7 Fireworks Shows You’ll Want to See for Yourself

Who doesn’t love sitting under the night sky as it lights up with vibrant shapes and forms from fireworks shows? Around the country on the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, you can find lively, family-friendly celebrations. So, sit back and relax as the colors fly overhead at these seven spectacular fireworks shows.

Fantastic in Philly

As the birthplace of America, Philadelphia prides itself in hosting one of the biggest and bestfireworks shows in the country. The Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July is a seven-day festival held near the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum (yes, where Rocky climbs the stairs) that culminates into a grand fireworks finale. But Fourth of July isn’t the only time you’ll see Philly’s sky lit up with color. On New Year’s Eve, catch an impressive fireworks display along the Delaware River Waterfront at Penn’s Landing with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge illuminated as its backdrop.

Capital celebration

Washington, D.C., puts on a serious, all-day Fourth of July celebrations taking place throughout the city. But it’s the finale performance of fireworks you’ll want to see. With two of the country’s most notable historic landmarks—the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol building—as the backdrop, blasts of neon color light the sky over the National Mall, where nearly 700,000 visitors come from around the world to catch a glimpse of the spectacle every year.

Watch the colors fly at some of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the country.

Booming bay bonanza

People are quick to book San Diego accommodations for the holiday in order to see what’s considered one of the biggest fireworks shows on the West Coast. At this one-day celebration on Fourth of July, visitors can watch as four barges pop off hundreds of fireworks from the San Diego Bay during the Big Bay Boom. Nearly half a million people come from all over the country to watch this extravaganza each year.

Fireworks popping

Choreographed to music by the iconic Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston's annual July Fourth fireworks display, aptly titled the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, is one of the oldest and best fireworks shows in the country. Affectionately nicknamed America’s orchestra, the Boston Pops is known to put on an array of patriotic music during the evening celebration, which takes place along the Charles River Esplanade each year. Try to book your Boston hotel close by the river to ensure you're close to all the festivities to avoid getting caught in traffic.

Disney delight

Orlando hotels close to Walt Disney World are great for catching the fantastic fireworks shows taking place 365 days a year for its guests. However, it’s the New Year’s Eve spectacle that is even more impressive. Though the setting is the same—the jaw-dropping visuals take place just behind Cinderella’s castle—the display is even bigger and brighter than on other days. Past New Year’s Eve performances have included songs from beloved Disney movies such as Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Aladdin.

Perfectly peachy

While most every other fireworks extravaganza takes place with an iconic building, landmark or river as its backdrop, Stone Mountain Park, under an hour’s drive away from downtown Atlanta hotels, boasts a stunning mountain as its New Year’s Eve fireworks display background. Catered to the wee ones with early bedtimes, the fireworks shows and New Year’s countdown kicks off around 9 p.m. with a “snowfall” and an array of colorful rockets.

Music City or bust

It only makes sense that Music City kicks off its New Year’s Eve celebration with a handful of performances by some of Nashville’s brightest stars. Nashville hotels in the center of town will make it easy to celebrate and catch all the festivities. After hours of live music, the city’s signature Music Note Drop kicks off confetti canons and a massive fireworks display right in the heart of downtown.