Though Milwaukee is hosting a drone show on July 3, there will be no shortage of booming fireworks to light up the sky on Independence Day. Here are some destinations both in and around Milwaukee to catch parades, fireworks and more on America’s 249th birthday.
1. Alcott Park
JULY 4 | 3791 S. 97TH ST.
Alcott Park is filling out the Fourth of July itinerary, beginning with a parade at 9:45 a.m. The remainder of the morning will be booked with children’s activities before a pull raffle at noon. Also, there will be free hot dogs for the first 300 patrons. The early programming will wrap up with a talent contest at 1 p.m. Close the evening with a 50/50 raffle drawing at 8:30 p.m. and catch the fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
2. Gordon Park
JULY 4 | 2828 N. HUMBOLDT BLVD.
Following a parade at 11 a.m, attendees can listen to speeches, music and assorted performances over ice cream and root beer. At 9:15 p.m., look to the sky for the fireworks display.
3. Humboldt Park
JULY 4 AT 9 A.M. | 3000 S. HOWELL AVE.
Family-friendly competitions are the headliners at Humboldt Park, as festivities include a children’s vehicle decorating contest, a donut/donut hole eating showdown, and a talent contest. Bookending the day are the 9 a.m. parade and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
4. Lake Park
JULY 4 | 3233 E. KENWOOD BLVD.
Start your day with a sweet treat and enjoy ice cream at 9:30 a.m. following the parade, which is at 9 a.m. Other highlights include children’s activities, a water balloon toss and 9:15 p.m. fireworks.
5. Wilson Park
JULY 4 | 1601 W. HOWARD AVE.
After the parade at 9 a.m., enjoy a flag-raising ceremony, bounce house, balloon artist, a performance by The Milwaukee Flyers and more. Catch the City of Milwaukee fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
6. Brown Deer
JULY 4 | 4920 W. GREEN BROOK DR.
A corn roast, food trucks, live music and more will be available during the afternoon at Brown Deer’s Fourth of July Celebration. The festivities will conclude with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
7. Cudahy
JULY 4 | LIBRARY SQUARE
Following the noon parade, enjoy food, drinks and music at Cudahy’s Library Square, beginning at 1 p.m. To close the day, a fireworks show can be seen at Sheridan Park at 9:15 p.m.
8. Franklin
JULY 3-6 | LIONS LEGEND PARK
Franklin is putting on a show over the Fourth of July weekend, including a four-day carnival, golf simulator and the first-ever Pickleball Palooza. On Independence Day, look forward to a parade, camel rides, live music and more. Fireworks will light up the sky at 9:30 p.m.
9. Greenfield
JULY 4 | LAYTON AVE.
At noon, the House of Harley Davidson’s Milwaukee HOG Chapter will roar down the street to mark 15 minutes before the parade, a Greenfield tradition. Following the parade, enjoy free ice cream and a performance by the UW Band’s Fifth Quarter. Food and drink vendors will also be available, all building up to the fireworks display at around 9:45 p.m.
10. Hales Corners
JULY 4 | HALES CORNERS
Look forward to a pair of parades at Hales Corners at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.. Sprinkled throughout the day will be a classic car show, baking contest, hot dog eating contest and assorted open houses. The day will close with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
11. Glendale
JULY 4 | KLETZSCH PARK
After the parade extravaganza at 10 a.m., the celebration picks back up to start the evening. The Food Truck Festival will run from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m, while other activities, including the North Shore Fire Department’s Summer Soak, will all ring in America’s birthday. The fireworks display will begin at dusk to close the book on the festivities.
12. West Allis
JULY 2-4 | WEST ALLIS ATHLETIC COMPLEX
The three-day celebration will begin with a parade on the night of July 2, carried into an outdoor showing of The Sandlot on the eve of Independence Day. On the Fourth, there will be food trucks and live music starting at 7:30 p.m. before the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
13. Racine 4th Fest
JULY 4 | MAIN STREET
Racine’s 89th annual parade (pre-parade at 8:30 a.m., parade at 9 a.m.) festivities will include classic cars, military vehicles, first responders, tractors and more. Catch the celebration’s fireworks show at North Beach, beginning at dusk.
14. South Milwaukee
JULY 4 | GRANT PARK AREA #5, 5A AND 6
The itinerary in South Milwaukee includes a children’s parade (10 a.m.), races and games, ice cream and assorted activities. The fireworks display is set for 9:30 p.m. with a rain date of Saturday, July 5.
