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4th of July Weekend in Connecticut: Fireworks, Parades, and More Things to Do with Kids

Hooray for the red, white, and blue—and all the fun things to do this 4th of July Weekend in CT! Parade photo courtesy of the Stonington Borough, CT Facebook page
Hooray for the red, white, and blue—and all the fun things to do this 4th of July Weekend in CT! Parade photo courtesy of the Stonington Borough, CT Facebook page
6/28/23 - By Ally Noel

Between fireworks, festivities, and pure, outdoor things to do in Connecticut, Fourth of July is definitely the peak of summer. The nation's annual birthday party is back with a bang with an explosion of summertime fun. Fireworks shows are on the agenda all across the state this 4th of July weekend in Connecticut, including displays in Waterbury (with food trucks!), New London, and a 3-D fireworks display in Milford.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Beach Fun Pack from Goldfish Swim School! Plus, each entry also counts as an extra chance to win our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

More Things To Do in Connecticut This Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Get some history in along with the fireworks and parades in Connecticut. Be Revolutionary event photo courtesy of the Leffingwell House Museum
Get some history in along with the fireworks and parades in Connecticut. Be Revolutionary event photo courtesy of the Leffingwell House Museum

Fun Events for Kids 4th of July Weekend in Connecticut

Griswold Great Get-Together

Griswold - June 29 - July 1, 2023
Enjoy a weekend of free face painting, hula hoop instructions, and tons of free kids' entertainment. Fair goers who bring a canned good (for Saint Mary's Pantry) save $5 off a bracelet to ride everything. READ MORE

Shakespeare On The Sound: As You Like It (for kids)

Norwalk - through July 2, 2023
Audiences of all ages can enjoy this Shakespeare classic performed with kids in mind, in picturesque Pinkney Park. The half-hour show is performed immediately before the grown-up version afterwards. READ MORE

Trumbull Day

Trumbull - June 30- July 1, 2023
Trumbull Day is a two-day,fun-filled family event with food, vendors, carnival rides and games, children's entertainment, a main stage featuring local bands, and fireworks. It will run from June 30 in the evening to Saturday, July 1 from 2pm to 10:30p. READ MORE

Signature Schmutz BootCAMP

Norwalk - June 30 - July 1, 2023
Calling all slime-mongers, goopsters, and slopniks! Join CAMP's Signature Schmutz BootCAMP. A hilarious CAMP Counselor will show you how to make three of CAMP's signature slimes and learn new "experimental" ways to make and play with Schmutz.  READ MORE

Talcott Mountain Music Festival 2023

Simsbury - June 30, 2023
One of Connecticut's favorite summer kick-off festivals. Fireworks following the June 30 concert. Presented by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. READ MORE

Fireworks at Ocean Beach Park

New London - June 30, 2023
Enjoy the fireworks at Ocean Beach Park! LoVeSeXy, the Prince Tribute show, will begin at 8:00 with fireworks at 9:15. READ MORE

Barnum Festival Fireworks

Bridgeport - June 30, 2023
The celebration closes once the sun goes down with awe-inspiring fireworks show sure to impress the whole family. READ MORE

Independence Day @ Mystic Seaport

Mystic - July 1, 2023
Reenactors from several Connecticut and British Regiments will take over the quaint seaport town at Mystic Seaport Museum for a day. Witness what it was like to be a member of a Continental Regiment or British Regiment during these tumultuous times in American history. Learn what it was like for a British soldier to live aboard ship during the long voyage to the colonies and hear about 18th-century medical practices from a ship’s surgeon. See how British rule affected the everyday life of continental families and watch demonstrations of sewing, cooking, and carpentry. Join in the Grand... READ MORE

Family Program: Backyard BBQ

Hartford - July 1, 2023
Get ready for summer barbecues! Families will decorate their own chef hats to wear, and decorate a cookbook filled with refreshing, summery recipes from the CHS collection. Due to the holiday weekend, this will be a modified Free First Saturday program with the option to complete the activities at the museum or take it home. This is a drop-in program, no pre-registration required. READ MORE

Raspberry Festival at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield - July 1, 2023
The Lyman Orchards Raspberry Festival celebrates raspberry season with some WET & WILD fun for the whole family at the Apple Barrel Farm Market. Start your day out in Lyman Orchards fields harvesting fresh pick your own raspberries (blueberries & peaches), then head over to the Apple Barrel Farm Market to cool off with kids' water activities, live music, silhouette portraits, petting farms, and more! READ MORE

Hartford Latino Fest 2023

Hartford - July 1, 2023
Latino Fest is back! Celebrate the region's Latino cultures with a festival that features lives entertainment, cultural food and beverages, children's games and activities, vendors, and more.  READ MORE

Barn Dance at Blue Slope Country Museum

Franklin - July 1, 2023
Dance the night away with friends and family in a beautiful barn with scenic views. No experience necessary. Come learn and enjoy line and square dances. READ MORE

Waterbury Firework and Food Truck Extravaganza

Waterbury - July 2, 2023
Enjoy amazing food from 25 of CTs top food trucks. Grab a bite, sit down, and enjoy the city's amazing fireworks! READ MORE

Independence Day Parade in Stonington

Stonington - July 4, 2023
Stonington's Annual Fourth of July Parade will be held on July 4. The parade steps off at 10am from Wadawanuck Square and processes down Water Street to Cannon Square, where it turns and makes its way back to Wadawanuck Square along Main Street. Be sure to stick around for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. READ MORE

Annual Madison, CT Independence Day Parade

Madison - July 4, 2023
Featuring nearly 100 community groups, floats, bands, clowns, antique cars, trucks, bicycles and a number of professional performance groups, Madison’s 4th of July Parade is recognized as one of the finest in the entire State of Connecticut. READ MORE

Annual July 4th Bike Parade

Southport - July 4, 2023
Start at the Five Corners in Southport Village with decorated bikes, scooters, and wagons, then parade down Pequot Avenue to arrive at the Great Lawn of Pequot Library and enjoy face painting, sack races, hula hooping, bubble gum contests, and crafts. READ MORE

Hartford Yard Goats Game and Fireworks at Dunkin' Donuts Park

Hartford - July 4, 2023
Take the family out to the ballpark and cheer on the Yard Goats as they take on the Fisher Cats, the Blue Jays affiliate. Stay after the game for a spectacular firework show celebrating the 4th! It's also Baseball Bingo Night! READ MORE

Willimantic July 4th Boom Box Parade

Willimantic - July 4, 2023
Anyone can march or enter a float in "Connecticut's Unique People's Parade," as the Boom Box Parade is known. The only requirement is to wear some red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). The Parade Marshall is Wayne Norman, radio personality. READ MORE

Woodstock 4th of July Jamboree

Woodstock - July 4, 2023
The Fourth of July Jamboree has been held on East Woodstock Common since July 4, 1957.  East Woodstock Congregational Church hosts this annual event featuring music, food, a huge book sale, tag sale, and games for children. READ MORE

Great American Boom

New Britain - July 4, 2023
The 2023 New Britain fireworks display is a “drive-in style” event and access to the event requires the purchase of a parking placard. Placards are $10, and pre-registration is required. READ MORE

3-D Fireworks Spectacular

Middlebury - July 4, 2023
Spend the holiday at the park and then enjoy 3-D Fireworks after dark with special viewing glasses sold for $2. Proceeds benefit Give Kids The World Village.  READ MORE

Be Revolutionary

Norwich - July 4, 2023
This Fourth of July, learn about the history of the Revolution. The day starts with both the Betsy Ross and Sons of Liberty flags raised by Norwich Scouting. Other activities include a reading of the Declaration of Independence where you can add your own signature. Enlist in the Militia with Col. Christopher Leffingwell. Inside the museum, Be amazed at displays of Revolutionary-era newspapers, documents, letters, and Arms. Read Gen. Washington's Continental Army Day Journal.  READ MORE
Take the kids to see amazing 4th of July fireworks in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of greenwichct.gov
Take the kids to see amazing 4th of July fireworks in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of greenwichct.gov

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Places featured in this article:

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center
Seaside Park
Stonington
Six Flags New England