Best Places to Celebrate the 4th of July in the USA for 2024

Get ready for fireworks! Fire up the grill, enjoy the night sky, and remember to keep your ears safe – the 4th of July is one of America's most lively and vibrant holidays, and this year's celebrations are set to be extraordinary.

From iconic events and grand city displays to adventurous rodeos in the Wild West, discover the top spots to celebrate US Independence Day in 2024.

1. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Experience Historical Re-enactments

A 4th of July celebration without fireworks? For many, this is a refreshing change from the usual barrage of loud explosions. If you're looking to avoid the chaos of fireworks, consider visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota for a unique Independence Day experience. Want to meet the presidents? Re-enactors will portray the four figures depicted in the sculpture (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt). On July 3, these re-enactors will host a press conference in the Carvers’ Marketplace, and yes, you can even ask them questions!

On July 3 and 4, the faux presidents will mingle with guests and sign autographs. Each night at 9pm, enjoy the traditional lighting ceremony of the sculpture from the park's amphitheater, along with live music and performances. Local Tip: While park access is free, be aware that parking fees apply.

2. New York City, New York

Experience a stunning array of celebrations featuring fireworks

Home to Lady Liberty, New York City pulls out all the stops for America's birthday, with events spread across its five boroughs. In Brooklyn, brave souls gather at Coney Island for Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, followed by a Cyclones baseball game and an evening fireworks display. Meanwhile, Staten Island's small town of Travis showcases stars and stripes in a historic parade that dates back to 1911.

However, nothing compares to Macy's Fourth of July Spectacular — one of the largest fireworks displays in the nation. The festivities kick off around 9:30pm, featuring over 65,000 shells launched from five barges on the Hudson River.

Local tip: Traditionally, Macy's fireworks display has been hosted over the East River, so if you usually watch from there, you'll need to find a new spot this year. For the best view from Manhattan, head west between 14th and 34th streets. Keep an eye out for Macy's announcement of prime viewing locations coming soon.

3. Huntington Beach, California

Enjoy sunny weather, a fun run, and fireworks over the ocean

When Huntington Beach, the surf capital of SoCal, hosted its inaugural Fourth of July celebration in 1904, around 50,000 people attended. Today, this sunny suburb of Los Angeles draws in 500,000 attendees, making it the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi.

Participants can enjoy four days packed with events, including an all-American 5K city-to-surf race (with a kids' fun run as well), a float-filled parade along historic Main Street, and the Pier Plaza Festival, which offers live entertainment, amusement rides, and delicious food from various vendors. The festivities culminate on July 4th with a stunning fireworks display over Huntington Beach Pier at 9pm.

Planning tip: To secure your spot for the fireworks over the ocean, consider purchasing an early bird ticket in advance for $42.

4. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Experience a journey back in time with patriotic sing-alongs

July 4th celebrates American history, and nowhere embodies that spirit quite like Colonial Williamsburg — an authentic 18th-century town where re-enactors immerse visitors in the nation’s earliest days. Begin your day with Thomas Jefferson reading the Declaration of Independence from the Capitol building's West Balcony, then embark on the Freedom's Paradox tour to explore the contradiction of American liberty and slavery.

At 8pm, gather at Palace Green for Lights of Freedom. This concert features American marching tunes, a patriotic sing-along, and selections from George Frideric Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks — a perfect prelude to the actual fireworks display at 9:30pm. Palace Green and Market Square offer the best views of this vibrant spectacle.

Planning tip: Admission is free, but make sure to reserve a ticket in advance.

5. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Experience Americana, a rodeo, and fireworks set against the mountains

Picturesque Jackson Hole is the perfect spot for a Wild West-themed July 4th celebration. The annual festivities kick off with a community pancake breakfast in Town Square. Following that, a lively parade featuring horses, clowns, and all the elements of a classic John Wayne film proceeds, culminating in a shootout reenactment.

For those craving more cowboy culture, finish the night with a traditional rodeo at the Teton County Fairgrounds. While the evening fireworks at Teton Village and Snow King Mountain are breathtaking (scheduled for July 3 and 4), nothing compares to the sunset behind the Grand Tetons' snow-capped peaks — arguably the nation’s most stunning light display.

6. Seward, Alaska

Experience extreme sports

Seward's fireworks are set to launch at 12:01 am due to Alaska's midnight sun, making the late-night spectacle feel like an afterthought. The highlight in this small port town is the Mount Marathon Race, established in 1915.

Each year, Seward's population swells from 3,000 to 30,000 as spectators gather to witness the race, known as the world's toughest 5K. Join the throngs as fearless competitors ascend and descend a 3,022-foot peak overlooking Resurrection Bay, all vying for the title of marathon champion. The challenging route — filled with thick roots, loose shale, and muddy waterfalls — isn't for the timid, but participants earn bragging rights for life.

7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Join in on month-long celebrations, including an outdoor concert

The City of Brotherly Love is where America's founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, so it's no surprise that locals take the Fourth of July very seriously. Festivities kick off on June 19th, featuring a series of free museum days, outdoor films, and live performances, culminating in a holiday weekend filled with national pride.

On July 2, participate in a free event at Carpenters’ Hall, the historic site of the First Continental Congress, which laid the groundwork for American independence 250 years ago. On July 4th, don't miss the “Salute To Independence Day Parade” starting at 11 am. Then at 7 pm, the Parkway transforms into an outdoor concert featuring Ne-Yo and Kesha in 2024, concluding with fireworks.

8. Aptos, California

Experience small-town America with the world's shortest parade

For a quirky celebration of small-town charm, Aptos is the place to be — a quaint village on the Monterey Bay famous for hosting the world's shortest parade.

The parade route may only stretch 0.6 miles, but don't underestimate its impact — this charming town draws thousands of spectators each year, with the festivities lasting a couple of hours. The fun begins at 10 am on Soquel Drive and State Park Drive. After the parade, head to Aptos Village Park, where locals gather on ten acres of green to celebrate throughout the afternoon.

9. Nashville, Tennessee

Experience music ranging from American gospel to symphony and everything in between

Music City, USA truly embraces its title with an exhilarating holiday filled with performances from renowned artists. Headlining Let Freedom Sing! Music City in Downtown Nashville is Chris Young, alongside acts like YOLA, Girl Named Tom, and gospel sensation Blessing Offor. Don't miss the Food Truck Court on Rep. John Lewis Way at 5th street for delicious local treats, including Moosic City ice cream, Tennessee Cobbler Co., and Kona Ice. This Fourth of July will also feature one of the country’s largest fireworks displays, synchronized with a live performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.

10. Addison, Texas

Join for the largest pyro-palooza fireworks extravaganza

3500 pounds of fireworks and 500,000 spectators—everything is indeed larger in Texas, especially in this suburb just north of Dallas. On July 3rd, Addison presents Kaboom Town!—a half-hour fireworks extravaganza that lights up the night sky.

Restaurants and hotels host viewing parties for visitors, with the rockets' red glare visible from nearly every spot. If you plan to attend, make sure to stretch your neck and shoulders beforehand, as a patriotic airshow precedes the fireworks, keeping you looking up for most of the evening.

11. Boston, Massachusetts

Join in for enriching Independence Day festivities

Strolling through Boston's historic cobblestone streets, you'll encounter Revolutionary War landmarks like Bunker Hill and Paul Revere's burial site. This rich history makes Beantown a prime destination for 4th of July celebrations, and the city certainly meets those expectations.

Festivities kick off on June 30 at Downtown Crossing (DTX), where visitors can explore an Arts and Crafts market, engage with re-enactors and crew from the USS Constitution (the oldest floating ship), and enjoy tunes from the 215th Army Band. The DTX celebration continues on July 1st with free performances leading up to the Harborfest fireworks at 9pm.

On July 4th, participate in a short parade from City Hall Plaza to the Old State House (constructed in 1713), where the Declaration of Independence will be read. The day culminates with the Boston Pops' annual Fourth of July Spectacular at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, featuring a thrilling performance of the 1812 Overture accompanied by cannons and fireworks lighting up the sky.

12. Fire Island Pines, New York

Join in for a vibrant Pride celebration

Independence Day on Fire Island is a spectacular drag affair. Each summer, queens and kings of all kinds take a ferry from Cherry Grove to the Pines, two LGBTQI+ sanctuaries off Long Island. This event, known as the Invasion of the Pines, remembers the summer of 1976 when a Pines restaurant denied service to a Cherry Grove drag queen due to their attire. On July 4th, a group of queens staged a protest by 'invading' the Pines, only to receive free drinks and applause in return.

Today, hundreds of extravagantly dressed partygoers make the same journey. Upon arriving at the Pines Marina, they walk down a red carpet into the welcoming embrace of enthusiastic onlookers. As the runway concludes, the celebration continues at bars along Harbor Walk. While the event may not specifically commemorate Independence Day, it undeniably honors the spirit of American liberation.