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

Celebrate the 4th of July in style, by land and by sea, with our top things to do on July 4th Weekend in CT! Annual July 4th Bike Parade at the Pequot Library photo by Ally Noel.
Celebrate the 4th of July in style, by land and by sea, with our top things to do on July 4th Weekend in CT! Annual July 4th Bike Parade at the Pequot Library photo by Ally Noel.
7/2/24 - By Jennifer Coe

4th of July weekend in Connecticut is alight with fireworks, parades, and more family-friendly events to add to your list for this weekend.

To celebrate the red, white and blue, Connecticut families can head out to a parade or fireworks display in essentially all parts of Connecticut. For extra-special events, The Great American Boom in New Britain attracts thousands with clowns, face painters, a DJ, and (of course) fireworks. This year, the Connecticut River Museum is holding their first-ever 4th of July Boat Parade in Essex. Norwich Harbor Fireworks will be blasting off, and this weekend sees the Annual July 4th Bike Parade at the Pequot Library.

For more summertime fun, browse through our list of CT Day Trips and Getaways. For even more fun, our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide practically explodes with family fun ideas!

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From Independence Day to fun summer festivals, there's plenty to do in CT this weekend! Photo courtesy of The NICE Festival.
From Independence Day to fun summer festivals, there's plenty to do in CT this weekend! Photo courtesy of The NICE Festival.

Fun Events for Kids 4th of July Weekend in Connecticut

Independence Day Parade in North Stonington

North Stonington - FREE
Thursday, July 4
The Parade starts at 10:00 AM and winds through our beautiful North Stonington Village. The parade will end with a Memorial Ceremony at the former Middle School circle. READ MORE

4th of July Parade Groton

Groton - FREE
Thursday, July 4
This hometown event to celebrate America's independence brings together dozens of local businesses, civic, youth sports and other organizations for an old-fashioned parade with fire engines, marching bands and antique cars. READ MORE

Annual Madison, CT Independence Day Parade

Madison - FREE
Thursday, July 4
The Town of Madison's Annual Independence Day Parade will be held on July 4. The parade will proceed west on Boston Post Road (Route 1) from Samson Rock Drive to the West Wharf Road and will end in the Surf Club. READ MORE

Hartford Yard Goats Game and Fireworks at Dunkin' Donuts Park

Hartford
Thursday, July 4
Take the family out to the ballpark and cheer on the Yard Goats as they take on the Rumble Ponies. Stay after the game for a spectacular firework show celebrating the 4th!  READ MORE

4th of July Boat Parade in Essex

Essex
Thursday, July 4
Join the Connecticut River Museum this Independence Day for an afternoon of excitement, learning and fun. Together with the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, we are excited to host our first-ever Independence Day Boat Parade! Enjoy the spectacle of dazzling boat displays and cannon fire while younger attendees take part in crafts and activities. READ MORE

Great American Boom in New Britain

New Britain
Thursday, July 4
The 2024 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
Thursday, July 4
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

Annual July 4th Bike Parade at the Pequot Library

Southport
Thursday, July 4
Bring your festively decorated bike, scooter, or wagon to Five Corners in Southport Village and parade to the Great Lawn for some fun and games. Face-painting, sack races, hula hoop contest, and crafts.  READ MORE

Independence Day Concert and Fireworks Display in Orange

Orange
Thursday, July 4
The Town of Orange will be hosting an Independence Day Concert and Fireworks Display. The rain date for the event is Sunday, July 7th. Best Shot featuring Melissa Lotardo, a tribute artist to Pat Benatar, will be headlining the concert. READ MORE

Norwich Harbor Fireworks

Norwich
Friday, July 5
Join Norwich as they celebrate our great Nation at the Norwich Harbor Fireworks on July 5, 2024 (July 8 rain date). Activities including music and food will start at 5pm and fireworks will begin around 9pm.  READ MORE

Enfield 4th of July Town Celebration

Enfield
July 5-7
The Fourth Of July Town Celebration Committee provides the residents of Enfield CT and the surrounding communities a three-day Fourth of July Celebration at no charge, including music, parade, races, demonstrations, kid's ride's and games, with much, much more. READ MORE

Simsbury Celebrate America

Simsbury
Friday, July 5
The HSO presents its annual “Celebrate America!” concert, led by the esteemed Hartford Symphony Orchestra music director Carolyn Kuan. This patriotic extravaganza, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.  Joining the orchestra for this special occasion is the renowned percussionist Ed Fast and his Conga Bop Latin jazz septet, adding their unique flair to the festivities. READ MORE

Torrington Independence Day Celebration

Torrington
Friday, July 5
Held at Torrington Middle School, families will love the firworks & carnival July 5-6th. Fireworks display at dusk. READ MORE

Free First Saturdays at Westport Museum for History and Culture

Westport
Saturday, July 6
First Saturdays are a great opportunity to experience what the Museum has to offer free of charge on the first Saturday of each month. Young visitors can enjoy a scavenger hunt in the museum, the diorama of Westport featuring an audio tour by Joanne Woodward, coloring pages, colonial games and more. READ MORE

Drive-in Movies in Southington 2024

Southington
Saturday, July 6
Discover "Reel" nostalgia at the Southington Drive-in every Saturday night. READ MORE

Fairfield Fireworks Celebration

Fairfield
Saturday, July 6
Celebrate Independence Day with music at Jennings and Penfield Beaches starting at 7pm, then an "explosive" fireworks show around 9:15pm. READ MORE

Stamford Fireworks

Stamford
Saturday, July 6
The City of Stamford's Fourth of July Fireworks show will take place on July 6th beginning at 9:00 PM at Cummings Beach. The rain date is July 7th. READ MORE

Pirate Adventures in Essex

Essex
Saturday, July 6
Enjoy a 20 minute ride on the 1920's era Essex Steam Train as it heads to Deep River Landing. There find a band of pirates who have made camp and their ship "The Becky Thatcher". Ahoy and Avast Me Hearties! READ MORE

The NICE Festival in Norwalk

Norwalk
Saturday, July 6
Dancers, musicians, vendors, and local international restaurants are the center of a celebration that encourages the community to spend the day together and celebrate Norwalk's diversity. READ MORE

Dutch Fogarty Independence Day Celebration in Manchester

Manchester
Saturday, July 6
The James “Dutch” Fogarty Fourth of July Celebration committee is celebrating 39 years of legendary live music, kid’s zone activities, market place offerings, food, family, friends and fireworks-filled fun.   READ MORE

Bilingual Family Story Time at CT Historical Museum

Hartford
Sunday, July 7
Join us for a special English-Spanish bilingual family story time with Nancy Mendez from the Hartford Public Library. Surrounded by books in the exhibit Connecticut’s Bookshelf, families will cozy up in beanbags, listen to a special bilingual reading of the book Small Nap, Little Dream, and then do some crafts. READ MORE

Redding Concerts on the Green

Redding
Sunday, July 7
The free concert on the green series begins on June 16. 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:

North Stonington
Howard Brown Park
Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center
Westport Museum for History and Culture
Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Six Flags New England