Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Fourth of July

(Image courtesy City of Everett)

July 4th fun around the greater Seattle area

Parades, fun runs, carnivals, and fireworks

Every year, “4th of July events near me” becomes a top search, and the Seattle region always comes through. Whether you’re looking for small-town charm or big city fireworks, this list has your Independence Day plans covered.

In addition to the big evening fireworks shows, you’ll find parades, fun runs, all-day fairs, and free outdoor concerts. Have a happy (and safe!) Fourth!

Seattle

  • West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade | Saturday, July 4 | 10 a.m. | Sunset Ave and 44th Ave. NW | Free | All ages | This Kids Parade features decorated bikes, strollers, scooters, wagons, or on foot, and ends at the park. The park will have games, food trucks, craft booths, and activities for kids of all ages, including potato sack races!
  • Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony | Saturday, July 4 | 12 to 1 p.m. | Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center | Free | All ages | The program includes music and cultural performances, remarks from Local and National dignitaries, and recognition of all countries represented, the military personnel, and the eldest applicant receiving citizen status.
  • Ballard Locks 4th of July Concert | Saturday, July 4 | 2-3 p.m. | Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks | Free | All ages | Seattle Civic Band will perform a free 4th of July outdoor summer concert on the lawn of the beautiful Botanical Gardens as part of the Ballard Locks Summer Concert Series. Chairs are not provided, so bring your own or a blanket.
  • Seafair Summer 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | 3-11 p.m. | Gas Works Park & SLU Park | Free | Tickets | Both locations have free and reserved seating options, food trucks, adult beverages, and a view of the fireworks. Gas Works will feature a kid zone, vendor marketplace, and all-American games, including sack racing, pie-eating contests, and more.

West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade. (Image: Dan Jacobs / Admiral Neighborhood Association)

Eastside

  • Carnation Fourth of July | Saturday, July 4 | 8 a.m.-11:45 p.m. | Multiple locations in Carnation | Free | All ages | The event will feature a fun run (register), a kiddie parade, a basketball tournament, a grand parade, the 2025 car show, and more. Some activities cost.
  • Kirkland 4th of July Parade | Saturday, July 4 | 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Marina Park, Kirkland | Free | All ages | This celebration features a family-friendly kids and main parade of local shops, dance groups, and more, as well as a kids decorating station, giveaways, and photo ops.
  • Issaquah 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Front Street, Issaquah | Free | Join for the Kids & Pets Parade and then stay to enjoy some music, food trucks, and space to picnic along Front Street.
  • Fourth on the Plateau | Saturday, July 4 | 5-10:30 p.m. | Sammamish Commons (Upper Commons) | Free | Enjoy this family-friendly celebration featuring food trucks, live music, kids’ activities (face painting, balloon art, and more), an outdoor yard games area, and giveaways. Fireworks show at 10 p.m.
  • Newcastle Fireworks on the Lake | Thursday, July 2 | 6 p.m. | Lake Boren Park | Free | Enjoy live music, food, and community vendors, family activities, and a fireworks show over the lake at 10 p.m.
  • Lake Sammamish Firework Display | Saturday, July 4 | 6 to 10:30 p.m. | Lake Sammamish State Park | Free | All ages | Inflatable, glow sticks, face painting, food trucks, music, and fireworks.
  • Snoqualmie Red, White & Boom | Saturday, July 4 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Snoqualmie Community Park | Free | With vendors, food trucks, attractions, inflatables, and field games for the whole family! Don’t miss out on their fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
  • Bellevue 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | Time TBD | Bellevue Downtown Park | Free | Enjoy an evening filled with live music, family activities, and entertainment, and fireworks!

Issaquah 4th of July Kids Parade (Photo courtesy: Issaquah.gov).

Issaquah 4th of July Kids Parade (Photo courtesy Issaquah.gov)

North of Seattle

Friday, July 3, 2026

  • Fireworks in Mountlake Terrace | Friday, July 3 | 6 p.m. | Ballinger Park | Free | All ages | The fun includes pie-eating contests, field games, a DJ, and food trucks. A big fireworks display over beautiful Lake Ballinger will be the highlight of the event.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

  • Bothell 4th of July Parade & Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, July 4 | 8:30 a.m. | The Park at Bothell Landing | Free | All ages | Starts with a free pancake breakfast and tour of the Bothell Fire Department’s fire engine. Don’t miss the car show, children’s parade, and grand parade.
  • 4th of July in Edmonds | Saturday, July 4 | 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Edmonds Fountain | Free | All ages | Start the day of with the 4th of July family fun run and 5K ($40 for 5K, register here.), followed by the children’s parade and main parade. There will be a costume contest for the most patriotic spirit!
  • Fourth of July Family Fun Parade: Tikes, Bikes and Tails | Saturday, July 4 | 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Downtown North Bend | Think of it like a neighborhood parade in the streets of Downtown North Bend. Families are invited to walk in the parade or, come watch and cheer! Have an instrument? Bring it along and add to the festive tunes! No motorized or electric vehicles are allowed, but bring friendly dogs, bikes and trikes, roller skates, wagons, and more.
  • Everett’s 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | Legion Memorial Park, Everett | Free | Enjoy a fireworks show, live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and kid-friendly entertainment.
  • Marysville 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | 6 to 10:30 p.m. | Ebey Waterfront Park, Marysville | Free | All ages | Food trucks and festive photo opportunities will be available within Ebey Waterfront Park and along 1st St. from 7-10 pm prior to the fireworks show.
  • Kenmore 4th of July Celebration | Saturday, July 4 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Log Boom Park, Kenmore | Free | Enjoy music, food trucks, face painting, games, and crafts. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. and last 20 minutes! Check here to see what entertainment is scheduled to happen.

Everett’s Fourth of July. (Image courtesy Leland Dart)

South of Seattle

Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27, 2026

  • Freedom Fest JBLM | Saturday, June 26-27 | Time TBD | Cowan Stadium on Joint Base Lewis McChord | Free | Celebrate Independence Day early at Cowan Stadium Events TBD.

Friday, July 3, 2026

  • Puyallup’s 3rd of July Celebration | Friday, July 3 | 2:30-10:30 p.m. | Gold & Teal Lots, Washington State Fair, Puyallup | $35 | Tickets | Features live music, a car show, a kid zone with balloon artists, face painting, crafts, corn hole, a 5K run, and more. The festival will feature food trucks, a beer garden, and a fireworks display.
  • Lacey Fireworks Spectacular | Friday, July 3 | 4-11 p.m. | Rainier Vista Park, Lacey | Free | This FREE festival will include exciting live entertainment, food, a Kids Zone and a fireworks display!

Saturday, July 4, 2026

  • Renton Hometown 4th of July | Saturday, July 4 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Cedar River Park | Free, some activities cost | Enjoy delicious hot dogs and refreshments, live music, play a variety of games in the Stars and Stripes Game Zone, cheer on participants competing in the Hot Dog Hustle 5K, or have the kids participate in the Play Ball Baseball/Softball Challenge. Then, top it off at the Stars and Stripes Splash Zone at the Henry Moses Aquatic Center.
  • Gig Harbor Kids and Pets Parade | Saturday, July 4 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Parade is in downtown Gig Harbor, and the after-parade celebration is in Skansie Brothers Park | A nostalgic hometown Independence Day celebration featuring pie eating contests, hot dogs, popcorn, fun games and activities for kids, and more. For the parade, bring your wagons, bikes, family, and pups, and dress in your best red, white, and blue. Register here for the parade, and here for the pie-eating contest.
  • Burien July 4th Parade | Saturday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Town Square Park, Burien | Free | All ages | Join Burien’s largest parade, and thousands of people attend this great community event, with the parade starting at 11 and running for 2 hours.
  • Tumwater Independence Day Parade | Saturday, July 4 | 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Capitol Boulevard to Israel Road SW, Tumwater | Free | Celebrate the 4th of July in Tumwater with an Independence Day Parade, with veteran groups, dance teams and classic cars. There will be a family festival and fireworks later in the day.
  • Auburn 4th of July Festival | Saturday, July 4 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Les Gove Park | Free | All ages | This hometown event features live entertainment on two stages, numerous inflatable rides, and other children’s attractions. There will be a climbing wall, a car show, pony rides, and so much more. You can pay $10 for unlimited rides and activities.
  • Tacoma 4th of July Summer Blast | Saturday, July 4 | 12-10:30 p.m. | Ruston Way & Dune Peninsula | Free | The celebration takes place at Dune Peninsula and Cummings Park on Ruston Way with over 150 vendors, two stages, and a 20-minute fireworks display. They also have a Kids Zone at Cummings Park with a bounce house, inflatables, and more.
  • Federal Way: Red, White & Blue Festival | Saturday, July 4 | 4-11 p.m. | Celebration Park, Federal Way | Free | All ages | Featuring music, food vendors, sports, family games, face painting, inflatables, and more.
  • Independence Day Celebration | Friday, July 3 | 5-10:15 p.m. | Lake Wilderness Park, Maple Valley | A family-friendly celebration with live music, engaging games, delicious food, and a dazzling fireworks show featuring the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra with a special National Anthem performance by the Maple Valley Jr. Idol Winner. There is also a pie-baking contest; enter here.
  • Kent Fourth of July “Splash” | Saturday, July 4 | 5-10 p.m. | Lake Meridian Park, Kent | Free | All ages | There will be live music, food trucks, kid activities, and fireworks set right on Lake Meridian Park. Free shuttles will be offered from 3 p.m. until the end of the event.
  • Tumwater Festival and Fireworks | Saturday, July 4 | 6 p.m. | Tumwater Valley Golf Course | Free | Join this free family event with games, music, and more. Don’t miss the fireworks display after the family festival. $10 event parking.

Tacoma Summer Blast 4th of July Celebration. (Photo courtesy: Parkstacoma.gov)

Tacoma Summer Blast 4th of July Celebration. (Photo courtesy Tacoma Parks)

West of Seattle

Saturday, June 27, 2026, and Sunday, June 28, 2026

  • Bremerton Bridge Blast | June 27-28 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sat), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun) | Bremerton Boardwalk | Free | All ages | Enjoy waterfront views, live entertainment, over 60 vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden, while you wait for the fireworks!

Saturday, July 4, 2026

  • Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th | Saturday, July 4 | Times vary | Downtown Winslow/Waterfront Park, Bainbridge | Free | The celebration begins with the traditional pancake breakfast and continues a car show, street fair, live music stage, the mile-long Hometown Parade (at 1 p.m.). and a Kids Zone.
  • 4th of July Kitsap Free Train Ride | Saturday, July 4 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | South Kitsap Regional Park | Free | All ages | Trains run throughout the day, and you will get to see a varied collection of motive power, from steam to diesel and electric.

About the Author