In the Valley, we have no shortage of Independence Day festivals and firework shows to choose from.
After Dark in the Park (June 30)
The City of Phoenix will start lighting fireworks a few days early at its annual "After Dark in the Park" event at Deer Valley Park. From 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., there will be live entertainment, inflatables for the kids to jump on and food trucks serving up dinner or snacks. This is a free event. Fireworks are scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m. More information.
Salute from the Shore at Pleasant Harbor Marina (July 3)
Spend a day at the lake and then watch fireworks ignite over Lake Pleasant. Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant will host its annual fireworks festivals on July 3. There will be live music from the Rob West band, food trucks, and kids activities, water slides and bounce houses.
The event starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Admission is $15 - $20 per vehicle, which includes admission for those inside and parking. New this year is a $35 "preferred parking pass" which includes a reserved parking spot closer to the event. Coolers and lawn chairs are welcome. More information.
Anthem Independence Day (July 3)
Anthem's Fourth of July event will have music, dancing, water slides, rides and inflatables, and, of course, fireworks. The event runs 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Anthem's Community Park. The fireworks show is set for 9:30 p.m.. While the event is free, some of the activities will require a fee. An unlimited wristband can be purchased for $12-$15. More information.
Wet n' Wild Fireworks (July 3 & 4)
Why not spend the Fourth of July at the pool or zipping down some water slides? Wet 'n Wild will host two firework shows on July 3 & 4 for attendees. Fireworks are scheduled to start 15 minutes before the park closes. More information.
Fourth of Zooly (July 4)
The Phoenix Zoo's annual Fourth of July event includes a catered barbecue lunch, special animal encounters, inflatable bounce house and slide, free carousel rides for the kids and music. It ends with watching the Tempe Town Lake fireworks from the back of the zoo.
The event runs 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 for kids, 3-12, and $45 for kids 13+ and adults. Children two and younger are free, but they do have to register. More information.
Fabulous Phoenix 4th (July 4)
Phoenix's 33rd Independence Day free fireworks show will take place at Steele Indian School Park near Third Street and Indian School Road.
From 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., there will be two stages with live entertainment, food trucks and vendors with festival-style food, a classic car show, and rides for the kids and inflatables. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Alcohol is not allowed or sold at the event. More information.
Arizona Diamondbacks Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular (July 4)
The D-backs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals for an Independence Day game followed by an evening fireworks show. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are available and start at $23. They will have a few specialty food items: apple pie chimichanga; red, white and blue nachos; and Tailgate on a Plate (D-backs dog, baked beans, barbecue sauce, potato salad, cheddar cheese, green onion, soft bun). More information.
July Fourth Tempe Town Lake Festival (July 4)
Tempe's annual Fourth of July fireworks show will be ignited from the Mill Avenue bridge and synced to music. Before the show, festival-goers will be able to walk around Tempe Beach Park, listen to music, jump inflatables, rock climb, and grab a snack from the food court. More information.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 at city offices (Parks and Recreation Administration Office, Kiwanis Recreation Center, Escalante Community Center, Tempe Transit Store, North Tempe Multi-Generational Center), $8 at Fry's grocery stores and $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger, and military are free. VIP tickets are $34 - $66 (including fees). Security update: The city has implemented a clear-bag policy for this year's festival.
Chandler's July 4 Fireworks Spectacular (July 4)
Chandler's Tumbleweed Park will light up the sky on July 4th for its annual Independence Day fireworks and festival. The Arizona State Fair will be there with games and activities for the kids, including a coloring station, corn hole and a photo booth. The School of Rock's band, Sugar Skulls, will also perform.
The event runs from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are set to start at 9 p.m. The event is free, but parking is $5 per vehicle and cash only. More information.
Scottsdale Fourth of July Celebration at WestWorld (July 4)
Scottsdale's Fourth of July Celebration is hosted inside WestWorld of Scottsdale (and it's air-conditioned). There is a multitude of events and shows including a stunt dog show, BMX show, dinosaur-themed activities, petting farm, bull riding, and carnival rides. At night, fireworks will light up the sky.
The festival runs 4 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. There are quite a few different ticket options. Kids tickets, 6 - 12 years old, range from $12 - $30, depending if you want general admission, a wristband for unlimited rides, or VIP. Tickets for those 13 and older range from $15-$30. They also have a fireworks-only pass, which is $20 per vehicle. More information.
Arizona Celebration of Freedom (July 4)
Mesa's Fourth of July festival and fireworks show will take place at the Mesa Amphitheatre and Mesa Convention Center. There will be BMX shows, live music and kids activities, including musical chairs, water balloon toss, pie-eating competition and watermelon toss; misting trailers and water slides.
The event starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. This is a free event. There is no cost to park. The event also collects non-perishable food items for United Food Bank. More information.
Peoria's All-American Festival (July 4)
The fireworks at Peoria' All-American Festival are set to ignite at 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. Before that, the Peoria Sports Complex will be bustling with other activities like music from the Ryan Sims Band, a corn hole tournament, water zone and food-eating competitions.
Tickets are $7 if bought before June 29. Then they increase to $10. Kids 12 and younger are free. VIP tickets are $40. Parking is free. Gates open at 5 p.m. More information.
Gilbert's Fourth of July Celebration (July 4)
Gilbert's annual Independence Day event and fireworks will take place at Higley High School from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Fireworks are set to start at 8:30 p.m. Food trucks will also be at the school with food, snacks and drinks for sale. More information.
Westgate Firework Fest (July 4)
Westgate Entertainment District's "Firework Fest" will have two stages, a water zone and a splash pad, and an evening fireworks display. Some of the nearby restaurants are also said to have special events and specials on drinks and food. The event runs 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Fireworks are set to start at 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. More information.
Surprise Fourth of July baseball game and fireworks (July 4)
Celebrate Independence Day by watching America's favorite past time. The Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers minor league players will play a game at Surprise Stadium on July 4. After the game, fireworks will light up the sky (scheduled for 8:30 p.m.).
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the game starts at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. More information.
Goodyear's Star-Spangled 4th (July 4)
Goodyear's Fourth of July event and fireworks show will take place at Goodyear Ballpark. The free event runs from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Parking is also free. Before the fireworks, people will be able to go on a zipline, slide down inflatable water slides and jump on bounce houses. There will also be Nathan's hot dog-eating competition and pitching contest. More information.
Great American 4th (July 4)
Maricopa's "Great American 4th" celebration will take place at Copper Sky Regional Park from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The event will have games and inflatables, contests, food and a "Kids Zone." There is no cost to get into the festival, but an unlimited activities wristband is $5. Parking is $5.
The fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. The Aquatic Center will be open. The cost for the aquatics center is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. More information.
Buckeye's Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration (July 4)
Buckeye's Old Fashioned Fourth of July fireworks show will be held at Youngker High School. There will be music from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. There will also be "all-American eats and treats and activities." More information.
Apache Junction's Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration (July 4)
Apache Junction's Fourth of July firework celebration is an all-day event. It begins with a volleyball tournament in the morning, followed by swimming in the afternoon, and then a bike decorating contest and music in the evening.
Apache Junction High School will have games, bounce houses and water slides for the kids. The fireworks are set to start at 8:30 p.m. More information.
Red, White and Boom! at The Wigwam (July 4)
People can watch fireworks from the Blue Golf Course fairway at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park. The resort will have a live DJ, bounce houses and water slides from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow sometime after.
There is no cost to watch the fireworks. A wristband for the activities will be $10. More information.
Tolleson 4th of July Celebration (July 4)
Tolleson's fireworks show will take place at Veterans Park. There will also be a cheese ball toss, hot dog and wing eating contest, and water slides. The free event starts at 4 p.m. The fireworks will start at dusk. More information.
by ABC15