are renowned for their elaborate fireworks shows and the Fourth of July celebration is no exception. The 13-minute show features shells launched from 24 different locations, including from the clock tower of Cinderella’s Castle, surrounding spectators on Main Street.

Idaho Falls Fireworks Show

The Idaho Falls annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration includes not only the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi River, but also a buffet dinner and a performance by the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra. The fireworks themselves are coordinated by computers to ensure each shell is in tune with the patriotic music.

New Orleans Fireworks Show

New Orleans’ fireworks display takes on the spirit of the city in the aptly named “Go 4th on the River Dueling Fireworks Extravaganza.” Two barges duel it out, painting a stunning story in the sky over the city while revelers party below.

Atlantic City Fireworks Show

Make reservations in advanced for the Fourth of July celebration in Atlantic City, jointly-hosted by the casinos in town and spared no expense. The best places to views are, of course, from the beach or the boardwalk and the fireworks displays have in prior years been orchestrated by Fireworks by Grucci, the same company that creates shows for the Olympics and a number of presidential inaugurations.

Philadelphia Fireworks Show

It’s only fitting that Philadelphia, the birthplace of the country, as well as the site of the first Independence Day celebration, (hosted on Thomas Jefferson’s lawn) is now the home of an annual weeklong celebration full of family friendly activities and concluding with the Sounds of Liberty Concert and the giant fireworks display over the city. The Liberty Bell and the Independence Mall both have extended hours during the week-long festival.

New York Fireworks Show

More than 3 million people show up each year for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, which incorporates more than 40,000 shells synchronized across six barges in the East River. The show is a full 30 minutes long and is the second largest fireworks display of the year, falling short only to Thunder over Louisville, which launches the Kentucky Derby each year.

Lake Tahoe Fireworks Show

The Lake Tahoe fireworks show is one of the largest shows west of the Mississippi and is especially stunning as the fireworks are launched from a barge on the lake making them visible from any surrounding spot on the lake. The fireworks are made even more brilliant thanks to the stunning reflections of Lake Tahoe’s clear, deep waters. Music is synchronized on the local radio station as locals and visitors crowd on the shores and even on boats in the lake to enjoy the show.

Washington D.C. Fireworks Show

At under 20 minutes, the fireworks show in Washington, DC is relatively short, especially compared to the rest of our list. But the patriotic fervor that surrounds the capitol city on this day makes this the most exciting place to celebrate Independence Day. The fireworks are launched right in the center of the National Mall and designed to burst just above the Washington Monument. Be sure to catch the National Independence Day Parade earlier in the day

Boston Fireworks Show

Boston hosts more than just a fireworks show each fourth of July, much more in fact. The annual Boston Harborfest, which kicks off each year at the end of June and goes through the holiday, is home to over 200 patriotic-themed events, including the Chowderfest and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The highlight is, of course, the free Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Display, which takes pyrotechnicians two weeks to load and wire. 500,000 people turn up each year on the Charles River to watch the tens of thousands of fireworks burst in time with the orchestra and culminating in the 1812 Overturn by Tchaikovsky.