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

4th of July festivities abound this weekend! Photo courtesy of Celebrate Great Falls
4th of July festivities abound this weekend! Photo courtesy of Celebrate Great Falls
7/2/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Fourth of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It’s 4th of July weekend, and there's no better place to celebrate than our nation's capital. This year, the holiday falls on a Thursday and we have a big list of festivities for families to enjoy, as well as the best places to watch the DC fireworks.

LuminoCity also brings its Dino Safari to Bethesda, which opens July 4 and runs until August 4. Read on for details about all of the events happening throughout the extended weekend.

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LuminoCity Dino Safari roars into town this weekend. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity
LuminoCity Dino Safari roars into town this weekend. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity

Top Things to Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, DC - Daily, through July 7, 2024 (except July 1 & 2)
Free
Through cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, food, and more, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival aims to spark curiosity of various cultures and nurture human connection. READ MORE

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience (at Friendship Center)

Washington, DC - Thursdays - Sundays, through July 7, 2024
Dopamine Land is a multisensory experience combining media, technology, and play in one place. Visitors travel through an interactive museum boasting multiple rooms and activities that provide something new and exciting at every corner. READ MORE

Vienna's Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks

Vienna, VA - Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Free
Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at Yeonas Park. Enjoy a live performance by the US Navy Concert Band, food, games, fun, and a fireworks show. Fireworks begin at 9:30pm. READ MORE

Loudoun County Celebrate Independence!

Loudoun County, VA - Wednesday & Thursday, July 3 & 4, 2024
Free
Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) hosts multiple events in honor of Independence Day offering many opportunities to see incredible fireworks and fun festivities. The events commemorating Independence Day take place Friday, June 28 through Thursday, July 4. READ MORE

Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade

Washington, DC - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
The annual Capitol Hill Community Fourth of July Parade is back in person on Barracks Row. READ MORE

Family Day: Summer Party at The Capital Jewish Museum

Washington, DC - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Visit The Capital Jewish Museum before the fireworks for specialty crafts, music, food, and fun. Learn about Jewish Revolutionary War history from The National Museum of American Jewish Military History. Connect and celebrate traditions for the home with mezuzah activities brought by MyZuzah. Enjoy themed crafts and activities in the Community Action Lab and classic outdoor games and music on the newly opened third-floor terrace.   READ MORE

July 4th at the National Archives

Washington, DC - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The day includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, live music, presentation of the colors, and more. READ MORE

National Independence Day Parade

Washington, DC - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Families can watch marching bands, floats, military units, giant balloons, and more to celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic celebration of America's birthday. READ MORE

Washington, DC 4th of July Celebration

Washington, DC - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
The National Park Service hosts its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on the National Mall. The fireworks start at 9:09pm and launch from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. READ MORE

Baltimore 4th of July Celebration

Baltimore, MD - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Families can enjoy an entire day of fun July 4th celebrations in Baltimore. READ MORE

Germantown Glory (at South Germantown Recreational Park)

Germantown, MD - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Germantown celebrates 4th of July with music beginning at 7pm and fireworks at 9:15pm. READ MORE

Kensington's Annual Fourth of July Bike Parade

Kensington, MD - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
This annual bike parade is open to any and all. Join in with bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers as the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department leads the parade. READ MORE

LuminoCity Dino Safari (at Westfield Montgomery Mall)

Bethesda, MD - Daily, July 4 - August 4, 2024
Visit the world's only immersive experience blending light art with life-sized and roaring dinosaurs. The 2024 theme features volcanic and Ice Age illumination where more than 40 dinosaurs come to life. READ MORE

Rockville's Independence Day Celebration

Rockville, MD - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Celebrate 4th of July with live music and fireworks at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park for Rockville's annual Independence Day Celebration. READ MORE

Six Flags America Coca-Cola July 4th Fest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Thursday - Saturday, July 4-6, 2024
Celebrate 4th of July all weekend long at Six Flags America with rides, live music, and fireworks every night. READ MORE

Takoma Park 4th of July Parade and Evening Celebration

Takoma Park, MD - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Takoma Park's 4th of July parade begins at 10am. The evening celebration features music, games, food and drinks, and other fun activities and begins at 6:30pm. READ MORE

4th of July Hometown Celebration & Fireworks (at Great Falls Village Centre)

Great Falls, VA - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
The city of Great Falls celebrates the 4th of July throughout the day with a parade and fun activities in the morning followed by a fireworks display at 9pm. READ MORE

An American Celebration at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Meet George Washington, watch made-for-daytime fireworks, listen to live music, watch a US citizenship ceremony, and more during Mount Vernon's annual Independence Day Celebration. READ MORE

Celebrate America in Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Celebrate Independence Day in downtown Manassas with a fun festival with lots of activities for kids beginning at 3pm, followed by a fireworks display at 9:15pm. READ MORE

City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

Fairfax, VA - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Fairfax City's annual Independence Day parade, beginning at 10am, includes high school marching bands, large balloons, floats, and costumed characters. READ MORE

Town of Herndon 4th of July Celebration

Herndon, VA - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Free
Families can celebrate July 4th with activities, music, games, and a fireworks display in Bready Park. READ MORE

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experiences (at Baltimore Convention Center)

Baltimore, MD - Tuesdays - Sundays, July 5 - September 15, 2024
Step into the captivating world of Van Gogh and Monet as their masterpieces come to life. READ MORE

Mid-County Sparkles (at Newport Mill Park)

Wheaton, MD - Saturday, July 6, 2024
Free
Celebrations in Wheaton begin with music at 6pm, followed by fireworks at 9:15pm. READ MORE

The Wizard of Oz (The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park)

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, July 6 - August 4, 2024
This award-winning musical production uses the original Denslow design from the books. Using several styles of puppetry, The Puppet Co. tells the great American fairy tale written by L. Frank Baum. The story takes place at the 1900s Kansas State Fair, with performers in costumes, guiding the audience down the yellow brick road. READ MORE

Barbie The Movie: In Concert at Jiffy Lube Live

Bristow, VA - Sunday, July 7, 2024
Get ready to dance the night away as Ameris Bank Amphitheatre transforms into Barbie Land. The full-length feature film is accompanied live by a musically renowned, all-women, majority women-of-color orchestra. READ MORE

DC's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Enjoy some live music outdoors this summer across the DC area. READ MORE

Free Outdoor Movies in the DC Area this Summer for Kids

Enjoy one of these family-friendly flicks under the stars. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Locations - Loudoun County
Great Falls Village Centre
Historic Downtown Manassas

About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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