Fourth of July in Phoenix: Watch fireworks from Steele Indian School Park
Visitors flocked to Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix for food, games, and fireworks for the Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration on July 4, 2024.
The Republic
- Numerous cities across metro Phoenix are hosting Fourth of July fireworks.
- Events include live music, entertainment, food and activities for all ages.
- Here’s where to see fireworks in Anthem, Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Maricopa, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tempe and Scottsdale.
What makes up a perfect Fourth of July? Is it downing as many hot dogs as your heart desires? Is it going to a pool party or taking a float with friends down the Salt River?
But no matter how you celebrate Independence Day, the night is all about the fireworks.
Across metro Phoenix, communities from Anthem to Glendale to Tempe to Gilbert will host an array of Fourth of July parties complete with live music, entertainment, food, games and activities for all ages. And all of them will end in a big, bold fireworks display.
However, keep an eye on weather conditions. Rain, high winds or excessive fire hazards could cancel any plans for fireworks to light up the sky, so check your destination’s website and social media pages to stay up to date.
Anthem: Independence Day Celebration
Anthem’s Independence Day celebration will have water slides, a beer garden, petting zoo, DJ, entertainers including stilt walkers and jugglers, glitter and henna tattoo stations and a huge fireworks finale, fire conditions permitting. Bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy the fireworks show. Food vendors include barbecue, ice cream, wood-fired pizza and more. Parking and admission are free.
Details: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3. Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Phoenix. Free. onlineatanthem.com.
Apache Junction: Independence Day Celebration
Apache Junction’s Independence Day celebration will kick off with a volleyball tournament at the Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center at 8 a.m. and open swim from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The main event starts at 6 p.m. at Superstition Shadows Park, where there will be live music, game booths, activities for kids and food vendors. Weather permitting, the fireworks display will happen at 8:30 p.m.
Details: 6 p.m. Friday, July 4. Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction. Free. 480-983-2181, apachejunctionaz.gov.
Avondale: Light Up the Sky Independence Day Celebration
Avondale will host its July 4 event at Phoenix Raceway where attendees can tailgate with friends and family, enjoy a variety of food trucks, exhibitors, games and live music before the big fireworks show at 8:25 p.m.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale. Free. 623-333-2400, avondaleaz.gov.
Buckeye: Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate the Fourth of July 2024 tailgate-style at the Buckeye Airport. Pack a blanket and chairs to enjoy an evening of fun and fireworks. Bring some yard or card games, and don’t forget water to stay hydrated. There will be food trucks and live entertainment that will end with a fireworks show, weather permitting, at 8:30 p.m.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Buckeye Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road. Free. 623-349-6364, buckeyeaz.gov.
Chandler: All-American Bash
Grab a blanket, chairs, snacks, coolers and nonalcoholic beverages and head to downtown Chandler to celebrate Independence Day with live music, yard games, kids activities, food vendors and more. Fireworks will go off at 8:15 p.m.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free. chandleraz.gov.
Fountain Hills: Fourth at the Fountain
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Fountain Park with live music from Rock Lobster and a big fireworks show, weather permitting, as the finale.
Bring chairs, blankets and picnic baskets or enjoy treats from the food vendors on site. The music will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the fireworks taking place at 9 p.m.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. experiencefountainhills.org.
Gilbert: 4th of July Celebration
Go to Gilbert Regional Park to enjoy performances from cover rock band NineBall and a drone show before the fireworks.
General admission is free; parking is $15 per car, credit or debit card only. Upgrade to the VIP experience for $30 each (children ages 2 and under are free), which includes premier lawn seating, exclusive food and drink options, luxury restrooms and more.
Details: 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. Free; parking is $15 per car, VIP tickets are $30 per person, free for children 2 and younger. gilbertaz.gov.
Glendale: Westgate Entertainment District Firework Fest
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Westgate Entertainment District’s Firework Fest, where there will be free face painting, balloon twisting, classically restored firetrucks, a splash zone, beer garden, games, live music and more.
Make a reservation at one of the many restaurants in the district to enjoy food, drinks and games while waiting for the fireworks at 9 p.m.
Parking is free but space is limited so car pool or rideshare if possible.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale. Free. westgateaz.com/event/america.
Goodyear: Star Spangled Fourth
Goodyear is celebrating Independence Day at Goodyear Ballpark with food trucks, live music and family fun complete with a drone show and of course, fireworks.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. Free. goodyearaz.gov.
Maricopa: Great American 4th
Maricopa’s Great American 4th celebration has family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food and fireworks, weather permitting, at Copper Sky Regional Park.
You can kick off the fun at 6 p.m. with a pool party at the Copper Sky Aquatics Center, with the rest of the festivities starting place at 7 p.m. There will be a beer garden, food trucks, live music, water slides and more.
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Copper Sky Regional Park, 44345 West MLK Jr. Blvd., Maricopa. Fireworks are free. Pool party costs $10 for Copper Sky members, $20 for nonmembers, free for age 3 and younger. maricopa-az.gov.
Mesa: Arizona Celebration of Freedom
Head to downtown Mesa for a Fourth of July party with live music, history reenactments, superhero stunt show and picnic games that will end with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Relax on the grass, play yard games while tailgating, enjoy a carnival-style kid zone and an array of food and drinks plus beer tents for the adults. Bring empty water bottles to refill at water stations inside, plus blankets, chairs, coolers, nonalcoholic unopened drinks and food.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. Free. azcelebrationoffreedom.com.
Peoria: All-American Festival
If you’re looking for classic backyard barbecue vibes, Peoria’s All-American Festival might be the Fourth of July celebration for you.
Taking place at the Peoria Sports Complex, the day kicks off with a free Women’s Premier League soccer match. Next there will be live music, games, BMX performances, food and beverage vendors, a sensory room in the Visitors Clubhouse and fireworks to end the evening.
General admission is free. A VIP option includes an indoor air-conditioned space alongside the stadium field, a private patio with seating, complementary meal, snacks and drinks, a private bar and restrooms.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. Free; VIP is $45 for age 3 and older. peoriaaz.gov.
Phoenix: Fabulous Phoenix 4th
The Fabulous Phoenix 4th is returning to Steele Indian School Park with rides and inflatables, food and drinks, arts and crafts and of course a fireworks show, weather permitting.
This event is free for everyone, and guests are encouraged to bring lots of cold water and something to shield you from the sun. Coolers with snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are permitted. There is no vehicle entrance and no public parking at the park.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. phoenix.gov.
Surprise: Independence Day Celebration
Surprise’s Independence Day fireworks will go off, weather permitting, at 8:45 p.m. and can be viewed from two locations.
You can see them from Surprise Community Park, where there will be live entertainment and food trucks from 6-9 p.m., and from Mark Coronado Park, on the west side of Bullard Avenue.
Details: Friday, July 4. Surprise Community Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov.
Tempe: 4th of July Celebration
Tempe’s Fourth of July bash is at Tempe Diablo Stadium. There will be games, activities, live music, food and more. The evening will end with a drone show and a fireworks display. Purchase tickets online in advance to save money. Prices at the gate will be higher.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive. $10 online in advance, $15 at the gate, free for children 12 and under. tempe4th.com.
Scottsdale: 4th of July Celebration at WestWorld
If bull riding, a slider eating contest, musical chairs, cake walks and a barbecue sound like fun, then the Fourth of July celebration at WestWorld of Scottsdale is your place. This is the only Independence Day celebration held mostly indoors, which is a huge plus in this heat.
Tickets to the indoor barbecue include access to the North Hall and Rodeo Arena, all-you-can-eat buffet, entertainment and premium fireworks viewing area. Cost is $50 per person, $30 for ages 5-10, free for age 4 and younger.
Don’t want the barbecue? Indoor access is $25 for everyone 5 and older and includes access to the North Hall and Rodeo Arena, food available for purchase, entertainment and premium fireworks viewing area.
Parking for both of those options is $20 per vehicle.
If you just want to watch some fireworks from the comfort of your car, you can purchase parking access for $20 per carload.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. From $20. scottsdale4th.com.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: July Freedom Fest
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess presents its 15th annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest for resort guests, with daily fireworks and entertainment July 3-5, including concerts featuring PopROCKS band and Al Paris & The Heartbreakers.
Details: July 3-5. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.
Meredith G. White covers entertainment, art and culture for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She writes the latest news about video games, television and best things to do in metro Phoenix.