Here’s our list of where to see free public fireworks show in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area and other cities and communities around the Puget Sound region. At the end of the list of fireworks shows, we offer tips for photographing fireworks. And, if you are planning a private show, we offer links to fireworks laws.
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America’s favorite July 4th family pastime, watching fireworks – DepositPhotos.com
Public fireworks show before or after July 4th
(Listed by date)
June 29: Bremerton Bridge Blast Largest Bridge Fireworks Festival on the West Coast
The boardwalk festival offers waterfront views, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden, while you wait for the fireworks! Bridge Fireworks Show Blast off at 10:15 PM. More info: Bremerton Bridge Blast 2024 | Largest Bridge Fireworks Festival on the West Coast
June 29: Joint Base Lewis-McChord Freedom Fest & Fireworks show
After a few years hiatus, festival goers are revved up and ready to celebrate. Freedom Fest is returning to JBLM! On Saturday, June 29, revel in a full day of pre-Fourth of July festivities at Memorial Stadium and surrounding areas. *Non-DoD ID cardholders, without a DoD sponsor in the vehicle, must register online before entry. Due to limited parking around the event, the general public are encouraged to use DuPont Gate, park at the satellite parking area and take the shuttle to the event site. Gate opens 11AM. Freedom Wheels Car Show 11am-4pm. Mainstage entertainment 3pm-8pm. Carnival Rides: Tickets start at 60¢ each and rides are 12-13 tickets each. Fireworks show 10:15PM. More info: FreedomFest :: Joint Base Lewis-McChord :: US Army MWR and JBLM MWR (armymwr.com)
July 3: Lacey Fireworks Spectacular
The Lacey Fireworks Spectacular at Rainier Vista Park on July 03 from 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Parking lot opens 3PM. Or take FREE shuttles from Timberline High School (6120 Mullen St SE), Mountain View Elementary (1900 College St SE), or Lakes Elementary (6211 Mullen Rd SE). Entertainment and Kid Zone starts at 4:30. Fireworks at 10PM. Enjoy the fireworks set to music and elevate your fireworks experience with a FREE pair of 3D glasses! Pick up your glasses starting June 10 at Lacey Collision or Capital Collision or at their booth at the event while supplies last, courtesy of Lacey Collision Center. Address: 5475 45th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503. More info: Lacey Fireworks Spectacular – Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation
July 3: Mountlake Terrace Fireworks over Lake Ballinger
The 3rd of July Family Celebration is a beloved tradition. This year’s festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. the fun will include pie eating contests, field games, a DJ and food trucks. A fantastic fireworks display over beautiful Lake Ballinger will be the highlight of the event when darkness falls at approximately 10:00 p.m. There is no onsite parking available, so walking, biking and rideshares are strongly encouraged. Other options include free parking at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center or paid parking at the Nile Shrine at 6601 244th Street SW followed by a walk along the Lakeview Trail. If you are taking the bus Community Transit route 130 drops off across the street from Ballinger Park. More info: 3rd of July Family Celebration | Mountlake Terrace, WA (cityofmlt.com)
July 3: Puyallup Red, White & Kaboom Fireworks Show
An evening of fun on July 3, 2024 from 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM at the Gold and Teal lots of the Washington State Fairgrounds, culminating in a professional fireworks display. Purchase your Gold Lot vehicle pass $20, then head to the Teal lot for live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and kids’ corner. Fireworks display at dusk. More info: Red, White & Kaboom 2024: Puyallup’s 2-Day 4th of July Festival (ticketspice.com)
July 6: Bremerton/Port Orchard Fathoms O’ Fun Festival & Fireworks over Sinclair Inlet
Food & Craft vendors 9AM. Live bands 4PM. Fireworks show over Sinclair Inlet 10PM with views from Bremerton and Port Orchard waterfronts. More info: Port Orchard | Fathoms O’ Fun Festival
Public July 4th fireworks shows & celebrations
Listed below are the largest Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks shows in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. Scroll down for smaller cities and communities that usually have free public fireworks displays in around the Puget Sound region.
(Listed alphabetically by city)
Bellevue Independence Day & Fireworks Show
Celebrate our nation’s birthday in Bellevue Downtown Park with friends and neighbors at the Eastside’s largest 4th of July event, presented by The Bellevue Collection! Enjoy free live music, children’s activities, food options/food trucks and family entertainment. The City of Bellevue and Bellevue Downtown Association have co-produced the Bellevue Family 4th for the past 30 years.
- Use alternate transportation: walk, bike, take the bus, or carpool.
- Street parking in nearby residential streets is prohibited; violators may be impounded.
- Free parking is available after 5 p.m. at The Bellevue Collection properties (Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square North, Lincoln Square South and Bellevue Place).
- Fireworks at approximately 10:05 p.m. from the Downtown area and last for 15-17 minutes. The show is synchronized with a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
- More info: Bellevue 4th of July Fireworks (bellevuedowntown.com)
Edmonds 4th of July parade (no fireworks)
The first Edmonds 4th of July parade was in 1907. Join thousands of cheering onlookers to celebrate this legacy event. Children’s Parade 11:30am is FREE to join! Followed by Main Parade at NOON. More info: An Edmonds Kind of 4th — Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and Events — Edmonds Chamber of Commerce
Everett’s iconic Thunder on the Bay fireworks show
Everett’s Fourth of July at Legion Memorial Park kicks off at 3 p.m. and runs until after the spectacular fireworks show, wrapping up around 10:30 p.m. Best of all, it’s free to attend. Heads up, there’s NO PARKING at Legion Memorial Park on the Fourth of July. Transportation options include Everett Transit free shuttle service to and from the park, ride share (Uber, Lyft), or bicycle. Live music 5-10PM. Imagine Children’s Museum will have kid-friendly activities. Legion Memorial Park has a great playground and ball fields. Bring your lawn game or frisbee. More info: Fourth of July Festival | Everett Tourism, WA (visiteverett.com)
Kirkland 4th of July parade (no fireworks)
4th of July family-friendly community parade. Children’s parade 11:30AM and main parade at NOON. Kirkland no longer produces a fireworks show due to the less desirable effect on pets (and their people) and surrounding environment, including wildlife. Plenty of neighboring cities offer fireworks displays including Bellevue, Kenmore, Sammamish, and Seattle. More info: Celebrate Kirkland 4th of July – City of Kirkland (kirklandwa.gov)
Seattle Seafair Summer Fourth on Lake Union
Seafair Summer Fourth is voted one of the nation’s best fireworks shows across the country. The fireworks display takes place over Lake Union in one of the best natural amphitheaters anywhere. The televised broadcast features a fully choreographed fireworks presentation accompanied by a musical score. There is a full day of pre-show activities at several locations. Each location offers its own unique experience. Gates open @ 3:00 pm. Fireworks @ 10:15 pm. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Paid reserved seating also available.
- Gas Works Park for a hilltop view. Family activities, food vendors, beer gardens, and live music
- South Lake Union Park for a darker sky view. Family activities, food vendors, beer gardens, and live music.
- On Lake Union (if you have a boat!) for an overhead view.
- Can’t make it out to watch the fireworks live? Tune in to the live broadcast on KONG beginning at 9:00 PM on July 4th.
- More info: Seafair Summer Fourth — Seafair
Tacoma 4th of July Summer Blast
Tacoma’s 4th of July Summer Blast is the City of Tacoma’s official 4th of July Celebration and the largest free community event in the South Sound. Head to the Ruston Way Waterfront where you’ll enjoy a full day of live music, food, entertainment, and craft vendors. The fun begins at noon and ends with spectacular fireworks over Puget Sound. More info: Tacoma Summer Blast – Metro Parks Tacoma
But wait, there’s more! Listed below is a selected list of cities and towns that usually have free public fireworks displays in locations north, south, and west of Seattle.
Fireworks over Lake Union in Seattle – DepositPhotos.com
Other fireworks shows North and East of Seattle
- Arlington: Fourth of July Celebration | Arlington, WA (arlingtonwa.gov)
- Carnation
- Kenmore
- Monroe | Evergreen Speedway (July 3rd fireworks, ticketed event: $35)
- Newcastle
- Sammamish
- Snoqualmie
Other fireworks shows South of Seattle
- Auburn at Emerald Downs (July 3rd fireworks. Admission to racetrack: $15/adult, $10/kids. Casino opens 10:00AM, movies on the big screen throughout the day, first race 5:00PM, fireworks 10:00PM)
- Des Moines
- Federal Way
- Kent
- Renton (No more fireworks due to environmental concerns, replaced by Renton River Days in late July)
- SeaTac
- Steilacoom
- Tukwila (no 2024 July 4th events on their calendar)
- Tumwater
Other fireworks shows on Kitsap Peninsula and beyond
- Bainbridge Island
- Bremerton (Bridge Blast June 29, 2024 – Largest Bridge Fireworks Festival on the West Coast)
- Port Orchard | Fathoms O’ Fun Festival (fireworks on July 6)
- Kingston
- Event Calendar | Washington State Parks Note Fireworks are illegal on state park lands, including beaches in front of Washington state parks. Volunteer for a beach cleanup on July 5 from 11am-1pm: 5th of July Cleanup | Washington State Parks
Ride the Washington State Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, leaving either terminal at 9:45pm for the 70-minute round-trip. Round-trip fare is $9.85 (adults 19+); youth no charge (age 18 and under). If you take your car, the car+driver is $35.00 round trip and each adult passenger is $9.85 round trip. You should have views of Bremerton and Seattle fireworks, as well as other displays up and down Puget Sound.
Fireworks photography
To help you and your family make a memory of the fireworks, read our tips and tricks for photographing fireworks in Seattle.
Fireworks laws & fire safety
If you think you might want to put together your own fireworks display, be sure to educate yourself on local fireworks laws. Most cities, towns, and parks in the Seattle-Tacoma Metro area forbid the possession or use of personal fireworks.
Unincorporated areas in counties around Puget Sound also strictly regulate their use, particularly if the weather is dry and burn bans are in effect. Contact your local law or fire agency if in doubt.
Wherever you are in the Puget Sound regions, have a safe and beautiful 4th of July. Let freedom ring.
Celebrating Fourth of July with friends – DepositPhotos.com
Calendar of events on Fourth of July
Listed below are all events on our calendar for the week of July 4th whether you like fireworks OR want to get away!
