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Top Firework Displays in the United States and Rochester Area

Justin Schwirtz

Justin was born and raised in South East Minnesota where now he and his wife Sarah reside in Rochester where they have raised their 3 children Dominic...

Justin was born and raised in South East Minnesota where now he and his wife Sarah reside in Rochester where they have raised their 3 children Dominic...

Jul 2 8 minutes read

There’s no shortage of fun activities to do on July 4th. From neighborhood parades to backyard cookouts with friends and family, Independence Day gives us more fun options than there are hours in the day. For those of us who want to celebrate the holiday with a bang, there’s no bigger bang than a firework show that goes all-out. We’ve rounded up some of the most jaw-dropping displays across the country that will blow you away.

Salute to the 4th

Silver Lake Park will again be the home of Rochester's firework celebration. Riverside Concerts, the City of Rochester, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and The Commission present A Salute to the 4th featuring award-winning Tom Petty tribute band PETTY FEVER on Thursday, July 4 at 8:30 PM with fireworks at 10:00 PM.

Location: Silver Lake Park

Address: 700 West Silver Lake Drive NE, Rochester, MN 55906

Date: July 4th, 8:30 pm concert; 10 pm fireworks display

Admission: Free

Stewartville Summerfest Parade and Fireworks

Stewartville’s Fireworks Show will be the evening of July 4th, as part of their Summerfest activities. The festivities start that evening with a Grand Parade at 6:30 pm, followed by fireworks in Florence Park at dusk.

Location: Florence Park

Address: Lakeshore Dr. NW, Stewartville, MN 55976

Date: July 4th, 6:30 pm grand parade; fireworks at dusk

Admission: Free

Mazeppa Daze Celebration and Fireworks Displays

The big Mazeppa Daze celebration kicks off Friday, July 12th with the parade, street dance, live music with JT & the Gunslingers and a mini fireworks display at dusk. The big Mazeppa Daze fireworks display will be on Saturday, July 13th at dusk preceded by the pancake breakfast, volleyball and softball tournaments, 5k fun run/walk, kids carnival, duck races, bingo, BBQ dinner and live music from the Sheet Rockers.

Location: Herbert Vik Memorial Field

Address: Mazeppa, Minnesota 55956

Date: July 12-14 - Fireworks at dusk on July 12th & 13th

Admission: Free

Oronoco 4th of July Fireworks

Just north of Rochester, the town of Oronoco will be having a firework show at Oronoco Park starting at 10 pm on July 4th.

Location: Oronoco Park

Address: 3rd Ave NW, Oronoco, MN 55960

Date: July 4th, 10 pm fireworks

Admission: Free

Wanamingo 4th of July Celebration

Events July 2nd, 3rd and 4th including Rib Feed, Fireman's BBQ Dinner, Grand Parade, Fire and Rescue Waterfight, free family fun area, concessions, and Fireworks at dusk. Click here for the full event schedule

Location: Riverside Park

Date: July 3-4, Fireworks July 4th at dusk

Admission: Free

Other Great Places to Celebrate

Dover Independence Day

This event is on Wednesday, July 3 with meals in the park, Kids pedal pull, root beer floats, music in the park, and fireworks at dusk.

Location: Dover Park

Address: Park Ave., Dover, MN 55929

Date: July 3rd - 5:30p -10pm. Fireworks at dusk

Admission: Free

St. Charles Light Up the Sky Fireworks Display

There will be food vendors on site and fireworks show put on by the St. Charles Fire Department. More details coming soon.

Location: St. Charles High School Ballfield

Address: 600 East 6th

Date: July 4th - Fireworks at 10 pm.

Admission: Free

Meadow Fest

Grand Meadow's annual community celebration is June 28th-30th with various events like a car show, parade, 5k run, and fun activities for kids. Grand Meadow's Fireworks are scheduled for July 4th at dusk.

Location: Grand Meadow

Address: Meadowfest is 6/28-6/30 - Fireworks on July 4th at dusk

Admission: Free

BONUS: Our Favorite 4th of July Playlist


1. New York, New York: Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

Now in its 43rd year, the nation’s largest fireworks display lights up the night over the East River. This year, fireworks will go off from and near the iconic Brooklyn Bridge while paying homage to the theme of “American cinema.” You can expect to see tributes to the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Superman and E.T. through a very dramatic score. In the area? There’s no better vantage point than on the water via the Circle Line, Seastreak, or Spirit cruises.

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks & Concert

Philadelphia lives up to its status as "America's Birthplace" by starting the celebration days ahead of July 4th! There are two firework shows before the big one on Independence Day itself. On the 4th, the city shuts down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway leading up to the Philadelphia Art Museum (where the fireworks will go off overhead) for the biggest “block party” you’ll enjoy. In the hours before the fireworks, you’ll also get to enjoy a concert featuring Jennifer Hudson and Meghan Trainor. 

3. Washington, D.C.: Fireworks at the National Mall

Our nation’s capital goes big with a fireworks display illuminating the many significant historical monuments and memorials in the area. Viewing areas include the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials, among others. The best spot may be the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, especially if you arrive early to enjoy the live concert, A Capitol Fourth, put on by PBS. This year includes a salute to the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street and a performance of the 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra.

4. Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

The nation’s oldest public Fourth of July celebration scores a 20-minute long fireworks display with music by the Boston Pops (this year, they’ll host special guest Queen Latifah). As with other shows, arriving early for a good spot will reward you with even more entertainment — like a 50th anniversary tribute to Woodstock by Arlo Guthrie.

5. Saint Louis, Missouri: Fair St. Louis

The Flaming Lips, Keith Sweat and Brett Young lead the entertainment at “America’s Biggest Birthday Party,” which takes place at the famous Arch. The fireworks show takes place nightly from July 4-6. Over the course of those three days, 15,000 pounds of fireworks will certainly let freedom ring.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana: Go Forth on the River

There’s nothing quite like New Orleans’ annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Where else can you see two displays going off at once from dueling barges on the Mississippi River? You can see this show from really any part of town, but the closer you get to the river, the better! For an extra-special night, make a reservation to watch from the New Orleans riverboats: the Creole Queen and the Steamboat Natchez

7. Dallas, Texas: Addison Kaboom Town!

Located just outside of Dallas, Addison’s annual fireworks display routinely tops “best of” lists (including accolades from the American Pyrotechnics Association). While most fireworks shows go for 20 minutes, Addison's is one of the longest in the nation at 30! If you go, you’re in good company — the town of Addison’s population increases from around 16,000 to 500,000. Just make sure to arrive on the right day: The fireworks go off on the 3rd, not the 4th.

8. Pasadena, California: Americafest

One of Southern California’s largest fireworks display takes place at the Rose Bowl Stadium, where there’s plenty of seating to take in the spectacular scene. If you plan on getting there early — say, 2 pm — you can keep your little ones occupied at the Family Fun Zone held on-site.

9. Las Vegas, Nevada: Fourth of July Fireworks (multiple shows)

The Strip is a sight to see on Independence Day, and it’s not just because of the neon signs and fanciful casino light shows. From Mandalay Bay to Caesar’s, multiple casinos compete with shows and displays. It's up to you to decide which you like best!

10. San Diego, California: Big Bay Boom

If the name of this annual fireworks show rings a bell (and you’re not a local), it might be because of the famous 2012 viral video where all the fireworks in the 18-minute-long display went off in about 12 seconds. It hasn’t happened since, but the spectacle is no less spectacular in comparison.

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