Best Fourth of July Celebrations in New England

The Fourth of July is just around the corner! Towns and communities all across New England are planning special Independence Day celebrations with most featuring parades, music, food, and (best of all) fireworks! Here are some of the Biggest and Best Fourth of July Celebrations in New England.

HARTFORD, CT – Riverfest
July 7, 4pm to 9:30pm
Featuring free entertainment including live bands, musicians, clowns, kids activities, food trucks, and more. The evening ends with a grand fireworks show over the river.
hartford.com

BOSTON, MA – Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
July 4
Boston hosts America’s most famous birthday bash, which draws thousands of visitors and is nationally televised. The Boston Pops Orchestra leads the celebration on the banks of the Charles River, including performing a rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with real cannons and the live ringing of church bells. The entire event ends with a spectacular fireworks show over the river. Pack a picnic lunch and get there early for a seat!
july4th.org

STURBRIDGE, MA – An 1830′s Independence Day Celebration at Old Sturbridge Village
July 3-4
Old Sturbridge Village portrays life in a New England village in the 1830s. Visit the village on the evening of July 3 for fireworks fun, then celebrate July 4 the old-fashioned way. Hear a rousing patriotic reading of the Declaration of Independence (including a giant reproduction for you to sign), make a tri-cornered hat, drill with the Sturbridge Militia, learn dances, and play a classic game of “base ball.”
osv.org

EASTPORT, ME – Fourth of July Celebration
July 4
The largest July 4th celebration in Maine, with dozens of scheduled events, including a Grand Independence Parade, fireworks, entertainment, games, antique car show, and contests. Also free tours from a visiting U.S. Navy ship.
eastport4th.com

GOREHAM, NH – Fourth of July Celebration
June 29 – July 4
Featuring live music nightly, plus a carnival, road race, chili and chowder cookoff, horse drawn wagon rides, classic car parade, fireworks and more! The fun starts June 29th and goes until July 4th!
gorhamnh.org

PORTSMOUTH, NH – Strawbery Banke: An American Celebration
July 4, 2012
A classic old-fashioned 4th of July featuring children’s bike and wagon parade, giant kite fly, potato sack races, kids liberty treasure hunt, garden crafts, live music, historic garden tours, costumed role-players, colonial hearth cooking, basket weaving, food, meet Abe Lincoln and more.
strawberybanke.org

BRISTOL, RI – America’s Oldest Independence Day Parade
July 4
Bristol holds the record as the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the USA. Along with the parade the day includes a Fourth of July ball, Drum Corp show, visiting ship, and fireworks over Bristol Harbor.
july4thbristolri.com

STOWE, VT – Independence Day Celebration
July 4
A day-long extravaganza of food, music, entertainers, and events. Face painting, politicians dunking booth, pet parade, magicians, clowns, balloons, and a Main Street sidewalk sale. Mayo Farm hosts a field carnival and the everyone turns out for the incredible annual fireworks display.
gostowe.com

Did we miss your favorite place to celebrate the Fourth? Share where you’ll be in the comments section!