Boston hosts hundreds of activities during the 4th of July weekend. Local celebration is famous for the huge Boston Harborfest, which lasts four days. The most anticipated festivities include the Flag Raising Ceremony followed by the parade, Boston Pops Firework Spectacular, the Somerville fireworks and the Braintree Day.
Boston Harborfest (July 1–4, 2024)
Boston Harborfest is known as the country’s largest 4th of July celebration. It includes historical reenactments, artillery parades, boat tours, an arts market, and, of course, plenty of music and entertainment. The festival takes place all throughout the Downtown Crossing, Christopher Columbus Park, and Rose Kennedy Greenway.
The opening ceremony usually takes place at Faneuil Hall at 12 pm on July 1st and will include a roving reenactment from the USS Constitution and the Massachusetts 215th Army Band performance. Boston officials will cut the cake to mark the beginning of the whirlwind of celebration.
Entertainment Schedule
The festival has no shortage of options for entertainment. Starting from Christopher Columbus Park Activations on July 2nd and 3rd at 1 pm, the organizers promise a load of fun for all attendees. The program includes a multitude of child-friendly activities, so don’t hesitate to bring your children along. Another highlight of the event is the annual Chowderfest, a tasting of everyone's favorite seafood dish from local restaurants, which takes place at 2 pm on July 3rd.
Boston Harborfest Fireworks Display (July 2, 2024)
Boston Harborfest has the means to impress and puts on a spectacular fireworks show on the second day of the celebration. To raise the audience's anticipation for the display, local musicians will perform at the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park stage as part of the Pre-Fireworks concert from 6 to 9 pm. The fireworks spectacle is set to begin at 9:15 pm. The pyrotechnics are launched from the barge at Long Wharf but can be seen from anywhere in the Inner Harbor.
Flag Raising Ceremony & Parade (July 4, 2024)
The city's official flag-raising ceremony and the artillery parade are included as part of the Boston Harborfest. The flag is raised in the City Hall Plaza at 9 am and is followed by a procession that stops at the Granary Burying Grounds to lay wreaths for American heroes and at the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed in 1776.
Every year at 10 am, the Declaration is read again from the same balcony of the Old State House by the current Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. The pinnacle of the celebration is a spectacular frigate USS Constitution that will travel from Charleston to Castle Island and back.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (July 4, 2024)
Boston Pops Fireworks is another local 4th of July tradition, held annually by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble and other artists put on free performances for the Boston public. The seating for this event is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so consider showing up earlier to grab a seat. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Fireworks Spectacular, which makes the celebration even more special.
The concert will be held at 8 pm at the DCR Hatch Shell along Charles River Esplanade and broadcast live on WHDH and Bloomberg TV. The fireworks finale will start at about 10:30 from the banks of the Charles River.
Somerville 4th of July Fireworks (June, 2024)
By venturing just 5 miles northwest of Boston, you will be greeted by the marvellous sights of Somerville, a cheerful city with its own Somerville Firework Spectacular. Usually held at Trum Field, the festivities start at 6 pm and span until late at night, after the fireworks display. The main entertainment of the event is the live music performances by local talents and DJ Philip Tan, who is the public's favorite. If dancing isn't your cup of tea, feel free to sit back and relax while eating fried dough, cotton candy or any other snacks available.
Braintree Day (June 29, 2024)
The town of Braintree is located just 14 miles (22 km) south of Boston and is another great destination to spend your 4th of July in, if you're in the area. The municipality holds an annual Braintree Day, which usually takes place right before Independence Day at Braintree High School. The organizers promise loads of fun to their visitors, starting with the Stars & Stripes Parade on Washington Street. The procession will depart from 10 Plain Street and stop at Hollis School.
Braintree celebration continues from 4 pm to 8:30 pm with live musical performances and family-friendly entertainment, including Gaming RV, the second-ever Pop Up Makers Market, and a petting zoo. If you'd like to commemorate the event with some body art, feel free to get temporary airbrush tattoos. Those who are up for a challenge can try their hand at CrossFit physical activities. The icing on the cake for the day is the fireworks show at 9:30 pm, which is sure to dazzle you with its beauty.
