Here is a list of everything that's going this Fourth of July weekend in some of the U.S.'s biggest cities for people excited to celebrate America's birthday.
New York
Start your day off with one of the best Fourth of July traditions in New York: Nathan's hot dog-eating contest! Twenty competitors battle it out to see who can consume the greatest number of Nathan's hot dogs in less than 10 minutes.
Millions of New Yorkers journey to the banks of the East River each year to enjoy the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Show. At this stunning event, 40,000 fireworks are launched more than 1,000 feet into the air by five barges. The event will also feature live performances by pop artists, choirs, barbershop quartets, and gospel groups.
After the fireworks are finished, head over to the annual nighttime walking tour of the Revolutionary War in New York. In the wee hours, you'll retrace the steps of prominent Revolutionary War figures, greeting dawn's early light at Trinity Church. The tour starts at Fraunces Tavern Museum, most famous as the spot where George Washington gave his farewell address to his officers in the Continental Army.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is crawling with patriotic activities on the Fourth of July! Start your day off celebrating the history of our great nation at Independence Hall with a patriotic and inspiring morning of music, a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. The ceremony is followed by one of the highlights of the day: the Independence Day Parade. The 1.2-mile march through Historic Philadelphia features more than 6,000 participants from around the country.
Next, it is time to party on the parkway! Thousands pack Philadelphia's scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a FREE, daylong festival of food, live entertainment and family friendly fun.
It is not the Fourth of July without fireworks, and Philly does it big time. The 2015 Philly 4th of July Jam and Grande Finale Fireworks stars The Roots, with special guests Miguel and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Can't make it to the Parkway? The festivities will be covered live locally by 6ABC and online. Immediately following the concert, July 4 comes to an explosive end with an incredible firework finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Boston
Residents of Bean Town will get to chance to celebrate America's birthday at this year's Boston Harborfest, an annual festival consisting of over 200 events.
The festival will take place starting July 1 through July 5 and will focus on teaching people about Boston's colonial and maritime history while also celebrating the present. People will be able to take part in historical tours, Revolutionary War reenactments, cruises, museum visits, free concerts and much more.
The city will also hold its Boston Pops Concerts on July 3 and 4, which will consist of real cannon fire and a showcase of fireworks over the Charles River. Grammy-winner Susan Tedeschi from Norwell, Mass., and Ayla Brown from Wrentham, Mass., will appear at the event.
You can enjoy 4th of July fireworks at 10:30 p.m. right after the Boston Pops Concerts over the Charles River.
Miami
Miami is one of the party capitals in the country, so start your 4th of July party early at America's Birthday Bash at Bayfront Park. From 10 a.m. to 9:30 p. m. you can enjoy food and live music. Let the kids run off to the Kids' Zone while you kick back at the Sam Adams Beer Garden, then gather the family around for one of the city's largest fireworks display at 9, and did we mention it's free admission?
For the night owls who want to experience Miami's EDM nightlife, head over to LIV Night Club where DJ Tiesto will be spinning his radio hits like "Secrets," "Wasted" and "Red Lights." The party starts at 11 p.m. for ages 21 and up. Tickets start at $125 and are available here.
And if you just want to chill out for the day, there's always the Miami Beach Fire on the Fourth Festival. Find your zen with an early-morning yoga session, then mellow out while you listen to live jazz dance music from Big Brooklyn Red and folk rock from former Traffic guitarist Dave Mason. Top the night off with a fireworks display at this free event.
Chicago
Navy Pier has been displaying fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday evening since the end of May. However, the main event will be on Fourth of July. Catch the spectacular firework show on Saturday July 4, at 9:30 p.m on 600 E. Grand Ave. Enjoy family, friends, food and the bright lights as we celebrate our independence.
The Lisle community park Eyes to the Skies Festival is another great attraction in Chicago during the Fourth of July weekend. With hot air balloon displays during the day and a beautiful firework scene at night, it is definitely something everyone will enjoy. Take a visit there from July 1 to July 5 in the Lisle Park District
For those of you who love to eat, especially barbecue, then look no further than the Ribfest in Naperville. Twelve different rib vendors battle to be No. 1, but everyone who attends is a winner. Live music, craft beer and a firework show at night, the Ribfest is a can't-miss.
New Orleans
There's nothing like a little old-fashioned rivalry on Independence Day, and New Orleans has you covered. The 25th annual Go 4th On The River celebration will feature its pride and glory, the Dueling Barges Fireworks extravaganza. The show was ranked as one of the top five "must-see" fireworks displays in America by the American Pyrotechnics Association, and admission is free. The fiery standoff starts at 9 p.m. over the Mississippi River between the Gov. Nichols Street Wharf and the Canal Street Dock. BYO radio to listen along to the live soundtrack on local channels.
If you want to get your grub on, head over to the Our Lady Of The Gulf Crab Festival, just an hour's drive across the river in Bay St. Louis, Miss. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, enjoy crab races, good food, live music, arts and crafts, rides and raffles and more, all with free admission.
Or you can skip out on traditional Fourth of July festivities for the 2015 Essence Music Festival at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Tickets start at $50 and the event features African-American art and food along with performances by Usher, Missy Elliot, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, comedian Kevin Hart and more.
Dallas
If you're looking for something to do before the Fourth, there will be an Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch Historical Park. This free fireworks show will include a live concert by InsideOut, concessions, tours of historical figures as well as a KidZone with face painting, inflatable slides and bounce houses, and crafts, so the whole family can enjoy the night!
On the actual Fourth of July, go to Dallas Heritage Village for its Old Fashioned Fourth to spend your afternoon enjoying the parade, playing games, painting wagons and learning about the history of this day. This event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is $9 for adults, $5 for children and $7 for seniors. For Dallas' official fireworks display, head over to Dallas' Fair Park Fourth. This will be an all-day event, starting at 6 a.m., for a full day of family fun. The official fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. And if you're more into live music than firework displays, Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional will be performing at the South Side Ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets are going for $45.
Denver
The Mile-High City will be honoring Independence Day early with its annual Independence Eve celebration in Civic Center Park at 8 p.m. Friday. The event consists of a free patriotic concert and a light show on the Denver City and County Building. You'll be able to bring your own picnic, and the celebration ends with a traditional fireworks show.
People will also be able to take part in the Cherry Cheek Art Festival from July 3-5 to celebrate visual, culinary and performing arts, and those looking to work off the extra hot dogs can take part in the 4-mile Liberty Run and then reward themselves with some more hot dogs. Park Hill's 4th of July parade takes place at 1:30 p.m. and will feature marching bands, acrobats and festive floats.
Denver will offer several opportunities to enjoy fireworks, with one show at the Colorado Rapids from 7-11 p.m. and another after the Outlaws lacrosse game with the Boston Cannons from 7-10:30 p.m.
San Francisco
While in San Francisco this Fourth of July, start your day off with one of the longest parades in the country: The Annual Mayor's Fourth of July Parade in the city of Alameda. It starts at 10 a.m. and stretches 3.3 miles. For a full day of Independence Day fun, and some Shark Week celebrations, head over to PIER 39 for musical entertainment and activities. It starts at noon and Shark Week activities will also be taking place throughout the day. You can even stop by Aquarium of the Bay to see the real lives sharks and take place in a shark selfie scavenger hunt. At 9:30 p.m., the dazzling fireworks display over the San Francisco Bay will be taking place. If you're not into watching it from the PIER, you can take part in some of the dinner cruises going on during the show to watch the skyline from the water.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles natives looking to celebrate Independence Day should go to the rooftop fireworks show at Grand Park 4th of July block party. The show will take over eight city blocks for a giant park, topped off with an awesome fireworks display. Starting at 3 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m., the Grand Park 4th of July party is ranked the number one attraction in Los Angeles on Independence Day.
One of the largest fireworks displays in Southern California is AmericaFest in Pasadena at The Rose Bowl Stadium. With great music, food vendors and low admission prices, why not check out the show at The Rose Bowl? For those of you football fans, you can even dream about stepping onto the same field as some of your past college heroes. Fireworks begin at 9:05 p.m.
Stroll through different time periods in American history and salute those before you who made this day possible. The entire Queen Mary Ship Fourth of July spectacular is at your disposal for Independence Day. Listen to live music, learn old American dance moves and relax with family and friends with a giant fireworks display at night.
