From Seafair’s two free fireworks-viewing sites at Lake Union and Gas Works Park to a long list of free celebrations across the Puget Sound, here’s where to plan your July 4 in the Seattle area—plus what to know before you go.
For a holiday built around flags. families and late-night color. Seattle is preparing for a full run of July 4 events—especially the big fireworks display above Lake Union. This year. the city and surrounding communities are also celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. with parades. festivals. live music and fireworks spread across the Puget Sound region.
Seafair’s 4th of July celebration is expected to draw crowds early and hold them late, with a free event running from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at two locations. Around 10:15 p.m., fireworks take over, and the waterfront turns into a waiting game—one that organizers say is worth planning for ahead of time.
Seafair’s free fireworks in Seattle: Lake Union and Gas Works Park
Seattle’s largest fireworks show is Seafair’s 4th of July event, a free celebration open to the public. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at:
Lake Union 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. including All American Games. Navy Band. Leah Justine. DJ Chris Charma
– Food and drink: two beer gardens and food vendors
– Parking: small parking lot at Gas Works Park and neighborhood street parking (expected to fill up quickly. so arive early).
Gas Works Park
– 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 and food vendors
– Parking: Amazon garages will provide free parking, see other options here.
Both Seattle sites will run games and music ahead of the fireworks. At Gas Works Park, the schedule includes an hour of “All-American Games” from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., featuring a pie eating contest, tug of war and water balloon toss. Live musical performances start at 5:00 p.m. at the Lake Union Park event and at 6:00 p.m. at the Gas Works Park event.
The City of Seattle is estimating that approximately 25,000 people will attend.
A paid option: Seafair fireworks cruise
For adults 21 and older, Seafair is also hosting a four-hour fireworks cruise on July 4. Tickets are available for purchase starting at $340.
Do you need tickets to watch fireworks in Seattle?
No. Seattle’s Seafair 4th of July celebration is free and open to the public. Seating upgrades are available for purchase at both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park.
If you’re watching from home: TV coverage
For people staying in, there will be TV broadcasts of Seattle’s July 4 fireworks show across “TVA number of TV stations,” including FOX 13, KIRO 7 and others.
Where else to celebrate July 4 across the Seattle area
If Seattle’s fireworks are your anchor point, the rest of the Puget Sound region is filling in the hours before the sky show—often with free events designed for families.
West Seattle
– West Seattle’s 4th of July Kids Parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 (free)
Seattle Center
– Seattle Center’s 41st Annual Naturalization Ceremony begins at 12 p.m. on July 4, where more than 250 Americans will celebrate new citizenship
Ballard Locks
– The Seattle Civic Band will play at Ballard Locks on July 4 at 2 p.m. as part of their Summer Concert Series (free)
Bainbridge Island
– Bainbridge Island’s Grand Old 4th begins with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. and will feature live music and other events until 5 p.m. (free)
Bellevue
– Bellevue is 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
– Kirkland’s 4th of July Parade runs from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Marina Park (free)
Issaquah
– Issaquah’s Down Home 4th of July runs from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and includes a parade, food trucks and musical performances (free)
Bothell
– Bothell will host a July 4 Parade and Pancake Breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. at Bothell Park Landing (free)
Edmonds
– Edmonds 4th of July celebration starts at 9:30 a.m. and includes a fun run and parade (free)
Burien
– Burien’s July 4th Parade in downtown Burien begins at 11 a.m. (free)
Tumwater
– Tumwater’s Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. and starts at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Lee Street (free)
Auburn
– Auburn’s Fourth of July Festival runs from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Les Gove Park (free)
Port Orchard
– 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
– 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)
More fireworks leading up to July 4
The celebrations don’t stop at the holiday. Across the region, fireworks are already scheduled in the days immediately before July 4:
– June 27-28: Bremerton Bridge Blast kicks off on June 27 at the Louise Mentor Boardwalk, and fireworks follow at 10:15 p.m. (free)
– June 26-27: Freedom Fest 250 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Tacoma hosts 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: 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.
As July 4 approaches, the biggest decisions for families may come down to timing and access: when to arrive for the free shows, how to manage parking, and whether to treat Seattle’s main event as an all-day plan—or a late-night destination after the morning parades and ceremonies.
July 4 Seattle fireworks Seafair Lake Union Park Gas Works Park free events Puget Sound parades music