July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around Vienna

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

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Vienna Independence Day Celebration

Where: George C. Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Dr SW, Vienna, VA

When: July 2, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Vienna's Independence Day Celebration coincides with Liberty Amendments Month, a month-long celebration of Constitutional Amendments extending rights to new groups of people.

The Independence Day Celebration will have fireworks, live music, children's entertainment and food trucks. Food and drinks will be available from food trucks and the Vienna Little League concession stand. Fireworks start around dark (9:30 p.m.)

Alcohol, sparklers, fireworks, pets and glass containers are not allowed. Chairs may not be placed on the baseball fields.

The schedule is:

6 p.m.: Cantaré - Caribbean, Central and South American music

7:15 p.m. Headliner band Thunderball, dance music from rock to country, metal to pop, disco to funk

9:25 p.m.: National Anthem

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks show

What: Fireworks, Food and Family Fun at Lake Fairfax Park

Where: Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA

When: June 29, 12 p.m.; Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Enjoy the Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole, food trucks, live performances and fireworks.

What: McLean Independence Day Fireworks Celebration

Where: Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA

When: June 29, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m

McLean Community Center hosts its annual 4th of July event early this year, offering music, giveaways, food trucks and fireworks.

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.

The parade loops around Chain Bridge Road, Main Street, University Drive and Armstrong Street. Food vendors will be open on site.

See the City of Fairfax website for more information on parking, road closures and shuttle buses.

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 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.

If the event is postponed due to weather, the fireworks display only will be rescheduled to 9:30 p.m. on July 5.

The schedule is as follows:

Ocho de Bastos Performs: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Welcome & Speeches with National Anthem: Vienna- Falls Chorus: 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Ocho de Bastos Performs: 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks Display: 9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

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: 4th of July Hometown Celebration

Where: Great Falls Village Centre, 776 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA

When: July 4, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Morning festivities kick off with the Little Patriots Parade, followed by the Main Parade around the Village Centre. Afterwards, enjoy family fun at the Village Green.

What: Town of Herndon 4th of July

Where: Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Ave, Herndon, VA

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

Join the Town of Herndon for a celebration and fireworks display July 4 in Bready Park. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and live music begins at 7:15 p.m. Fireworks launched from the Herndon Centennial Golf Course start at 9:30 p.m.

All coolers and bags may be searched, and alcohol, glass containers or personal fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted. Pets should be left at home. Glass containers, grills or cook stoves are not allowed. Attendees may bring a blanket or lawn chair. At the end of the fireworks display expect delays in and around Bready Park for up to 60 minutes or until traffic clears.

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.