Fireworks, parades and live entertainment are just a few of the ways locals celebrate the birth of the nation in Grand Rapids. Join us as we honor, reflect and revel in the American spirit!

Community Events

These suburban cities celebrate the holiday with small-town parades and much more:

Ada presents a kid’s parade, regular parade, classic car show and fireworks show on July 3.

Allendale hosts a parade and community park event starting at 10am July 3, then wraps up the holiday with a fireworks display at dusk on July 4.

Caledonia hosts a parade from 11am-1pm on July 3 and fireworks at 10pm that same night.

Dorr offers entertainment and games on July 2, a parade, ox roast, tractor pull, live music and fireworks on July 3, and more live music plus a car show on July 4.

East Grand Rapids kicks off July 4 with the 11th Annual Reeds Lake Trail Blazer 5K run/Walk at 8:30am, followed by a 4.5-mile parade beginning at 11am. Fireworks will be launched over Reeds Lake at dusk.

Grandville festivities include a flyover of WWII vintage aircraft, food vendors, entertainment and a fireworks show on July 5.

Marne launches the Berlin Fair, Michigan’s longest running fair, with an evening of live music on July 4. The fair extends through July 10.

Kentwood’s holiday celebration includes a pancake breakfast, 5K race & fun walk, parade, carnival, food trucks, beer tent, live music and fireworks at dusk on July 3.

Ottawa Hills hosts its 87th Annual Hollyhock Lane Parade – the oldest Independence Day parade in Michigan – on July 3.

Fireworks

In addition to the fireworks shows listed above, these two events serves up a spectacular pyrotechnic display:

Grand Rapids Fireworks presented by Soaring Eagle Casino is the city’s biggest patriotic celebration – the event kicks off at 6pm in downtown’s Ah-Nab-Awen Park, with family-fun activities, games, food, vendors and live entertainment leading up to a spectacular fireworks show at 10:30pm. July 3.

Berlin Raceway, one of America’s premier short-track stock-car courses, presents a fireworks show after its July 3 races.

The West Michigan Whitecaps play in Peoria over the holiday weekend, so they’re getting an early jump on fireworks – head out to LMCU Ballpark on June 26 to enjoy a dazzling sky show after the baseball game.

Plan to spend the weekend at the beach? Muskegon hosts a fireworks show on July 3 and Saugatuck/Douglas follows suit on July 4.

Patriotic Attractions

Get into the spirit of the season with these events and activities:

Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the site for Red, White, Blue and You: A Salute to Independence Day from 1-3pm on July 3.

American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum tells the unfolding story of America, from its inception to the present, through the work of American folk artists. See it at Grand Rapids Art Museum July 1 & 3.

Tanger Outlet Mall hosts a Block Party & Celebration on July 3 from noon-4pm, with FREE red-white-and-blue face painting and a mini-golf challenge plus extra sale savings in your favorite name-brand designer stores.

POPnology at the Grand Rapids Public Museum explores the intersection of pop culture and technology, a uniquely American convergence, through exhibits, games and movie memorabilia. Closed July 4.

Freedom Run Grand Rapids is a paved trail race starting at Rogue River Park on July 4. 5K, 10K and ½ Marathon races start at 8am. 

The Grand Lady Riverboat offers a two-hour 4th of July Sightseeing Cruise on the Grand River, from 1-3pm.

Baseball, Hot Dogs & Apple Pie

It doesn’t get much more all-American than this trio of pastimes:

Watch a baseball game at Rockford’s Meijer Sports Complex, which hosts the Silver Series Championships, a travel youth tournament, from July 2-4. Admission is free, just pay a $5 parking fee.

Get a taste of some of the area’s favorite hot dogs:

Order a delicious apple pie for your park or backyard picnic at Grand Traverse Pie Company or Nantucket Baking Company. Or opt for a fresh-made apple dumpling (or three) from Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery. Or skip dessert and enjoy your apples in liquid form with a locally made hard cider.  

Summer in the City

Check out all the other amazing things to do in Grand Rapids this summer, including the July 4th weekend. Cool your taste buds with a trip to the best ice cream shops in town. Taste the summer bounty at West Michigan farmers markets. Savor a tall cold one at a local brewery. All the pandemic-related state restrictions have been lifted, so get out and enjoy this holiday weekend!