Atlanta Things To Do category interest

Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations in and around Georgia.

GEORGIA — Independence Day fireworks will soon light up the sky, and Patch has your guide to some of the happenings in the Peach State.

We gathered details on fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening throughout Georgia so you can start planning now.

Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Here's what's in store this July 4 around Georgia:

Fulton County

July 4th Fireworks at Wills Park

When: Thursday, July 4

Where: Wills Park, 11925 Wills Road, Alpharetta

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. though weather could delay the show until 10:40 p.m. Families are allowed to bring games, blankets and picnics. Parking will be available at the following locations until full: Wacky World at Wills Park, Wills Park Recreation Center, Will Park Equestrian Center and Alpharetta Community Center (175 Roswell St.).

55th AJC Peachtree Road Race

When: July 4 (time unavailable)

Where: starting at Lenox Square Mall and ending at Piedmont Park, Atlanta

New to the Road Race is the Peachtree Invite Challenge. Participants can digitally invite friends to register for the 6.2-mile race and win prizes. The Atlanta Track Club is sponsoring the race.

Stars and Stripes - July 4th Fireworks and Celebration

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

City Springs will host this free celebration. Food trucks are set to arrive at 6 p.m., and live music will start at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed. Guests may bring their own picnics or buy food from an on-site food truck or restaurant. Vendors include 6 Pack Subs, Chick-Fil-A, Dogs on Wheels, Dot Bowl, Gyro Chef, Paradiso Pizza, Qn2 BBQ, Spice the Americas, Dessert Vendors, King of Pops, Repicci’s and Three Tikis.

Independence Day Celebration

When: 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3

Where: Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek

Boogilicious will perform at this free event. The food truck lineup is not immediately available. No pets or outside alcohol is allowed. Guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The Roof's 4th of July Celebration

When: 3-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Ponce City Market (rooftop), 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta

The Roof's annual celebration will include carnival bites and a fireworks show. The Roof has boardwalk games, mini-golf and a rooftop slide. The Ponce City Market hosts a massive food hall and has shops.

Fireworks Extravaganza

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell

Fireworks, live music, entertainment and specialty food trucks will be available. Fireworks will spark around 9:30 p.m. Food truck vendors include: A Little Nauti, Bento Bus, Fair on Wheels, Gekko Hibachi Grill, Meatballerz Pizza, Mrs. Rosa's Latin Kitchen, Pork Choppers BBQ, The Patty Wagon, The Pickle, Tres Jardines, Aloha Ice, Snowie Creations, Dolce Tropical, King of Pops and Yom Push Pops.

Cobb County

July 4th Fireworks Celebration at Six Flags Over Georgia

When: July 3-6

Where: Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Pkwy., Austell

Fireworks will be lit nightly. Park officials say the best view will be near the Superman: Ultimate Flight and Battle for Metropolis roller coasters. A VIP fireworks party will be held at Hurricane Harbor Atlanta. Park hours on July 4: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., with the water park open from noon-5 p.m.

Powder Springs 4th of July Celebration, Cruise-In and Fireworks

When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Thurman Springs Park (4485 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs) and the downtown area

This free event is set to include a kids area, fireworks, a cruise-in car show, music, food and vendors. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Southern Spirits

When: 7-10 p.m., July 3

Where: Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw

Admission is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Activities include fireworks and live music. Food will be available.

4th in the Park Celebration

When: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: downtown Marietta

From the organizers: "The Marietta Let Freedom Ring Parade ... begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church and travels west on Roswell Street, north on East Park Square past Glover Park and the Square, down Cherokee Street and ends at North Marietta Parkway. The end of the parade marks the start of the festival." Food, free concerts, a kids zone and arts and crafts will be available. Fireworks will begin after dark.

Salute to America

When: July 3 (start time unavailable)

Where: downtown Kennesaw

Musical performances will be from the Troubadour Project (at 6 p.m.) and Atlanta Rhythm Section (at 8 p.m.). Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. The event will include food and beverage, craft and merchandise vendors.

Embracing Freedom: Acworth’s Spectacular Independence Day Celebration

When: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Cauble Park, 4425 Beach St., Acworth

Live music is set to start at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks will ignite around 9:30 p.m. Guests can have picnics on the lawns. Face painting, bounce houses and interactive games will be available. Vendors with "crafts and treats" will be available.

Gwinnett County

Red, White and Boom!

When: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3

Where: Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St. NW, Norcross

Food, live music and face painting will be available. A fireworks show is planned. Shade structures, tents and umbrellas are not allowed; however, blankets and chairs are permitted.

4th of July Activities 2024

When: July 3-7

Where: Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford

Fireworks will explode over the water nightly, and live music will be available. Lanier Islands has Fins Up Water Park, resort cart rentals, Tranquility the Spa, Legacy Golf Course, Harbor Landing pontoon boat rentals and water sports and flyboarding. See activity flier for various times.

Fantastic Fourth Celebration

When: July 1-7

Where: Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain

Attraction hours for the park are 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. July 1-2 and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. July 3-7. A drone and Music Across America Light Show with fireworks is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. nightly. Park officials suggest guests arrive by 5 p.m.

DeKalb County

Red, White and YOU Parade

When: 9 a.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Dunwoody Village, 1317 Dunwoody Village Pkwy., Dunwoody

This celebration is hosted by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and The Reporter newspapers. It is sponsored by the City of Dunwoody, Discover Dunwoody, EEP Events and NFA Burger.

From the organizers: "Parade spectators are encouraged to setup chairs along Mt. Vernon and circle around the Dunwoody Village Parkway into Dunwoody Village. Spectators will be blocked from viewing on the east side of Jett Ferry on Mt. Vernon due to the staging and setup for parade participants. Viewing will start on the west side of Jett Ferry on Mt. Vernon. The parade route is approximately 2.7 miles and steps off from the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road at 9 a.m., proceeds west on Mt. Vernon to Dunwoody Village, turns right onto Dunwoody Village Parkway, circles around the Parkway, and left into Dunwoody Village in between First Watch and Citizens Bank . Volunteers will guide parade participants to parade parking (Post Office Side). The festival area will be on the Walgreens side of Dunwoody Village. It takes approximately 1 hour to walk the entire parade route."

Pied Piper Parade, Concert and Fireworks

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: 101 E. Court Square, Decatur

Live music will follow the parade at 7 p.m. Fireworks will start around 9 p.m.

Bartow County

4th of July Celebration

When: Thursday, July 4

Where: Dellinger Park, 100 Pine Grove Road, Cartersville

A parade will begin at 9 a.m., while the festivities and fireworks will be held from 4-10 p.m. The Rotary Club of Etowah and WBHF Radio are sponsoring the celebration. Food and games will be available, and the event includes a concert.

Forsyth County

67th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade

When: Thursday, July 4

Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming

A parade will begin at 10 a.m., then festivities will be hosted from 4-10 p.m. A fireworks show will spark at 9:30 p.m. Live music, food, a kids zone and vendors will be available. Admission and parking are free. From the organizers: "The parade route travels south on Tribble Gap Road, starting at Forsyth Central High School and ending at the Cumming Fairgrounds."

Douglas County

Fourth of July Festival

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: Douglasville Town Green, 6840 Church St., Douglasville

Cherokee County

Woodstock 4th of July Spectacular

When: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock

The Freedom Run will kick off at 7 a.m., the parade will commence at 10 a.m., a festival will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and fireworks will ignite at 9 p.m. The parade route "begins at Woodstock Elementary School (230 Rope Mill Road) and travels down Rope Mill Road to Main Street. There it heads south on Main Street and ends at Sam's Club just before Highway 92. The parade is approximately 1.3 miles long," organizers said.

Independence Day Celebration

When: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, July 4

Where: downtown Canton

The parade route will go through downtown Canton, and fireworks will start at dusk at Riverstone Parkway.

Chatham County

Independence Day Celebration

When: Thursday, July 4

Where: Savannah's Waterfront, 1 W. River St., Savannah

The 3rd Infantry Division Band will start performing at 6:30 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. Chairs and blankets are allowed.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.