Ring in America’s birthday at one of these July 4th events (which have fireworks and parades, of course) but so much more to do, too! Check dates, times, locations and weather before heading out.
July 3
Westfield Community Concert Band Summer Concert Series
Mindowaskin Park, Westfield
A special Independence Day program features special appearances by Westfield’s Towne Crier and the Westfields Chapter of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Hot Dog Eating Contest & Fireworks Party
Jersey Freeze, Freehold
Before the fireworks light up the sky over Freehold Raceway, come to Jersey Freeze for a cup or cone, and watch as pro eaters down as many hot dogs as they can.
Southside Wanderers
Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Lawrenceville
The Independence Day concert will feature patriotic anthems like America the Beautiful and God Bless the USA, alongside summer classics such as Summertime and Summer in the City.
July 3-4
Fourth of July Parade
Memorial Field, Oradell
July 3 is the pre-party, with food trucks and fireworks. Show off your patriotism by lining the sidewalks on July 4 for the parade, which will be followed by a DJ, games, a wet down and a beer garden.
July 3, 4, 6
Paramus 4th of July
Paramus
Firefighters and police officers battle it out on the softball field on July 3. The parade kicks off at 9 am on Friday. The food truck festival and fireworks show takes place on Sunday, hosted by the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department.
July 4
Riverton 4th of July
Multiple locations, Riverton
There’s a whole host of activities to celebrate America’s birthday. Bring your dancing shoes to the Cocktail Party at Riverton Yacht Club on June 28. The annual free Concert in the Park on June 29 features Max & the Magics, and JEM & The Vibe. The house decorating contest wraps up on July 2. A bike decorating workshop will be held on July 3. July 4 includes: the Bill Oliver 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run, Riverton 4th of July Children’s Parade, park festivities, pet pageant, The Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race, and raft race.
A Revolutionary Celebration: Independence Day on the Raritan
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Step back in time and celebrate Independence Day on the banks of the Raritan River. The day will kick off with the inaugural Revolutionary Celebration Run 5K race, followed by historical stories presented by reenactors, patriotic-themed music, a fife and drum performance, and food. You’ll also have access to the nearby Cornelius Low House Museum.
Freedom Festival
Wiggins Park, Camden
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees The Spinners will perform their hit songs, along with Matt Cappy & Friends. The night closes with a fireworks spectacular.
Patriotic Pooch Parade
North Wildwood
The only thing cuter than kids marching down the street is pups doing the same! The parade will include prizes for the best-decorated bikes, strollers, scooters and golf carts.
OceanFest
Long Branch
One of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in NJ takes place along the beach, complete with music, activities, food trucks, live bands, and fireworks at dusk.
Firecracker 4-Miler and Fun Run
Nomahegan Park, Cranford
Open to professional runners as well as families, you can spend the morning of July 4th on a fast, flat course through the tree-lined streets and biking trails of town on a 4-mile route or a 1-mile family fun run. After the race, stay for music, popcorn, ice pops, other snacks and face painting while listening to a DJ and watching the prize ceremony.
July 4th Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Morristown National Historical Park, Washington’s Headquarters, Morristown
The “Warm-Up for the Declaration” led be a Park Ranger dressed in period clothing entertaining the crowd is followed by the reading of the Declaration. Eighteenth-century stories, jokes and riddles are part of the fun. When the reading is done, you are welcome to participate in a mock salute called a feu de joie (musket salute). After, the Ford Mansion will be open for self-guided tours, and Jockey Hollow’s grounds and trails will be open.
Fourth of July Festival
Morven Museum & Garden and Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton
Stop by Morven for artmaking, garden tours, face painting, music from the Vintage Vibe Tribe, food trucks, and a chance to sign the Declaration of Independence. At Princeton Battlefield State Park, visit the historic Clarke House and hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Ridgewood 4th of July
Ridgewood
Join a flag-raising ceremony in Wilsey Square prior to Ridgewood’s parade. At night, come back for live music, food trucks, a beer garden and fireworks.
Fourth of July Parade and Celebration
Ridgefield Park
The parade, founded in 1894, is one of the oldest in the U.S., and the oldest in New Jersey. The Program Cover Art Contest for school-aged kids and Home and Business Decorating Contest take place before the parade. Then, on the day of, the Declaration of Independence will be read at the Memorial Plaza, followed by the Flag Raising Ceremony by the Boy and Girl Scouts. The Fire Department and Emergency Units will present their personnel and equipment for review before the Baby & Youth Parade kicks off prior to the Main Civic Parade. At night, come back for music and fireworks.
Jersey City Night Market: July 4 Fireworks & Food Festival
City Hall – Ancillary Lot, Jersey City
There will be more than 80 food vendors, creators and makers; plus family-friendly activities. A DJ will be stationed on every block. Certain bar areas will be set up for adults. Watch the fireworks show over the Hudson River.
The Great American Vineyard Cookout
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
Families are invited to spend July 4 listening to live patriotic music, eating gourmet burgers and dogs by Ottoburger, listening to a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, and handling sparklers for children.
Mountain Creek Resort’s July 4th Fireworks Celebration
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
Ride the Sky Ride or Alpine Mountain Coaster, relax on the Great Lawn, order from the Biergarten, listen to The Spins perform, head to the petting zoo, or bring kids to the bounce house or cornhole. Fireworks go off after sunset.
Lebanon Boro 4th of July Parade
Sutton Place to Holjes-Shepard Memorial Park, Lebanon
In tribute to the patriots who helped found our country and those who have helped protect our freedom since then, the 78th annual parade will step off with the theme “Honoring Our Patriots.” Expect an afternoon of civic pride, patriotic displays, music, family-friendly games, and free food and drinks.
Hoboken July 4th
Pier A Park, Hoboken
There will be live bands, DJs, a beer garden and food trucks. You’ll have riverfront views of both the Macy’s and Jersey City fireworks.
4th of July Celebration
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan
The celebration includes children’s artillery and infantry drills, plus the firing of a full-sized Revolutionary War cannon replica.
July 4th at Monmouth Park: Honoring First Responders
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
The racetrack is open to the public for family activities and live horse racing, but vets will be treated extra special with free admission.
Bergen County’s Star Spangled Spectacular
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The second annual patriotic afternoon has children’s activities, two dozen food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and fireworks over Overpeck Creek – plus the return of the New Jersey Wind Symphony with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with live artillery from Howitzer cannons.
Independence Day Parade
Haddon Twp.
Watch as bands, floats, fire trucks, pets and bikes travel along Haddon Avenue to Crystal Lake Avenue in their patriotic best, ending at the Crystal Lake Pool Complex where the first 300 attendees get free hot dogs. You can swim in the pool, too.
Independence Day Picnic
Dey Mansion – Washington’s Headquarters, Wayne
The afternoon of patriotic festivities includes lawn games, live music, food and all-American fun.
Reading of The Declaration of Independence & Independence Day Parade
Indian King Tavern Museum, Haddonfield
A public reading of the infamous document will take place on the steps of the museum. After, find a spot on the streets for the community parade, and meet the re-enactors of the militia. The museum will be open after the parade.
Summit’s 4th of July Celebration
Soldiers Memorial Field, Summit
The festival includes amusement rides, a food truck festival, flag raising ceremony, a Children’s Decorated Bicycle Parade, rock concerts, children’s music, a dance party, a juggler, sand art, glow-in-the-dark merch, and fireworks.
Milltown: Remembering the Past, Igniting the Future
Milltown
All of the town favorites return for the 100th anniversary celebration: a fishing derby, 5K race, parade, duck race, pizza eating contest, patriotic house contest, bike contest, and music of all kinds.
July 4th Sha-BBQ
Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains
All are welcome to this community barbecue, which will be followed by an outdoor Shabbat Service.
Historic Smithville Parade
Historic Smithville, Galloway
More than 170 units will march in the parade, with around 10,000 spectators expected to line the streets.
Stars N’ Stripes Concert
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
This patriotic tribute to America’s greatest classic composers comes from Rodgers and Hammerstein, George Gershwin and more.
Monclair 4th of July
Bloomfield and Midland avenues, Montclair
After veterans, marching bands, antique cars and bubble dancers make their way through Montclair, head to Edgemont Park for a community picnic.
Mothers of Margate Association’s July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Huntington Avenue, Margate
Set up your beach chair for when the fireworks light up the sky above the beach.
Federal Twist Vineyard Celebration
Federal Twist Vineyards, Stockton
There will be live music from Wood ’N’ Strings, plus wine tastings all day.
New York 4th of July Signature Fireworks Dinner Cruise
Pier 15, New York, NY
Sail around Manhattan as you wait for the massive fireworks display over NYC. There will be a buffet dinner, DJ music and dancing for the whole family. City Cruises will also offer a separate sail aboard a European Bateaux.
Red, White & Blueberries BBQ Bash
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
While you celebrate Independence Day, you can also show your love for New Jersey’s state fruit (National Blueberry Month is July). The festival will include all-American grilled favorites, a petting zoo, a balloon toss, three-legged races, a watermelon-eating contest, the Stars & Stripes Strut, and musical performers. Throughout July, Peddler’s Village restaurants, eateries, and tasting rooms will feature blueberry-themed food and drink specials.
July 4-6
July 4th Fest
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
To celebrate America’s birthday, Elmo will be dressed in his patriotic attire. Friday night is the special “C is for Celebrate” fireworks show.
July 4-8
Heritage Weekend: History Was Made Here
Trenton
Highlights of the weekend include a Democracy Day picnic, walking tours, museum tours, history chats, and the 249th annual proclamation of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 at 12 pm on Warren Street – which is at the same location and time as the first reading of the Declaration in Trenton in 1776.
Red, White & Celebrate Weekend
Old York Cellars, Ringoes
There will be live music, a BBQ, wine and cocktails, and live music all weekend.
July 6
4th of July Summer Concert Series
Gazebo, Bay Boulevard, Lavalette
The July 6 concert, with Patriotic Band, is part of Independence Day fireworks.
Independence Day Celebration
Clifton Stadium, Clifton
For the first time in more than 50 years, the 2025 Independence Day Celebration will include a carnival featuring live entertainment, food trucks, a bounce house, carnival rides and games, costumed characters, a two-hour concert by the Clifton Community Band alongside, and a major fireworks show.
Through July 6
Fourth of July Week
The Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
The Red, White, & Blue To-Do on July 2 includes the Pomp & Parade, Wawa Welcome America’s All-American Block Party and music in the plaza. There’s an exhibit on Revolutionary War flags, guided gallery tours and neighborhood walking tours, first-person talks by reenactors, and a discovery cart with activities for kids.
July 10-12
Randolph Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, Morris Twp.
There will be live music, amusements, carnival games, a beer garden, mechanical rides, and food trucks. The fireworks take place Saturday night.
Previous Events:
June 25-27
Montville Twp. 4th of July Celebration
Montville Twp. High School, Montville
There will be rides, a car show, food trucks, featured bands and eating contests. Fireworks are at 9:15 pm on Friday.
June 28
An Evening Under the Stars
Woolsey Park, Titusville
The early Independence Day celebration held by the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association will include a classic custom car exhibit, music by Castle Lane Band, and fireworks.
July 2
New Jersey Symphony Patriotic Favorites
Provost Square Plaza, Jersey City
Get your patriotic spirit on as you listen to American favorites played by brass musicians of the New Jersey Symphony.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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