It’s been 246 years since the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Cities across Hampton Roads have been celebrating America’s birthday with fireworks, food and fun for decades, but many of those events were reduced or canceled the past two summers because of the pandemic.
This year, the region’s celebrations are back in full force.
Here’s a list of Fourth of July events taking place over the holiday weekend.
Chesapeake
Celebrate Freedom. Food vendors and roaming entertainment. Tidewater Winds Concert Band at 7 p.m., followed by U.S. Fleet Forces Band at 8:30 and fireworks at 9:30. July 3. Chesapeake City Park. 900 City Park Drive. Free. Parking, $5. Visit cityofchesapeake.net.
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Norfolk
Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks. 6 p.m. July 1. Live music from Wonderland; food trucks; family-friendly games and activities. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. Ocean View Beach Park, 100 W. Ocean View Ave. Visit www.visitnorfolk.com.
Celebrate Independence Day at the Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks. Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and more. End the evening by viewing a dazzling fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. along the Elizabeth River. 5 to 10 p.m. July 4. Town Point Park, 113 Waterside Drive, Norfolk. Free. Visit tinyurl.com/greatamericanpicnicfireworks.
The 39th annual 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks. 5 to 10 p.m. July 4. Town Point Park. Food and live music from military brass bands. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. Visit festevents.org.
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Portsmouth
The 103rd annual 4th of July Patriotic Fest. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4. Afton Square. Parade at 10:30 a.m.; artist performances, 11 a.m. DJ, vendors, food trucks, family games and activities, 11:30. Free. 32 Prospect Parkway. Visit tinyurl.com/Portsmouth4th.
Shaggin’ 4th of July Celebration. 5 p.m. July 4. The Breadwine & Blooze Band will play beach music until 8 p.m., followed by the Tidewater Concert Band. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. High Street Landing, 1 High St. Visit portsvaevents.com.
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Virginia Beach
Carpool to Blue Pete’s annual Pungo Smash Fest. It features an all-you-can-eat shrimp boil, smash buckets of refreshing cocktails and live music. Regular table seating is limited to two hours. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 2. Blue Pete’s Restaurant, 1400 North Muddy Creek Road, Virginia Beach. Free. Visit tinyurl.com/pungosmashfest.
First Sunday Reggae Brunch. Noon to 4 p.m. July 3. Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House, 313 32nd St., Virginia Beach. Free. Visit tinyurl.com/firstsundayreggaebrunch.
White and Bright Colors Brunch & Day Party. Noon to 6 p.m. July 3. Chinese Community Association of Hampton Roads, 722 Newtown Road, Virginia Beach. Tickets $25, $100 and $350. Visit tinyurl.com/whitebrightcolorsbrunch.
Sunday Funday Bucket Fest. 5 to 10 p.m. July 3. Fired Up Bar and Bistro, 1715 Harpers Road, Virginia Beach. Free. Visit tinyurl.com/sundayfundaybucketfest.
The 38th annual Independence Day 5K. 7:30 a.m. July 4. Supports the YMCA’s giving campaign, which provides financial assistance for summer camp, child care, health and wellness programs, and other activities. Registration is $40 through July 2. Mount Trashmore Family YMCA, 4441 South Blvd. Visit tinyurl.com/YMCAJuly4run.
Mount Trashmore 4th of July Celebration. 6 p.m. July 4. Food vendors and live music from Vinyl Headlights. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. Parking is $10, cash only. 300 Edwin Drive. Visit vbgov.com.
Stars and Stripes Celebration at the Oceanfront. 7 p.m. July 4. Live performances: Chester B’s Motown Review, 7 to 10 at 17th Street Park; Tidewater Winds Concert Band, 7:30 to 9:30 at 24th Street Park; Right On, 7 to 11 at 31st Street Park. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free. Visit beacheventsvb.com.
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North Carolina
Independence Day First Friday Artwalk. 4 p.m. July 1. Artwork, artist demos, live music and food trucks along the waterfront. Children’s activities, such as face painting and magicians. Fireworks at 9. Free. 200 S. Water St. Visit visitelizabethcity.com.
Pig Pickin’ & Backyard Bash. 4 to 10 p.m. July 3. Blue Crab Tavern, 1180 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Free. Visit seabbaticals.com/smoke-on-the-water.
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Suffolk
Stars and Stripes Spectacular. 5:30 p.m. July 4. Entertainment, children’s activities, vendors and food. The Fuzz Band will play at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9. Free. Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina, 100 E. Constance Road. Shuttle parking only, at 237 N. Main St.; 442 W. Washington St.; and 150 N. Main St. Visit suffolkva.us.
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Isle of Wight, Smithfield
Smithfield fireworks. 9:30 p.m. July 1. Fireworks launch from Clontz Park downtown. Free. Many downtown shops and restaurants open till 7 or later. Visit genuinesmithfieldva.com.
Independence Day Celebration. 4:30 p.m. July 3. Food vendors and live music. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. Heritage Park Fairgrounds, 21311 Courthouse Highway, Windsor. Visit genuinesmithfieldva.com.
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Newport News
Spirit of America, laser show featuring America-inspired music from a playlist of nationally known artists. 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. July 1 to 4 then hourly shows between 5 and 8 p.m. July 4 in the Abbitt Planetarium, Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News. $5-$8. For details, visit thevlm.org.
4th of July Stars in the Sky. 7 to 9:15 p.m. July 4. Face painting and inflatables for children; food vendors; and live music from the Air Force Heritage of America Band Full Spectrum and others. Fireworks at 9. Free. Victory Landing Park, 50 26th St. Visit newport-news.org.
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Hampton
Pick up handmade items at the Star-Spangled Makers Market. Browse and shop over 30 vendors. Grab a snack from one of the food trucks. Chase it with a swig of cider. Listen to live music before heading home. Noon to 5 p.m. July 2. Sly Clyde Ciderworks, 207 East Mellen St., Hampton. Free. Visit tinyurl.com/starspangledmakersmarket.
Clubtails Race Night. 7 to 10:30 p.m. July 2. Larry King Law’s Langley Speedway. Races followed by fireworks. $15, ages 13 and up; $13, 65 and older; $7, kids 6 through 12; free for those 5 and younger. 1 Dale Lemonds Drive. Visit langley-speedway.com.
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Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg. 7:30 p.m. July 1 through 3. Musical performances: Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Palace Green, July 1; Virginia Arts Festival Big Band featuring Sharón Clark on the lawn of the Art Museums, July 2; U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band on the lawn of the Art Museums, July 3. July 4 celebrations begin at 9:30 a.m. Music and entertainment, special performances throughout the day. The Lights of Freedom featuring the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks at the Governor’s Palace at 9:30 p.m. Free. Visit colonialwilliamsburg.org.
Dine out at the Shield’s Tavern Independence Day Buffet. It includes fare such as Virginia peanut soup, deviled egg potato salad, Southern fried chicken, smoked baked beans, peach pie and more. Make it a family affair. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. Shield’s Tavern inside Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, 422 East Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg. Tickets $65 adults, $33 children ages 3 to 10. Visit tinyurl.com/independencedaybuffet.
Busch Gardens Summer Celebration. Military Appreciation Week runs through July 4. Patriotic decor, fireworks each night at 9:30, up-close views of military vehicles, specialty merchandise. A cappella group Duwendé from “America’s Got Talent” performs daily through July 3; Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses tribute bands, 7 p.m. July 2. Through July 4, Busch Gardens is offering discounts on membership plans and tickets. Visit buschgardens.com.
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Yorktown
Yorktown’s 43rd Independence Day Celebration. 9 a.m. July 4. Begins at Water and Main streets with a parade and music by DJ Ben Herrick. Other activities begin at 1 p.m., including outdoor games and a hot dog eating contest. Evening event parking opens at 4 p.m. at Yorktown Battlefield, 1000 Colonial Parkway. Parking closes when full. More activities and music begin at 7 p.m. at River Landing, 331 Water St. Fireworks at 9:15. Free. The Yorktown Independence Day 8K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. July 4. Registration is $40. Visit visityorktown.org.
Liberty Celebration at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. Historical reenactments, artillery demonstrations, live music, entertainment and historical food. $18, adults; $9, kids ages 6 through 12; free for kids 5 and younger. 200 Water St. Visit jyfmuseums.org.
Rekaya Gibson, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com, 757-295-8809; on Twitter @gibsonrekaya
Reach Logan Soter-Reardon at LoganReardonMedia@gmail.com
