VIRGINIA, USA — With July fast approaching, Independence Day celebrations will soon take place across Hampton Roads.
Families can find Fourth of July celebrations with live music, food, fun and show-stopping fireworks. If you don't want to miss out on the festivities this year, here are some events across Hampton Roads and beyond that you can attend.
Hampton Roads
Norfolk
If you want to get a head start on Independence Day celebrations, look no further than Ocean View Beach Park! The Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Display kicks off Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. This kicks off the Friday after-work Ocean View event series; you can find more family fun every Friday evening until August 23.
Wednesday, July 3, Norfolk Tides fans are in for a treat. The home game against the Durham Bulls will feature a special Independence Day Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza. Gates for the game open at 5 p.m. and fireworks will happen shortly after the game ends. This all happens at Harbor Park.
Thursday, July 4, you can find the 41st annual Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks at Town Point Park! The free event will begin at 5 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m. along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Relax on the lawn, enjoy grilled food from hamburgers to barbeque to seafood, and listen to live patriotic performances all afternoon, including performances by the U.S. Navy Rock Band and the U.S. Fleet Forces Ceremonial Band. The highlight of the evening is the fireworks display above the Elizabeth River at 9:30 p.m.
Virginia Beach
The July 4th Stars and Stripes Celebration will take over the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. You can enjoy the beach, the boardwalk and live music at the 17th, 24th and 31st street parks until 10:30 p.m. Fireworks will be shot from a barge at 9:30 p.m. and can be viewed all along the beach.
If you can't make it out to the Oceanfront, you can enjoy a July 4th celebration at Mount Trashmore. The event will start at 8 p.m. and feature family fun, food trucks and live music. The firework display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Event organizers share that parking is $20; parking attendants will monitor the lots and close them once they're full. Edwin Drive will also be closed once parking lots are full.
Chesapeake
On Wednesday, July 3, come out to Chesapeake City Park for the Celebrate Freedom event!
Festivities start at 5 p.m. with paid parking beginning at 4 p.m. Attendees can find performances by Queen Copeland School of the Arts, a concert by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band Wind Ensemble and Red Stapler Duo.
After the concerts at sunset, fireworks are set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Portsmouth
July 4, celebrate the day with a beach music party at the Shaggin' 4th of July Celebration. The free event starts at 5 p.m. at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum.
Attendees have the chance to show off their shag stepping on the Portsmouth waterfront with live music from the mighty Saints of Soul Band playing beach music until 8 p.m., followed by the Tidewater Concert Band playing patriotic music until 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m.
Hampton
On July 4, a Fourth of July celebration will take over Mill Point Park in downtown Hampton. The free event starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Attendees can find live music and entertainment, food vendors, games and activities and more.
Instead of a fireworks show, a drone show will light up the night sky at 9 p.m.
Newport News
Thursday, July 4, Newport News Parks and Recreation is putting together its annual Stars in the Sky fireworks show. The celebration takes place at Victory Landing Park and starts at 6 p.m.
Attendees can celebrate Independence Day with live music and entertainment, great food, giveaways and a spectacular firework display.
Fireworks will begin right at 9 p.m.
Admission is free, and free parking is also available for the event. Keep in mind that no pets, alcohol, bicycles, skateboards or radios will be allowed.
Suffolk
Suffolk Parks and Recreation is hosting the July 4th Stars and Stripes Spectacular! Attendees can find food and drinks, bounce houses, games and more. The event takes place at Constant's Wharf Park & Marina beginning at 5:30 p.m. The fireworks show is set to begin at 9 p.m. over the Nansemond River.
Event organizers say there is no on-site parking for this event, but shuttles will be available from First Baptist Church and Godwin Courthouse.
Williamsburg
On Thursday, July 4, Colonial Williamsburg is offering free single-day admission tickets to its Historic Area and Art Museums from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Events are scheduled to happen throughout the day including readings of the Declaration of Independence, live music and reenactments, and more.
At 8 p.m., attendees are invited to gather on Palace Green for a celebration of the words and music of the American Revolution, and a dazzling firework display above the Governor's Palace will end the day at 9:30 p.m.
Yorktown
A series of celebrations will take place throughout July 4, including an 8K/5K to kick off the day, a parade, family-friendly activities, live music and more. The highlight of the night will be the firework display over the York River at 9:15 p.m.
To find more information about event parking, click here.
Smithfield
The city's annual firework display is scheduled to happen Tuesday, July 2 at 9:30 p.m. Event organizers say fireworks will be shot off from Clontz Park in Downtown Smithfield with good viewing from the Smithfield Station and all along the river. This event is free and open to the public.
Beyond Hampton Roads
The Outer Banks
The beach is always a popular spot to spend the Independence Day holiday, so if you're spending yours at the Outer Banks, there are many different ways to celebrate the day.
The town of Manteo will hold a 4th of July Celebration, with family-friendly activities, a concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park, and an apple pie contest. The celebration will conclude with fireworks at dusk over the sound in Manteo.
The Outer Banks offers three other locations to watch fireworks, including the Avon Fishing Pier at 9 p.m., the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:15 p.m. and the Nags Head Fishing Pier at 9:25 p.m.
