If you’re looking to avoid the hubbub around the National Mall, these neighborhood and community celebrations offer patriotic parades, family-friendly programming, and fireworks in the evening.
Maryland
Kensington
Bike Parade
St. Paul St. & Plyers Mill Rd., Kensington
Decorate your bike, scooter, stroller, or wagon and join Kensington’s annual neighborhood bike parade at 9:45 AM. Participants gather in St. Paul Park before rolling through the downtown area, where spectators line the streets to cheer them on.
Takoma Park
Parade and Evening Street Party
Location varies by event
A community parade starts at 10 AM and lasts around 2 hours. Attendees are encouraged to visit the event website for recommended viewing areas — highlighting the shaded areas along Carroll and Maple Ave. Once you’re there, stop by the Independence Committee stand at the Takoma Park Community Center for t-shirts and a raffle. An evening block party starts at 6 PM, featuring food trucks, games for kids, and live music from local groups Oh He Dead and the Takoma Park Community Band. Note: Takoma Park Fourth of July events are canceled due to extreme heat.
Greenbelt
Chill-ebration and Celebration
555 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt
Whether you prefer a party or something a little more low key, Greenbelt offers options. For a calmer vibe, there will be art activities, performances, and a movie screening at Roosevelt Center and Greenbelt Cinema on July 3. Or, head to Buddy Attick Lake Park on July 4 for a fête with live music, recitations of the Declaration of Independence, and fireworks launching at 9:15 PM.
Poolesville
Fireworks
17501 West Willard Rd., Poolesville
Poolesville’s annual Fourth of July event features one of Montgomery County’s largest fireworks displays. Families can enjoy food vendors and live music before fireworks begin after sunset. Parking opens at 4 PM for $10.
Rockville
Fireworks
1800 Piccard Dr., Rockville
This Independence Day celebration is all about a 20-minute fireworks display beginning around 9:15 PM, accompanied by live music. Guests are encouraged to arrive early with blankets and lawn chairs.
Virgina
Great Falls
Parade, Festival, and Fireworks
Location varies by event
There are two morning parades on Saturday: an event for kids at 8:30 AM followed by the main parade at 10 AM. Beyond the procession, enjoy festivities on the Village Centre Green with face painting, inflatable slides, food, and drinks, and a festival at the Village Centre Hill with a hot dog-eating contest. Fireworks are launching over Turner Park at 9 PM.
City of Fairfax
Independence Day Celebration
Location varies by event
The annual Fourth of July celebration includes a 10 AM parade through Old Town Fairfax. Then, from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM, there’s live entertainment, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and an evening fireworks display at Fairfax High School.
Manassas
Celebrate America
9431 West St., Manassas
This party returns to downtown Manassas from 3 to 10 PM. Find food and craft vendors, children’s rides and games, and live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. The free event culminates with a fireworks displays at 9:15 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to the Manassas Museum Lawn.
Clifton
Fourth of July Celebration
Location varies by event
The holiday festivities begin on July 3 with live entertainment at Harris Park at 5 PM. The festivities continue on July 4 with a community parade at 4 PM followed by a picnic in the park.
Herndon
Celebration and Fireworks
814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon
Starting at 6:30 PM in Bready Park, this hometown celebration offers inflatables, food vendors, and live entertainment. A fireworks display launches at 9:30 PM.
DC
Capitol Hill
Parade and Watermelon Festival
Location varies by event
This parade begins at 10 AM, ending at Eastern Market. Families can enjoy music, games, community performances, and local vendors. It’s also the Barracks Row’s inaugural Watermelon Festival. Starting at 11 AM, check out watermelon carving, a cannoli-eating contest, live music, a drum performance plus free hotdogs and watermelon beverages.
Palisades
Parade and Picnic
MacArthur Blvd. & Whitehaven Pkwy., NW
The parade returns for its 60th year from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. The promenade travels along MacArthur Boulevard before ending at the Palisades Recreation Center. Attendees can then make their way to the community picnic at Palisades Park where there will be hotdogs, lemonade, face painting, and a dunk tank.
