Fourth of July carries a bit more weight in 2026. America turns 250 this year, and New Jersey—one of the most historically significant states in the nation’s founding—is marking the milestone in style.
From Hudson River waterfront spectaculars to Shore town beach shows, here’s where to catch fireworks across the Garden State this Independence Day season.
North Jersey
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
Hudson River Waterfront, Jersey City/Hoboken
The big one. For 2026, Macy’s is going bigger than ever to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, with the show spanning three sites along the Hudson. New Jersey viewers get some of the best sights in the country—stake out a spot anywhere along the waterfront in Jersey City or Hoboken—Exchange Place, the Hudson River Walkway, and the north end of Liberty State Park are all strong bets.
The show is July 4 at 8 p.m. and broadcasts live on NBC and Peacock.
Jersey City 4th of July Celebration
Exchange Place PATH Plaza, Jersey City
Jersey City’s own fireworks show—separate from the Macy’s display which kicks off earlier in the night—caps a full day on the waterfront. Sixty-plus vendors, three DJ stages, two beer gardens, and a kids’ zone fill the hours before the sky lights up at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. One of the best all-day Fourth of July events in the state.
More info here.
Bergen County Star-Spangled Spectacular
Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
Bergen County pulls out all the stops at Overpeck County Park. We’re talking food trucks, a beer and wine garden, live music, and one of North Jersey’s finest fireworks displays. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. on July 4, with fireworks at 9:25 p.m. Come early and make a whole day of it.
Find out more here.
Clifton Independence Day Fireworks & Carnival
Clifton Stadium, 350 Piaget Ave., Clifton
Clifton offers three nights of carnival fun: July 2, 3, and the main fireworks show on July 4. Rides, games, a beer garden, and food add to the fun. Fireworks tickets are $3 presale or $5 at the door. More info here.
Ridgewood Independence Day Celebration
Veterans Field, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood
A full day starts with a flag raising and parade in the morning, then moves to Veterans Field for food trucks, a beer garden, and live music before fireworks at dusk on July 4. Tickets available onsite or online at a discount.
Florham Park July 4th Birthday Bash
Emmett Field, Florham Park
A parade and flag raising kick off the day on July 4, followed by a full afternoon of food, kids’ rides, and live music at Emmett Field, with fireworks closing out the night. Head to their site for more information.
Parsippany Fourth of July Celebration
Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Dr., Morris Plains
Live rock bands, food trucks, and a fireworks display on July 4 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. A solid suburban Fourth in a central Morris County location.
Verona Fireworks
Liberty Field, White Rock Rd., Verona
DJ, dancing, and fireworks at a mid-week show on July 1. Gates open at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. A low-key Essex County option for those who’d rather beat the July 4 crowds.
Hanover Township Patriotic Celebration
Veteran’s Field, 15 N. Jefferson Rd., Whippany
Live music from The Heart of Gold, food trucks, a bounce house, face painting, and fireworks at dusk on July 1. Rain date is July 2. Find out more here.
Paramus Food Trucks Festival & Fireworks
Paramus High School, 99 E. Century Rd., Paramus
DJ, inflatables, kids’ activities, and a full food truck spread before fireworks at dusk on July 3. Admission is $5—kids under five are free.
Maywood Fireworks
Memorial Park, Grant Ave., Maywood
Live music and fireworks at dusk on July 2. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. A simple, solid Bergen County community show.
Meadowlands Fireworks & Fan Appreciation Night
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford
Free fireworks following the races on July 4. A different kind of Fourth—and a free one at that. $1 pretzels, soda, popcorn, and hot dogs. $2 draft beers. That’s what we call a deal. Find out more here.
Dover Fireworks and America’s 250th Celebration
Hamilton Field, 302 E. McFarlan St., Dover
Food and fireworks on July 2. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, $1 for seniors. Find out more here.
Randolph Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Rd., Randolph
If you miss the Fourth, Randolph delivers a proper second shot. Live music, carnival rides, funnel cake, fried Oreos, and a beer garden across multiple nights. Begins July 9 with the grand finale fireworks on July 11 at 9:45 p.m. Check their site for more details.
Central Jersey
Hamilton Independence Day Fireworks & Concert
Veterans Park, 2206 Kuser Road, Hamilton
One of Mercer County’s marquee Fourth of July events. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. on July 1, with live music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Arrive early—this one draws a crowd.
Perth Amboy Independence Day Festival
Sadowski Parkway, Perth Amboy
Food, music, a boat parade, vendors, and a drone show lead into fireworks on July 2. Gates open at 6 p.m. One of Middlesex County’s most festive pre-Fourth celebrations. More info here.
Manasquan Fireworks
Manasquan Beach, Manasquan
A Shore classic. Manasquan kicks off July 3 with a town-wide parade, a beach concert starting at 5 p.m., and fireworks at 9 p.m. Get there early. Find out more here.
Atlantic Highlands Firemen’s Fair
2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands
Part of the Atlantic Highlands Firemen’s Fair, which runs starting July 1 with games, rides, food, and live music. Fireworks go off at 9:45 p.m. on July 2 over the marina. Rain date is July 4.
July 4th Fireworks On Belmar Beach
500 Ocean Ave. N, Belmar
Bring beach chairs and watch the sky light up over the Atlantic on July 3 at 8 p.m. Short, sweet, and quintessentially Jersey Shore. Check here for more details.
Asbury Park Fireworks
Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park
Fireworks over Asbury Park on July 3 at 9 p.m. Pair it with a night on the boardwalk or a show at the Stone Pony for a full evening.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Fireworks
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
The best recurring fireworks deal on the Shore. Every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. through September 3. July 3 is the Independence Day anchor show, but if you can’t make it, any Thursday for the remainder of summer will do.
Seaside Heights Fireworks
Boardwalk, Seaside Heights
Seaside runs fireworks on a weekly schedule all summer long—July 1 kicks it off at 9:30 p.m., then every Wednesday through August. Grab a slice and a spot on the boards.
Brick Township SummerFest Fireworks
Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue, Brick
Four chances to catch fireworks at Brick’s SummerFest this summer: July 2, 9, 16, and 23, with live music and food trucks at each show. See the full details for each event here.
South Jersey
Wildwood Fourth of July Fireworks
Boardwalk, Wildwood
Wildwood goes big on the Fourth with an extended fireworks spectacular from the beach at Pine Avenue on July 4 at 10 p.m. Come early for dinner, rides, and Boardwalk energy. Miss July 4? Wildwood runs fireworks every Friday night from June 26 through September 4 at 10 p.m.
Ocean City Fourth of July
Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City
Ocean City’s full Fourth lineup on July 4 includes the popular Kite Flying Competition, a free outdoor concert by the Ocean City Pops at Carey Stadium, and fireworks at 9 p.m. from the beach. One of the most complete Independence Day packages on the Shore. Find out more here.
Stone Harbor Independence Day Fireworks
82nd Street Recreation Field/Complex, Stone Harbor
Live band concert followed by fireworks on July 3 at 9:15 p.m. Stone Harbor keeps it classic and patriotic.
Cape May Fourth of July Fireworks
Congress Hall & Cape May Beachfront, Cape May
Fireworks over one of New Jersey’s most beautiful towns on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. Cape May’s Fourth has been a tradition for over 200 years! It’s worth the trip on its own—the fireworks are a bonus. Check here for more details.
Tropicana Atlantic City Fireworks
Atlantic City Boardwalk, Atlantic City
This show launches from the beach and is visible from anywhere along the boardwalk on July 4 at 10 p.m. Free to watch, with a lively soundtrack to match. More fireworks on July 18, August 8, August 22, and September 5.
Long Branch – Oceanfest
1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch
Since 1990, Oceanfest has drawn massive crowds to Long Branch’s oceanfront for a full day of music, food trucks, and activities on July 4, closing with fireworks along the pristine Jersey coast. One of the Shore’s longest-running Fourth of July traditions. Gates open at 3 p.m. Find out more here.
Camden Waterfront Freedom Festival
Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden
Live musical performances and a fireworks show over the Delaware River waterfront on July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. A South Jersey Fourth with a great backdrop.
Cherry Hill Independence Day Celebration
Cherry Hill, NJ
Fireworks on July 2, with live music and family fun starting at 7 p.m. before the show. A convenient option for Camden County residents who’d rather skip the July 4 crowds. You can find out more here.
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township
Thrilling rides all day, fireworks to close each night on July 3 and 4. Two chances to catch the show this year. Included with park admission—buy tickets at the Six Flags site.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.