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The Best 4th of July Fireworks in Every U.S. State

The Best 4th of July Fireworks in Every U.S. State

By Emily Cappiello

June 30, 2017

Onest Mistic/Getty Images

Each year, the 4th of July brings Americans together to eat hot dogs, drink beer, and celebrate the founding of the United States. But no Independence Day celebration is complete without a show of colorful explosions. From sea to shining sea, there are some pretty amazing places to take in an all-American light show over the long July 4 weekend.

Related: The Best Fourth of July Celebrations Across the U.S.

We've compiled the best places to see fireworks regardless of what part of America the Beautiful you find yourself in this Independence Day.

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Alabama

Stacey Jones Layman

If you find yourself in Alabama this Fourth of July, the Annual Fireworks Show at Vulcan Park and Museum is one fireworks extravaganza that can’t be missed. The fireworks are designed to illuminate the beloved Iron Man statue. Choreographed to a musical soundtrack, the show will last approximately 20 minutes. More info.

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Alaska

Courtesy of Visit Anchorage/Michelle Brown

Anchorage does Fourth of July in a big way, with a pancake breakfast and an Alaskan Baseball League game. Festivities are capped off with a fireworks display at Mulcahy Stadium. More info.

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Arizona

Courtesy of City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation

Check out Arizona's Celebration of Freedom in Mesa in Phoenix. Before the fireworks at 9:30pm, the festivities happen at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheater. From patriotic displays to live music and games, this is the event of the day in the metro Phoenix area. More info..

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Arkansas

Jane Lago/Getty Images

Hot Springs is celebrating our great nation with scenic lakeside fireworks. The event takes place at Mountain Harbor Resort, overlooking Lake Ouachita. More info.

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California

peeterv/Getty Images

Does anything beat fireworks on the beach? Head to SoCal in order to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of California this Fourth of July. Redondo Beach, with its fireworks and themed music display at the Redondo Beach Pier, is said to be one of the best views in the state. (And nextdoor in Hermosa Beach, the party will be pumping all weekend long.) More info.

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Colorado

Courtesy of Visit Denver

The city of Denver hosts an all-out extravaganza when it comes to July Fourth celebrations, concluding with fireworks on both July 3 and 4. The annual Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park will feature a free patriotic concert and an innovative light show. The July 4 fireworks show will take place at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park. More info.

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Connecticut

Courtesy of New Britain

New Britain's Great American Boom celebration begins at 5 p.m. on July 4 at Stanley Quarter Park. In its 25th year, it draws more than 30,000 people annually. More info.

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Delaware

Courtesy of VisitDelaware.com

Dover, the capital of the first state, will host it's major annual Fourth of July celebration. You're also able to "Adopt-a-Firework," a gesture which makes a great gift or signifies your or a loved one's special year. More info.

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Florida

AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Rob O'Neal

Head to Key West to catch the best fireworks in Florida. The Key Lime Festival, one of the biggest food festivals in the state, kicks off on July 1 and concludes with a massive fireworks show over the Casa Marina Resort. More info.

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Georgia

Katie Darby

To catch one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast, head to Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. They've partnered with Lenox Square, making their Fourth of July celebration one of the grandest in the state. More info.

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Hawaii

Courtesy of USS Missouri Memorial Association

Head to the Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu for a fireworks show that lights up the Island's south side. Get there early, barbecue and relax on the beach, and prepare for an incredible show that evening. More info.

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Idaho

Courtesy of Melaleuca Freedom Celebration

The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration pays tribute to those who perished while defending the freedom of the citizens of the U.S. It is one of the largest fireworks shows west of the Mississippi and packs more than 17,550 shells into a spectacular, 31-minute production. More info.

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Illinois

Nick Ulivieri Photography / Navy Pier

At Navy Pier, a patriotic soundtrack blares as fireworks go boom overhead with scenic Lake Michigan as the perfect backdrop. More info.

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Indiana

Courtesy of Carl Van Rooy Photography

Indianapolis is the place to be in Indiana on the Fourth of July. Head downtown to the Indiana Originals Marketplace for a great view of the city’s fireworks show. More info.

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Iowa

Thomas Kearney/Getty Images

Cedar Rapids will host a Freedom Festival on the Fourth of July this year. It's the largest fireworks display in the area, and you can see it from the downtown bridges, or anywhere nearby along the river. More info.

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Kansas

Courtesy of Visit KC/Brian Rice

Leavenworth, Kansas, knwon as “The First City Of Kansas,” will Salute the Union this Fourth of July with an evening festival full of food, fun, and fireworks. More info.

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Kentucky

truchb28/Getty Images

If you missed the stunning Kentucky Derby fireworks this year, make up for lost time at the Old Fashioned Crescent Hill 4th of July Celebration at the historic Peterson-Dumesnil House. More info.

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Louisiana

franckreporter/Getty Images

New Orleans' Go 4th on the River has been ranked among the top July Fourth celebrations in the U.S. The annual Essence Festival is also held during the holiday weekend, making celebrity sightings another draw. More info.

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Maine

Courtesy of Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

One of the best Fourth of July celebrations in Maine, according to locals, is the Bar Harbor fireworks show. Located in downtown Bar Harbor, the fireworks are shot out over the Frenchman Bay. More info.

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Maryland

Courtesy of Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor fireworks spectacular is one not to miss. Fireworks can be viewed from several locations in downtown and the surrounding areas, including Federal Hill, Fell’s Point, and Harbor East. Live music begins at 7 p.m. at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater. More info.

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Massachusetts

Courtesy of Boston Symphony Orchestra / Stu Rosner

The traditional fighter jet military flyover in coordination with the “Star Spangled Banner” will open the evening in Boston as the Boston Pops Orchestra leads the televised celebration on the banks of the Charles River. More info.

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Michigan

Courtesy of Traverse City Tourism

Traverse City’s July 4 show was voted the best in the state in a reader’s choice poll from local media outlet MyNorth.com. Fireworks guru Bruce Tyree coordinates the entire production to a custom soundtrack and uses simulations to see how the show will match up. More info.

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Minnesota

Dan Anderson; Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic site, gives the best views of the city’s fireworks show, dubbed the Red, White and Boom celebration. Can’t get on the bridge? Watch the show from Gold Medal Park. More info.

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Mississippi

Courtesy of Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast

The biggest fireworks display in Mississippi takes place in Biloxi. It starts at 9 p.m. and the fireworks are shot from Deer Island and explode over the Mississippi Sound. More info.

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Missouri

Coutesy of Fair Saint Louis

Dubbed "America’s Biggest Birthday Party," St. Louis kicks off several days worth of festivities on July 1. A fireworks spectacular rounds out the events and concerts at 9:35 p.m. More info.

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Montana

Danita Delimont/Getty Images

Named one of the best towns for July 4 in years past by Travel + Leisure, Whitefish has both live music and fireworks over the water. A free event, the fireworks begin at 10:30 p.m. More info.

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Nebraska

Courtesy of Nebraska Tourism

Taking its role as “Nebraska’s Official Fourth Of July City" seriously, Seward has a giant fireworks salute at Plum Creek Park. More info.

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Nevada

Getty Images

Las Vegas is lit every night, but it's an especially exciting place to be on the Fourth of July. Mandalay Bay will host a reggae performance at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9 p.m., and more fireworks will be launched from the top of the Stratosphere at 9:15 p.m. More info.

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New Hampshire

Courtesy of Lakes Region Tourism Association

Lake Winnipesaukee plays host to New Hampshire’s best fireworks show. Boats light up the lake while waiting for the fireworks to begin. While lake houses dot the surrounding area, other patrons can hop aboard a cruise ship to see the lights from the water. More info.

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New Jersey

Courtesy of Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

While New York City’s fireworks show is close enough to spot from some parts of New Jersey, the state has some great displays of its own. Boasting one of the largest July 4 celebrations in the country, Atlantic City is expected to draw more than 250,000 people. It takes two ocean barges and a marina platform to light up the sky. More info.

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New Mexico

Courtesy of New Mexico Museum of Space History

Alamogordo, New Mexico is home to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, a unique backdrop for a fireworks celebration. The 2017 show will be visible throughout the city and choreographed music will be broadcast on KZZX 105.3 FM. More info.

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New York

Michael Orso/Getty Images

There is nothing that compares to the famous Macy’s Fireworks Show in New York City. Set on the Brooklyn Bridge, it's expected to be Macy's largest show in over a decade. More info.

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North Carolina

Courtesy of Currituck County Travel & Tourism Department

What could possibly be better than watching fireworks over the beach? In Corolla, part of the Outer Banks, the Whalehead Club will be offering this luxury for the 24th year in a row. The fireworks show begins at dusk. More info.

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The Best 4th of July Fireworks in Every U.S. State

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Alabama

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Alaska

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Arizona

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Arkansas

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California

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Colorado

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Connecticut

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Delaware

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Florida

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Georgia

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Hawaii

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Idaho

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Illinois

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Indiana

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Iowa

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Kansas

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Kentucky

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Louisiana

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Maine

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Maryland

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Massachusetts

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Michigan

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Minnesota

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Mississippi

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Missouri

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Montana

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