4th of July Celebrations in Massachusetts - Fireworks in Boston and Beyond

Fingers crossed that the rain will end in time to celebrate the Fourth of July in Massachusetts. Whether you want to join the big party on the Boston Esplanade or would rather stay closer to home, there are plenty of Independence Day celebrations around Boston.

Boston 4th of July Fireworks and the Boston Pops

This year marks the 36th annual Boston Pops 4th of July concert and fireworks at the Hatch Shell alongside the Charles River in Boston. People make a party of the day and arrive early to get a good spot.

The Oval, the restricted area for seating, opens at 9 am on July 4th. The concert with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops begins at 8:30 pm. The fireworks show starts at 10:30 pm and lasts until 11 pm.

Cambridge doesn't have its own fireworks display but offers prime viewing for the Esplanade fireworks. People line the bank of the Charles River between the Harvard Bridge at Mass Avenue and the Longfellow Bridge. If you can snag a spot on the bridge itself you'll have an excellent view. Food concessions and restrooms will be available on the Cambridge side of the Charles.

While we're all sure the skies will clear by Saturday, if the fireworks are rained out on the 4th, the fireworks, but not the concert, will be rescheduled for 9:30 pm on Sunday, July 5th, weather permitting.

Friday Night Fireworks in Lexington MA

Start the fireworks early in Lexington, Massachusetts at the Lions Club Carnival. The Carnival is the Lions Club annual fundraiser and will be open on Friday, July 3, 2009 from 1 pm to 11 pm with the fireworks scheduled to go off after sunset.

The carnival is being held at the Lexington High School in the Waltham Street parking lot behind the high school.

The carnival is scheduled for:

• 6 - 11 pm on Thursday, July 2nd
• 1 - 11 pm on Friday, July 3rd
• 1 - 11 pm on Saturday, July 4th
• 1 - 7 pm on Sunday, July 5th

4th of July Family Fun and Fireworks in Waltham Massachusetts

Bring the kids to Prospect Hill Park in Waltham on Saturday, July 4, from 10 am to 2 pm. There'll be food, drinks, pony rides, animal shows, free children's rides, music and more. Prospect Hill Park is at 314 Totten Pond Road in Waltham.

Continue the party at Leary Field from 5:30 to 9:30 pm on July 4th with a concert with the Reminicents at Leary Field off Bacon Street. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 pm.

4th of July Kids' Fun and Fireworks in Newton MA

Newton celebrates the Fourth of July at the Newton Centre Playground with fun activities for kids from 10 am to noon. There'll be a Pet Parade, a Teddy Bear Parade, a Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Foot Races, and free ice cream.

The party continues at the Russel J. Halloran Field and Sports Complex at 250 Albemarle Road in Newtonville. From 11 am to 10 pm there'll be an open air market, crafts for sale, recorded music for dancing, food concessions and amusement rides. The fireworks are scheduled for 9 pm.

4th of July Celebrations in Arlington MA

Fourth of July festivities in Arlington will be held at Robbins Farm Park (aka Skyline Park) from 7 pm to 11 pm on July 4, 2009. The park is at at 1 Eastern Avenue. There'll be refreshments, musical entertainment by the John Penny Band, and a broadcast of the Boston Pops Concert and fireworks on a giant screen.

Somerville Fireworks Rescheduled

The fireworks in Somerville MA were scheduled for tonight but were postponed because of rain. Next Thursday, July 9, 2009 catch a concert by the Somerville Sunsetters followed by fireworks at Trum Field. Trum Field is on Broadway between Magoun and Ball Squares.

A week of fun and fireworks - what could be better? Happy Birthday America!