Massachusetts for the 4th of July!

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

As the birthplace of the American Revolution, it figures that Massachusetts has some of the best 4^th of July celebrations around — endless barbeques, exciting parades, lively festivals, and fireworks aplenty.
So, from Greater Boston to the Berkshires, we’ve put together a list that features a number of those festivities, all of which can be found on massvacation.com/july4!
With the Holiday fast approaching, today on MassFinds, we’ve rounded up a few of Massachusetts’ notable celebrations, along with a quick and easy nod to navigating the state on such a day.
In the Boston area, before you fire up the grill on the 4^th, head down to the Harbor for one of the summer’s premier festivals: Boston Harborfest. With more than 220 events, running the gamut from music to historical reenactments to treasure hunts to chowder, you’ll find it all from July 2 through July 7 at Harborfest. Thanks to reduced fares from the MBTA, you can get there at a bargain price, too.
Also in Boston, you’ll find one of the most iconic Independence Day celebrations in the country; the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a classic American tradition. Keith Lockhart will lead the famed Boston Symphony Orchestra as they perform a free concert in the Hatch Shell next to the Charles River. Renditions of popular patriotic favorites will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display to end Independence Day in style.

Click here for a complete guide to Independence Day Celebrations on the DCR Esplanade.

The Pittsfield 4^th of July Parade has been named by USA Today as one of the ten best Independence Day parades and with good reason! Terrific musical acts, lots of balloons, creative floats and a hometown feel make the Pittsfield parade a truly special one. This year’s procession will set off from Park Square at 10 a.m. and come to an end at Wahconah Park.

All fun aside, holiday traffic is never a treat, so if you’re hitting the road to travel to any of these celebrations or one of your own, you can find a roundup of fantastic resources on navigating Massachusetts here.
Additionally, you can find a number of ways to travel from place to place in Massachusetts — including through the air, on the ground and on top of the water — via our Transportation section.
For folks making a journey to see friends and family in a different part of the state, our City/Town Locator can be a very useful tool, especially if the destination isn’t a familiar one. If you’re looking for activities in a new area, regional tourism councils can point you in the right direction.
Do you have anything special planned for this 4^th of July? Let us know in the comments below! 🙂
Lead Photo: Fireworks on Oaks Bluffs

TOPICS: Berkshires, Boston, Family Fun, Holidays, Summer