WILLIAMSBURG – From awe-inspiring fireworks and drone shows to li there will be no shortage of ways to commemorate the momentous 250th anniversary of the United States this week.

Festivities are planned throughout the region, with Williamsburg, Yorktown, Hampton and Newport News all hosting large-scale events.

Below is our annual guide to July 4 fireworks and Independence Day celebrations across the Peninsula.

(Note: There will be no newsletter on July 3 or 4 due to the holiday, but The Triangle will be on site at Colonial Williamsburg with additional coverage of the sights and sounds of the 250th celebrations.)

WILLIAMSBURG

Colonial Williamsburg

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is going all out to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation on the very grounds where the revolution was ignited.

Four days of patriotic programming will be offered, July 2 through 5, kicking off with The Great American Dance Party on Thursday.

Up to 75,000 guests are expected to fill the Historic Area in what is anticipated to be one of the largest events in Colonial Williamsburg’s 100-year history.

While the Foundation usually hosts a full lineup of patriotic programming on July 4, this year’s celebration will be particularly grandiose in light of the semiquincentennial.

As previously reported by The Triangle, PBS will shine a spotlight on Williamsburg with a nationally televised program, “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. 

Those who are not up to braving the crowds or the heat can watch the special from home by tuning into PBS on any traditional cable provider, or on a streaming TV service such as YouTube TV or Hulu Live. The special will also air on PBS.org and on the PBS app. 

After July 4, the live broadcast will be archived and can be viewed at any time on the PBS YouTube channel and the VA250 website.

Festivities this year will include a day of family-friendly, patriotic activities, dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence, a pre-show event and two hours of special programming – including celebrity guest appearances, a drone show and an especially spectacular fireworks display – for the PBS broadcast.

Performances will feature Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, the Virginia Chorale and the Fifes & Drums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Some events taking place during the day throughout the Historic Area are free and open to the public. Others require admission, but will be free for all who reserve complimentary single-day tickets, valid on July 4. Tickets are not required for the main evening program. 

July is typically hot and humid in Williamsburg, but conditions could be more uncomfortable than usual this year, with heat indices expected to reach 105+ on Saturday. 

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is addressing the anticipated extreme heat by installing air-conditioned tents in several Historic Area locations. Water bottle refills will also be available.

SCHEDULE

JULY 3

6 – 7:30 p.m.: Alison Brown Quintet 

Merchants Square

The Grammy Award-winning Alison Brown Quintet will perform bluegrass, jazz and contemporary instrumental hits in the heart of Merchants Square on the eve of our celebration of American independence. The concert is free and open to the public.

8 – 9 p.m.: Nathan Kyle Lively-Greyling

Bruton Parish Church

Nathan Kyle Lively-Greyling from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stamford, CT, is set to present “American Voices in Hymn, Song, and Spirit” at Bruton Parish Church following the Merchant’s Square Concert. The recital is free and open to the public; donations are gratefully accepted.

JULY 4

9:30 a.m.: Declaration of Independence Reading

Capitol Circle

Hear the powerful words of liberty echo once more as Thomas Jefferson delivers the Declaration of Independence from the Capitol balcony. 

10:30 a.m.: Salute to the States

Military Encampment

March to the beat of history with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and Virginia State Garrison Regiment in a salute to the original 13 states.

11:30 a.m.: Freedom and the Fog of War 

Military Encampment

Attend a special demonstration of the weapons, tactics, and discipline of Virginia soldiers. Riflemen of the 7th Virginia Regiment, along with other Continentals, and accompanied by Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, will exercise and train in the shadow of the Powder Magazine. 

12 p.m.: Williamsburg Declares

In front of Raleigh Tavern

Explore how Williamsburg played a vital role in the run-up to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. 

11 a.m.: Virginia Declaration of Rights 

Hennage Auditorium

Learn about the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which established a framework for protecting individual liberties and limited government power.

2 p.m.: July 4 Week Pursuing Happiness 

Hennage Auditorium

Witness a series of imagined conversations between Thomas Jefferson, John Locke and King George III to discover the ghosts behind Jefferson’s drafts of the Declaration of Independence. This event will also be offered on July 2 & 3. An admission ticket, free on July 4, is required. 

4 p.m.: Beat the Retreat: Marching to a New Nation

In this interactive program, guests will stand alongside Virginia’s revolutionary soldiers, marching together towards a new nation. 

4:30 p.m.: 1776: The Trial for Independence

A fair trial is an inestimable British right. Become a witness as Independence itself is placed on trial and Virginia, with one vote, decides the fate of the country. 

5:30 p.m.: July 4 Pre-Show
Palace Green

Attend a pre-broadcast program celebrating Virginia’s central role in the American story. There will be live music by Sam Rucker and his jazz ensemble, reflections on Virginia’s contributions to the nation and remarks from distinguished guests. 

8 p.m.: America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together
Market Square North/Palace Green

Enjoy a star-filled tribute to America’s 250th anniversary in partnership with VA250 in the heart of the city where the idea of a new nation began. Special guests will include legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins, renowned filmmaker Ken Burns and award-winning actor Richard Thomas.

The grand finale features a dazzling drone show with a patriotic score recorded by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, followed by the largest display of fireworks in The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s history at 9:35 p.m. 

For a full list of Colonial Williamsburg’s scheduled July 4 programming, including activities for children, visit colonialwilliamsburg.org.

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

Parking & Transportation: Parking is available at the Visitor Center, but capacity is limited. Additional parking will be offered at William & Mary’s Zable Stadium, located at 100 Stadium Drive, and the Kaplan Arena, located at 751 Ukrop Way. 

Free overflow parking will also be available this year at the Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway. Complimentary shuttles will transport guests to and from the Historic Area from noon to 11 p.m. Travel time is about 17 minutes each way.

Special event parking rates will be in effect at the Visitor Center and numerous other locations, with parking fees ranging from $17.76 to $60 per vehicle. 

Additional details about are available at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s July 4 FAQ page.

Heat precautions: There will be cooling tents on the Courthouse Green, next to the Greenhow Lumber Ticket Office and next to the Capitol off of Blaire Street. These tents will be air-conditioned, and the Capitol and Courthouse tents will be equipped with water bottle filling stations.

Weather alerts: To receive weather-related special event information via text, please text the keyword CWEVENTS to 226787. The opt-in will auto-expire at 11:59 PM on July 4, 2026. Weather updates pertaining to the fireworks will also be posted on CW’s social media channels.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens visitors are invited to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary with Americana-inspired entertainment, specialty food and beverages, the Skies of Wonder drone show and a fireworks display on July 4. 

The special programming coincides with Busch Gardens’ Military Appreciation Week, featuring additional discounts and parkwide recognition for those who have served.

YORKTOWN

Riverwalk Landing

Yorktown invites the public to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.

The day-long lineup of events includes a patriotic parade, family games and activities, live music featuring Good Shot Judy and an enhanced fireworks display over the York River.

SCHEDULE

8 a.m.: Run, Walk or Ruck in the Footsteps of Heroes
Yorktown High School

Yorktown will begin a day of patriotic celebrations with the annual run/walk, which commences at 8 a.m. Medals will be distributed to the first 350 registered runners who cross the 8K finish line.

9 a.m.: Patriotic Parade
Water & Main Streets

Coordinated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 824, this year’s Patriotic Parade will feature music provided by DJ Ben Herrick. The parade will follow a route that winds through Water, Ballard and Main Streets.

11 a.m.: 50th Anniversary Concert by The Fifes & Drums of York Town

Victory Monument

The Fifes & Drums of York Town will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their founding with a special, free concert in front of the Victory Monument.

4 p.m.: Evening Event Parking Begins
Yorktown Battlefield

Parking will open for the evening’s events and fireworks at Yorktown Battlefield on the corner of Cook Road & Ballard Street.

6 – 9 p.m.: Family Games & Kids’ activities 
Riverwalk Landing

A variety of family-friendly outdoor games and kids’ activities, provided by the Riverwalk Landing Business Association, will be offered throughout the evening.

6;30 p.m.: The Fifes and Drums of York Town, Reading of the Declaration of Independence and Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing 
Riverwalk Landing Stage

The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform as a prelude to a reflective reading of the Declaration of Independence and the ringing of the Liberty Bell.

 
7:30 p.m.: Good Shot Judy Concert
Riverwalk Landing Stage

Good Shot Judy headlines Yorktown’s July 4 program with a memorable evening of music in the lead-up to fireworks.

9:15 p.m.: Enhanced Fireworks Display
Over York River – visible from Yorktown Waterfront & Victory Monument

The night will conclude with a special celebration honoring America’s semiquincentennial anniversary.

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

Before heading to the festivities, review this important information about traffic alerts, street closures and parking in Yorktown on July 4.

For additional information, including the Yorktown Trolley schedule, road closures, parking guidance and a list of permissible items for this event, see the Independence Day Guide at visityorktown.org.

Event weather updates will be available on the Yorktown Weather Hotline at (757) 890-3520.

Event updates will be available on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram at visityorktown. 

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will host a Liberty Celebration featuring a variety of patriotic activities, interpretive programming and artillery demonstrations on July 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors will learn about the challenges that faced the nation’s founders, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence and those for whom the new nation’s rights of liberty did not yet apply. 

Highlights include open hearth cooking, a marching drill and the Great American 4th of July Sing-Along.

A full schedule of the day’s events is available at jyfmuseums.org.

Residents of Williamsburg, James City County and York County receive free admission with proof of residency.

NEWPORT NEWS

VICTORY LANDING PARK

“Stars in the Sky” returns to Newport News on July 4th from 6 – 9:15 p.m.

This year’s event will feature the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band Full Spectrum. Entertainment will also be provided by DJ Sony Da Goat.

The family-friendly celebration will include a 360 photo booth and photo ops, face painting, strolling patriotic characters and a magician, inflatables, games and free giveaways.

Over a dozen local food trucks will be on site, including Burger Mania, BLZN Tacos, Dough Haus and Kona Ice of Hampton. Due to extreme heat warnings, the schedule of events has been changed. The details posted below reflect the updated schedule.

SCHEDULE

7 p.m.: Gates Open

7 p.m.: Free activities and a performance by Sonny Da Goat.

7:25 p.m.: Welcome from Local Dignitaries

Special remarks will be given by local dignitaries in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary

8 p.m.: DJ Sonny Da Goat

DJ Sonny Da Goat performs.

8:30 p.m.: U.S Air Force Heritage of America Band

The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band Full Spectrum will provide live music beginning at 7 p.m., with an intermission at 7:45 p.m. to include more music from DJ Sony Da Goat. USAF will resume performing at 8:15 p.m., leading up to the fireworks.

9 p.m.: Fireworks over the James River

A spectacular fireworks display will be viewable throughout Victory Landing Park beginning at 9 p.m.

HAMPTON

Downtown Hampton Waterfront

The Downtown Hampton Waterfront will celebrate Independence Day with “Stars Over Hampton” on July 4 from 5 – 10 p.m. The event will include family-friendly activities, free concerts, a patriotic drone show and fireworks. 

SCHEDULE

5 – 6 p.m.: Patrick Luley

Carousel Park Stage

Patrick Luley will perform patriotic music and country classics.

5 to 8 p.m.: Maestro the Cellist

Queen’s Way

An elegant live cello performance featuring Maestro the Cellist will take place on Queens Way, offering a relaxing atmosphere for dining and strolling downtown before the fireworks.

6 – 9 p.m.: Adam Irvin

Millpoint Stage

Adam Irvin will perform a mix of original music and popular covers by the waterfront.

6 – 9 p.m.: The Downtown Band 

Main Stage

The public is invited to enjoy a high-energy show of crowd favorites, sing-alongs and dancing featuring The Downtown Band, based in Nashville, TN.

9:15 p.m.: Patriotic Drone Show & Fireworks

The evening culminates with a grand finale featuring a fireworks display over the Hampton River. A 400-drone show will illuminate the sky with patriotic imagery and iconic local landmarks. 

City of Hampton organizers say the fireworks and drone show, commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary, will create a celebration that “guests of all ages will remember for years to come.”

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

Settlers Landing Road will be closed to vehicular traffic. Bleachers and food vendors will be set up throughout the area. Additional parking and shuttle information is available here.