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Everything to know about July 4 in Boston (including how to watch the fireworks)
From the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (and how to watch on TV or in person) to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, here's your guide to Fourth of July weekend in Boston.
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do on July 4 in Boston is to watch the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, the annual outdoor concert and pyrotechnics spectacle on the Esplanade. Whether you choose to head downtown to listen to the Boston Pops Orchestra or stay home and frantically scroll through cable menus trying to figure out how to watch the fireworks on TV, you’ll be taking part in a beloved tradition that has entertained Bostonians for almost a century.
But there’s more to July 4 in Boston than just the fireworks. The dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House is one of many history-focused events scheduled around Independence Day. And the city’s restaurants, event spaces, and cultural institutions all lean into the spirit of America as well.
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Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the best things to do on July 4 in Boston. While there is a heavy emphasis on helpful info for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular — including who is performing and how to watch the fireworks on TV — you’ll also find helpful resources for Fourth of July weekend events, info on other Massachusetts fireworks shows, and more.
LATEST JULY 4 NEWS
What time do the Boston fireworks start?
The 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be running with a new schedule this year, which is important information for both viewers at home and those who are heading to the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston on Friday, July 4.
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The entire celebration is taking place an hour earlier than previous years. The annual concert kicks off at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., and the 30-minute fireworks show starts at 9:40 p.m instead of 10:30 p.m.
Guests hoping to snag a seat at “The Oval,” the grass-filled area in front of the Hatch Shell, can begin to enter the area starting at noon. The seats are free and are first-come, first-served.
How do I watch the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on TV?
If you’re not spending July 4 in Boston — or simply don’t want to deal with the crowds or the MBTA — you can still watch the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on TV.
The show will be broadcast locally Boston’s WHDH-TV (Channel 7) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Not in the Boston area on July 4? The entire concert and fireworks display will also be broadcast nationally on the CW starting at 9 p.m.
In previous years, you could watch the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular streaming online thanks to the show’s media deal with Bloomberg. With a change in partnerships for 2025, as of now there have been no announcements about whether WHDH or CW will offer a way to watch the fireworks streaming online.
On a similar note, in previous years you could hear the Boston Pops concert on the radio through Bloomberg’s radio stations. That won’t be an option for 2025.
Who is performing at the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular?
For its 51st annual show, the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will once again bring the sounds of the Boston Pops to the Esplanade on July 4 with the help of headliner LeeAnn Rimes.
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The Grammy-winning singer first rose to prominence in the ’90s as a country music star at the age of 13, and is best known for songs like “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” and “I Need You.”
Joining Rimes on the Esplanade stage is Boston-raised trio Bell Biv DeVoe. The New Edition offshoot was at the forefront of the new jack swing movement in the early ’90s, and is best known for its hit “Poison.”
Also performing at the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr. The singer who originated the role of Aaron Burr in “Hamilton” recently reunited with his fellow cast members at the Tony Awards as part of a tenth anniversary celebration of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical musical.
Speaking on anniversaries, conductor Keith Lockhart will be celebrating his 30th year leading the Boston Pops orchestra, and the entire 2025 celebration is part of the Massachusetts 250 initiative, celebrating the 250th anniversary of historic Revolutionary War events including the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
What you can and can’t bring to the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular:
July 4 in Boston will undoubtedly be filled with backyard grilling parties and lazy days at the beach alongside a cooler full of drinks. But if you’re heading to the Esplanade, leave the grills, glass bottles, and coolers on wheels at home.
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Security personnel will be posted on the Esplanade to make sure you don’t bring any of the following:
Prohibited Items
- Coolers on wheels
- Backpacks
- Firearms, sharp objects, or fireworks
- Glass containers
- Cans
- Alcoholic beverages
- Pre-mixed beverages
- All liquids must be carried in sealed clear plastic containers, and may not exceed 2 liters in size
- Grilling, propane tanks, or open flames
Allowed Items
- Pop-up tents/canopies with no sides (maximum size is 10’x10’).
- Blankets or tarps no bigger than 10’x 10’.
- Folding/beach chairs only.
- Coolers, which must be carried in by shoulder strap or single handle (no wheeled coolers).
- All liquids need to be in sealed clear plastic containers not to exceed 2 liters in size.
Parking and transportation details for the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
Due to the number of street closures and parking restrictions, the BSO advises those able to utilize public transportation to do so. The two closest stops to the Hatch Shell are Charles-MGH on the Red Line and Arlington Street on the Green Line. Starting at 8:30 p.m., the T will be free, so don’t worry about the fare for your ride home.
If you plan to drive to the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, you can search for a number of garages near the Hatch Shell. The BSO recommends the historic Motor Mart Garage (located at 201 Stuart Street), but if you’re looking for more options, the best address to use for the Hatch Shell on Google Maps or Apple Maps is 47 David G. Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108.
That said, drivers should be careful to note the extensive number of road closures. Most travel on the river roads (Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive) near the Hatch Shell will be significantly reduced or closed completely.
To see a full list of the travel and parking restrictions on July 4, check out the city of Boston’s July 4 traffic advisory.
What are other fun things to do for July 4 in Boston?
With July 4 falling on a Friday in 2025, there are Independence Day celebrations during the week leading up to the holiday. Many of the most well-known activities are all part of a larger event known as Boston Harborfest, which celebrates our nation’s history with three days of activities from July 2 through July 4.
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Along with daily drum and fife performances and regular tours of the Freedom Trail, here are a few of the highlights you’ll want to check out during the long week of events.
Harborfest Fireworks
You don’t have to wait until July 4 to see fireworks in Boston. The Harborfest display will begin at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, with the fireworks launching from a barge at Long Wharf. Immediately preceding the pyrotechnics, there will be a concert starting at 7:45 p.m. at Christopher Columbus Park.
Writing a Revolution: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
Witness some of the most important moments in early American history as told through the correspondences of a colonial power couple: John and Abigail Adams. Enjoy a theatrical performance of the pair’s letters to each other in Abigail’s tea room at the Boston Tea Party and Ships Museum, along with a selection of beer, wine, colonial-inspired cocktails, cookies, and scones.
Parade and Declaration of Independence Reading
Finish your weekend off with a parade on the morning of July 4, which begins at 9 a.m. on Washington Street at the Franklin Street steps and ends at the Old State House, where a traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held on the balcony of the Old State House.
To see a full schedule of the dozens of events that take place during Harborfest, visit the organization’s website.
Where can I watch July 4 fireworks near me?
Who says July 4 in Boston is the end-all, be-all for Independence Day celebrations? More than 90 towns and cities in Massachusetts have their own Fourth of July fireworks shows, held anytime from mid-June to late July.
You can see a full list of 2025 July 4 fireworks shows in Massachusetts here, with information regarding time, location, and rain date for all of the towns and cities across Massachusetts.
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