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
Frank “Dutch” Cleenput Annual 4th of July Softball Game
Cliff Gennarelli Sports Plex, Paramus
Whether you’re a fan of Paramus Finest or Paramus Bravest, watch as police and firemen compete for the trophy and bragging rights.
Medford Celebrates
Freedom Park, Medford
There will be live music, food, kids’ activities and fireworks at night.
Freedom Festival
Wiggins Park, Camden
The Gin Blossoms and Tara Hendricks will perform before a giant fireworks display over the river.
A Revolutionary Celebration
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Join General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron von Steuben for this annual celebration featuring a reenactment of the fue de joie (fire of joy) that took place on July 4, 1778. The Libby Prison Minstrels and Mark Heter Band will perform live music.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
Jersey Freeze, Freehold Borough
Sign up to eat as many hot dogs as you can – or watch as others do.
July 4
Oceanfest
Long Branch
This annual 4th of July celebration is one of the biggest in NJ. Along the beachfront, enjoy performances by dancers, musicians, clowns and musical acts; sample from food vendors; check out displays from crafters from all over the Northeast; see a fabulous sand sculpture; take a photo with a costumed character; and bring a blanket for the nighttime fireworks display.
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Join Willie and his friends on Independence Day in the birthplace of America, with Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples, and Celisse.
July 4 in the Wildwoods
The Wildwoods
Activities on Independence Day include a Family Parade in North Wildwood, a Patriotic Pooch Parade in North Wildwood, the Sunset Lake Live Music Series with Kat Rivers in Wildwood Crest, the Wildwood Crest Summer Music Series Special 4th of July Show in Wildwood Crest, the Downtown Wildwood July 4th Party with The Juliano Brothers Band in Wildwood, and the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on the boardwalk in Wildwood.
Bergen County’s Star-Spangled Spectacular
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The festive afternoon includes entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a historic military flyover, music by the New Jersey Wind Symphony and fireworks over Overpeck Creek.
Independence Day Celebration
Middlebrook Camp Ground, Martinsville (Bound Brook)
Washington Camp Ground Association has invited its High School Scholarship Awardees from Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Middlesex and Somerset County Vo-Tech to read the Declaration of Independence. Other activities include the lowering of the American flag, raising of a new flag, singing of the National Anthem and awarding of the scholarships to local area high school students.
Paramus 4th of July Parade
Farview Avenue, Paramus
The parade starts at the intersection of East Century Road and Farview Avenue. It proceeds northward on Farview Avenue before ending at the Grand Stand located at Memorial Elementary School.
Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
Wilsey Square and Veterans Field, Ridgewood
The morning will start with a flag-raising and parade. At night, come back for music, food trucks, a beer garden and fireworks.
July 4 Races, Contests & Home Run Derby and Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
Stone Harbor Recreation Fields, Stone Harbor
Hit the ground running on July 4 with races and a home run derby. At night, there will be a pre-fireworks concert by the BLT Band.
4th of July
Union Lake Park, Millville
There will be food, games, vendors, music and fireworks.
Independence Day in Millburn/Short Hills
Millburn High School, Millburn
Start the morning with a flag-raising ceremony and Patriot Award ceremony. In the afternoon, there is family fun including a magician, Kids’ DJ Dance Party, face painting, stilt walking and a train ride. At night the main event is DJ entertainment, food and ice cream trucks before fireworks light up the sky.
July 4th Celebration
Community Arts Center, East Brunswick
There will be food trucks, children’s entertainers, a performance by the East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra, music by DJ Nick Devine and a fireworks show.
Annual July 4 Celebration
Florham Park
Florham Park is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and the 4th of July celebration includes a parade, family picnic, adult social garden, rides for the kids and a spectacular fireworks show.
Summit’s 4th of July Celebration
Soldiers Memorial Field, Summit
The festival includes amusement rides, a food truck festival, flag raising ceremony, decorating contest for kid’s bikes, parade, rock concerts, children’s music, a magic show and fireworks.
Jubilee at Morven
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
At one of the most historic properties in Princeton, there will be patriotic activities, food trucks and entertainment in the gardens.
Independence Day Parade
Alcyon Park, Pitman
Line the streets to see the floats and displays. There will be a quiet zone for kids and adults who are averse to loud noises.
Painting the Town Red, White & Blue
Milltown
All of the town favorites return: a fishing derby, 5K race, parade, duck race, pizza eating contest, patriotic house contest, bike contest, and music of all kinds.
Reading of the Declaration on Independence
Freehold Borough Fire House, Freehold
Be a part of history as you read a highlighted section of our nation’s founding papers.
A Revolutionary Celebration
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Watch history come alive right before your eyes as George Washington and the Continental Army reenact the celebration of the second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1778, with cannon fire and a musket salute. You can talk with historical interpreters, explore historic buildings, enjoy patriotic music by the Mark Heter Band, see a 19th-century printing press in action, enjoy children’s crafts and watch stone carving.
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 Baby & Youth Parade kicks off before the main Main Civic Parade. At night, come back for music and fireworks.
4th of July Celebration
Rebecca Finn House, Toms River
Bring your lawn chairs to watch the fireworks display from the B&B. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and salads served.
Taylor Swift Tribute Event and Fireworks
Madison Resort, Wildwood Crest
Listen to the music of T. Swift and then stay for fireworks along the beach.
Fourth of July Parade
Oradell
Show off your patriotism by lining the sidewalks during this July 4 parade.
Paramus 4th of July Fireworks Show
Cliff Gennarelli Sports Plex, Paramus
There will be live music and food vendors all day, and then a fireworks show at night.
4th of July Pier 14 BBQ
Pier 14, Hoboken
Support the Hoboken Historical Museum through this fundraiser, which includes a BBQ dinner (veggie options included) and a fireworks show along the 700-foot-long pier.
Middle Twp. 4th of July Festival and Fireworks
Goshen Sports Complex, Cape May Court House
There will be craft and food vendors, live music, games, a pie-eating contest, and fireworks.
Riverton 4th of July
Multiple locations
There’s a whole host of activities to celebrate America’s birthday. From June 29 to July 4, take part in the house decorating contest. A cocktail party at Riverton Yacht Club is on June 20. The annual free Concert in the Park featuring Craig Bickhardt and JEM and the Vibe is June 30 at Riverton Memorial Park. Kids can decorate their bikes on July 3 for the 4th of July Children’s Parde on July 4. Also on July 4 are the Bill Oliver 5K, 1 Mile Fun for Fun, park festivities, The Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race, pet pageant, and raft race.
Fourth of July Celebration
Congress Hall, Cape May
A tradition that has spanned over 200 summers, this beloved celebration is a staple of the season at Cape Resorts and pays homage to the rich history of Congress Hall, where renowned U.S. presidents have frequented in years past. There will be fun and games on the lawn, amongst displays of patriotic pride. Blue the Pig will make an appearance. Kids can hop on the train ride. There will be live music from the Atlantic City Syncopators, a sing-along with the Congress Hall Festival Choir, and then a patriotic musical tribute. After a performance of the National Anthem, the fireworks will light up the sky over the beach.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Pete Sensi Park, Allentown
To celebrate America’s 248th birthday, residents from Allentown and Upper Freehold Township will publicly read the Declaration of Independence for everyone to hear.
July 4th Fireworks Cruise
Pier 83, New York, NY
Circle Line will sail down the Hudson River, with gorgeous views of the NYC skyline and Macy’s fireworks display. There will be a buffet and Firecracker Signature cocktail on board, among other foods and drinks.
Fourth of July Experiences
One World Observatory, New York, NY
The highest observation deck in New York is giving you the chance to celebrate the Fourth of July 1,268 feet above ground so you can watch the Macy’s fireworks. Choose from an all-inclusive dinner at ONE Dine, including two drinks and appetizers; or an experience from 8-11 pm that offers a voucher for the cafe, bar or gift shop.
Sesame Place Summer Nights
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
There will be a 4th of July festival along with fireworks at night.
Fourth of July Fireworks Party
Empire State Building, New York, NY
You’ll have the building’s Observatory all to yourself (and 200 others). The party will be catered by in-house flagship restaurant STATE Grill and Bar. The evening includes beer and wine, DJs, and Americana-themed hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef Morgan Jarrett including soft pretzels, hot dogs, mini reuben sandwiches, burger sliders, cotton candy, and snow cones. Check out the Macy’s fireworks display from the 86th floor open air observation deck at 1,050 feet.
Independence Day Takeout Package
Pinstripes Paramus, Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Come by the restaurant for lunch and stay for bowling and bocce. If you’d rather take the party to your house, order the 4th of July grilling takeout package, whose a la carte items include Chicago-style baby back ribs, grilled pesto chicken skewers, tenderloin sliders, Italian meatball sliders, loaded mac & cheese, parmesan potato chips, caramelized cheesecake, Ghirardelli triple chocolate brownies and classic tiramisu.
Fourth of July All-Day Event
Halifax, Hoboken
Before watching the fireworks along the river, stop by the waterfront restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There will be a casual dining experience on the north patio or at the counter service. There will be a partnership with a local brewery for a Halifax Burger and beer.
Applebee’s
Multiple Locations
All Doherty-owned restaurants in NJ will let kids eat free when you dine in as long as an adult orders their own entree.
July 4-5
July 4th Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Celebrate America’s birthday at Jersey’s major theme park. More info will be released soon, but we know there will be fireworks to cap off each night.
July 4 & 6
4th of July Parade
Amherst Road, Audubon
On July 4, after the parade, there are family athletics activities (wheel barrow race, frog jump, balloon toss, potato sack race) and an open house by the Audubon Volunteer Fire Department. On July 6, there will be a live band, presentation of parade awards, food trucks, vendors and fireworks.
July 4-7
Red, White & Blueberries BBQ Bash
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Celebrate Independence Day weekend and National Blueberry Month with lots of food, live music, old-fashioned lawn games, bubble making, watermelon eating contests, and lots of blueberries.
July 5
Independence Celebration
Sadowski Parkway, Perth Amboy
An all-day festival with food vendors, artisans and performers precedes the musical acts and fireworks show.
Spark in the Park
Immaculate Conception School Field, Spotswood
Spotswood and Helmetta share the party planning, complete with food trucks, music, children’s entertainment, and a drone show at dusk.
July 6
East Windsor Independence Day Celebration
Etra Lake Park, East Windsor
Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band, a 6-piece band from the Delaware Valley area, will play its traditional jazz sound. Then, the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, a 6-piece ensemble from Central Jersey, will perform “Americana” and a variety of popular melodies. Fireworks will follow the show.
Independence Day Light Show
Taylor Pavilion Field, Belmar
Computerized lighting and music to celebrate July 4 is followed by fireworks to celebrate USA’s birthday and honor the veterans who’ve protected our freedoms.
Red, Wine & Blueberry 5K Run
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Dress in your most patriotic outfit and get geared up to run a 5K with other adults toward the lake, or one mile with the kids.
Independence Weekend
Ocean Grove
The parade takes place in the morning, rain or shine, followed with a patriotic concert at night at the Great Auditorium.
The Great American Cookout
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
The Independence Day celebration includes patriotic music by The Red Hot Ramblers Dixie Band, burgers and dogs by Ottoburger, a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, and sparklers for children.
July 7
Star Spangled Bash
Historic Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
There will be 4th of July-themed snacks, crafts, and activities. There will be snow cones, sand art, outdoor games and more.
July 11-13
Randolph Twp.’s Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, Randolph
This year, expect the return of mechanical rides, and bracelet night on Thursday and Friday. Each night, there will be live music, food trucks and food vendors, an expanded beer garden, carnival games, knockerball, and axe-throwing. Fireworks are planned for Saturday night.
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