The Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks, and there's no better place to enjoy them than along America's beautiful waterways. Here's your guide to some of the best spots across the nation where you can catch these dazzling displays from the comfort of your boat or the shoreline.

Florida & Gulf Coast

• Port Aransas Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  Celebrate Independence Day in Port Aransas with an afternoon of free treats, live music by Coastal Benders, and a spectacular fireworks show at the Fred Rhodes Memorial Pavilion starting at 4 p.m. 
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Port Aransas, Texas

• Apalachicola Waterfront July 3rd Celebration
  Date: July 3, 2025
  Time: 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
  The July 3rd celebration at Riverfront Park kicks off at 4:00 p.m. with concerts, activities, and delicious local food—many vendors representing non-profit organizations. The festive day concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over the river.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Franklin County, Florida

• Panama City Beach Real. Fun. Fourth. 2025
  Dates: July 3-5, 2025
  Panama City Beach's Real. Fun. Fourth. celebration takes place July 3–5, 2025, featuring the Gulf Coast's largest fireworks display across multiple nights and locations. Enjoy shows at the beach, bayside, and piers, with live music simulcasts enhancing the experience.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Panama City Beach, Florida

• Miami Bayfront Park 4th of July Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 4:00PM to 9:00PM
  Bayfront Park in downtown Miami will host a special 4th of July Festival celebrating both Independence Day and the park's 100th anniversary. From 4–9 p.m., guests can enjoy live music, interactive attractions, food vendors, and a fireworks finale over Biscayne Bay.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Miami, Florida

• 4th of July: North Beach
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  Miami Beach celebrates the Fourth of July with an evening of music, food trucks, and family fun at Altos del Mar Park starting at 5 p.m., followed by a free outdoor roller disco at the nearby Bandshell and a grand drone and fireworks show at 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy live performances, kids' activities, and themed entertainment just steps from the beach.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Miami, Florida

• Tampa Bay's Boom by the Bay
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 4:00PM to 10:00PM
  Boom by the Bay 2025 will encompass The Heights District Fourth of July Celebration at Armature Works, Star Spangled Sparkman Wharf and the Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk July 4th Boat Parade along the Hillsborough River.
• Discover local marinas and more: Explore Tampa, Florida

• St. Augustine's 4th of July Fireworks over the Matanzas
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
  St. Augustine's Fireworks Over the Matanzas returns July 4 with a live Big Band concert by The All-Star Orchestra at 6 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución, followed by a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show over Matanzas Bay at 9:30 p.m., choreographed to patriotic music.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore St. Augustine, Florida

Mid-Atlantic ICW

• Red White and Blue on the Bluff in Darien, GA
  Date: June 28, 2025
  Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  Enjoy food trucks, live music, and a festive fireworks display. Families and friends are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and relax, with beer and wine available for purchase for those 21 and over.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Darien, Georgia

• Savannah's Waterfront Independence Day
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
  Savannah's largest annual event, the Independence Day Celebration, draws over 40,000 attendees for a night of live music, food specials, and a spectacular fireworks show symbolizing American freedom. Set to a patriotic soundtrack, the 20-minute fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. over the Savannah River and is visible from Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Plant Riverside District, Eastern Wharf, and more.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Savannah, Georgia

• Patriots Point Fireworks Blast in Charleston, SC
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  Celebrate Independence Day at Patriots Point with the 4th of July Blast aboard the historic USS Yorktown, featuring live music, family activities, local food vendors, and panoramic views of a 20+ minute fireworks show over Charleston Harbor.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Charleston, South Carolina

• Shelter Cove Harbourfest Fireworks
  Date: July 4, 2025 (Plus additional dates June-August)
  Shelter Cove HarbourFest on Hilton Head Island offers a summer-long celebration with live music, family activities, and fireworks every Tuesday night—plus a special Independence Day show on Friday, July 4, 2025. Enjoy performances by Shannon Tanner, entertainment from Cappy the Clown, waterfront dining, and a magical fireworks display set against the picturesque marina.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Hilton Head, South Carolina

• City of New Bern July 4th Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
  Enjoy food trucks, adult beverages, games, inflatables, and live music from 1-42 Band.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore New Bern, North Carolina
  
  
  

• Norfolk's Annual 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 5:00PM to 10:00PM
  Celebrate Independence Day at Town Point Park on the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront with delicious All-American food, live music from military brass bands, and one of Hampton Roads' most spectacular fireworks displays over the Elizabeth River at 9:30 p.m. Guests are invited to relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of festive fare and patriotic entertainment.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Norfolk, Virginia

Chesapeake Bay

• Deltaville, VA Community Fireworks
  Date: July 5, 2025
  Time: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  Start with a 5K and end with fireworks after a local baseball game.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Deltaville, Virginia

• Reedville's Independence Day Celebration
  Date: July 3-5, 2024
  Small-town celebration with festivities along the waterfront, golf cart parade, music by DJ Russ, Firecracker 5K and Fireworks.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Reedville, Virginia

• Kinsale 4th of July Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 5:00PM to 10:00PM
  enjoy food, drinks, and live music by the Hard to Tell Band near the bridge, with offerings from the Kinsale Market, Yeocomico Club, and Amish ice cream vendors. The evening features a festive boat parade at 7:30 p.m. and concludes with a dazzling fireworks show over the Yeocomico River at 9:15 p.m.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Kinsale, Virginia

• Cape Charles Fourth of July Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 10:00AM to 10:00PM
  Festivities include a parade, games, contests, and a fireworks show at the beach and harbor.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Cape Charles, Virginia

• Washington, DC Fourth of July Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Celebrate Independence Day in the nation's capital with a full day of patriotic festivities, including the National Independence Day Parade, family activities near the Washington Monument, and the star-studded Capitol Fourth concert. The evening concludes with a breathtaking fireworks display over the National Mall beginning at 9:09 p.m., set against the iconic backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Washington, DC

• Annapolis' 4th of July Celebration
  Date: July 3-4, 2025
  Annapolis celebrates Independence Day with a festive Fireworks Cruise on July 3, offering front-row views of the Sherwood Forest and Severn River displays from aboard a Watermark boat, complete with desserts and a full bar. On July 4, the city hosts its annual parade at 6:30 p.m., followed by a breathtaking fireworks show over the harbor at 9:15 p.m., best viewed from City Dock.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Annapolis, Maryland

Northern

• Nantucket Independence Day Celebrations
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM
  Nantucket celebrates Independence Day on Friday, July 4th with all-day festivities across Main Street, Children's Beach, and Jetties Beach, including live music, puppet shows, games, and the beloved water competition. The day concludes with a stunning 25-minute fireworks show over the water at Jetties Beach at 9:00 p.m., set to patriotic music simulcast on 97.7 FM.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Nantucket, Massachusetts

• Providence, RI Independence Day Celebration
  Date: July 2, 2025
  Time: 5:30PM to 9:30PM
  Providence's annual Independence Day Celebration takes place Wednesday, July 2 at India Point Park, featuring family fun, live music from Big Lux and The Hype, and a vibrant fireworks show from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. The free event includes a variety of local food trucks and is hosted in partnership with Narragansett Brewery and the Providence Tourism Council.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Providence, Rhode Island

• Bar Harbor July 4th Celebration
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Bar Harbor's renowned July 4th Celebration returns in 2025 with a full day of festivities, including a pancake breakfast, craft fair, patriotic parade, seafood festival, and an evening concert by the Bar Harbor Town Band. The celebration concludes with a stunning fireworks display over Frenchman Bay.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Bar Harbor, Maine

• Newport Fourth of July Fireworks
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Newport's annual Fourth of July Fireworks display will light up the harbor around 9:15 p.m. on Friday, July 4 (weather permitting), with a rain date of July 5. For the best views, head to a westward-facing spot along Newport Harbor such as Perrotti Park, King Park, or Queen Anne Square.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Newport, Rhode Island

Great Lakes

• Bay City Fireworks Festival
  Dates: July 4, 2025
  Experience one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation, complemented by a family carnival and local entertainment.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Bay City, Michigan

• Chicago's Fireworks at Navy Pier
  Dates: May 24 - August 30, 2025
  Named the "Best Place to See Fireworks" by USA Today, Navy Pier is the premier destination for Independence Day celebrations.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Chicago, Illinois

• Green Bay's Fire Over The Fox
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 3:00 PM - 10:30 PM
  Join the biggest 4th of July bash at Green Bay's downtown waterfront for a day full of festivities and fireworks.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Downtown Cleveland's Light Up the Lake
  Date: July 4, 2025
  Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  Downtown Cleveland's Light Up the Lake celebration returns on July 4 with two family-friendly watch parties at Voinovich Park and North Coast Yard, featuring live DJs, crafts, games, local food vendors, and themed entertainment. The 20-minute fireworks spectacular over Lake Erie begins around 10 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for July 5.
  Discover local marinas and more: Explore Cleveland, Ohio

Have any more favorite spots for fireworks along America's Waterways? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!