Fourth of July: A Guide to Independence Day Celebrations in Michigan

Dozens of firework displays are scheduled across Michigan for the Fourth of July holiday.

By Aaron Voogt

June 30, 2022

Looking for fireworks this weekend? We got you covered.

MICHIGAN—Families in Michigan have no shortage of Fourth of July activities to choose from this year. From vibrant, daytime street parades to dazzling fireworks in the evening, and just about everything else in between, the holiday is packed with celebrations in nearly every thread of the Mitten. 

Keep scrolling, and you’ll be sure to find something happening in your neck of the woods:

Upper Peninsula

Marquette

  • The Marquette International Food Festival, from July 2 to July 4 at Mattson Lower Harbor Park, includes food vendors and live music, all thanks to the volunteers from the Marquette County Exchange Club. Proceeds help support youth programs in Marquette.
  • The Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade through downtown Marquette begins at 2 p.m. 
  • A boat parade will also pass twice through the lower harbor beginning at 9:30 p.m.
  • Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m. and will be launched from Marquette’s famous Lower Harbor Ore Dock. Music accompaniment can also be heard by tuning into 100.3 FM.

Sault Ste. Marie

  • The Independence Day Parade begins at 7 p.m. with several floats set to slowly make their way through downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Anyone interested can join in on the fun.  The line-up starts at 6 p.m. Awards will be given out for “Best Float” and “Best Walker.” 
  • Starting at dusk, fireworks will be shot off over the St Mary’s River. If you’re looking for a place to sit and watch the show, check out the north City Hall grounds or Brady Park. 

Escanaba

  • Escanaba plans to kick off its Independence Day celebrations a bit early with a car show from 10 a.m. to noon on July 2 at Ludington Park. Trophies will be awarded at 4 p.m.—at the same time a petting zoo opens near Ludington Park’s Harbor Hideout. 
  • The annual fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. later that night at Ludington Park. Be sure to stop by early for live music. “We Ain’t Saints” will perform from 4-7 p.m. at the Karas Bandshell, followed by the City Band at 8:30 p.m. Plenty of food vendors are set to be at the park—so bring an appetite too! A rain delay date has been set for July 9. 

Baraga County 

  • Baraga’s annual “Lumberjack Days” Fourth of July celebrations are set for July 2 and 3. Events include a community street dance, pancake breakfast, parade, games and competitions, and a fireworks show over the Keweenaw Bay at dusk to cap it all off. 

Northern Michigan 

Mackinac Island

  • Fireworks starting at about 10 p.m. with two simultaneous displays lighting up the island. Take in the show right on Main Street, and stop by early to watch a professional stone skipping competition. Both kids and adults can sign up on site to join the competition.

Traverse City

  • Traverse City is well known for its weeklong National Cherry Festival, which runs from July 2-9 this year. While the festival has more events than can be mentioned here, it includes a spectacular fireworks show over Grand Traverse Bay at 10:30 p.m. on July 4. Watch from the Open Space Park, Clinch Park Marina, West End Beach, or Bryant Park. 
  • An events calendar for the rest of the festival can be found here.

Boyne City

  • Dubbed “The Best 4th in the North,” and recognized nationally by Good Morning America and USA Today, this small town celebration runs from July 1-4 with a wide array of vendors, music, shows, a farmer’s market, fun runs, and parades. The weekend celebrations wrap up with a “Grand Fireworks” display on Lake Charlevoix at 10:30 p.m. 

Gaylord

  • Fireworks will be displayed over Otsego Lake from 10-11 p.m. on July 4.

Reminder: Pets, especially dogs, aren’t nearly as big of fans of fireworks as you might be. They hear noises more intensely than humans, and fireworks can really stress them out—so consider leaving them in a safe space at home if you’re going out to watch fireworks this weekend.  

West Michigan

Ludington

  • A “Freedom Festival” parade begins at 1 p.m. on July 4 in downtown Ludington.
  • A fireworks display can be seen at dusk on July 4 from nearby Lake Michigan beaches.
  • Guests can also skip the sand and hop aboard the SS Badger for the Lake Michigan Shoreline Fireworks Cruise, which departs the Ludington shoreline at 9 p.m. Live music, food and drinks will be available. All ages are welcome. Reservations are required.

Grand Rapids 

  • Frederik Meijer Gardens is hosting a wide array of family-friendly activities at its “Red, White, Blue and You: A Salute to Independence Day” celebration, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon on July 2. All ages will get a chance to make their own patriotic, eco-friendly noise maker. There’s also storybook readings and a “Hula Hoop Hoopla.”
  • The annual Hollyhock Lane Parade in East Grand Rapids—the oldest continuously running Fourth of July parade in Michigan— celebrates its 88th anniversary this year, beginning at 8 a.m. on July 4 at the corner of Calvin and Alexander Streets. After the parade, the floats will be judged, and prizes will be awarded in several categories. There’s also supposed to be a “special surprise” this year, so make sure to check it out.
  • Festivities continue at Ah-Nah-Arwen Park at 6 p.m. on July 4. There’ll be live music, vendors, and exhibits for all ages. Fireworks begin over the Grand River at 10:30 p.m. 

Holland

  • From 6:30-8:30 p.m. on July 4, downtown Holland will be filled with over 30 street performers, including musicians, stilt-walkers, dancers, jugglers, and magicians from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Head to Kollen Park at dusk to see fireworks over Lake Macatawa. 

Grand Haven

  • Beginning at dusk on July 4, the Musical Fountain at Waterfront Stadium will be lit up with a mesmerizing display of water and light—accompanied, of course, by fireworks.  

St. Joseph 

  • The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8:30 p.m. on July 3 at the Shadowland Pavilion inside Silver Beach County Park. At dusk, more fireworks.

Battle Creek

  • The Field of Flight Airshow and Balloon Festival at the Battle Creek Airport continues through July 4 and includes food vendors, live music, half-marathon and 5K runs, craft shows, a carnival, and much more. But the festival’s namesake is its air shows— which boast a variety of military aircraft demonstrations. Two nightly firework displays are also scheduled, both beginning at about 10:30 p.m. on July 2 and again on July 4. 

Mid-Michigan 

Lansing

  • A parade will proceed around the Capitol loop beginning at 11 a.m. on July 4.
  • The Lansing Concert Band will perform at 8 p.m. at Adado Riverfront Park along the Grand River. The performance will be followed by a massive fireworks display. 
  • The Potter Park Zoo is also offering free admission on July 4 to all US military veterans. 

Flint

  • In response to the Flint Water Crisis, Flint resident Kay Smith started the Flint Water Festival in 2016 to help support marginalized communities and open resources for all. The seventh annual festival runs from July 1-4 in downtown Flint and includes plenty of food, art, music and other family-friendly activities. More information can be found here

Saginaw 

  • Two WWII aircrafts will fly over Ojibway Island in Saginaw at 8 p.m. on July 4, performing a series of aerial maneuvers and leaving smoke trails. It’s sure to be a sight.
  • The annual fireworks display on Ojibway Island begins later that night at 9:15 p.m. 

Bay City

  • The Bay City Fireworks Festival will continue through July 2. Beginning at noon each day, guests can enjoy a carnival, shop with local vendors, and kick back to live music and other entertainment at Wenonah Park. Every day ends with fireworks at 10:12 p.m., but organizers usually save their biggest bangs for the grand finale display on July 2. 

Southeast Michigan

Detroit

  • Greenfield Village will showcase a diverse assortment of American history through music at its “Salute to America” celebration through July 3. Guests can enjoy plenty of food and music, including jazz, ragtime, and much more. At dusk, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform the bold “1812 Overture” accompanied by cannons and fireworks.
  • Performing outdoors at Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, the Doobie Brothers are hitting the stage again for a 50th anniversary tour. Spend the holiday grooving with this iconic rock-and-roll band beginning at 7 p.m. on July 4. Tickets can be found here.

Ann Arbor

  • Construction has forced the 32nd annual July 4 Jaycees Parade to take a different route through this year—now beginning at 10 a.m. at the corner of Main and Liberty streets. 
  • Before the parade, guests can take part in one of three runs beginning at 8 a.m. through downtown Ann Arbor. There’s the “Firecracker 5K,” as well as a one-mile fun run and a kids’ 200-meter dash. Not feeling too energetic? There’s also a hot dog eating contest.

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