Fireworks Near Me: Mahwah July 4th 2024 Events

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around the area. Events include fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Bergen County and the surrounding areas.

Several towns are holding smaller celebrations, so check out individual town websites as well.

Local July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Bergen County’s Star-Spangled Spectacular
Where: Ridgefield Park section of Overpeck County Park
When: Starting at 3 p.m., July 4, 2024; Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Summary: The "Star-Spangled Spectacular" will feature the New Jersey Wind Symphony as well as other musical acts, children’s activities, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a historic military flyover, and fireworks over Overpeck Creek. Find out more here.

What: Ridgewood 4th Of July Parade, Fireworks, And More
Where: Events start at Wilsey Square at 9 a.m.
When: Events start at 9 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., and fireworks celebration begins at 6 p.m.
Summary: The celebration includes food trucks, a beer garden, live music, and more. Find out more here.

What: State Fair Meadowlands, fireworks on July 3 and 4
Where: East Rutherford, N.J.
When: Fireworks the nights of July 3 and 4.
Summary: The Meadowlands State Fair, an annual event in East Rutherford, returns with pig races, corn dogs, games, live music, and two nights of fireworks, available with admission. Find out more here.

What: Jersey City 4th Of July With Grucci Fireworks And Wyclef Jean
Where: Montgomery Street, Exchange Place waterfront area, Jersey City
When: Events start at noon, fireworks at 9:25 p.m.
Summary: Grammy Award-winning musician Wyclef Jean will headline a day of music, food, and Grucci fireworks in Jersey City on July 4. Funk Flex will begin DJ'ing at 6 p.m. and Fat Joe will perform at 7. Find out more here.

What: 48th edition of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
Where: TV program starts on NBC at 8 p.m.; fireworks in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey around 9:25 p.m.
Summary: Macy's has returned its fireworks show to the Hudson River for July 4, so people watching from towns like Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City may be able to see the show. For more information, go here.

History Of Independence Day Celebrations In America

Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.