Where to watch fireworks and celebrate July 4 in Richmond
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The fireworks at The Diamond. Image: Courtesy of Dan Gaitanis / Richmond Flying Squirrels
Fourth of July is Friday, and if you're looking for ways to celebrate, we've got you covered.
Here are some ways to celebrate America's birthday this year.
🎆 Fireworks shows
Richmond's annual free show starts at 5:30pm, with the fireworks expected around 9:15pm.
- There will be live music from Full Spectrum, Virginia Opera and Richmond Concert Jazz Band, plus food vendors and kids activities.
- Coolers are welcome; booze and dogs are not.
- Overflow parking and shuttle service from City Stadium is from 4-11pm.
Worth noting: The Nickel Bridge will close around 6pm.
Fireworks at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
The festivities start at 5pm at Chesterfield's free event, with fireworks at dark.
- There will be a DJ, plus live music from BrassWind, a band composed completely of retired/active-duty military members, and Dixieland Express, a four-piece New Orleans-style jazz band.
- There will also be food vendors and kids activities, including bounce houses ($5 for a wristband to bounce). Coolers are welcome but subject to search; booze and dogs are not allowed.
"Red, White and Lights" at Henrico's Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park
Henrico celebrates the Fourth of July with a laser light show instead of fireworks. Gates open at 4pm, and lasers usually start around 9:15pm.
- The lasers are accompanied by music from the Richmond Symphony.
- Plus: Food vendors, more live music and kids activities, including bounce houses and face painting.
- 🐶 Coolers are welcome — and so are (leashed) dogs; booze is not.
Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest at The Diamond
The Flying Squirrels are out of town for the Fourth, sadly, but their annual fireworks show will go on, with a big upgrade.
- The Squirrels' Star-Spangled fest includes live music, games for kids, food and drink specials and, of course, fireworks.
- The Landsharks and The Mashup will play on the field from 6-9:30pm.
- Tickets start at $10, and $20 gets you onto the field for the fireworks and a commemorative hat. And this, of course, is the last year for the show at The Diamond.
🇺🇸 All-American fun
Ashland July Fourth Parade and Celebration
Ashland celebrates the Fourth with a parade, apple pie-baking contest, patriotic pet costume contest and an old-timey lawn party with old-timey games, from 11am-2pm. Free. 500 S. Center St.
"Give me liberty, or give me death" reenactment
Richmond's St. John's Church has a rare, weekday reenactment of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech there, at the site where it happened in 1775. 1:30pm. $15 for adults and $12 for kids 12 and under.
New Americans' Oath of Allegiance
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting its annual naturalization ceremony for new Americans. Watch for free in person or online beginning at 11am, but there will be cake in person.