Whether your July 4th plans include a backyard barbecue or hometown parade, make sure impressive fireworks are on your list of activities.
Coca-Cola July 4th Fest
Location: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
July 3-6: Four days of patriotic fun and thrills, including special ride times, parties, music, food and more. In the July 4th Fest Zone, park guests can enjoy games and activities. Each night, be dazzled by the brilliant fireworks display along the Great Lake at 10 pm.
State Fair Meadowlands
Location: Next to MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
July 3-4: Commemorate our nation’s birthday with over 150 rides, concerts, entertainers and food. Whether you prefer to be up close to the action and view the fireworks from the Ferris wheel or delight in the lights from the ground, the fair gives the chance to view the show two nights in a row.
Jersey City’s 50 Star Fire Show
Location: Exchange Place, Jersey City
July 4: Carnival rides, food trucks, a beer garden and entertainment provide non-stop fun. Pitbull and Akon headline the event. The big lights show starts after dark. Fireworks are launched from barges in the Hudson River with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop.
Sussex County Miners Fireworks
Location: Skylands Stadium, Augusta
July 4: The perfect way to celebrate our nation? With America’s pastime, of course. Take the family out to the Sussex County Miners ball game against the New Jersey Jackals and stay for a dazzling display after the game.
Haddonfield’s Yankee Doodle Do
Location: Haddonfield
July 4: Start the day at the Haddonfield Independence Day parade, kicking off at 10 am. Food trucks, bounce houses and live music begin at 6 pm. Fireworks will be shot off at 9:20 pm.
Long Branch 28th Annual Oceanfest. Courtesy of Jess Naylor
Oceanfest
Location: Long Branch
July 4: A food festival, craft sale and street fair all in one. Enjoy all-day live music, kids’ entertainment and a master sand-sculpting exhibit. Of course, Independence Day isn’t complete without patriotic pyrotechnics. 10 am-10 pm.
Bridgewater’s Independence Day Fireworks
Location: North Branch Park, Bridgewater
July 4: Calling all history buffs! This festival could be just the mix of entertainment and education you are looking for. Enjoy a live Revolutionary War reenactment from the Third New Jersey Regiment, the “Jersey Blues.” The first bomb burst is set for 9:30 pm. Expect live music before and after the fireworks show.
Independence Day Splash
Location: Adventure Aquarium, Camden
July 4: This celebration of America’s birthday boasts a Flying Fish Beer Garden, animal feedings and experiences, a DJ dance party and a beautiful view of the light display over the Camden Waterfront. The aquarium will be open until 9 pm.
Tuckerton Seaport’s July 4th Celebration
Location: Tuckerton Seaport
July 4: Leading up to the main event, enjoy food truck cuisine and brews. 4-8:30 pm.
Mount Holly Independence Day Celebration
Location: Iron Works Park
July 5: Kids can enjoy bouncy houses, slides and carnival rides while adults stop by the beer-and-wine tent. Grab some chow at any of the two-dozen food vendors and enjoy live music before flares light up the sky at sundown. Rain date, July 6.