Many of you will surely be headed downtown for the Independence Day parade, A Capitol Fourth Concert, and the amazing fireworks display. If you’re planning on spending Independence Day on the National Mall, you can find a schedule of events, best firework viewing areas, and lots of other details on the National Park Service site.

If you don’t want to venture downtown, here are some terrific July 4th events you can take in closer to home:

Montgomery County Mid-County Sparkles

Where: Albert Einstein High School
Address: 11135 Newport Mill Road
Websitemontgomerycountymd.gov

Live music will begin at 7:30 PM, featuring Quiet Fire with fireworks at 9:15 PM. The viewing areas will be at the front of the school on the ball field and at the Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road. No on-site parking at either school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking. Shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6 PM, at Westfield Wheaton Plaza in the parking lot in between the North Building and the CVS store and at the Wheaton Metro Station Georgia Avenue side. Low lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Rain date for the fireworks only is July 5th. No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

Click here for more information


photo via Visit Montgomery

129th Annual Takoma Park Independence Celebration

Parade: Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues
Fireworks: Takoma Park Middle School
Address: 7611 Piney Branch Road
Website: takomapark4th.org

The parade begins at 10:00 AM and lasts until about noon. Parade is held rain or shine and begins at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. It will travel south on Carroll Avenue, turn right on Maple Avenue, and continue to Ritchie Avenue. The evening celebration will be held at Takoma Park Middle School starting at 7:00 PM with entertainment provided by bilingual folk-rock band Elena & Los Fulanos, the Takoma Park Community Band, and The AcroAirs from Washington Adventist University. Fireworks display is slated to start at 9:30 PM. Limited parking is available in the parking lot of the Takoma Park Middle School and on nearby side streets. There will be food vendors on-site.  Rain date is slated for next clear evening.

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photo via Visit Montgomery

23rd Annual Kensington Fourth of July Bike Parade

Parade: St. Paul Park
Address: Plyers Mill Road and St. Paul Street
Website: tok.md.gov

The annual bike parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Park. Those wishing to participate should begin lining up along St. Paul Street between Plyers Mill Road and Oberon Street by 9:45 am. This event is open to all kids, and those young at heart, that wish to decorate their bike, scooter, wagon or stroller and follow a Kensington Volunteer Fire Department truck through the streets of Kensington.

Click here for more information


photo via eventbrite

City of College Park & The University of Maryland Concert & Fireworks

Where: University of Maryland
Address: Lot 1 adjacent to Campus Drive
Website: eventbrite.com

Free concert featuring The Nightlife Band from 7:00-9:00 PM followed by a 30-40 minute Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk! Fun for all ages with concessions open at 5:00 PM (hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda and bottled water). Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Personal coolers are also allowed, but alcohol is not permitted. Rain date for fireworks only is July 5th.

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Looking for something else? Check out these other area events and celebrate!

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Bowie Baysox Ball Game, BBQ and Fireworks!

City of Rockville Independence Day Celebration at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park

Six Flags July 4th Fest!