Where to watch fireworks and live music on Fourth of July in Seattle

Firework shows and July 4 celebrations won't be in short supply this year across the Puget Sound region.

Cities in the area are hosting parades, festivals and fireworks shows -- including the area's biggest above Lake Union in Seattle -- to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary this year.

Here's everything you need to know about celebrating on July 4 this year in the Seattle area.

How to watch fireworks for free in Seattle on July 4

Seattle's largest fireworks show is Seafair's 4th of July event. The free event runs from 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. at two locations: Lake Union Park and Gas Works Park.

Both areas will have food and drink vendors, live performances and various seating options for the evening fireworks show starting around 10:15 p.m.

Seafair is also hosting a four-hour fireworks cruise for adults 21 and older on July 4. Tickets are available for purchase starting at $340.

Seafair's 4th of July at Gas Works Park

• Location: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
• Time: 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Cost: free, premium reserved seating available for fireworks show
• Live performances: starting at 5:00 p.m., All American Games, Navy Band, Leah Justine, DJ Chris Charma will all be performing
• Food and drink: two beer gardens, food vendors
• Parking: small parking lot at Gas Works Park and neighborhood street parking (expected to fill up quickly, so arive early)
• See event map here

The Gas Works Park event will feature an hour of "All-American Games" including a pie eating contest, tug of war and water balloon toss from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Live musical performances will start at 5:00 p.m.

The City of Seattle is estimating that approximately 25,000 people will attend.

Seafair's 4th of July at Lake UnionPark

• Location:860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
• Time: 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Cost: free, reserved and premium reserved seating available for fireworks show
• Live performances: starting at 6:00 p.m.
• Food and drink: beer garden, food vendors
• Parking: Amazon garages will provide free parking, see other options here
• See event map here

The Gas Works Park event will also feature games from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Live musical performances will start at 6:00 p.m.

Do I need tickets to watch fireworks in Seattle?

No, Seattle's Seafair 4th of July celebration is free and open to the public.

There are seat upgrades available for purchase at both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park.

How to watch Seattle fireworks on TV

A number of TV stations will be broadcasting Seattle's July 4 fireworks show, including FOX 13, KIRO 7 and others.

Other July 4 celebrations in the Seattle area

• West Seattle's 4th of July Kids Parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 (free)
• Seattle Center's 41st Annual Naturalization Ceremony beings at 12 p.m. on July 4, where more than 250 Americans will celebrate new citizenship
• Ballard Locks will host the Seattle Civic Band on July 4 at 2 p.m. as par of their Summer Concert Series (free)
• Bainbridge Island's Grand Old 4th celebration begins with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. and will feature live music and other events until 5 p.m. (free)
• Bellevue will be hosting the Bellevue Family 4th from 3 p.m. - 10:45 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks begin at 10:05 p.m. (free)
• Kirkland's 4th of July Parade will run from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Marina Park (free)
• Issaquah's Down Home 4th of July will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and include a parade, food trucks and musical performances (free)
• Bothell will host a July 4 Parade and Pancake Breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. at Bothell Park Landing (free)
• Edmonds 4th of July celebration starts at 9:30 a.m. and includes a fun run and parade (free)
• Burien's July 4th Parade in downtown Burien begins at 11 a.m. (free)
• Tumwater's Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. and starts at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Lee Street (free)
• Auburn's Fourth of July Festival runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Les Gove Park (free)
• Kitsap Live Steamers will host a July 4th Special Public Day run at South Kitsap Regional park in Port Orchard from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. (free)
• Tacoma's 4th of July Summer Blast at the Ruston Way Waterfront runs from 12 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. and includes live music, beer gardens and food vendors (free)

Where to see other fireworks shows in the Seattle area

• Carnation: The Great Carnation 4th of July Celebration at Remlinger Farms: fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. (subject to change based on fire risk)
• Everett: the Fourth of July Thunder on at the Bay fireworks show along the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay beings around 10:15 p.m.
• Federal Way: fireworks begin at 10:15 p.m. at Celebration Park
• Kenmore: Fourth of July Fireworks at Log Boom Park begin at 10 p.m.
• Kent: fireworks at the city's Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park begin at 10 p.m.
• Lake Sammamish: the Firework Display at Lake Sammamish State Park: fireworks start at 10 p.m.
• Marysville4th of July will include a fireworks show starting around 10:00 p.m.
• Snoqualmie: the Snoqualmie Red, White & Boom at Snoqualmie Community Park will host fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
• Tacoma: the 4th of July Summer Blast at the Ruston Way Waterfront will start their fireworks show at 10 p.m.
• Tumwater: the Nisqually Red Wind Casino Fireworks show kicks off at 10:15 p.m. at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course

Where to see fireworks and celebrate before July 4 in the Seattle area

• June 27-28: the Bremerton Bridge Blast kicks off on June 27 at the Louise Mentor Boardwalk, and fireworks will follow at 10:15 p.m. (free)
• June 26-27: Freedom Fest 250 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Tacoma will host a festival from 1 p.m. - 11 p.m. on June 27 with fireworks starting at 10:15 p.m. (registration required)
• July 3: Puyallup's Red, White & KABOOM celebration runs from 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the Washington State Fairgrounds (parking passes are $35 per car)
• July 3: the Lacey Fireworks Spectacular starts at 4 p.m. at Rainier Vista Community Park, with fireworks starting at 10 p.m.
• July 3: Mountlake Terrace's 3rd of July Family Celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin around 10 p.m. at Ballinger Park

Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at [email protected].