Where in the world would you rather be on the 4th of July than a sandy beach, watching fireworks burst along the sky over a beautiful ocean? That’s right, Cape Cod is THE place to be when celebrating our nation’s birthday. In the year 1781, Massachusetts was the first state to recognize Independence Day as a holiday. Some places even launch cannons, along with hosting bonfires and sailboat races. What more do you need for your Cape Cod 4th of July?
Every year, there are numerous forms of entertainment commemorating the day all over the Cape, and this year is no exception.
CapeCod.com has all the information you need to know about how Cape Cod is celebrating Uncle Sam’s birthday.
Check out the list of 4th of July firework festivities taking place across the Cape.
Other fireworks and parades TBA. More will be added to the page over time as their schedules are announced. All dates are 7/4 unless noted.
Barnstable Parades
9 AM – Barnstable / West Barnstable – Don’t miss this 4th of July tradition. Big floats, small floats, bikes walkers, motorcycles and dogs are all included in this parade. It begins at the County Complex on Railroad Avenue at 9 a.m. and proceeds down Main Street (Route 6A), left onto Mill Way and continues to the Village Hollow where it will end with various activities.
10 AM – Centerville- Neighborhood floats, decorated bikes and wagons, clowns, and bands will flood the streets of Centerville in this fun, festive parade. The parade, which begins at 10 a.m., will be followed by food, fun, and field games at the ball field behind the Centerville Recreation Building. The parade will form on the grounds of Centerville Elementary School and proceed up Bay Lane, take a right onto Bumps River Road; left onto Park Avenue; right onto Main Street; and continue to the Centerville Recreation Building where it will end.
11 AM – Cotuit – The parade will begin at the Post Office, proceed down School Street to Main Street. It will then turn left on Main Street to the rear of the entrance of the Cotuit Elementary School, where it will conclude.
11 AM – Hyannisport – Following the Hyannisport Beach Club 2k Run at 9 AM, the parade will lineup and begin at the Hyannisport Post Office on Longwood Avenue, turning left onto Washington Ave and right onto Lafayette Avenue. Then it will turn left onto Winchester Ave, left onto Scudder and continue onto Dale Ave to the West Beach Club. This is where it will end.
2 PM – Hyannis Inner Harbor Boat Parade – Hyannis Marina invites all to a July 4 boat parade at 2 p.m. The best viewing is along Ocean Street at Hyannis Harbor. If you are a boater and want to participate, the boats assemble off of Hyannis Yacht Club and head to the inner harbor to show off their red, white and blue.
4 PM – Hyannis Main Street Parade – The parade will start at the corner of Ocean Street and travel along Main Street for a half mile, ending at the corner of Sea Street.
5-7 PM – Enjoy family lawn games, free rides by the Roaming Railroad, jugglers and bubble fun on the Village Green in Hyannis beginning at 5 p.m. Nicholas Suchecki Jazz Quartet will perform. There will be pre-fireworks music and activities in Aselton Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks over Hyannis Harbor and Lewis Bay begin at 9 p.m. (Rain date for fireworks only is Saturday, Aug. 31.)
Barnstable / Hyannis Fireworks
6:30 PM – Concert Featuring Anna and the Moderns at Aselton Park. Family friendly event.
9 PM – There will be music and activities in Aselton Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks over Hyannis Harbor begin at 9 p.m. (Rain date for fireworks only is Saturday, Aug. 31.)
Bourne Parade
10 AM – Bourne on the Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m., rain or shine, on Main Street in Buzzards Bay. This parade is put on each year with the help of volunteers, donations and Town support.
Chatham Parade
9:30 – 11:30 AM – Chatham’s Independence Day Parade, running from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Main Street, is one of the oldest in the United States. This year’s parade theme is “Chatham Honors You! Service Members Past, Present, Future!” The theme honors all men and women who served the country in all wars, as well as those who serve during peacetime.
Edgartown Parade and Fireworks
5 PM – Come view the Edgartown 4th of July parade and spectacular Edgartown Harbor fireworks. Enjoy delicious treats, sales at local shops, and so much more during this festive time in town! The parade begins at 5 p.m. on July 4 and the fireworks start at dusk on the harbor.
Falmouth Parade
10 AM – The Bike & Carriage Parade begins at 10 a.m. from the Village Green, down Main Street to Peg Noonan Park.
Falmouth Fireworks
8:45 PM – Fireworks begin at dusk on July 4 (rain date July 5) at Falmouth Heights Beach. Be sure to check out Falmouth PD’s parking and road closure info before you go, and plan accordingly!
Mashpee Picnic and Fireworks
9 PM – Monday, July 1st – Rain date of July 2nd
Nantucket Parade
10 AM – The parade starts at 10 AM on Main Street, which culminates in the water fight between fire departments. Children races and rug of war to begin at 5 PM.
Nantucket Fireworks
July 5th at 9 PM – Fireworks will begin at Jetties Beach.
Orleans Parade
July 4th at 10 AM – The July 4th Parade is full of music, celebration, and fun! Parade route starts at the Orleans Elementary School on Eldredge Park Way, rain or shine. The parade route continues down Eldredge Park Way, Route 6A, Main Street, Route 28 and back to Eldredge Park Way. Insiders tip: Bring some beach chairs or blankets and stake out a spot about a half hour before the parade begins!
Orleans Fireworks
8:30 AM – July 6th – Fireworks take place July 6 (rain date July 7) at Rock Harbor in Orleans. The fireworks start between 8:30 and 9:15 pm. You can watch from the other side of Rock Harbor which can be accessed at Dyer Prince Rd., Eastham, or Boat Meadow Landing, Eastham, which can be accessed from Bay View Rd. We suggest Crosby Beach or the Linnell Landing Beach in Brewster as other options for viewing the fireworks as well. Visit orleanscapecod.org/event/july-fourth-fireworks-orleans-ma/
Provincetown Parade
11 AM – July 4th Parade starts at 11a.m., begins East End, Harbor Hotel and proceeds up Commercial to Franklin Street.
Provincetown Fireworks
Dusk – Approximately 9 PM – Fireworks start at dusk over Provincetown Harbor (view from any Bayside Beach). Lots of fun! Fireworks will begin over Provincetown Harbor. Get in early as it fills up fast. You’ll be seeing fireworks like these in no time!
Sandwich Fireworks
9:30 PM – This special fireworks display is the culmination of a full day of activities in Sandwich that include a street parade, a boat parade, a 3-mile race and picnic. Fireworks scheduled for July 4 at 9:30 p.m. over Shawme Pond. Date is still tentative.
Wellfleet Parade
9:30 AM – The Annual Wellfleet Fourth of July Parade route runs up Holbrook Avenue, turns right on Main Street, continues down Main Street, turns right on East Commercial Street and ends at the Wellfleet Town Pier. The Judge’s stand sits out on the lawn of the Town Hall on Main Street. The classic car parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and the float parade starts at 10 a.m. Participants assemble on the Town Pier to line up and meet the parade judges. The parade float winner will receive a grand prize trophy.
Woods Hole Parade
Noon – This popular Fourth of July parade, organized by the Marine Biological Laboratory, begins at noon and proceeds down Water Street.
Video courtesy of Dave Read of Ocean 104.7.