July 4th kicks off the summer for many of us and there are many, many ways to celebrate around the Puget Sound region. In addition to the big evening fireworks shows you’ll find parades, fun runs, all-day fairs, and outdoor free concerts. Here are some of the festivities around the area. Have a happy (and safe!) 4th!
The following events are on July 4th and FREE unless otherwise noted.
In Seattle
Ballard Locks 4th of July Concert
Seattle Civic Band will be performing a free outdoor summer concert at the Ballard Locks at 2 pm 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 chairs or a blanket. Bring a picnic too (or grab pizza across the street at Pagliacci Pizza)!
While you’re at the Locks enjoy the remarkable sight of boats being raised and lowered to travel between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Also, check out the salmon fish ladder viewing room on the south side of the locks and the outstanding, steep hills for rolling down on the far south side of the waterway.
Naturalization Ceremony at Seattle Center
Seattle Center hosts the 38th Annual Naturalization Ceremony, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., July 4th at the Fisher Pavilion, and invites the public to observe as The Honorable David G. Estudillo, Chief United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, swears in over 500 candidates as new citizens of the United States of America.
The program commences with the posting of the Colors by the Washington State Guard and singing of the national anthem by soloist Maria Plancich Kesovija, accompanied by Navy Band Northwest, followed by a Native American welcome by performers Gene Tagaban, storyteller, and musicians Peter Ali and Swil Kanim. Gospel singer Josephine Howell will give her heartfelt rendition of America the Beautiful. The Children of our Nations will lead the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for their first time as U.S. citizens.
Take me out to the ballgame
Watching baseball has a great Americana vibe to it, so why not catch a game on the 4th? The Mariners are not in town but you’ll find the DubSea Fish Sticks – a summer collegiate team based out of West Seattle – at home playing the Diamond Sports in Mel Olson Stadium in White Center. Tickets are $12 (3 and under FREE)
West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade
The much-loved West Seattle 4th of July Kids Parade is all about the kids – in decorated bikes, strollers, scooters, wagons, or on foot the kids will parade starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4 at Sunset Ave. SW and 44th Ave. SW. in the North Admiral neighborhood and wind through the neighborhood to Hamilton Viewpoint Park for games and food trucks, craft booths, and activities for kids of all ages including potato sack races!
Seafair Fireworks
Seafair Summer 4th
One of the Northwest’s biggest and most beloved summer traditions continues. The party goes on all day at Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park. Both locations have both free and reserved seating options, food trucks, adult beverages, and a view of the fireworks. (The website says the view is better from Lake Union Park because it faces north and the dark sky.) Gas Works also has a Kids Zone, interactive displays, hydration stations, a vendor marketplace, a “howitzer blast-off ceremony” and a glow-in-the-dark dance party. Both places open at 3 p.m. Monday, July 4, and are sure to be crowded. Fireworks start at 10:20 p.m.
Eastside
Bellevue 4th Fireworks
The Eastside’s largest July 4 event is back in all its splendor beginning at 5 p.m. at Bellevue Downtown Park. Highlights include a family fun zone, entertainment, food trucks, and an honor guard. Fireworks are planned for 10:05 p.m., followed by a Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra performance. Good news: Free parking is available after 5 p.m. at The Bellevue Collection properties.
Bothell 4th of July Parade and Pancake Breakfast
Bothell’s biggest annual event starts with a free pancake breakfast from 8:30 – 10:30 am, the Car Show at 10 am – 3 pm, the Children’s Parade at 11:15 am, and their 100+ year-old traditional Grand Parade at noon!
Carnation Fourth
Monday July 4th festivities include the 5K “Run for the Pies and Pints” at 8:30 a.m. at Remlinger Farms, followed by both the “kiddy Parade” (11 a.m.) and Grand Parade (11:30 a.m.). Other events are Vendor Village on East Bird Street and the Hot Rods and Harley Show will be in the parking lot of Carnation Café and on East Commercial Street. Afternoon and evening festivities include food, music, beer garden at Remlinger Farm starting at 4 p.m and Fireworks beginning at 10 pm at Remlingler.
Fireworks over Bellevue
Issaquah Down Home 4th of July
Celebrate in downtown Issaquah, with a Kid ‘n Pets parade at 11 a.m. Monday, July 4th, and continues with family activities until 2 pm.
The parade gathers on Rainier Boulevard North and travels down Front Street through Olde Town Issaquah to Veterans Memorial Field, where family fun will include music, food, arts and crafts, and various activity booths.
Celebrate Kirkland – 4th of July Parade
Head to the downtown business district of Kirkland and find your favorite spectator spot along the parade route. The main parade will feature approximately 100 entries including floats, musical and dance performers, civic organizations, car and animal groups, and more! The Kid’s Decorating Pavilion/Lakeshore Plaza opens at
10:30 AM –Â kids decorate their bikes, trikes, strollers, and wagons for the Kid’s Parade! Kid’s Parade 11:30, Main Parade Noon.
North of Seattle
Fireworks in Mountlake Terrace (July 3rd)
The 3rd of July Family Celebration in Mountlake Terrace begins at 6 p.m. The fun will include 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 when darkness falls at approximately 10:00 p.m. The viewing area is on the hillside within Ballinger Park, directly to the south/southeast of the Mickey Corso Community Clubhouse (also known as the Mountlake Terrace Senior/Community Center)
4th of July in Edmonds
Fun runs in the morning kick-off the 4th of July Edmonds celebration but the big deal is the Parade at noon and the Children’s Parade at 11:30. note: Edmonds won’t have fireworks this year, as Civic Field is under construction.
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Edmonds 4th of July parade
Everett’s 4th of July
Festivities start at 3 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Legion Memorial Park: live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and Thunder on the Bay Fireworks over Gardner Bay starting around 10:30 pm. Imagine Children’s Museum will be at the festival at Legion Park from 2:00 to 8:00 pm with chalk art, paper rockets, patriotic crafts, and more kid-friendly activities. The park has a great playground and ballfields and families are welcome to bring their own lawn games.
Everett 4th 2022 (photo: EverettWA.gov)
South of Seattle
Auburn Independence Day Festival
Celebrate the 4th at Les Gove Park in Auburn. The event includes entertainment on two stages, a variety of craft artists, a car show, inflatable rides, euro-bungee trampolines, train rides, and other fun activities for children. The event also offers a rock climbing wall, mini golf, bocce, food concessions, and more. If the weather is hot, the naturally shaded park and spray park will help keep you cool during the afternoon. Leashed, licensed and well-behaved pets are welcome.
Note: 4th of July Festival Wristband sales begin at 10:00 AM. You can purchase a wristband for $10 for unlimited activities which include all inflatable rides, cyclone swing, bungee trampolines, rock wall, train rides, mini golf, laser tag, and balloon art.
Burien Independence Day Parade
The Burien 4th of July Parade starts promptly at 3 PM and runs for approximately two hours. This is Burien’s largest parade, and thousands of people attend this great community event!
Puyallup’s Firecracker 5K and Sparkler Kids’ Dash
Participate in the Annual Firecracker 5K and Kids Sparkler Dash on the beautiful (and mostly flat!) Riverwalk Trail in Puyallup. Celebrate Independence Day with this fun family event that also features an old-fashioned photo stand. The Kids dash will begin at 9:15 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9:30.
Renton 4th of July – CANCELLED 2023
Due to safety concerns and ongoing construction at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the city cannot host its annual Fourth of July activities in 2023, including the fireworks show.
SeaTac
The city of SeaTac celebrates with fireworks over Angle Lake at 10 p.m. Beginning at noon there will bea Children’s Zone with inflatables and from 1 pm until the fireworks start at 10 pm there will be live music.
Fourth of July festivities draw thousands to waterfront locations in Tacoma. (Photos by Russ Carmack)
Tacoma 4th of July Summer Blast
Tacoma’s family-friendly day of live music, food, entertainment and crafts vendors starts at noon and culminates in a fireworks display over Commencement Bay at 10:30 pm. This annual event takes place on Dune Peninsula and the iconic Ruston Way Waterfront and features two distinct event footprints, over 150 vendors, 2 stages ,and a 20-minute firework display.
Entertainment created especially for kids will be at the Family Zone at Cummings Park all day long! Bring the youngsters to burn off energy in the bounce houses, get creative with sand art and canvas painting, dance the afternoon away, get a fancy Summer Blast braided hairstyle and more! Activities are designed with a younger crowd in mind.
The fireworks display over Commencement Bay beginning at 10 p.m. will be visible from all Ruston Way locations.
This event is the largest free community event in the South Sound.
Federal Way
The Red, White & Blues Festival begins at 4 p.m. July 4 at Celebration Park. There will be music, food vendors, sports, family games, face painting, inflatables and more.
Fireworks are set for 10:15 p.m. Families should bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Elsewhere:
Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th
Bainbridge Island has celebrated the 4th in a big way since 1967. Kicking off with the traditional Pancake Breakfast, the day will include the BYS Fun Run, Car Show, Street Fair, Kid’s Zone, Beer & Wine Garden, Live Music Stage, and of course, the mile-long Hometown Parade. The Kids Zone (9 am – 5 pm) includes pony rides, putt-putt, build a model boat, bounce houses, face painting as well as Alleyoop! and Children’s Musical Games performances.
Washington State Parks
Parks officials remind people that fireworks are not allowed on state parks properties, including beaches.
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Add a little berry picking to your plans for the 4th.
