HOLIDAYS

Fireworks near you: Biggest and best Fourth of July celebrations in metro Phoenix

Portrait of Meredith G. White Meredith G. White
Arizona Republic

If you're on the hunt for a fireworks display near you to celebrate the Fourth of July 2024, there are so many options to choose from across metro Phoenix.

Communities from Anthem to Glendale to Tempe to Gilberts will be hosting an array of mostly family-friendly Independence Day parties complete with live music and other entertainment, food, games and activities for all ages and, of course, fireworks lighting up the warm Arizona sky.

Just keep an eye on weather conditions that could affect whether the fireworks go off. Rain, high wind or excessive fire hazards could cancel plans to light up the sky. Check your destination's website and social media pages to stay up to date.

Road trip ideas:Fourth of July 2024 around Arizona includes fireworks, rodeos and lots of free fun

Anthem: Independence Day Celebration

Anthem's Independence Day celebration will have water slides, a beer garden, petting zoo, DJ, entertainers like stilt walkers and jugglers, a glitter tattoo station and a huge fireworks finale, fire conditions permitting, to celebrate Independence Day a day early on July 3.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy the fireworks show. There will also be tons of food vendors on site providing barbecue, ice cream, wood-fired pizzas and more. Parking and admission are free.

Details: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Phoenix. Free. onlineatanthem.com/events.

Apache Junction: Independence Day celebration

The city's Independence Day celebration will kick off with a volleyball tournament at the Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center at 7:15 a.m. and open swim from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The main event starts at 6 p.m. at Superstition Shadows Park, where there will be live music, game booths, activities for kids and a bicycle, wagon and tricycle float contest with judging at 6:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the fireworks display will happen at 8:30 p.m.

Details: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction. Free. 480-983-2181, apachejunctionaz.gov.

Avondale: Light Up the Sky Independence Day Celebration

Avondale will host its July 4 event at Phoenix Raceway. Free general admission includes live entertainment, tailgating, parking and food trucks. The VIP option includes a DJ, private patio for games and fireworks viewing and gourmet food. Fireworks start at 8:25 p.m., weather permitting.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale. Free; VIP passes are $35-$55 (free for kids under 3 years old). 623-333-2400, avondaleaz.gov.

Buckeye: Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate the Fourth of July 2024 tailgate-style at the Buckeye Airport.

Pack a blanket and some chairs to enjoy an evening of fun and fireworks. Bring some yard or card games, and don't forget water to stay hydrated. There will be food trucks on site and live entertainment that will end with a fireworks show, weather permitting, at 8:30 p.m.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Buckeye Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road. Free. 623-349-6364, buckeyeaz.gov.

Chandler: All-American Bash

Grab a blanket, chairs, snacks, coolers and nonalcoholic beverages and head to downtown Chandler to celebrate Independence Day with live music, yard games, kids activities, cold treats and more. Fireworks will to off at 8:20 p.m.

Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free. chandleraz.gov.

Fountain Hills: Fourth at the Fountain

Celebrate the Fourth of July at Fountain Park with live music from Rock Lobster and a big fireworks show, weather permitting, as the finale.

Bring chairs, blankets and picnic baskets or enjoy treats from the food vendors on site. The music will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the fireworks taking place at 9 p.m.

Details: 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. experiencefountainhills.org.

Gilbert: 4th of July Celebration

Go to Gilbert Regional Park to enjoy performances from Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney tribute bands, aerial entertainment, a drone show and more followed by fireworks show at 9 p.m., weather permitting.

General admission is free; parking is $15 per car, credit or debit card only. Upgrade to the VIP experience for $30 each (children ages 2 and under are free), which includes premier lawn seating, exclusive food and drink options, luxury restrooms and more. Parking is extra.

Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. Free; parking is $15 per car, VIP tickets are $30 per person, free for children 2 and younger. gilbertaz.gov.

Glendale: Westgate Entertainment District Firework Fest

Celebrate the Fourth of July at Westgate Entertainment District's Firework Fest, where there will be free face painting, balloon twisting, classically restored firetrucks, a splash zone, beer garden, games, live music and more.

Make a reservation at one of the many eateries in the District to enjoy food, drinks and games while waiting for the fireworks at 9 p.m.

Parking is free but space is limited so carpool or rideshare if possible.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale. Free. westgateaz.com/event/america.

Goodyear: Star Spangled Fourth

Choose your own adventure: Goodyear is celebrating Independence Day in two locations, Goodyear Ballpark and Goodyear Recreation Campus.

Goodyear Ballpark will have yard games, live music, a bubble zone and arts and crafts for kids. Goodyear Recreation Campus will have more of a tailgate party vibe with wet and dry bounce inflatables, photo opportunities, a DJ dance party and food trucks.

Parking, entry and activities are free at both locations. Fireworks will go on at 8:45 p.m., weather permitting.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. Goodyear Recreation Campus, 420 Estrella Parkway. Free. goodyearaz.gov.

Maricopa: Great American 4th

The city of Maricopa is joining in on the fun with a Fourth of July celebration called Great American 4th. There will be family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food and fireworks, weather permitting, at Copper Sky Regional Park.

You can kick off the party at 6 p.m. with a pool party at the Copper Sky Aquatics Center with the rest of the festivities taking place at 7 p.m. There will be a beer garden, food trucks, live music, water slides and more.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Copper Sky Regional Park, 44345 West MLK Jr. Blvd., Maricopa. Fireworks event is free. Pool party costs $10 for Copper Sky members, $20 for nonmembers, free for age 3 and younger. ga4th.com.

Mesa: Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Head to downtown Mesa for a Fourth of July party with live music, history reenactments, superhero stunt show and picnic games that will end with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Relax on the grass, play yard games while tailgating, enjoy a carnival-style kid zone and an array of food and drinks plus beer tents for the adults. Bring empty water bottles to refill at water stations inside, plus blankets, chairs, coolers, nonalcoholic unopened drinks and food.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. Free. azcelebrationoffreedom.com.

Peoria: All-American Festival

If you're looking for classic backyard barbecue vibes, Peoria's All-American Festival might be the Fourth of July celebration for you.

Taking place at the Peoria Sports Complex, there will be live music, outdoor games, BMX performances, food and beverage vendors, a sensory room in the Visitors Clubhouse and fireworks to end the evening.

General admission is free. A VIP option includes an indoor air-conditioned space alongside the stadium field, a private patio with seating, complementary meal, snacks and drinks, a private bar and restrooms.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. Free; VIP is $45 for age 3 and older. peoriaaz.gov.

Fireworks light up the night sky at the Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration at Steele Indian School Park on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The event returned after a four-year hiatus.

Phoenix: Fabulous Phoenix 4th

The Fabulous Phoenix 4th is returning to Steele Indian School Park with rides and inflatables, food and drinks, arts and crafts and of course a fireworks show, weather permitting.

This event is free for everyone, and guests are encouraged to bring lots of cold water and something to shield you from the sun. Coolers with snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are permitted.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. phoenix.gov.

Queen Creek: Schnepf Farms

Head to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek for the Hometown 4th party with food trucks, craft vendors, inflatables, live music and fireworks, weather permitting.

Tickets are $39.99 plus fees per carload and include admission for everyone in the car and all activities for the night. You can upgrade to VIP passes for $125 per person (kids under 3 are free) and get a private parking lot, an indoor air conditioned space, catered dinner by Caldwell County BBQ, unlimited soda and water, private bar, front row views for the fireworks, lawn games, face painting and a caricature artist.

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 24810 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. From $39.99 plus fees per car, VIP $125 plus fees. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.

Surprise: Independence Day Celebration

Surprise's Independence Day fireworks will go off, weather permitting, at 8:45 p.m. and can be viewed from two locations.

You can see them from Mark Coronado Park, where there will be live entertainment and food trucks from 6-9 p.m.

And Surprise Stadium will have a free baseball game before the fireworks with the Oakland A's and Texas Rangers minor league teams facing off at 5 p.m.. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the stadium will stay open until the end of the fireworks.

Details: Thursday, July 4. Surprise Community Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov.

Tempe: 4th of July Celebration

Tempe's Fourth of July 2024 bash is at Tempe Beach Park. General admission includes a family fun zone, games, photo opportunities, live music and fireworks, weather permitting.

VIP tickets include premium viewing for the fireworks, a catered dinner and dessert bar, nonalcoholic drinks and a commemorative gift.

Purchase tickets online in advance to save money. Prices at the gate will be higher.

Details: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. $12, $5 for children 5 and older; free for age 4 and younger. VIP tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for age 5 and older. tempe4th.com.

Scottsdale: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

The Red, White and Choo Choo Independence Day party will be a mix of old-school attractions and modern family fun with water slides, foam cannons, face painting, bounce houses, unlimited train and carousel rides and fireworks, weather permitting, at 9 p.m.

Food trucks will be on site, and the Hartley's General Store will be open to sell food, drinks and ice cream. Live music by Rock Lobster will be from 7:30-9 p.m.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Sunday, June 30. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $15, $5 for ages 3-12, free for 2 and under. 480-312-2312, therailroadpark.com.

W Scottsdale: Splash and Sparklers

For those seeking an adult-centered celebration, the W Scottsdale presents its Splash and Sparklers Fourth of July party. Enjoy a night swim and a fireworks show, weather permitting, at 9 p.m.

Details: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Wet Deck at the W Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Road. $29.98 for general admission. 602-405-0099, cottontaillounge.com.

WestWorld of Scottsdale: 4th of July Celebration

If bull riding, a slider eating contest, musical chairs, cake walks and a barbecue sound like fun, then the Fourth of July celebration at WestWorld of Scottsdale is your place. And this will be the only Independence Day celebration held mostly indoors, which is a huge plus in this heat.

Tickets to the indoor barbecue include access to the North Hall and Rodeo Arena, all-you-can-eat buffet, entertainment and premium fireworks viewing area. Cost is $50 per person, $30 for ages 5-10, free for age 4 and younger.

Don't want the barbecue? Indoor access is $25 for everyone 5 and older and includes access to the North Hall and Rodeo Arena, food available for purchase, entertainment and premium fireworks viewing area.

Parking for both of the above options is $20 per car.

If you're just looking to watch some fireworks from the comfort of your car, you can purchase parking access for $20 per carload.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. From $20. scottsdale4th.com.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: July Freedom Fest

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess presents its 14th annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest for resort guests, with daily fireworks and entertainment July 3-6, including concerts featuring Nate Smith and Josh Ross.

Details: July 3-6. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.

Meredith G. White covers entertainment and culture for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She has the latest news about video games, television and things to do in metro Phoenix. Follow her on X and Instagram @meredithgwhite and on Facebook as Meredith G. White. Email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.