Fireworks Near Me: Alexandria July 4th 2024 Events

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Alexandria. 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 Alexandria and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration

Where: Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA

When: July 13, 6 p.m.

Celebrate Alexandria's 275th birthday and the USA's 248th birthday at this event ending with a fireworks finale. The event includes live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Town Crier announcing Mayor Justin Wilson, distribution of birthday cupcakes by City Council, food vendors and fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. There are other fireworks viewing locations aside from the main event location.

What: An American Celebration at Mount Vernon

Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA

When: July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Return to Mount Vernon on Fourth of July for daytime fireworks, a naturalization ceremony and interpretation on Mount Vernon's enslaved people.

What: National Independence Day Parade

Where: Constitutional Avenue, Washington, DC

When: July 4, 11:45 a.m.

This national parade draws thousands of spectators and features bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, national dignitaries, celebrity participants and more. The route runs along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street.

What: A Capitol Fourth Concert

Where: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC

When: July 4, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This Independence Day concert, a tradition for decades, is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. The lineup includes Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Alfonso Ribeiro, military bands and more. It is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 3 p.m. You can also watch it on TV at 8 p.m. EST. Check your local listings for viewing information.

What: Fireworks on the National Mall

Where: National Mall, Washington, DC

When: July 4, 9:09 p.m.

The National Park Service will host its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on the National Mall, The display will start at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Check the National Park Service website for more information on access points along the National Mall, prohibited items and road closures.

What: City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

Where: Downtown Fairfax, VA

When: July 4, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The City of Fairfax's Independence Day Parade and Fireworks was a tradition that started in 1967. The parade, the largest Fourth of July parade in Virginia, includes marching bands, floats, Shriners' little cars and big motorcycles, old fire engines, clowns and more. Historically, the Old-Fashioned Fireman's Day with firefighter-related activities followed the parade. Today, it is now "Future Fire Fighter's Day" with children's activities on fire safety and education.

What: City of Fairfax Independence Day Evening Show and Fireworks

Where: Fairfax High School Stadium 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA

When: July 4, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Following the parade and other daytime festivities, city residents will gather for live music starting at 6:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. on July 4.

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.