The public can enjoy parades, fireworks, reenactments this weekend as the nation celebrates its 250th Independence Day.
Fairhaven Parade, Car Cruise, Cannon Fire
The Fairhaven Village Militia will officially participate in the town’s annual Independence Day Parade and Ceremony on Saturday, July 4, 2026, bringing living history to life as part of a landmark community celebration commemorating the nation’s 250th birthday.
Dressed in authentic Revolutionary War period attire, the militia will march along the parade route, culminating in a traditional demonstration where members will fire their muskets in unison down Green Street.
Following the parade, the public is invited to gather for an Independence Day Ceremony at historic Fort Phoenix — celebrated as the site of the first naval engagement of the American Revolution — where the militia will officially conclude the Semi-Quincentennial festivities by firing the fort’s five large seacoast cannons over the harbor. The musket and cannon fire will be exceptionally loud. Spectators, especially those with small children or pets, are advised to take appropriate precautions for loud noises.
All are welcome to attend this free, public celebration of American history. Come out to celebrate our nation’s independence and experience the sights and sounds of authentic early American history right here in Fairhaven! The parade begins at 9am, and marches down Green Street to Fort Phoenix, the ceremony will begin approximately at 10am with the cannon firing around 10:30am
SCHEDULE
• 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony Kick off Independence Day with the traditional raising of the “Big Flag” at Fairhaven High School.
• 8:45 a.m. Antique Car Cruise Vintage vehicles will depart from the high school, cruising through the streets of Fairhaven to join the parade procession.
• 9:00 a.m. Independence Day Parade Steps Off The main parade officially departs from the corner of Washington Street and Green Street, marching down Green Street toward historic Fort Phoenix.
• 10:00 a.m. Fort Phoenix Ceremony The festivities conclude at Fort Phoenix with our annual ceremony, featuring special musical selections by the Shepherd Center for Performing Arts and the traditional cannon salute fired by the Fairhaven Village Militia at approximately 10:30.
PARTICIPATE
Registration is free and simple.
• Parade Marchers, Groups, and Floats: Sign up (https://tinyurl.com/34pas3nj) your business, group, or organization online via our official event page: Register Online for the July 4th Parade (https://tinyurl.com/bdzm95vw)
• Antique Car Cruise Participants: If you own a vintage vehicle and would like to roll or ride in the pre-parade car cruise, please contact coordinator John Medeiros directly at (508) 990-0000 for registration and staging details.
Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/bdzm95vw
New Bedford Fireworks
The City is marking America’s 250th anniversary on July 3 with a special edition of Summer Sound Series featuring two bands and fireworks over the harbor.
Produced by AHA! New Bedford and sponsored by WPRI Channel 12, The Black Whale, Candela Cucina, National Club Mexican Cantina, The Whale’s Tail, New Bedford Light and Explore New Bedford, the NB250 Summer Sound Series fun begins Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m. with Morrissey Boulevard and Autumn Drive taking the stage on Purchase Street for a free concert double-header. Cirque de Light circus entertainers will delight the crowd during the performances with their eye-catching juggling and hula hoop tricks, and families can also visit the New Bedford Art Museum’s artmobile. Local restaurants and bars will be offering refreshments. Free parking is available at the YMCA, Elm Street and Zeiterion parking garages.
The concerts will end at 8:30 p.m. to give attendees plenty of time to head to lower Union Street, the best viewing spot for the annual fireworks display. This year’s fireworks celebration begins at 9 p.m. and is synchronized to a soundtrack of patriotic songs that will play on speakers throughout Downtown. Those watching the fireworks from other locations around New Bedford can turn their radios to WBSM 1420AM or 99.5 FM to hear the soundtrack.
Marion Parade & Fireworks
FIREWORKS
The Marion Fireworks Committee has announced the return of the Town’s Independence Day weekend fireworks display to Silvershell Beach on Friday, July 3, at 9:15 p.m., as part of Marion’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring a blanket, a picnic and their patriotic spirit as the Marion Concert Band kicks off the evening with a selection of patriotic favorites before the fireworks light up the harbor.
Those planning to attend the fireworks event at Silvershell Beach are encouraged to arrive early, and residents of the Marion Village area should ask expected guests to arrive no later than 7 p.m. that evening.
PARADE
Visit https://www.marionma.gov/509/Independence-Day-Parade
The Parade will be on Saturday, July 4, 2026, beginning at 9 am sharp.
The Parade will form beginning at 8 am on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in the ball field behind the Marion Town House and adjacent to the Sippican School. Parade organizers will be on-site to check participants in and to line up the parade. Trophies will be awarded for First, Second, and Third place in each category listed on the application. There is also a Best in Parade award.
The parade will start promptly at 9 am and proceed as follows:
East on Main Street to Spring Street
North on Spring Street to Route 6
East on Route 6 to Front Street
South on Front Street to Main St.
West on Main Street to the ball field for disbanding
For questions please contact the Parade Committee at 508-748-3520 or email Donna Hemphill at dhemphill@ marionma.gov
Plymouth
Visit https://july4plymouth.com
PARADE
Sat., 7/4, 9 a.m. start.
From Mayflower Business Park, 428 Court Street. Water Street from Union Street to Brewster Street will be closed beginning at 6:00 am and will remain closed until the conclusion of the parade
Roads will re-close at 6pm for the concert and will remain closed through the end of the fireworks.
Please plan to be parked in the area you will be watching the parade no later than 8:00 am to ensure you can get to your location before the roads are closed.
FIREWORKS
9:15 pm / Dusk – DCR Pilgrim Memorial State Park
There are several viewing spots available throughout town in addition to DCR Pilgrim Memorial State Park including Burial Hill and Nelson Park.
Rain date: Sat., 7/4, 9:15pm
Across MA
Visit https://massachusetts250.org for Independence Day events across the Commonwealth.
Boston Fireworks
Led by legendary conductor Keith Lockhart, this year’s free concert on the Charles River Esplanade will feature Grammy-winning country music superstar Lainey Wilson, Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper, and New Orleans music icon Trombone Shorty, each making their first appearance at the Fireworks Spectacular. See more at https://www. bso.org
As the signatureMA250 event, this year’s Fireworks Spectacular is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of attendees to Boston and millions of viewers nationwide for one of the country’s largest Independence Day celebrations. The program will celebrate Massachusetts’ central role in the American Revolution while showcasing the creativity, culture and community that continue to define the state today.
Featuring a revolutionary-themed drone show during the performance of the “1812 Overture”, a fireworks display choreographed to live music performed by the Pops, and the world premieres of two new works by contemporary American composers commissioned in honor of America 250. The concert will also feature performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus, Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the U.S.S. Constitution Color Guard.
The event will conclude with a fireworks display over the Charles River beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m.
The concert and fireworks will be broadcast locally on WHDH-TV Channel 7 and streamed on the CNN app and CNN.com (7:00-9:30 p.m. ET).
Public access to the Oval lawn in front of the Hatch Shell will open at 12 p.m. on July 4. Throughout the afternoon, the Esplanade will feature family-friendly activities, concessions, and public programming connected to the MA250 celebration.
Since 1929, the Boston Pops has performed its free Independence Day concert on the Esplanade, continuing a beloved Boston tradition first established by conductor Arthur Fiedler and carried on today by Keith Lockhart. The Fireworks Spectacular has become one of the nation’s most iconic July 4 celebrations, drawing audiences from across Massachusetts and around the world.
Also Featuring:
• Block Party: July 3 & 4
• Boston Harborfest: July 2-4
Visit https://massachusetts250.org
Sail Boston/Tall Ships
July 11–16. Visit https://www.sailboston.com
Parade of Sail: July 11, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Boston Harbor.. Vessels parade in flotillas from Broad Sound into the main harbor channel,
Sail Boston Festival 7/11 to 7/15. 302 Northern Avenue, Boston. Live entertainment and Ferris Wheel.
Boarding of Ships, 7/11, 12, 15. Visit https://www.sailboston.com/events/ for locations and times.
Fireworks: 7/11 & 7/15, 9:15 p.m. Fan Pier
Crew & Cadet Street Parade, 7/13, Noon, Leader Bank Pavillion to Christopher Columbus Park (110 Atlantic Ave.)
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