Anyone else as excited for fireworks as we are? Whether you want to watch them from your back porch or gather your blankets and lawn chairs and head downtown, we have all things 4th of July for you in one place to make your holiday weekend one your family will always remember.
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Fireworks are like pure magic in the sky, and Pittsburgh knows how to put on a spectacular show! The City of Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration returns to not only the Point this year, but is expanding to Liberty Avenue and the North Shore. Before you pack up your little ones for an evening of oohs and aahs, there are a few things you gotta know to make it a safe and awesome experience for the whole family. Macaroni KID has got your back with some cool tips on what parents need to know before taking their kids to see fireworks in Pittsburgh.
- Pick the Perfect Spot: Pittsburgh has loads of great spots to catch those bursting fireworks. Whether it's Point State Park, Hartwood Acres, or a local shindig, choose a spot that's comfy and safe for your fam (our favorite spot is the Station Square parking lot). Look out for things like restrooms, parking, and seating arrangements. Get there early to snag a sweet spot and dodge any last-minute craziness.
- Know Where to Find the Family-Friendly Events: Enjoy a family-style picnic at historic Point State Park, complete with patriotic music and food vendors from 4 to 10 pm. The City of Pittsburgh will have family-friendly activities including face painters, caricature artists, a holiday-themed photo booth, line dancing, a hot-air balloon, and more. Impress your kiddos by bringing a portable speaker and at 9:35 tune in to 100.1 FM KDKA for a live broadcast of a 25-minute fireworks soundtrack from TJ the DJ paying tribute to Independence Day.
- Noise and Safety Smarts: Fireworks can be loud, and some kiddos might find it a bit overwhelming. Be a superhero and pack noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to protect those tiny ears. Also, make sure to keep a safe distance from where the fireworks are popping off to avoid any unexpected surprises. Stick to the safety rules and listen to what the event organizers say. Don't forget to stop at the Sensory Tent located at Point State Park.
- Brace for the Crowds: Pittsburgh fireworks are a magnet for crowds, so prep your mini squad for the swarm. Have a little pow-wow about crowd etiquette, like sticking close to you, no pushing or shoving, and respecting other people's space. Keep a tight grip on those tiny hands, and make sure the older kiddos know it's all about sticking together as a team.
- Pack the Essentials: Don't forget to stash some must-haves in a bag for the evening. Pack yummy snacks, water to stay hydrated, bug spray to fend off the critters, sunscreen for those sensitive kiddo skins, and a blanket or chairs to get cozy. Dress the kiddos in comfy clothes suitable for the weather, and toss in an extra layer in case the temperature drops as the night goes on. You might even want to dress the kiddos in pjs for that quick transfer to bed on this late night. Being prepared will make the night go smooth like butter.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Before the big fireworks extravaganza, have a little chat with the kiddos about what to expect. Give 'em a heads up that the fireworks will be loud, bright, and maybe even a bit surprising. Let 'em know how long the show will be, that there might be some waiting involved, and that things could change due to weather. Setting the stage helps manage any potential meltdowns or "Are we there yet?" moments.
- Make a Smooth Exit Plan: When the grand finale hits, it's exit time, and things can get cray-cray as everyone scrambles for their cars or the nearest bus. Don't get caught in the chaos! Plan your escape strategy ahead of time. Hang out for a few minutes after the show to let the crowd thin out, or explore nearby attractions until things chill out a bit. If you're watching from Mt. Washington, walk over to DiFiore's for an ice cream cone to cool down before you bounce. Beat the rush like a boss.
- Watch from Home: The day’s main attraction, the spectacular Independence Day Fireworks, will begin at 9:35pm. If being out late on the 4th of July just doesn't fit into the cards this year, families can still watch the celebration from home live on WPXI-TV.
EVENT SCHEDULE |
FORT PITT MUSEUM'S "FOURTH AT THE FORT" ACTIVITIES
1 pm FLAG RAISING at the Fort Pitt Block House yard presented by Fort Pitt Museum in partnership with Pittsburgh Chapter of National Society of Daughters of American Revolution
1 – 4 pm Fourth at the Fort - Fort Pitt Museum Family Activities
CITY OF PITTSBURGH INDEPENDENCE DAY ACTIVITIES
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The City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration will feature free family activities, music, food and entertainment in Point State Park, Liberty Avenue and North Shore.
Kicking off at 4:00 pm downtown, activities will include the Clearview Family Fun Zone, Trulieve Veterans Wellness Corner and non-stop musical entertainment on the main stage in Point State Park in addition to the Peoples Food Truck Corral and Sargent Electric Solar Stage along Liberty Avenue. Across the river on the North Shore, a Fireside DJ will entertain on the PNC Great Lawn, the location of the RE/MAX hot air balloon and a variety of food concessionaires.
The day’s main attraction, the spectacular Independence Day Fireworks, will begin at 9:35pm. Tune in to 100.1 FM KDKA for a live broadcast of a 25-minute fireworks soundtrack from TJ the DJ paying tribute to Independence Day. Viewers can watch the celebration from home live on WPXI-TV.
Find a social story HERE to help prepare for the big day courtesy of KultureCity.
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If your family plans to head downtown
be sure to check out more information here.
Looking for more options? Check out below ⤵️
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More FIREWORKS and FUN around Pittsburgh |
Carnegie Science Center
July 4th: Explosive Science
When: June 4th 6 - 11PM
What: Secure the perfect view of Pittsburgh’s beautiful fireworks in an explosively fun way and get guaranteed parking in one of the Science Center’s lots. All tickets include a reserved viewing area, a movie and popcorn in The Rangos Giant Cinema, live entertainment, a cash bar, four floors of exhibits, and live theater shows.
All the details
Gateway Clipper
July 4th Fireworks Cruise & Tour
When: July 4th, 9 - 10PM
What: Celebrate 4th of July on the Three Rivers! See the spectacular Pittsburgh Fourth of July Fireworks aboard one of the Gateway Clipper's riverboat! Sit back, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of July 4th on the Three Rivers!
https://www.gatewayclipper.com/holiday-cruises/fourth-of-july-fireworks/
Mt. Washington
Stars & Stripes on Shiloh
When: July 4th, 4 - 8PM
What: Walk along Shiloh to enjoy eats and drinks from local bars and restaurants, live music curated by Keystone Artist Connect, art vendors, face painting, caricature artists, and more! Stick around to enjoy the fireworks with from the Mountt!
https://mwcdc.org/picnic-on-the-mt/
Lawrenceville
78th Annual Lawrenceville Independence Day Celebration
When: June 29th, 11AM - 10PM
What: A day of festivities, including kids activities and performances, baseball/softball games, food vendors, a live band, and world-class Zambelli fireworks at night! (Fireworks will launch from the tennis courts)
Allentown
Big Blast at Grandview
When: 3 - 9:30PM
What: Live music, food, drinks, yard games, a hot dog eating contest, an unbelievable fireworks view, and more - all for FREE at the bandshell in Grandview Park!
https://app.opendate.io/e/big-blast-at-grandview-july-04-2024-537982
Kennywood Park
Celebrate America & Fireworks
When: July 4 - 5
What: Kennywood’s Independence Day activities burst with fireworks, patriotic entertainment, and the always-popular Wiener 100 dachshund races.
More Info Here!
Idlewild and Soak Zone
Idlewild and Soak Zone will have a special fireworks display on July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
Butler
The Big Butler Fair & Fireworks
When: June 28th - July 6th Fireworks on July 4th
Where: Big Butler Fair, Prospect
https://www.bigbutlerfair.com/fair-schedule
***Bookmark this page as we will update it with new happenings frequently***
Is your business hosting a 4th of July Celebration, Fireworks display, Community Day or Family Festivity?
Please submit your event HERE, so we can include it in our Event Calendar!
