NORFOLK, Va. — There's nothing that celebrates American independence quite like setting out some lawn chairs to watch a fireworks display with your loved ones.
Most shows were canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, so this weekend's celebration will mean the first fireworks most people have seen in two years.
Luckily, there are lots of opportunities to catch the lights this weekend in Hampton Roads.
We've broken them by city and county for you. Make sure to check the dates carefully. They aren't all Sunday get-togethers!
Chesapeake
Chesapeake City Park: July 3 at 7 p.m.
You can catch the U.S. Fleet Forces Band (7 p.m.) and Tidewater Winds Concert Band (8:30 p.m.) at this patriotic celebration on Saturday. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Hampton
NASCAR Track: July 3 at 7 p.m.
Tillman Heuer Motorsports is combining weekly NASCAR grassing with a free fireworks show. Event details are on Facebook.
Isle of Wight County
Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds: July 3 at 5 p.m.
Fireworks at this show don't start until 9:30 p.m., but if you come early, you can enjoy kettle corn, barbecue, and snow cones from vendors who will be set up there.
Norfolk
Town Point Park: July 4 at 5 p.m.
The Great American Picnic & Fireworks is a free event, but if you remember your wallet, you'll be able to buy hot dogs, hamburgers, seafood and other American picnic foods. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. 13News Now is a sponsor of the event.
Guests 18 and older can also get a free Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at the Great American Picnic between 4 and 7 p.m.
Ocean View Beach Park: July 2 at 6 p.m.
The Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration will have children's activities, food, and drinks. Festivities start at 6 p.m., and the fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Suffolk
Constant's Wharf Park and Marina: July 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Fireworks are going to spark over the Nansemond river in Suffolk on Sunday. Guests will have to park at one of three shuttle locations and be transported to Constant's Wharf Park, so if you plan to go, know that the last shuttle run before the fireworks show is 8:20 p.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Virginia Beach
Mount Trashmore: July 4 at 8 p.m.
The Independence Day celebration will have food trucks, DJ music and fireworks. There's free admission and free parking. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
On the Beach: July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
These fireworks will be visible from 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks. There will be a different kind of live music at each of the parks. You can get details here.
Williamsburg
Market Square: July 4, 9:20 p.m.
Colonial Williamsburg historical interpreters will be spending the 4th reading the Declaration of Independence, auctioning off handmade goods and offering outdoor theater performances. You'll also be able to catch live music, enjoy ice cream and watch the fireworks.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Every night, 9:30 p.m.
Busch Gardens' Summer Nights already is running, and that means fireworks every night through July 29. You have to buy tickets to get into the park to watch them. You can reserve tickets here.
York County
Yorktown Beach: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.
Celebrate the county's independence just feet from where the Revolutionary Army finished it all. Parking at Yorktown Battlefield starts at 4 p.m., and is going to close once the lot reaches capacity. There are more transportation details on the county's website.
