Top Free Fourth of July Events in and around Jersey
It is soon the time of year when most cities and towns in the U.S. start their celebrations. The Fourth of July is one of our favorite times to go to local events. Read this to find out about my favorite free Fourth of July Events we have attended in the past and when they will be happening this year. Remember to always verify event information on event websites before attending. Most of these events are in New Jersey while a few are in other states as well. Be sure to check the map at the end of this article before heading to your event to see where it is located.
New Jersey
Burlington County
Moorestown
Moorestown is one of our favorite towns and seeing a parade there was a lively affair. There were lots of dancers and musicians in the parade that were a lot of fun to see. In order to park to see the parade we had parked in one of the lots behind the stores on E 2nd Street. It got hot where we stood since we were not near any trees so be sure to get there early to scope out a shady spot. All the parade attendees were very friendly.
Moorestown 4th of July Parade
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Corner of Chester and E. Central Avenue, 334 Chester Ave, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA
Time: 12 Noon
Websites: Moorestown 4th of July & Moorestown 4th of July Facebook Event Page
See more details about the parade at the Moorestown Website above for the latest updates. The theme for this year is the Grand Old Flag. There will be a quiet zone on a portion of the parade route between Central Avenue and Main Street where the bands will play at half volume and the fire trucks will not use their horns.
Mount Holly
If you love a good party then Mount Holly is the place to be for the Fourth of July. We have attended shows for two different years and have come across friendly crowds and people sharing glow sticks. It is a hot spot for people to go so be prepared to possibly walk towards the fireworks from farther away. Walking through town is half the fun since you can often spot some revelry in front of the different houses as well.
Mount Holly Fireworks
Mount Holly 2024 Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 3rd, 2024
Location: 155 Wollner Drive, Mount Holly, NJ 08060 at Iron Works Park
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Websites: 2024 Mount Holly Independence Day Celebration Facebook Event Page
There will be free rides for kids from 5 to 8 pm. Later there will be fireworks, food vendors, live music and more. A Schedule and map will be released on this Facebook page soon: Mount Holly Celebrations.
Riverton
We have been to Riverton for two different events on two different years in the past. They are always a blast. If you want a full day of activities then Riverton is the best Fourth of July spot.
In the parade last year there were lots of musicians in the back of pick-up beds, even a high school band in the back of an El Camino! Afterwards they had a fun event with people trying to go up a grease pole, huge bounce houses, carriage rides and more!
Riverton is also always decked out for the Fourth of July. We go to Riverton every year around the Fourth of July just to walk down the different streets and see all the amazing decorations. They have a house decorating contest in town and this town is my favorite for its Fourth of July house decor. I have listed out their free events for the Fourth of July below. If interested in some of their paid events they will also have a Cocktail Party on June 29th, Bill Oliver 5K on July 4th and the Riverton 1 Mile Run for Fun on July 4th.
Riverton Bike Decorating Workshop
Date: July 3rd, 2024
Location: 700 Cedar Street Riverton, NJ 08077 at Riverton Memorial Park
Time: 1 to 2 pm
Website: Riverton Bike Decorating Workshop
This is a fun chance for kids to deck out their bikes for the 4th.
127th Riverton 4th of July Parade
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Riverton Yacht Club to Main Street to Memorial Park
Time: 10 to 11 am
Website: 127th Riverton 4th of July Parade & Riverton 4th of July Facebook Page
Be sure to pick your spot early along the parade route before the start of this fun parade.
Riverton 2023 4th of July Parade
Riverton 4th of July Park Festivities
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: 700 Cedar Street Riverton, NJ 08077 at Riverton Memorial Park
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Website: Riverton 4th of July Park Festivities
Don’t forget to stay after the parade for a fun time in the park including bounce houses, pie eating contests, carriage rides, games, food and more!
The Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Elm Terrace and Park Avenue, Riverton, NJ 08077
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Website: Joe Zaneski Downhill Race
Watch as homemade box cars will be driven down the hill on Elm Terrace!
Riverton Pet Pageant
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Riverton Memorial Park
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Website: Pet Pageant
This is a unique event where pets put on their Fourth of July best and are judged in different categories.
Riverton Raft Race
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Riverton Yacht Club
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Website: Riverton Raft Race
There is a raft race, cardboard boat regatta and kayak race all starting at 5:30 pm. Be sure to watch the fun!
Riverton Concert in the Park
Date: July 7th, 2024
Location: 700 Cedar Street Riverton, NJ 08077 at Riverton Memorial Park
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Website: Riverton Concert in the Park
There will be food vendors set up at 5 pm with music starting at 5:30 from Craig Bickhardt and Jem & the Vibe.
Camden County
Audubon
Audubon is a cute small town that we had previously not visited before their Fourth of July parade event a few years ago. Prior to the parade our kids entered the children’s parade. This was super cute where strollers, bikes, wagons and more were decorated. Families enjoyed taking their kids on this mini parade. Our favorite family had a float that looked like the Flintstones car with Pebbles and Bam Bam in it. At the end of the parade the kids were even given gifts.
After the small parade we played at the cute fenced in playground nearby until the start of the big parade. There was also a Wawa nearby where we could pick up some sustenance beforehand. The kids loved all the fire trucks going by in the parade we saw there. There was even one all the way from Jim Thorpe! Our favorite part was hearing “Light ‘em Up” before kids in a truck bed with Super Soakers sprayed anyone who asked to be cooled off. It was a hot day so my husband ran up to get soaked.
We returned to Audubon last year for their fireworks show and had a blast. We sat at the Audubon Little League Park and were able to see the fireworks from the high school really well. There was plenty of space for lots of people to set up. It was also fun to see the houses decorated around town as we walked back to the car.
Audubon 2024 Fourth of July Events
This year Audubon will have 3 whole days of 4th of July events! Be sure to celebrate in the Most Patriotic Small Town in America.
Audubon 4th of July Parade
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Starts from Amherst Road and Harvard Avenue
Time: 8:15 am
Website: Audubon 4th of July Parade & Audubon 4th of July Facebook Event
See the parade route at the website above. The theme for the parade this year is Sustainable Audubon: Making it Greener Together for People, Planet and Prosperity. If you are an Audubon resident you may also be interested in one of these contests. Residents can enter the baby parade, bicycle parade or house decorating contest.
Audubon 4th of July Family & Children’s Athletic Events
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: 350 Edgewood Ave, Audubon, NJ 08106
Time: 10:45 am
Website: Audubon 4th of July Family & Children’s Athletic Events
There will be fun events such as potato races, frog jumps, dash races and more! There will even be gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to winners.
Audubon 4th of July Open House at the Audubon Fire House
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: 221 West Merchant St, Audubon, NJ 08106 at the Audubon Fire Department
Time: 12 pm to 2 pm
Website: Audubon Fire House 4th of July Open House
Audubon Independence Day Dance
Date: July 5th, 2024
Location: 20 Chestnut Street, Audubon, NJ 08106
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Website: Audubon Independence Day Dance
This dance is from the Audubon Fathers Association and Murray-Trout Post 262 American Legion. There will be a DJ, beer garden and games for families. People can buy Genova’s Pizza or Kona Ice.
Audubon 4th of July Fireworks & Pre-Show
Date: July 6th, 2024
Location: 350 Edgewood Avenue, Audubon, NJ Audubon High School
Time: 6 to 9 pm for Pre-Show and Fireworks start at 9 pm
Website: Audubon 4th of July Fireworks
There will be vendors, food trucks, live music and parade trophies.
Fireworks in Audubon for the Fourth of July in 2023
Mercer County
Cranbury
Cranbury has a really cute downtown and one I enjoyed frequenting in high school. Since this is a smaller town it was nice to be able to get up really close to see the fireworks bursting overhead. We would first head downtown for a bite to eat or a milkshake and then walk around the Cranbury Brook Preserve before heading to the park. It was fun to watch fireworks in the baseball field with my friends.
Cranbury July 5th Fireworks
Date: July 5th, 2024 (Rain date of Saturday, July 6th)
Location: Village Park
Time: Dusk
Website: Cranbury July 5th Fireworks
East Windsor
I have fond memories of seeing fireworks at Etra Lake Park as a kid. If we went early it was fun to go to the playground as well. It was also amazing to see all of the lightning bugs light up the night. Be prepared as it can get buggy, so bring out the bug spray!
East Windsor Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 6th, 2024 (Rain date of Saturday, July 13th)
Location: Etra Lake Park
Time: 6 pm with Fireworks at around 9:30 pm
Website: East Windsor Independence Day Celebration Facebook Event Page
Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band will be playing at 6 pm and the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One will be playing at 7:45 pm. The fireworks will start around 9:30 pm.
Hamilton Township
We have seen fireworks at Veterans Park in the past. Parking can take awhile since this is a popular spot but the shows here always have some impressive displays. These are also in the park so be prepared to battle the bugs once again.
Hamilton Independence Day Concert and Fireworks
Date: July 1st, 2024 (Rain Date of July 2nd, 2024)
Location: 2206 Kuser Road Hamilton, NJ 08690 at Veterans Park
Time: 6 pm with Fireworks around 9:30 pm
Website: Hamilton Township Independence Day Concert and Fireworks
There will be music from the Heartbeats at 6 pm along with food. The fireworks will start around 9:30 pm.
Ocean County
Point Pleasant
When I was in middle school, Point Pleasant was only a half hour away from our house. We would often go there on a weeknight in the summer. In high school I even told my guidance counselor I wanted to be one of the people who set off the fireworks from the beach. The best part about fireworks at Jenkinson’s is that they are actually all summer long on Thursday nights. They also still do specials each week similar to when I was a kid such as Wristband Night when you can go on unlimited rides with a wristband.
Jenkinson’s Fourth of July Fireworks at Dark
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Time: 9:30 pm
Website: Jenkinson’s Fourth of July Fireworks at Dark
Jenkinson’s Thursday Night Fireworks at Dark
Dates: June 20th to August 29th, 2024
Location: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Time: 9:30 pm
Website: Jenkinson’s Thursday Night Fireworks at Dark
Delaware
Bethany Beach
One year we headed to Bethany Beach for the Fourth of July and it was an incredible experience. We headed to the beach a day before the weekend and came back a little earlier so we were able to avoid a lot of the beach traffic. Sea Colony has lots of outdoor grills so we were able to do some grilling over the weekend.
We saw fireworks from the beach at Sea Colony near Edgewater House. The great thing about seeing fireworks there is if you are on the beach you can even see fireworks from lots of other shore towns as well. We were able to see firework shows in Rehoboth and Ocean City at the same time. Bethany Beach always gets a lot of great musical acts and we were also able to listen to a part of a couple shows while we were there as well.
Bethany Beach Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: Downtown Bethany Beach
Time: 12 pm Parade, 7:15 pm Awards, 7:30 pm Concert and Fireworks at Dusk
Website: Bethany Beach Independence Day Celebration and the Bethany Beach Events & Entertainment Facebook page
This year there is merchandise marking the 40th Anniversary of their Parade during the events.
Bethany Beach Fourth of July Events All Week Long
If you are in town for the week be sure to check out their other events as well such as the 287th Army Band playing on June 30th at 7:30 pm, movie night playing the movie Camp Hideout at dusk on July 1st, Flying Ivories concert on July 2nd at 7:30 pm and Carnival Night with Mr. Jon and Boston Bachert at 6 and 7 pm on July 3rd. There is also a Bethany Beach Firecracker 5K Run/Walk on June 30th that it is best to pay and register for ahead of time.
To see the Bethany Beach 2024 Schedule go here: Bethany Beach Bandstand Beach Events.
Sea Colony Events
If you are staying at Sea Colony this week there will be a 4th of July Sea Colony Celebration that is only for people staying there. Be sure to be on Edgewater Beach from 5 to 9 pm for a party with DJ Cruise. The tram will also have extended hours! The tram ride is always a highlight for kids and adults. On Friday night there will also be a bonfire on the beach and a showing of the movie The Marvels.
Maryland
Glen Burnie
We were visiting family and friends in Maryland over the Fourth of July weekend one year so we decided to check out a fireworks display while we were there. We were able to see the one at Glen Burnie from a nearby parking lot at Royal Farms. We lifted up the trunk of the car and tailgated and then went into the parking lot later to get even closer. The parking lot was a hotspot with lots of people hanging out in camp chairs or tailgating as well.
Glen Burnie Improvement Association’s Annual Fireworks
Date: July 3rd, 2024 (Rain Date of July 5th, 2024)
Location: Sawmill Creek Park on Dorsey Road
Time: After Dusk at approximately 9 pm
Website: Glen Burnie Improvement Association’s Annual Fireworks
Be sure to check the link above to see where you are allowed to park.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
When you live close to Philly celebrating there is an obvious choice since there are decorations everywhere and a lot of history to boot. Philadelphia also has a whole slew of events in and around the 4th of July with its Wawa Welcome America Festival. In the past we have gone to multiple of these events and gone to free museums or free performances by different groups. We have also gotten things like free hoagies, hats and sunglasses. Just being in the city is enough to get you in the patriotic spirit. If you are not far from Philly be sure to take a look towards the city since one year we could even see the fireworks there from Jersey!
The Wawa Welcome America Events are too many to list here so be sure to go to the website to check it out: Wawa Welcome America Festival 2024. Currently there are lots of cool Free Museum Days each day to places like Mutter Museum, Barnes Foundation, American Swedish Historical Museum and more! There are also lots of block parties and pop-up events around the city as well. Here are two of the main events that are happening on July 4th itself:
Philadelphia Salute to Independence Parade
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: East Market Street between 2nd Street and City Hall
Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm
Website: Philadelphia Salute to Independence Parade
This year the parade will have people from many national and international groups.
Philadelphia July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Date: July 4th, 2024
Location: 200 N 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Time: Gates open at 4 pm and the Main Concert will be at 7 pm
Website: Philadelphia July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Date: July 4th, 2024
The concert this year will feature Ne-Yo and Kesha. The Pennsylvania Lottery Stage will also have DJ Kuts and Snacktime from 4 to 6 pm. Check the website above for event details such as bag requirements and where to enter.
What things should you consider before attending a Fourth of July event?
Read my article here before making your plans: Tips for Attending Fourth of July Events with Kids.
Where are each of these events?
Check out the map below:
No matter where you plan to celebrate the Fourth of July you are sure to have a good time. Events are usually free and people are generally in the best of spirits. It is a great time of year to be out amongst the revelry.