July 4th is back for 2022!
After two years with few big public events, Seattle-area communities seem eager to celebrate the Fourth of July in style for 2022. Here are some of the festivities around the area. Have a happy (and safe!) 4th!
Remember, private fireworks are banned in many, if not most, local communities. So a community event is the best way to see a pyrotechnic display. Keep checking back as we add more events.
Note that several events are before July 4. Fireworks night at the Seattle Mariners is Friday, July 1, and Lacey and Emerald Downs are celebrating on Sunday, July 3.
In Seattle
Take me out to the ballgame
Watching baseball has a great Americana vibe to it, so why not catch a game this weekend? The Mariners play at home against the Oakland Athletics Friday through Sunday (July 1-3, 2022). Fireworks will go off after the Friday evening game. (Future fireworks nights, in case you’re interested.)
Seafair Fireworks
Seafair Summer 4th
One of the Northwest’s biggest and most beloved summer traditions is back. The party goes on all day at Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park. Both locations have both free and rerserved 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.) 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. You decide. Both places open at 3 p.m. Monday, July 4, and are sure to be crowded. Fireworks are due to start at 10:15 p.m., and the parks close at 11 p.m.
Also in Seattle: It’s an extended Bicycle Weekend on a stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard. Your family can take a waterfront stroll or bike ride from Friday through Tuesday, July 1-5.
North of Seattle
Edmonds/Mountlake Terrace
Festivities in Edmonds include the Beat Brackett 1K and 5K race (8 a.m.) and the Baby Bracket 1K (7:50 a.m.), kids’ parade at 11:30 a.m. and the Main Parade (noon). Important note: Edmonds won’t have fireworks this year, as Civic Field is under construction. The Edmonds Chamber is helping to support the July 3 Mountlake Terrace fireworks show over Lake Ballinger. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a DJ and food trucks. 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).
Edmonds 4th of July parade (from years prior)
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 fun for the whole family. Imagine Children’s Museum will be at the festival with fun kid-friendly activities. The park has a great playground and ballfields and families are welcome to bring their own lawn games.
Past Everett 4th (photo: EverettWA.gov)
South of Seattle
Lacey celebration: July 3
The city of Lacey also celebrates a day early with the Lacey Fireworks Spectacular & Freedom Concert from 4-11 p.m. Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Rainier Vista Community Park. This free event includes food trucks, concerts and activities for kids.
Emerald Downs Fireworks Spectacular (July 3)
The horse-racing track in Auburn has a reputation for its amazing day-before-the-4th fireworks. The Sunday, July 3, event is expected to sell out. Gates open at noon and racing starts at 5 p.m. (Kids’ movies will be shown on the big screen during the afternoon.) Fireworks take place after the last race.
Burien Independence Day Parade
Burien will hold its 98th annual July 4 parade from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 4, in downtown Burien.
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. Kids dash will begin at 9:15 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9:30. This is a fun family event.
Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. at Gene Coulon Memorial Park; before that, a volleyball tournament is planned and a DJ will begin playing at 6:30. The city points out that the fireworks display, on the shores of Lake Washington, is also visible from several locations near the park and from the surrounding hills of Renton.
The city of SeaTac celebrates with fireworks over Angle Lake at 10 p.m. The parking lot and boat ramp will be closed the day, but some parking will be available nearby; transit use is encouraged. Also, the swimming area will be open but with no lifeguards; the splash park also will be open. Food and coolers may be brought but no alcohol.
Fourth of July festivities draw thousands to waterfront locations in Tacoma. (Photos by Russ Carmack)
Tacoma 4th of July Summer Blast
Tacoma is planning a family-friendly day of live music, food, entertainment and crafts vendors, culminating in a fireworks display over Commencement Bay. The free celebration will take place beginning at noon on the Ruston Way Waterfront at two locations: Cummings Park and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park. Cummings Park will also host a Family Zone with free activities for kids.
The fireworks display over Commencement Bay beginning at 10 p.m. will be visible from all Ruston Way locations. (Note on getting there: Ruston Way will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. to midnight between Alder Way and North 49th Street.)
Also in Tacoma: the circus
The Venardos Circus, a unique Broadway-style circus featuring only human talent, is in Tacoma through July 10. Holiday weekend shows are set for 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (July 2-3) and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at the STAR Center, 3873 S 66th St., Tacoma.
Fireworks over Des Moines
Due to construction, this waterfront event is a little smaller this year. Parking is extremely limited, and capacity will be as well. But fireworks will go off over the Des Moines Marina at 10:30 p.m. Monday, July 4. Before that there will be food trucks, live music, and a beer/wine garden.
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.
Eastside
Carnation Fourth
The Carnation 4th of July Celebration is back, with some changes. For one thing, it kicks off on July 3 with music at Miller’s gathering place from 7-9:30 p.m.
Monday festivities include the 5K “Run for the Pies” at 8:30 a.m. at Remlinger Farms, followed by both “kiddy” (11 a.m.) and grand parades (11:30 a.m.) on Stossel Street (this is a new location). 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 festivities include food, music, beer garden and fireworks will be at Remlinger Farms beginning at 4 p.m.
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, 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.
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 4.
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. The event is free for everyone and is set to last until 2 p.m.
Elsewhere:
Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th
Bainbridge Island has celebrated in a big way since 1967, and people are excited to have the party resume. Multiple events are planned beginning at 7 a.m. in downtown Winslow and at Waterfront Park: a pancake breakfast, fun run, car show, street fair, kids’ zone, 1 p.m. parade, music, food and more.
Washington State Parks
Parks officials remind people that fireworks are not allowed on state parks properties, including beaches.
In addition, State Parks is hosting beach cleanups in several locations on Tuesday, July 5.
Read more
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