The Fourth of July is traditionally accompanied by fireworks shows, parades and other large gatherings that were largely put on hold during the past two years — but are returning this summer.
Seafair Summer Fourth, Seattle’s largest fireworks show, is back with a bang this year with more activities and fireworks than ever on the shores of Lake Union.
This year’s event will include activities at both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park before the first boom of the fireworks. Unlike in past years, when Lake Union Park was only open to those 21 and older for Summer Fourth, this year, the event is open for all ages (there will be a roped-off beer garden for those 21 and over). On the opposite side of the lake, visitors can find field games, a family fun zone, a beer garden, a floating concert stage, interactive activities, contests and giveaways by local radio stations and more at Gas Works Park.
As for the fireworks, “this year we’re gonna have about 10,000 pounds of fireworks,” said Sydace Jackson, Seafair’s director of marketing and communications. “Also, prior to the fireworks show, we’re going to have a blastoff ceremony with U.S. Army howitzer cannons, and prior to that, we’re going to have opera singer Tess Altiveros singing the national anthem this year.”
Seafair Summer Fourth kicks off a summer of Seafair events, like the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade July 30 and Boeing Maritime Celebration Seattle Fleet Week Aug. 1-5, ending with Seafair Weekend Festival Aug. 5-7.
For all Seafair events, make sure to come early and prepare to navigate crowded parking lots and outdoor spaces. Seafair events also will be completely cashless this year, Jackson said, “and we’re going to do a lot of stuff using QR codes.”
Seafair Summer Fourth gates will open at 3 p.m., and the fireworks over Lake Union will start at 10:15 p.m. Seafair Summer Fourth is free and open to the public, and both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park will offer several free and reserved seating options. Find more information online at: seafair.org/events/2022/seafair-summer-fourth
In addition to Seafair Summer Fourth, here’s a list of the Puget Sound area’s July Fourth activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you do not see your city or an event on this list, check their websites to see if they plan to host any Fourth of July events.
Click below or scroll down to navigate through different cities to learn about this year’s festivities.
Arlington | Auburn | Bainbridge Island | Bellevue | Burien | Carnation | Des Moines | Federal Way | Issaquah | Kent | Kirkland | Lacey | Mountlake Terrace | Renton | Seattle | Snoqualmie | Tacoma
Arlington
Enjoy this July Fourth and Street Fair Hometown Celebration with activities July 2-10. There will be live music, a marathon, beer and wine gardens, a cornhole tournament, a pancake breakfast, a parade and more — and, of course, a fireworks show at 10 p.m. July 4. Free. Location varies; 360-403-3421; arlingtonwa.gov
Auburn
Auburn’s Emerald Downs presents a day of races and activities followed by a fireworks show at 10 p.m. July 3. Purchase tickets online; prices vary. 2300 Ron Crockett Drive, Auburn; 253-288-7000; emeralddowns.com
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th of July returns from its pandemic hiatus to continue a celebration that has been a tradition on the island since 1967. There will be a car show, pancake breakfast, street fair, live music, a parade and more. Free. Location varies; 206-842-3700; bainbridgechamber.com
Bellevue
Join more than 60,000 visitors in downtown Bellevue for Bellevue Family 4th Celebration featuring live music, family entertainment, food trucks and the Eastside’s largest fireworks display synchronized to music performed by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra at 10:05 p.m. Free. 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; 425-453-1223; bellevuedowntown.com/events/family-4th
Lake Sammamish’s annual July Fourth fireworks show returns at 10 p.m. July 2. Prime viewing will be on south Lake Sammamish, by boat, lakeside deck or at Vasa Park. $15/parking and entrance fee for walk-ins. 3560 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E., Bellevue; kritsonislindor.com
Burien
Enjoy Burien’s 99th annual Independence Day Parade 3-5 p.m. July 4. Free. Downtown Burien; discoverburien.org
Carnation
Carnation’s July Fourth celebration kicks off the night before with live music 7-9:30 p.m. July 3 followed by a day of activities like a 5K run, pancake breakfast, vendor village, parade and more before the fireworks show at 10 p.m. Free (prices for food and drink vary). Location varies; 425-941-9980; carnation4th.org
Des Moines
The Des Moines Marina will be full of food trucks, live music, a beer and wine garden and more on the Marina Floor before the fireworks over Des Moines. Due to construction this year, there will be no parking in the north parking lot, and the Marina Floor will be limited to 300 people. Free. 22307 Dock Ave. S., Des Moines; 206-870-7675; destinationdesmoines.org
Everett
Celebrate July Fourth with the City of Everett with live entertainment, a beer garden, a dozen food trucks and activities for people of all ages leading up to the Thunder on the Bay fireworks show at 10 p.m. Public parking will not be available at Legion Memorial Park on July 4. Everett Transit will offer free shuttles to and from the festival at Legion Park beginning at 3 p.m. from Everett Community College in front of the Walt Price Fitness Center. Free. 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett; 425-257-8700; everettwa.gov
Federal Way
City of Federal Way Parks and Recreation presents Red, White & Blues Festival featuring live music, face painting, food vendors, interactive art, games, inflatables and fireworks at 10:15 p.m. Free. 1095 South 324th St., Federal Way; 253-835-2412; visitfw.org
Issaquah
The Downtown Issaquah Association and City of Issaquah present the 2022 Issaquah Down Home 4th of July celebration with a parade, costume contest, family activities, live music and more 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Rainier Boulevard North, Issaquah (parade starts), and 120 Second Ave. N.E., Issaquah (family activities); downtownissaquah.com
Kent
Enjoy Kent’s Fourth of July Splash with outdoor activities, live music, food and games noon-5 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park. Free. 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent; 253-856-5000; kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks
Kirkland
Join this family-friendly parade in downtown Kirkland featuring local shops, dance groups and many others 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland; kirklanddowntown.org
Lacey
The City of Lacey presents its 56th year of celebrating Independence Day with a day of family fun featuring food trucks, concerts, kids activities and fireworks 4-11 p.m. July 3. Free. 5475 45th Ave. S.E., Lacey; laceyparks.org
Mountlake Terrace
Join the 3rd of July Celebration with fireworks, food trucks (including Flyin’ Taco, Pie Bar Seattle, Ryan’s Rez-ipes, Yay Big Yay High Yay Ice Cream and YummyBox), live music, games and more at 6 p.m. Fireworks will start after sunset around 10 p.m. Free. 23000 Lakeview Drive, Mountlake Terrace; 425-640-3101; cityofmlt.com
Renton
Renton’s July Fourth celebration features a DJ starting at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. Free. 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton; 425-430-6400; rentonwa.gov
Seattle
Seafair Summer Fourth at Lake Union Park and Gas Works Park. Free. Location varies; 206-728-0123; seafair.org/summerfourth
Start your Independence Day weekend July 1 at T-Mobile Park with baseball and postgame fireworks at Patriotic Fireworks Night. Purchase tickets online; prices vary. 1250 First Ave. S., Seattle; mariners.com
Take a journey back to the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 with this anniversary weekend walking tour at noon and 4 p.m. July 2-3 at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery and Lake View Cemetery. July 2 and 3 mark the 159th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, and the tours will tell the history of the entire battle through the eyes of dozens of Seattle pioneers who fought in the battle. Register online; $18.63. Location varies; civilwarseattle.com
West Seattle’s 24th annual 4th of July Children’s Parade returns this year at 10 a.m. featuring local kids riding on decorated bikes, wagons and tricked-out strollers with their families. After the parade, enjoy old-fashioned gunny sack races, arts and crafts and various activities at Hamilton ViewPoint Park. 44th Avenue Southwest and Sunset Avenue Southwest, Seattle; westseattle4thofjulykidsparade.wordpress.com
Snoqualmie
Red, White & Boom, Snoqualmie’s annual community fireworks show, returns with vendors, food trucks, attractions and more at 7 p.m. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. 35016 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie; redwhiteboomwa.org
Tacoma
Fireworks return on the Ruston Way Waterfront with live music, food trucks, a craft market and more noon-10 p.m. at Cummings Park and the Cambia Legacy Lawn at Dune Peninsula. Free. Location varies; 253-305-1000; metroparkstacoma.org
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