For many boaters across the country, there’s no better way to celebrate America’s independence than by watching fireworks and they are always much better when you enjoy them with friends and family aboard your boat. Displays of pyrotechnics are always great, but they seem that much better when you enjoy them with friends and family aboard your boat.
What follows is a breakdown of some of the best locations across the United States to enjoy 4th of July celebrations aboard your boat. The locations are provided by region—a high-level description of the events and schedule is listed for each. Following the locations, please find a few pointers on what to bring and some things to consider as you prepare for the occasion.
North
The Charles River Esplanade
Boston, Massachusetts
The Charles River Esplanade serves as the setting for the annual 4th of July Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary since fireworks were introduced to the event.
The show is open to the public, admittance is first come, first served. The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade is home to the event.
The festivities start at 8:00 pm and include a concert headlined by Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara with performances by the Mavericks, Darlene Love, and the Singing Sergeants of the United States Air Force Band. The Boston Pops (the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s esteemed group) will perform patriotic favorites that culminate in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
Immediately following the orchestra’s performance there will be a fireworks display over the Charles River. The fireworks are scheduled to start at 10:30. For more on the event, check out the Boston Pops website.
West
Marina Del Rey, California
Southern California’s waterfront is home to many great experiences. Marina Del Rey hosts a fireworks display that begins at 9:00.
The fireworks will be deployed from a barge off of the marina’s south jetty. The show will last approximately 20 minutes and you can see the action from virtually anywhere in Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Dockweiler Beach or the area surrounding Venice Pier.
If you’re going to take in the show, plan for traffic. Marina del Rey’s website suggests that you arrive as early as 1:00 pm to give yourself time to navigate the number of visitors and the road closures associated with the event. For more on the fireworks display in Marina del Rey, visit check out the city’s webpage.
South
Go 4th on The River: Fireworks on New Orleans’ Historic Riverfront
The City of New Orleans hosts a fireworks display along the historic New Orleans Riverfront. The fireworks start at 9:00 and will be deployed between Gov. Nichols St. Wharf and the Canal St. Dock. The show can be viewed from both sides of the river and by boat.
If you arrive earlier in the day, you can enjoy the Crescent City’s trademark take on hospitality. The riverfront is home to a variety of great family and tourist experiences. These include the Audubon Aquarium, the Audubon Insectarium, Canal Place, the French Market, the Riverwalk outlets, the Riverboat Creole Queen and the Steamboat Natchez.
For more details on the event, check out this webpage.
East
The Potomac River, Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC offers an incredible variety of fireworks viewing options. The National Park Service hosts its annual Independence Day celebration with a fireworks show is the National Mall. Experiencing patriotic displays against a backdrop of national monuments underscores the reason for the celebration.
Washington, DC’s tourism board provides some great resources for how and where to view the festivities. This article underscores the variety of viewing options for the land-based viewer. It also provides some great options for places to stay if you are visiting DC with your boat.
The fireworks run from 9:09 to 9:27. The festivities, however, run all day on July 4th. From 11:45 to 2 pm visitors can enjoy the National Independence Day Parade. From 1:00 to 8:00, there will be a family activity area at the southeast grounds of the Washington Monument. From 8:00 to 9:30 there’s a concert on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol.
For a full breakdown of the fireworks and all of the festivities, visit this webpage.
Watching Fireworks by Boat: A Checklist
No matter where you plan to watch the show, there are a few things to consider.
1.Plan for crowds and for the possibility that you’ll be out late. Fireworks shows can get crowded. This means that the ramp might take a while and that you be out later than you planned. If you’re watching it with young children, bring blankets and pillows. If they get tired and need a nap, this will come in handy.
2.Check Your Navigation (and other) Lights. Before heading out onto the water in a crowded space, make sure that your navigation and other lights are working properly. This will keep you safe (and in compliance with boating ordinances).
3.Bring Dinner and Drinks. Plan ahead. If you’re going to a crowded place, your normal waterfront dining options might be packed. Bring plenty of food and drinks, just in case
Back to Blue Life
What follows is a breakdown of some of the best locations across the United States to enjoy 4th of July celebrations aboard your boat. The locations are provided by region—a high-level description of the events and schedule is listed for each. Following the locations, please find a few pointers on what to bring and some things to consider as you prepare for the occasion.
North
The Charles River Esplanade
Boston, Massachusetts
The Charles River Esplanade serves as the setting for the annual 4th of July Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary since fireworks were introduced to the event.
The show is open to the public, admittance is first come, first served. The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade is home to the event.
The festivities start at 8:00 pm and include a concert headlined by Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara with performances by the Mavericks, Darlene Love, and the Singing Sergeants of the United States Air Force Band. The Boston Pops (the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s esteemed group) will perform patriotic favorites that culminate in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
Immediately following the orchestra’s performance there will be a fireworks display over the Charles River. The fireworks are scheduled to start at 10:30. For more on the event, check out the Boston Pops website.
West
Marina Del Rey, California
Southern California’s waterfront is home to many great experiences. Marina Del Rey hosts a fireworks display that begins at 9:00.
The fireworks will be deployed from a barge off of the marina’s south jetty. The show will last approximately 20 minutes and you can see the action from virtually anywhere in Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Dockweiler Beach or the area surrounding Venice Pier.
If you’re going to take in the show, plan for traffic. Marina del Rey’s website suggests that you arrive as early as 1:00 pm to give yourself time to navigate the number of visitors and the road closures associated with the event. For more on the fireworks display in Marina del Rey, visit check out the city’s webpage.
South
Go 4th on The River: Fireworks on New Orleans’ Historic Riverfront
The City of New Orleans hosts a fireworks display along the historic New Orleans Riverfront. The fireworks start at 9:00 and will be deployed between Gov. Nichols St. Wharf and the Canal St. Dock. The show can be viewed from both sides of the river and by boat.
If you arrive earlier in the day, you can enjoy the Crescent City’s trademark take on hospitality. The riverfront is home to a variety of great family and tourist experiences. These include the Audubon Aquarium, the Audubon Insectarium, Canal Place, the French Market, the Riverwalk outlets, the Riverboat Creole Queen and the Steamboat Natchez.
For more details on the event, check out this webpage.
East
The Potomac River, Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC offers an incredible variety of fireworks viewing options. The National Park Service hosts its annual Independence Day celebration with a fireworks show is the National Mall. Experiencing patriotic displays against a backdrop of national monuments underscores the reason for the celebration.
Washington, DC’s tourism board provides some great resources for how and where to view the festivities. This article underscores the variety of viewing options for the land-based viewer. It also provides some great options for places to stay if you are visiting DC with your boat.
The fireworks run from 9:09 to 9:27. The festivities, however, run all day on July 4th. From 11:45 to 2 pm visitors can enjoy the National Independence Day Parade. From 1:00 to 8:00, there will be a family activity area at the southeast grounds of the Washington Monument. From 8:00 to 9:30 there’s a concert on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol.
For a full breakdown of the fireworks and all of the festivities, visit this webpage.
Watching Fireworks by Boat: A Checklist
No matter where you plan to watch the show, there are a few things to consider.
1.Plan for crowds and for the possibility that you’ll be out late. Fireworks shows can get crowded. This means that the ramp might take a while and that you be out later than you planned. If you’re watching it with young children, bring blankets and pillows. If they get tired and need a nap, this will come in handy.
2.Check Your Navigation (and other) Lights. Before heading out onto the water in a crowded space, make sure that your navigation and other lights are working properly. This will keep you safe (and in compliance with boating ordinances).
3.Bring Dinner and Drinks. Plan ahead. If you’re going to a crowded place, your normal waterfront dining options might be packed. Bring plenty of food and drinks, just in case
Back to Blue Life
