Photo:
Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Union in Seattle. iStock
Wow, it’s our country’s 248th birthday! We are celebrating in our usual fashion, by delighting in the sparkles and booms in the sky above. But Seattle-area fireworks shows are not the only way to celebrate — indeed, the late-night noises can be a nuisance for some families with young kids, and many dogs.
Some cities will set off their fireworks on Saturday or on Wednesday night, which might be better for blowing past bedtime. But if any late night is too late for your kids, there are so many other things to do on the Fourth of July including kids’ parades and other daytime festivities. Here’s where to celebrate the Fourth of July and watch fireworks around Seattle in 2024.
July 3 Independence Day fests and fireworks
Lacey Fireworks Spectacular
Date and time: Wednesday, July 3, 4–11 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more than 50 years, Lacey has presented its Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular a day early, on July 3. Music and fun kick off at 4 p.m. in Rainier Vista Community Park, with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Mountlake Terrace July 3 Fireworks
Date and time: Wednesday, July 3, 6–10:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Keeping with city tradition, Mountlake Terrace shoots off fireworks on Wednesday, July 3. The show starts at 10 p.m., preceded by music, field games and food beginning at 6 p.m. in Ballinger Park. Don’t miss the pie eating contest this year!
Maple Valley Independence Day Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, July 3, 5–10:20 p.m.
Cost: Free
Maple Valley also favors the early game, with its Independence Day Celebration at Lake Wilderness Park on Wednesday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m. with picnic games, live music and food. The fireworks show starts around 10 p.m.
Red, White & Kaboom: Puyallup’s 3rd of July Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, July 3, 5:30–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free; $20 parking pass
Puyallup’s July 3 fireworks show, Red, White & Kaboom, lights up the sky at dusk over the Washington State Fairgrounds. Beforehand enjoy live music, kids’ corner activities and food trucks starting at 5:30 p.m.
July 4 fireworks and fests in Seattle
Seafair Summer Fourth
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 3–11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Seafair Summer Fourth’s fireworks show over Gas Works Park is the region’s biggest display. Gates open at 3 p.m. with live music, field games, food and a glow-in-the-dark dance party leading up to the main event fireworks show at 10:15 p.m. You can also find great views of the show from South Lake Union Park or on and around Lake Union.
Burien Independence Day Parade
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
For over 100 years, Burien’s Independence Day Parade keeps marching on. Gather along downtown streets at 10 a.m. for floats, marching bands and more.
West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Get those strollers, wagons and bikes ready! West Seattle’s 4th of July kids’ parade rolls out at 10 a.m. from the corner of Sunset Ave. and 44th Ave. NW. Kids are invited to play and do arts and craft afterwards at Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
Family Fourth of July Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, noon–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Angle Lake Park is the venue for Sea-Tac’s Family Fourth of July Celebration with inflatables for kids and live music starting at noon. This year the entertainment caps off with a synchronized drone show at 9:45 p.m. The park will open at 7 a.m. so grab your spot early!
Kent’s 4th of July Splash
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 5–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate summer at Kent’s 4th of July Splash with outdoor fun, music and food starting at 5 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park. Fireworks blast off at 10 p.m.
Des Moines 4th of July Celebration and Drone Show
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 5–10:55 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Des Moines Marina makes an ideal backdrop for the city’s drone show starting at 10 p.m. Come early to sample some food truck fare and enjoy live music starting at 5 p.m.
Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th of July
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th of July features events happening all day in downtown Winslow, including perennial favorites such as the pancake breakfast, car show, Kids’ Zone, street fair, parade and more.
July 4 fireworks and fests in Bellevue and on the Eastside
Bellevue Family 4th
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 5–10:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bellevue booms with its huge Family 4th celebration. Fun and entertainment are on offer in Bellevue Downtown Park starting at 5 p.m., and fireworks bursting in air just after 10 p.m.
Carnation’s 4th of July Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 8:30 a.m.–10:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Carnation has a whole day of fun scheduled, starting with the Pies & Pints 5K at 8:30 a.m., a kiddie parade at 11 a.m., and ending with fireworks at Remlinger Farms around 10:15 p.m.
Celebrate Kirkland
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kirkland hosts its annual Kids’ Parade, followed by the main parade, through the streets of downtown, starting at 11:30 a.m. Kids can meet at Lakeshore Plaza an hour early to decorate and prepare.
Bothell 4th of July Parade & Pancake Breakfast
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bothell once again hosts its annual July 4th festivities including a free pancake breakfast, followed by the over 100-year-old Grand Parade through the streets of downtown, ending near Pop Keeney Stadium. It’s here where you will find the Northshore Veterans Car Show.
Kenmore’s 4th of July Fireworks Show
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fireworks light up the sky in Kenmore at 10 p.m. over Log Boom Park. Music and family fun start at 7:30 p.m.
Issaquah Down Home 4th of July
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Issaquah’s annual 4th of July fest kicks off at 11 a.m. with the kids and pets parade along Front Street. Follow it to the Issaquah Community Center for a field of fun family activities until 2 p.m. including bounce houses, carnival games, a petting farm and more.
Fourth on the Plateau
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 5–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fun games and activities for the whole family start at 5 p.m. at Sammamish Commons for Fourth on the Plateau; fireworks launch at 10 p.m.
Snoqualmie 4th of July Red, White & Boom Fireworks
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 7–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Find inflatables, field games and more family fun beginning at 7 p.m. in Snoqualmie Community Park, culminating in a booming fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
Lake Sammamish Fireworks Show
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Issaquah launches its fireworks show over Lake Sammamish. This display is a fundraiser for the local food and clothing bank and can be viewed from anywhere along the southern side of the lake. Lake Sammamish State Park and Vasa Park are popular viewing points. Bonus: Enjoy live entertainment and free admission to Vasa Park all day on the Fourth.
July 4 fests and fireworks north of Seattle
An Edmonds Kind of Fourth
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
In Edmonds, early birds with youngsters can race in the Baby Brackett 1K at 8 a.m. and then head downtown to enjoy the kids’ parade at 11:30 a.m. The main parade starts at noon.
Everett’s July 4th
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 3–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Everett’s July 4th Celebration kicks off at 3 p.m. with kids’ activities provided by Imagine Children’s Museum and plenty of other entertainment at Legion Memorial Park — the perfect place from which to catch the fireworks show at around 10 p.m.
Marysville 4th of July
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 7–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Marysville welcomes visitors to Ebey Waterfront Park beginning at 7 p.m. for fun, festivities and fireworks; the fireworks show lights up the sky beginning at 10 p.m.
July 4 fests and fireworks in Tacoma and beyond
Auburn’s 4th of July Festival
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free; $10 wristband for unlimited activities
Head to Auburn’s Les Gove Park for tons of kiddie entertainment happening all day. Kids can enjoy unlimited inflatables, train rides, bungee trampolines and more with purchase of a wristband.
Tacoma’s 4th of July Summer Blast
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, noon–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fireworks will light up the night over Commencement Bay at 10 p.m. Turn up beforehand for food and entertainment at Dune Peninsula and Cummings Park starting at noon.
Red, White & Varoom: Puyallup’s 4th of July Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, noon–6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Entertainment starts at noon at Puyallup’s Pioneer Park with a concert, plenty of kids’ activities and a classic car show.
Federal Way Red, White & Blues 4th of July Festival
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 4–11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Federal Way hosts its Red, White & Blues Festival playing at Celebration Park. Festivities, including fun kids activities, begin at 4 p.m. with fireworks launching at 10:15 p.m.
Tumwater Independence Day Parade & Family Festival
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (parade) and 6–10:45 p.m. (festival and fireworks)
Cost: Free
In Tumwater, catch the community parade at 11 a.m., head over to Tumwater Valley Golf Course for the Tumwater Family Festival starting at 6 p.m., and stay for the fireworks show at 10:15 p.m.
Steilacoom’s 4th of July Parade & Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m.–10:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
In downtown Steilacoom the fun kicks off at 11 a.m. with the parade, street fair, live music and more and ends with fireworks booming around 10:30 p.m.
Enumclaw 4th of July Parade
Date and time: Thursday, July 4, noon–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
All are invited to watch or join Enumclaw’s patriotic parade which winds through town beginning at noon.
Weekend fireworks
JBLM Freedom Fest
Date and time: Saturday, June 29, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Cost: Free; preregistration required for general public; fee for carnival tickets
Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s pre-Fourth festival is back and open to the public (with preregistration) after a short hiatus. It’s an all-day event with carnival rides, entertainment, car show and more taking place at Cowan Stadium on base.
Newcastle’s Fireworks on the Lake
Date and time: Saturday, July 6, 6–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Plan your Independence Day festivities for the weekend with Newcastle’s fireworks show sparkling over Lake Boren Park. Food truck offerings start at 6 p.m. followed by live music at 8 p.m. and of course, fireworks at 10 p.m.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2017 and was most recently updated in June 2024 by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara to include updated information on 32 Seattle-area fireworks displays, parades and more.
