As boaters, we know the best place to catch a Chesapeake Bay fireworks show is from the water. Be sure to use caution when boating at night, be courteous and stay alert, and always have a designated skipper at the helm. Whether you are anchoring out or kicking back on the shore, we wish all of our readers a safe and happy holiday.
Chesapeake Bay Fireworks Shows
Stay tuned for any weather updates on event websites and be sure to check that shows are still planned as scheduled before heading out on the water. If we missed your favorite fireworks show, email [email protected]. We will continue to update this page as more shows are announced.
Wednesday, July 2
Kent Narrows: This Queen Anne's County Independence Day Celebration will once again be hosted on the lawn next to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs or blankets and enjoy the complimentary family activities (face painting, a photo booth, bounce house), along with food trucks. Free parking is available at the “old outlets” located at 59 Piney Narrows Road in Chester. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m. and a complimentary shuttle service starts at 6 p.m. The Visitors Center parking lot will be closed to the public, and Ferry Point Park will also be closed. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July 3).
Thursday, July 3
Chesapeake Beach, MD: Beginning at 5 p.m. Kellam's Field will be full of family activities, delicious food, sweet treats, music, and more. Weather and Bay conditions permitting, the fireworks will be set off at dusk, shortly after 9 p.m., from barges docking in the Bay just beyond Veteran's Memorial Park. The fireworks are visible at various locations around the center of Town.
North East, MD: The 34th annual Salute to Cecil County Veterans runs from 4 to 1 0 p.m. at North East Town Park. There will be veterans service organizations raising funds, military equipment, family-oriented activities, fireworks around 9:20 p.m., and more.
Rock Hall, MD: Fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m. On Friday, July 4, there will be a flat five run/walk at 8 a.m., Independence Day parade at 10 a.m., and Civic Center festivities at 11 a.m.
Friday, July 4:
Annapolis, MD: The Independence Day Parade runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting at Amos Garrett Blvd and West Street and ending at Susan Campbell Park. Annapolis launches its fireworks from a floating barge in the harbor at 9:15 p.m. For the best views, be sure to claim your spot around 8 p.m. Some of the best spots to watch the show include the public spaces northeast of the Severn River, City Dock, along the Naval Academy Bridge, and of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek, or best of all, from a boat in the harbor.
Baltimore, MD: The Inner Harbor Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with an afternoon picnic at West Shore Park followed by a kickoff celebration at 6 p.m. with DJ C. James at the Amphitheater. There will be live music by Avenue 66 at 7 p.m. on the Waterfront Promenade, and a Star Spangled celebration concert by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Rash Field at 8 p.m. The fireworks how at the Waterfront Promenade takes place at 9 p.m. followed by a drone show at Middle Branch Park at 9:30 p.m.
Kinsale, VA: Hosted by the Yeocomico Club, The Slips, The Kinsale Market, and the Cople Volunteer Fire Department this is a great annual community event. From 5 to 9:15 p.m., there will be food and live music at The Slips Marina. If coming by boat, you can reserve a spot at The Slips for the day or bring a chair and enjoy the show from land. From 7:30 to 8 p.m., dressed up boats parade by the marina and under the bridge. A grand fireworks display by the fire department lights up the Yeocomico River from 9:15 to 9:35 p.m.
Newport News, VA: 6 to 9 p.m. at Victory Landing Park. Stars in the Sky will feature great food, live music, festive entertainers, and a spectacular fireworks display over the James River at 9 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Norfolk, VA: The 42nd annual Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks returns to Town Point Park at the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront from 5 to 10 p.m. Relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of All-American fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, cotton candy, and much more, along with live musical entertainment from military brass bands. The night is capped off by the sensational fireworks show high above the Elizabeth River, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Ocean City, MD: There will be two free events, both beginning at 6:30 p.m. Downtown at the N. Division Street Beach there will be a free music celebration on the Caroline St. Stage. Afterwards, fireworks will fill the sky over the ocean. The other event takes places Uptown at Northside Park on 125th Street. A free music celebration starts off the evening. Then, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. For both events, bring a beach chair or blanket and arrive early.
Solomons, MD: Events throughout the day; all are free and open to the public. Flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Watermen’s Memorial (entrance to Solomons Island), followed by a children’s bike parade (10:45 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. start at Our Lady Star of the Sea). The First Maryland Regiment Colonial Reenactors Encampment takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corbin Nature Pavilion at the Calvert Marine Museum. There will be a free live concert at 7 p.m. at the Boardwalk Pavilion and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on the Patuxent River in front of the Riverside Boardwalk. The annual Solomons Fourth of July Boat Parade takes place on Mill Creek at noon. Show your American pride and dress up your boat or your person and join in on the fun (stars and stripes only). The start location is: 38.331264 by 76.450065. There is no registration, just show up and jump in line. For more information, please contact [email protected] and stay on channel 68 the time of the parade. All are welcome, just please follow all navigational aids and rules of the road; safety first.
Washington, DC: The National Independence Day Parade kicks off on Constitution Avenue between 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW at 11:45 a.m. and proceeds west to 17th Street. There will be marching bands, fife and drum corps, military units, giant balloons, equestrians, drill teams, and more. The Capitol Fourth Concert is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the US Capitol from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (free and open to the public; gates open at 3 p.m.). Fireworks on the National Mall start at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Yorktown, VA: It’s going to be an action-packed day for the whole family! At 8 a.m., the Independence Day 8K/5K run/walk begins at York High School. The parade on Water and Main Streets is at 9 a.m., followed by family games and kid’s activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing. There will also be live music, a hot dog eating contest, a balloon artist, and more. At 7 p.m., the Fifes and Drums of York Town are performing, and there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence. There’s a jazz band concert at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing Stage, and fireworks over the York River at 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 5
Havre de Grace, MD: 2 p.m. Independence Day Parade. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the Hutchins Park Concert (music starts at 5:30); enjoy a free performance by Tidewater Adams. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Fireworks will be visible from this location starting at 9:15 p.m. The Concord Point Park Concert will feature patriotic music by the Maryland Military Band (free, no tickets required). Concert starts at 7:30 p.m.; food and drink will be available for purchase. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m., launched from a barge in the Susquehanna River, just off of Concord Point Park. Fireworks may be viewed all along the shoreline in Havre de Grace, and in many locations throughout the city.
Middle River, MD: Last year, thousands of spectators gathered to enjoy the highest shooting fireworks display in the state from their boats, marinas, yacht clubs, waterfront restaurants, and shore homes on and along Middle River. It is only with the generosity of sponsors, donors, and volunteers, that we can make this event a reality each year. The Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County (MTABC) will be raising money leading up to the event to support the annual fireworks extravaganza. To learn more and donate, visit mtabc.org.
St. Michaels, MD: The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host Big Band Night, inviting guests to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening of music, dancing, and fireworks along the Miles River. Rain date July 6. 7 to 10 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.). $7 for members, $12 for non-members. Fireworks are scheduled for shortly after dusk in St. Michaels Harbor.
Tips for Anchoring Out:
Pay attention to off-limits areas, such as the restricted zone around the Naval Academy seawall. If no boats are anchored in a particular spot, there may be a reason for it.
Have a chart with you to monitor water depth.
Mooring and docking prices vary by town, so inquire before you go.
While your boat is at anchor, running lights should be off and a single white anchor light on. As soon as the anchor comes up, the running lights should be on.
Use a spotlight sparingly and keep it aimed low. Avoid shining it directly at other boat operators.
Try not to anchor too close to other boats, and make sure you’ve let out enough line to ensure your anchor will hold. Dragging anchor through the spectator fleet will definitely make you unpopular.
Kids and poor swimmers should wear a lifejacket at all times.
Give commercial vessels, such as water taxis and tour boats, room to maneuver.
Use common sense and courtesy. Avoid collisions, keep your speed down, and have a non-drinking designated operator at the helm.