Fireworks are a long-standing American tradition. And of course. There’s no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with a sky full of colorful explosions, a heart full of patriotism, and a cooler full of “soda.” Every Fourth of July, small towns and big cities across the United States pull out all the stops with pyrotechnics and festivities. Some of these shows are well-known, others are best-kept secrets, but all of them capture the spirit of Independence Day in their own way.
Here’s our roundup of some of the very best fireworks displays America has to offer in 2025.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in New York City
Naturally, we’ll start with the show that sets the insanely impossible-to-match standard.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in the City That Never Sleeps is the largest Independence Day fireworks show in the nation; over 60,000 shells fly into the sky over the East River. For nearly 50 years, Macy’s has been creating a stunning visual symphony, choreographed to a mix of patriotic anthems and popular hits.
The fireworks are launched from barges on the river, so getting a great view is a fairly easy task. Good angles can be found all around the area from multiple boroughs. If you’re lucky enough to snag a spot at a rooftop party, you’re in for a truly unforgettable experience.
Fireworks on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Caption: Fireworks over some of the most iconic American structures is an experience never to be forgotten.
Fireworks in the nation’s capital? Now that’s something that even 60,000 fireworks can’t compete against. There’s something profoundly moving and patriotic about watching pyrotechnics explode over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Reflecting Pool.
Pre-fireworks activities are plentiful. We could take a whole article just listing them out. You’ll have monuments, museums, and memorials galore to explore. There’s the National Independence Day Parade. There will be concerts, theaters, and more restaurants than you can count. Perhaps the most well-known festivity is the Capitol Fourth Concert. Starting at 8 p.m., the concert features numerous performers, from pop and country stars to symphonies and choirs.
The National Mall’s Fourth of July fireworks are a breathtaking 35-minute tribute to American history and resilience. It may not have that small-town vibe, but it’s still pure Americana at its best. And if you listen closely (really closely), you might even hear the echoes of John Adams himself, who once said that Independence Day should be celebrated with “illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” Well, Mr. President, you got your wish!
Melaleuca Freedom Celebration in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think “fireworks.” Well, maybe you should change how you think about fireworks!
Caption: More than 18,500 fireworks will light up the night sky in Idaho Falls on July 4, 2025.
Every year, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration in Idaho Falls puts on what is marketed as the largest annual fireworks display west of the Mississippi River. In 2025, more than 18,500 shells (yes, Melaleuca puts out the specific number each year) are expected to light up the Snake River in a dazzling 31-minute tribute to veterans, military families, and America’s Founding Fathers. The American Pyrotechnics Association has called it a “must-see” event.
Before the big show, there’s lots to do at Riverfest (the pre-fireworks festival), including vendors, food, bounce houses, live music, and a vintage car collection (owned by Frank VanderSloot, founder of Melaleuca, which we’ll mention soon). You can even snag a helicopter ride! And if you’re an adventurous soul, Yellowstone National Park is a short drive away. It’s one of the most-visited national parks in the world and saw more than 4.7 million visitors last year.
The fireworks for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration are completely funded by Melaleuca, an online retail company that is headquartered in the Gem State. That’s actually pretty unique since nearly all fireworks are funded either by taxpayer dollars or by collaborations between donors, companies, and the city government.
Nobody would suspect that some random town in Idaho would actually have one of the biggest fireworks shows in the nation. It’s a best-kept secret that needs to be talked about more. But even so, roughly 200,000 people watch it every year, so perhaps it’s not that much of a secret.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston, Massachusetts
If there is anywhere more iconic for a July fireworks display than the nation’s capital, it would probably be Boston, Beantown, the Cradle of Liberty, the city where the revolution began. The Fourth of July is serious business here.
Caption: With the combination of fireworks, orchestra, and military cannons, patriotism is never higher in Boston.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular combines world-class music with a stunning fireworks display over the Charles River. Along with the fireworks, you’ve got Harborfest, a whole week of activities, markets, music, reenactments (yes, with the costumes and everything), and even Chowderfest! Because what’s a trip to New England without some chowder? It’s a perfect blend of rich American history and culture, and pure, unadulterated patriotism.
The fireworks and Harborfest are a bucket list experience for any history buff.
Big Bay Boom in San Diego, California
The Big Bay Boom is California’s largest fireworks show, and if you like your fireworks reflected over water (a lot of water), it’s hard to beat this one.
Launched from four barges in San Diego Bay, the Big Bay Boom creates a panoramic explosion of color that can be seen from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Coronado, your own boat, or even the USS Midway! Yes, you can watch fireworks from a naval aircraft carrier. About half a million people gather around the bay
The show starts at 9 p.m. and typically lasts for 20 minutes (except for that one time in 2012 when a computer glitch made everything go off in about 30 seconds).
If you’ve ever wanted to watch fireworks from a kayak, this is your moment!
Celebrate in Style No Matter Where You Are
Wherever you find yourself this Fourth of July—the bustling streets of New York or Boston, the quiet banks of the Snake River, or the sunlit shores of California—you’re part of a proud tradition, a tradition that involves lots and lots of explosions. But these fireworks shows are more than just displays of pyrotechnics. In the midst of the noise, let’s remember the cause of freedom, the betterment of our communities, and the enduring spirit of America.
Happy Fourth of July!
