New to Cream City and wondering how the 414 area is going to celebrate the big 250th anniversary of the U.S.? A longtime resident looking to spice things up and try something different? Well, Milwaukee and its burbs have you covered – there are more than a dozen fireworks shows in and around the city to check out.
Fireworks Shows in Milwaukee
Summerfest’s Official Celebration of America’s 250th
JULY 4 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Summerfest is ending its 2026 run with a major celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. Starting at 9:30 p.m., the 20-minute fireworks show will close out the Big Gig with a bang. Plus, the first 5,000 to arrive at Summerfest that day will receive a “special admission giveaway.”
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Alcott Park
JULY 4 | 3751 S. 97TH ST.
Starting with a parade at 9:15 a.m. and ending with a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m., Alcott Park offers activities all day for visitors, including free ice cream and hot dogs for those stopping by throughout the late morning.
Gordon Park
JULY 4 | 2828 N. HUMBOLDT BLVD.
Gordon Park’s parade kicks off at 11 a.m. With ice cream and root beer for sale, there will also be live performances and art projects in the lead-up to the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Humboldt Park
JULY 4 | 3000 S. HOWELL AVE.
There is a packed Fourth celebration planned at Humboldt Park, beginning with a parade at 9 a.m. and ending with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. In between, there will be a donut-eating contest at 12 p.m., and a decorated vehicle competition designed for children, along with live music.
Jackson Park
JULY 4 | 3500 W. FOREST HOME AVE.
Fireworks are set to kick off at 9:15 p.m.
Lake Park
JULY 4 | 3233 E. KENWOOD BLVD.
Lake Park plans to take advantage of its scenic waterfront location with a parade starting at 9 a.m. A water balloon toss and buggy judging start at 11 a.m, and evening fireworks hit at 9:15 p.m.
Lincoln Park
JULY 4 | 1301 W. HAMPTON AVE.
The fireworks show is slated to begin at 9:15 p.m.
Wilson Park
JULY 4 | 1601 W. HOWARD AVE.
Wilson Park will have a DJ and balloon artist, along with the Milwaukee Flyers Tumbling Team putting on a special demonstration. The parks parade starts at 9 a.m. and the fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m. The park will also host food and drink vendors, in addition to a stroller and wagon contest at 9:45 a.m.
Washington Park
JULY 4 | 1859 N. 40TH ST.
Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m.
Bonus: A Not-Quite-Fireworks Show
Lakefront Drone Show
JULY 3 | 1750 N. LINCOLN MEMORIAL DR.
In 2024, Milwaukee County canceled its annual July 3 fireworks, citing a lack of sponsorship. Last year, the County introduced a drone light show at McKinley Park, which is returning this year. With the beachside festivities beginning at 2 p.m. and the actual display starting at 9:15 p.m., the event will also feature food vendors (such as Flips Donuts and Roundhouse Beer Garden) and activities for kids like face-painting and bounce houses.
Fireworks Shows in the Burbs
Brown Deer
JULY 4 | VILLAGE PARK, 4920 S. GREENBROOK TERRACE
You’ll find food trucks and live music here, with festivities starting at 3 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
Glendale
JULY 4 | KLETZSCH PARK, 6560 N. MILWAUKEE RIVER PKWY.
A “parade extravaganza” starts at 10 a.m., followed by a food truck festival at 4 p.m., with sodas from Scouts Troop 393 and sweet treats from KONA Shaved Ice. There will be other attractions as well, such as bouncy houses. The fireworks show is set to start at dusk.
Hales Corners
JULY 4 | HALES CORNERS PARK, 5635 S. NEW BERLIN RD.
Starting with the Firecracker Four Run at 8 a.m., Hales Corners’ Fourth celebration also includes an all-day antique car show and a patriotic pet costume contest beginning at 11 a.m. Besides an open house for their local fire station, there is also a pie-judging and hot-dog-eating competition in the afternoon. In addition, there are two parades happening, one at 9 a.m. for children, and then another at 4 p.m. intended for everyone. A fireworks display will launch at 9:30 p.m.
Oak Creek
JULY 3 | LAKE VISTA PARK, 4001 E. LK VIS PKWY.
JULY 4 | AMERICAN LEGION, 9327 S. SHEPARD AVE.
The two-day celebration includes chalk drawing challenges and a singing competition on Friday, followed by a parade and petting zoo on Saturday. There will also be food vendors, including Azteca serving Mexican dishes and Hawgz Dogs cooking up the American staple. Fireworks will be on July 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Wauwatosa
JULY 4 | KRAUSS-MILLER-LUTZ OUTDOOR ATHLETIC COMPLEX 1401 N. SWAN BLVD.
The parade starts at 9 a.m., and afternoon programming runs from 12-3 p.m. including free face-painting and balloon art for families, plus ice cream and a caricature artist. Fireworks kick off at 9:15 pm.
West Allis
JULY 4 | NATHAN HALE HIGH SCHOOL, 11601 W. LINCOLN AVE.
Live music starts at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will be food trucks on site, including Pete’s Pops and EZ Tiki, among many more vendors.
Whitefish Bay
JULY 4 | E. SILVER SPRING DRIVE AND 5900 N. LAKE DR.
The Whitefish Bay parade starts at 11:30 a.m., with available throughout the entire day for anyone who stops by. The fireworks finale is set to kick off at 9:30 p.m.
