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4th Of July Celebrations Around Hampton Roads

25 June 2014 by

The 4th of July is a great time to enjoy family, friends, BBQ's, parades, fire works, and celebrations!  It doesn't get much better than celebrating our nations birthday here in Hampton Roads where many battles were fought and Independence was won.  We are surrounded by history which allows for amazing venues to enjoy parades,celebrations, music, reenactment, and of course Fireworks!  Enjoy, be safe, and please share this list of 4th of July celebrations in Hampton Roads with others! 

There are many celebrations and fireworks around town and if we miss any please feel free to add to the list in the comments section.

** Due to Hurricane Arthur there have been some cancellations and re-scheduled fireworks and celebrations.   Click Here to learn for an updated list of events.

Peninsula Area 4th of July Celebrations:

Newport News 4th of July Stars in the Sky
Friday, July 4, 2014, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Victory Landing Park:  The event begins with free children’s rides (giant slides, moon bounces, and an obstacle course). Food vendors will be on site selling a variety of items including funnel cakes, seafood, hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream. Entertainment will be provided by United States Air Force Heritage of America Band ensemble Full Spectrum (variety of popular music, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.). A spectacular fireworks show by the internationally award–winning fireworks company Pyrotecnico, presented by Newport News Shipbuilding, a Division of Huntington-Ingalls Industries, will light up the sky over the James River at 9:30 p.m.

Newport News 4th of July Spirit of America 

Raining outside? Can’t stand the mosquitoes? All the good viewing spots taken? No worries! Celebrate America with this patriotic laser show in the Virginia Living Museum's nice cool theater. "Spirit of America" mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock and roll and songs that have defined American music. Rock on to great artists like John Fogerty, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood and so many, many more. Don’t miss out on some Independence Day fun! Recommended for ages 6 and up. Shown at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Admission Fee: $6 Non-Members $3 VLM Members.  Learn More

Hampton  Fourth at the Fort at Fort Monroe

Music by the Bay Summer Concert at Wherry Quarter—US Fleet Forces Band Wind Ensemble will perform traditional martial music as well as patriotic favorites for our special start time of 8 pm and location in the Wherry Quarter. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and park in designated areas only. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Food vendors will be onsite selling a variety of different styles of food.

Fireworks—this year, Fort Monroe will present a new twist on Fourth of July fireworks! Instead of a traditional aerial fireworks show, a 12 minute close proximity show will be launched from the top of the fortress wall at 9:15 pm. This show, presented by Pyrotecnico of New Castle, PA, will highlight the unique features of the stone fort and offer a view of the Fort never seen before. Close proximity fireworks offer a more entertaining show and use less space. They are intended to be viewed within a close distance so that the pyrotechnics can be seen from the ground up. The ideal location to view the fireworks is just north of Outlook Beach, along Fenwick Road from the East Gate to Stillwell Road.

There is a full line up of activities at Fort Monroe for the 4th of July.  To learn about events click here!

Hampton Langley Speedway Fireworks July 5th at 7:00pm

Enjoy a great night of racing with a spectaular firework show Adult - $12.00 Military/Sr. Citizen - $10.00 Child - $5.00 Family 4 Pack - $30.00

Williamsburg 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration at Colonial Williamsburg

All Day Celebrations at Colonial Williamsburg a Revolutionary City (10am-10pm)! 

Schedule of Events:

  • 10: “Salute to the States,” behind the Courthouse. A special militia muster salutes the 13 original states with Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums, musket and cannon fire.
  • Noon: “Declaration of Independence,” Capitol. The declaration is read to the citizens. Join us for this special presentation that gives voice to “the People’s” document.
  • 5:30: Fifes and Drums march from the Capitol to Market Square.
  • 6: Courthouse on Market Square. U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band performs.
  • 7:45: Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums perform.
  • 8: Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs on Palace Green.
  • 9:30: Fireworks!

Gather on Market Square or Palace Green to celebrate our nation's birthday with an exciting fireworks display at 9:20-9:40pm. Afterward, enjoy the pageantry of a torchlit Fifes and Drums march from Palace Green, down Duke of Gloucester Street, ending on Botetourt Street.  There are multiple locations and this is FREE and open to the public. 

To learn about the scheduled events visit Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg - Busch Gardens 4th of July Celebration-Star Spangled Nights (July 3-August 10th extended fireworks for July 4th)

Busch Gardens® celebrates America with a bang during an all-new summer spectacular, “Star Spangled Nights” July 3 through Aug. 10. This event inspires park-goers through fireworks, moving original soundscapes and unforgettable environments. Unique merchandise and culinary offerings blend seamlessly with rich musical traditions, creating a fun red, white and blue event that can only be found at Busch Gardens.  A special extended fireworks event will be presented July 3 – 5 to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Yorktown 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration

Thursday, July 4 - Independence Day Celebration, 9 am. Come to historic Yorktown and salute America along the waterfront beginning with a 9 a.m. patriotic parade on Water Street and during its evening Independence Day Celebration, featuring a bell-ringing ceremony at 7 p.m. and patriotic entertainment at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing, followed by spectacular fireworks on the York River at 9:15 p.m. Free.  Learn more!

**THREE DAYS OF PATRIOTIC FUN JULY 4-6 AT YORKTOWN VICTORY CENTER’S ‘LIBERTY CELEBRATION’ ~Tactical drills, military exercises and role-playing demonstrations salute the anniversary of America’s independence. Visitors can see in museum galleries a rare broadside printing of America’s Declaration of Independence dating to July 1776.  Learn More!

Southside Area 4th of July Celebrations:

Chesapeake Thursday, July 3, 2014 Celebrate America's Birthday! Fireworks will illuminate the night sky after sunset. Enjoy children's activities and family entertainment. Bring your own chairs/blanket. (no pop-up tents permitted) Event Parking opens at 5 p.m.; Event starts at 6 p.m.  U.S. Army TRADOC Command Band 8 p.m.  Fireworks start when TRADOC Command Band is finished, after dusk.   Concessions ~ Inflatables  Event is FREE to the public. $5 on-site Parking Fee

Chesapeake 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks ~ 34th Annual South Norfolk Parade & Picnic in the Park  Fun day of activities from a Parade, entertainment, food, games, petting zoo and paddleboat rides. – Parade starts at 10am and is FREE and open to the public.

Norfolk 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks  Annual AT&T Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks (5pm – 10pm)  Leave the grilling to us on the 4th of July and bring your family and friends down to Town Point Park. Guests can buy traditional All American Fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, buttered corn on the cob, juicy watermelon, lemonade... with all the fixin's and much more available for purchase!  Relax on the lawn and enjoy patriotic sounds by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. Then watch as the sky lights up with the fireworks display at 9:30pm!   FREE to the public.

Portsmouth 4th of July Fireworks 32nd Annual Independance Day Celebration - Fireworks light up the sky in celebration of our Nations birthday at 9:30pm Free and open to public.

Suffolk 4th of July  Stars and Stripes Spectacular  (5:30pm – 9:30pm) Bring your friends and family, beach blankets and lawn chairs, to Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina for an evening of live music, fest food and most importantly, terrific fireworks! –  FREE

Surry July 3  Fourth of July Fireworks and Entertainment  (4pm – 11pm)  Celebrate the 4th with fireworks and entertainment.

Virginia Beach July 4  4th of July Celebration at First Landing SP (10am – 9pm)  Come out for a day full of fun events celebrating our Independence Day! All activities will begin under the big tent at the end of the main boardwalk on the beach. This fantastic day of fanfare will end with our annual fireworks display.

Virginia Beach July 4  July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore (4pm -10pm) Celebrate America’s birthday and salute the military with live main stage musical entertainment, children’s activities and delicious festival foods! The night concludes with a BANG – ooh and ahh at our fabulous fireworks display that will fill the summer sky. FREE with on-site parking (fee).

Virginia Beach July 4  Stars and Stripes Explosion (8pm – Close)  Multiple live performances on oceanfront stages will attract thousands of visitors and residents of Virginia Beach to a “star-spangled” salute to this great country of ours at Stars & Stripes Explosion Friday, July 4, 2014.  Musical acts offer something for everyone – Patriotic and classical to Motown, and tributes dedicated to Bruce Springsteen, British rock and pop from the 60’s and 70’s, Billy Joel, and Elton John.  The show will segue into a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm that promises to explode over the ocean in a burst of colors and patterns!  -  Click here to learn more about this Great Event!  Free and open to the public.

Virginia Beach July 4th  4th of July Fireworks at Sandbridge Beach (6:30pm – 9pm)  At 6:30 pm on July 4, the annual Boat Parade will begin. The Fireworks display will start at 9:00 pm and be set off from the Mill Pond at Sand Bend Road and Back Bay Crescent. A July 5 rain date is scheduled. FREE and open to the public.

MB would like to wish everyone a wonderful Independence Day!  Please have fun and stay safe out there! 

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