Fourth of July celebrations are back with a bang this year, and Portland families are ready to celebrate. With warm weather finally here, spend your day swimming at a sandy spot, then cooling off with some of the city’s best ice cream before heading out for festivities. From rodeo roundups to parades and fireworks, we’ve put together a list of some of the area’s best Fourth of July activities and events to be found. Read on to find out more.
St. Paul Rodeo
Get your little cowgirls and cowboys all rounded up and ready for this awesome event. St. Paul Rodeo is one of the most popular rodeo events in Oregon taking place annually during the 4th of July weekend in St. Paul. "The Nation’s Greatest Fourth of July Rodeo” will return for the 84th year with the promise of top rodeo action, family fun and patriotism. Six rodeo performances, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, will feature the top rodeo cowboys and livestock in the World. Also featuring a Wild West Art Show, Tack Room Saloon, a carnival, food, shopping, live music, Jaycees Beer Garden, Fourth of July parade, and barbecue and much more. The kids will love the barrel racing, classic saddle bronco riding, team roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, tie-down roping, and so much more.
Where: 20025 4th St NE, St Paul, OR Cost: starting at $16 Event Details.
City of Portland Fireworks
The city of Portland will offer a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. off the Eastern Promenade. Many local parks host Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks after dark, including Mt. Tabor, the International Rose Test Garden, Sellwood Park, and Oaks Amusement Park. The Oaks Amusement Park offers a picnic area, roller-skating, and its own fireworks show.
Champoeg Independence Day Race
Grab your running shoes and head to this historic Park. Your family will enjoy an amazing day at Champoeg State Park running, eating and listening to music! This event includes an out and back Run (or walk), plenty of good food, amazing beer, and listen to some great music all inside of Historic Champoeg State Park.
When: 8 a.m. Cost: Cost depends on distance Where: Champoeg State Heritage Area, St Paul Event Details
Music lovers and fans will come together again July 1-4, for the Waterfront Blues Festival “Upriver!” This annual Fourth of July festival is returning with an unforgettable event that will be a Waterfront Blues Fest like no other. Held in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with unparalleled views of Portland’s famous bridges and riverfront, the festival is the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend. With family-friendly activities, sunny skies, the world-famous Zydeco dance floor and of course fireworks over the Willamette River, The Waterfront Blues Festival is not to be missed. Cost: varies by event
Portland families have the opportunity to attend this annual Independence Day parade. It will begin at Estacada High School. It will go south on Main Street to downtown, cross over to Broadway on SE 4th Ave, and continue up Broadway to River Mill Elementary School. In past years, the parade has featured vintage cars, tractors, hot rods, logging trucks, floats, animals, bands, and a Boy Scout color guard. This year’s parade, dubbed "Remember When" will also include first responders and members of the Forest Service. The parade lasts about an hour.
Do your Fourth of July festivities center around a backyard BBQ and kids’ crafts at your place? Or are you more about spending the day waiting to see Boston’s most epic fireworks display over the Harbor? Either way, we think this year’s Independence Day celebration is going to be a blast, especially since so many Boston favorites are back this year. So grab the kids and your best red, white and blue accessories, then head out to find our favorite fireworks displays, parades, historical reenactments and more. Here’s where Boston families can celebrate July 4th in 2022!
Boston’s Best 4th of July Celebrations
Michael Blanchard
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Boston's main event returns for the first time since 2019! Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will be at the Esplanade performing their acclaimed Fireworks Spectacular that includes the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums. The program will be live from the stage of the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade Shed, and will be broadcast locally on Channel 7.
Boston Harborfest Boston Harborfest, the decades-old tradition celebrating Boston’s harbor and history, makes it 2022 debut with exciting activities at Boston’s best landmarks. This family-friendly event is one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals, and local families can enjoy the opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, boat tours, live entertainment and much more.
246th Independence Day Celebration City Hall Plaza is the starting point of this short parade that passes by the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths will be laid on the graves of patriots. The parade continues through Downtown Crossing past other historical spots before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company reads the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day Parades & Festivals Beyond Boston
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Plymouth's 4th of July Celebration If a fun run, parade, food trucks, concerts and fireworks are the way you want to celebrate the 4th, head to Plymouth to enjoy the festivities. The 5K starts bright and early and is followed by a fun-filled parade. Round out your trip south with live music and food trucks before fireworks light up the sky over the harbor at dusk.
Fireworks at Polar Park Take the kids out to a ballgame with a side of fireworks after the last pitch flies at Polar Park. Home of Boston's minor league team, the WooSox, Polar Park will be hosting patriotic-themed fireworks for fans to enjoy from the stands when the WooSox take on the Scranton Railriders.
Lexington Lions’ 4th of July Carnival The carnival is in town and families will be able to enjoy rides, games, food and fun at this annual event starting June 30 through July 4. Fireworks are scheduled for July 1 at 9:30 p.m., and families will also catch youth games on July 4 at 10 a.m.
Coca Cola July 4th Fest Plan your fireworks extravaganza with a side of thrilling rides and Hurricane Ridge waterpark adventures. Take the kids to Six Flags New England for a sun-up to sun-down celebration every day. In addition to ticket discounts and rides for kids of all ages, families can watch a stunning fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Amesbury Days This year marks the 123rd Amesbury Days. It’s a chance to get together for fun and exciting community events and launch the summer of 2022. Beginning June 23rd, there will be lots to do including a block party, Pride celebration, live music, a Kids Night on June 28 and more. But the most wow-worthy of them all has gotta be the 4th of July fireworks display.
Hampton Beach Special 4th of July Fireworks Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind when you take to the shores of New Hampshire for a beach day followed by a fireworks display. Bring your sand toys and picnic basket! Dress the kids in the jammies just in time for the spectacular main event. We think they’ll be sound asleep before you get to the Massachusetts border after this exciting day.