The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and South Central PA is a great place to have some patriotic fun to celebrate our country’s freedom! From festivals and concerts, to parades and fireworks, there are plenty of options for family fun. We’ve gathered up some of our faves to see fireworks and have a great time!
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Fourth of July Events in Berks County
- Independence Day “Red, White, and Blues” Concert, Reading: Celebrate the 4th of July Holiday with a special performance by the Lehigh Valley’s finest, The James Supra Blues Band with Sara Ayers under the Stone Terrace Tent. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Templin’s Soggie Bottom Grill. Plus after the show, enjoy the fireworks next door at the West Reading Playground. Tent is available for seating at 6 p.m. Music begins at 7 p.m. You are encouraged to bring your lawn chair in case seating under the tent is full.
- Sensory Friendly Fireworks, Reading: Join us for our annual tradition of Sensory Friendly Fireworks on Wednesday, July 5! As we celebrate Independence Day, The Neag Planetarium is proud to host this event which is great for all ages who may need a calmer firework experience. This indoor display will feature stunning graphics in the state-of-the-art planetarium dome accompanied by patriotic music. You can even bring your own blankets to sit on the floor of the Neag Planetarium dome! Crafts will also be provided for those who need a break at any point during the show. We will have two shows this year, each lasting around an hour. The first show will start at 5:30 pm with the second one beginning at 7 pm.
- Reading Symphony Orchestra, Free Concert and Fireworks, Reading: The concert is free, but you will need to pick up a ticket at Boscov’s East, Boscov’s at the Berkshire Mall, Boscov’s at the Fairgrounds Market, EnerSys headquarters, or the RSO Office, or with an image of the concert information on your mobile device. Grounds open at 6:30pm, with the concert beginning at 8:00pm. B.Y.O.B. permitted, children’s activities available, and food trucks will be on site as well.
- Governor Mifflin League Community Days Spectacular Fireworks Show, Shillington: Fireworks begin at 10:00pm, located in between Cumru Elementary School and The Intermediate School.
- July 4th Fireworks Express, Pottstown: Avoid the traffic and parking and join us for a special July 4th excursion to experience Pottstown’s GoFourth! Fireworks Show in Pottstown’s Memorial Park! Train departs Boyertown at 7 PM. (No meal will be served on this excursion) All Cars have access to our à la carte menu with snacks and beverages available to purchase. Please note, the Deluxe Coach does not have air conditioning. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and wear appropriate footwear as passengers will be allowed to disembark from the train to enjoy the show from the park. Boarding for return to Boyertown will begin promptly after the show concludes.
- Independence Day at the Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro: Commemorate our Nation’s birthday at the Daniel Boone Homestead’s Independence Day event. Learn about the different kinds of troops who fought for America’s freedom during the Revolutionary War including the militia, Continentals, Dragoons, and Riflemen. Guided Boone House tours will be offered regularly throughout the day, as well as blacksmithing and gun building demonstrations. There will also be plenty of activities for children, including a militia muster activity, colonial toys and games, and crafts.
Children will get a chance to be “recruited” into the local militia as officers drum up for volunteers to fight the British. The new “recruits” will be taken through authentic eighteenth-century military drills and marches with wooden dummy guns. Our volunteer blacksmith will be making iron work used in the military and on the home front. Visitors can also observe our town’s gunsmith hard at work producing the arms necessary for the American Revolution and take a tour of the Bertolet Log House. There will also be a Dragoon presentation where visitors can learn about the mounted soldiers and officers and their role in the Revolution.
Bring your appetite for lunch and dessert. Munchiez Food Truck and Cherry on Top ice cream truck will be joining us for the event.
Fourth of July Events in Cumberland County
- Fun Food Fest and Fireworks, Hampden Township: A variety of food trucks will be ready to serve food in Hampden Park at 4 p.m. Live music is scheduled throughout the evening, with the Greater Harrisburg Concert Band performing a free park concert at 5 p.m. and A Sought Out City kicking off their set at 7 p.m. The event will be capped off with a professional firework display after sunset. The pool will be open until the conclusion of the fireworks. Come spend the day at the park, go for an evening swim, try some great grub and enjoy an evening of fireworks!
- Newville Lions Club Community Fair, Newville: Rides Thursday – Saturday – Phantom Entertainment. Food and Games every night. Free Admission. NO PETS allowed on Fairgrounds except service animals. Fireworks on Friday, July 7th at 10:00pm.
- Fourth of July Fireworks, Shippensburg: Gates open at 7:00 pm. Town Band plays from 8:00-8:45. Fireworks start at dusk.
Fourth of July Events in Dauphin County
- July 4 Food Truck Festival, Harrisburg: On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the City of Harrisburg will host the July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks at Riverfront Park from 1-9pm. The event will feature 45+ food trucks, live music, a wine/beer garden, free kids activities, and one of the largest fireworks displays in Central PA. The fireworks display will start at approximately 9:15 p.m.
- “An American Salute,” Derry Township: A Central Pennsylvania tradition, the Hershey Symphony’s “An American Salute” concert is scheduled for Friday, June 30, 2023, at 7:30 pm on the lawn of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. No tickets are necessary and admission is free to the public. Parking is free and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the orchestra.
- Fireworks and Food Trucks, Linglestown: Stop by Koons Park from 5:00pm – 9:00pm on July 3rd!
- Independence Day at the Mansion, Harrisburg: The Historical Society of Dauphin County will present the 13th annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday, July 4, from the porch of the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion. The Declaration will be read by John Harris, Jr., portrayed by reenactor David Biser. Readings will take place on the hour at 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm. Admission to readings of the Declaration is free.
- Hershey Fireworks Display, Hershey: Hersheypark will offer its annual fireworks display (located just outside of Hersheypark) for guests and residents to enjoy on Tuesday, July 4, at 9:45 p.m. Please note that the rides will still close at 9 p.m., but Hersheypark will remain open for guests to watch the fireworks from inside the Park and the parking lots.
- 4th of July Celebration at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey: The Hotel Hershey celebrates Independence Day on July 4 with live music, food and drinks on the veranda. From 6-9 p.m., guests can purchase dinner from a grab-and-go picnic buffet in Starlight Terrace, featuring pot roast sandwiches, BBQ pulled pork shoulder, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni and cheese and more. Then, guests can grab a seat on the veranda and enjoy their meal while listening to live patriotic music from 7-11 p.m. Plus, the veranda makes for a perfect viewing spot for Hershey’s fireworks display that evening! A bar will also be available from 6-11 p.m. This event is first-come, first-served, and reservations are not accepted.
- Coaldale Road Fireworks, Lykens: If you’ve been here, you know the drill! Food, FUN and Fireworks and a lil Fundraising thrown in to make this show happen! Party starts at 5. Cannonfire Band will be entertaining us this year! Great local band! We provide amazing BRADY 🍔 Dawgs 🌭! We always have some available 😉 but also BYOB, a side to share if you wish and your favorite lawn seating!
Fourth of July Events in Lancaster County
- Movie in the Park & Fireworks, East Petersburg: We invite you to join together with your neighbors to celebrate Independence Day with live performances from The Kracker Beez, a movie in the park, and an exciting evening of fireworks – all in the East Petersburg Community Park. This years movie is The Super Mario Bros Movie. On this Friday in June 30th, from 5:30 – 10:45 p.m., you are invited to come out for a fun evening of live performances, fun for all ages. Food trucks will be offering tasty food for dinner and dessert throughout the evening starting at 5:30 p.m. Later on in the evening, from 8:30 – 10:15 p.m., neighbors and families are invited to relax under the stars and enjoy a movie in the park. This year, our movie in the park screening will be featuring Sonic the Hedgehog. Every year, our movie in the park is a favorite part of this exciting night. As the night draws to an end and our movie in the park concludes, you are encouraged to take in the warm summer air as you lay back and enjoy the presentation of the Lancaster Toyota Independence Day Fireworks Display!
- Buck Motorsports Independence Day Fireworks and Freedom Fest, Quarrysville: Check out the Demolition Derby and fireworks on July 1st; come back July 3rd for the I-105 Country Freedom Fest Concert!
- 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks Extravaganza, Elizabethtown: Spend July 4th at the Historic Star Barn & Ironstone Ranch! Enjoy acres of 4th of July fun with more food trucks and fun than ever before!!Includes Self-guided tours of both Ironstone Ranch and The Star Barn, Face painting generously donated by Creative Inspirationz by Heather Lindsey, Sower & Seed Gift Shoppe, Yard Games, Campfire, Petting Zoo featuring Ebony, Ivory, JR, and others, Performances by top notch performers: RJ Moody (Country Artist), Chris Ivey (Juggler), Forgotten Friends Reptile Show, and Josh Squared Band, and more!
- Patriotic Concert and Fireworks, Lancaster: The annual Patriotic Concert featuring the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, local color guard, and fireworks that all promise to delight.
- Hometown Fourth of July 206th Continuous Celebration, Lititz: Save the date: Monday, July 3rd & Tuesday, July 4th 2023 we will celebrate the 206th consecutive July 4th celebration in Lititz Springs Park! There will be parades, concerts, games and contests, dance parties, a baby parade and kid zone, pageants, fireworks, and more!
- Fireworks and Independence Day Celebration at Clipper Magazine Stadium, Lancaster: Live Music from the Clockwork-Band, Hot Dog Eating Contest,Field Games Including Frisbee, Cornhole & More in the Outfield! Egg Toss Contest, Obstacle Course Inflatable for Kids, Carousel and Kids Park, Golf Simulator from Injoy Golf, Silverball Retro Arcade, and more!
- Fireworks Celebration, Marietta: Food Trucks, barrel train for kids, Two bounce houses and face painting! Sarge the Constable K9 dog demo at 5:30. Chris Ivey juggler at 6:00, and the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast starts at 7:00pm and continues through the show. Fireworks at 9:15 or when weather permits. More details to come!
- 4th of July Fireworks, Mountville:Annual fireworks display at Froelich Park, sponsored by the Mountville Community Services Foundation with funds from the Edward Froelich Trust, Mountville Borough and the Mountville Community Services Foundation. Saturday, July 1st, 2023. Start time: Dusk.
Fourth of July Events in Lebanon County
- Annual Fireworks Display, Lebanon: The annual fireworks display is made possible through donations from local businesses and citizens in the community. The fireworks are provided by Fantastic Fireworks of Maryland Line, Maryland. Admission is free. The rain date for this event is July 5 at 9:00 p.m.
- Fourth of July Celebration Party, Palmyra: Join us as we Celebrate American Freedom. Kids Carnival from 12pm-4pm, Bounce House, Ring Toss, Kids Crafts, Dime Toss, Dunk Tank, And More. Adult Carnival Games Start at 5pm. Intentional Walk takes the stage at 6pm followed by ROCKBOX. Raffles & 50/50 Drawings Beer Tasting Tent by Wilsbach Distributors. Bring your Lawn Chairs and Enjoy the Evening. Fireworks TBD- We will keep you posted.
Fourth of July Events in York County
- Sounds of Summer Concert Series Independence Day Celebration Feat. Stonewood + Fireworks, York: Sounds of Summer Concerts are held every Sunday and Wednesday through August 2, plus Sundays in August (6,13, 20, & 27). All concerts are free and open to the public. A variety of food vendors and the Park Place Concession Stand will be available for food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases. Independence Day Celebration! Food Trucks: 5:30 pm – end of event. Concert featuring Stonewood: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Fireworks: 9:15 pm (approximate). - Shrewsbury Fireman’s Carnival, Shrewsbury: Shrewsbury Fireman’s Carnival: June 26-July 1, 2023. Food, Games, Rides, Nightly Entertainment, Vendors, and more. Fireworks on Friday, June 30 @ 10pm.
- Grace Baptist Annual Family Fireworks, Lewisberry: Annual Family Fireworks Event – July 1. Save the date, bring your family & friends and join us for our annual fireworks event! Food, children’s activities, and a fireworks show you wont want to miss… ALL FREE of cost!
- HARPFest 2023, Stewartstown:: HARPFEST 2023 will be held on Saturday, July 1st (With a Rain Date of Sunday, July 2nd) from 4pm until our fireworks display begins around 9:30pm. This year’s event will have activities (Bounce Attractions 4:30pm-8:30pm supplies by The Bull Guys, and the Face Paint Chick) for kids to enjoy along with a variety of food (Bricker’s Fries, Stoney’s Burgers, Premium Shaved Ice, Taco House & more) to choose from. Musical entertainment will be provided from 6:30pm-9:30pm by the JC Fisher band at our pavilion. Please be sure to get here early with your chairs to get a good view.
- New Freedom Lion’s Club Carnival, New Freedom: Each year the New Freedom Lions Club host an annual carnival to raise funds for local charities. All funds raised go directly back to community. organizations like the girl and boy scouts, the New Freedom Fire Company, New Freedom Ambulance Service, SYC Library, New Freedom Community Center, and many others. The carnival is manned by many volunteers who work for the good of the community. The carnival is located at Marge Goodfellow park in downtown New Freedom, Pa. Fireworks held on July 7th; parade on July 8th.
- July4York, York: York’s biggest July 4 party will be better than ever in 2023 thanks to the York Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The city’s renowned musicians will present a free patriotic concert and sing-along after the Revolution’s matchup against the rival Dirty Birds. Gates to the ballpark will open for free after the Revolution game that evening, so that the general public may enjoy the one-hour symphony and chorus performance. Followed by a fireworks display! The York Symphony performance is presented by Powder Mill Foundation.
- 4th of July Celebration, Dillsburg: Live Music by Kirk Wise from 11am-2pm. Wear Red, White, and Blue and get BOGO Admission for the Summer Fun Admission Area and also get BOGO on Ice Cream from the Lunch Deck! Summer Fun Admission Area: $7.99 General Admission or $9.99 Enhanced Admission
Did we miss your favorite Fourth of July event? Let us know in the comments!
