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06/24/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/25/2026 09:15

Looking for Places to Watch Fireworks This Fourth of July? BU Has You Covered

Looking for Places to Watch Fireworks This Fourth of July? BU Has You Covered

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Looking for Places to Watch Fireworks This Fourth of July? BU Has You Covered

Where to watch fireworks as America celebrates its 250th anniversary

June 24, 2026
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Happy 250th Birthday, America. To honor this incredible milestone, Boston will once again be celebrating by lighting up the night sky with one of the country's most iconic fireworks shows. Looking for some good spots to view this year's celebration? Look no further. We've got you covered with a list of the best places to watch Boston's Fourth of July Fireworks.

Locations

BU Beach/BU Bridge

Close your eyes. Hear that? Even though it sounds like ocean waves, it's the steady hum of cars passing by Storrow Drive. On the Fourth of July, BU Beach becomes a convenient place for BU students to gather and watch fireworks. Bring a lawn chair or two, some friends, and settle in for a historic evening. To get a higher-level view, head up towards the BU Bridge that connects BU's campus to Cambridge.

Esplanade

Now, if you want to venture out of the BU area, head to the Charles River Esplanade. There, you can find the full Fourth of July experience filled with music and a fireworks show. Did I mention this year's concert will feature conductor Keith Lockhart, Grammy-winning country singer Lainey Wilson, three-time Grammy winner Chance the Rapper, and New Orleans icon Trombone Shorty? The best part? It's free. The concert begins at 7 p.m., followed by a drone show at 9 p.m., and lastly the fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Keep in mind that everything is first-come, first-served, so arrive early to secure a spot on the lawn.

Take a cruise on the Boston Harbor

If you're feeling the need to take it to the water, upgrade your Fourth of July plans by treating yourself to a visit to the Boston Harbor. Book a cruise: ticket prices are from $147 to $285. A more cost-effective option would be to rent a kayak or canoe from Paddle Boston. Where prices are $87 to $219, you'll get a good workout with a view of the city. However, it's important to remember that you must abide by the city's guidelines should you choose the latter: no swimming, safety lights must be on, stay to the sides of the river, and stop paddling and stay in place by 8:15 pm.

Watch from home!

Not a fan of crowds? You can still experience the 4th of July fireworks without leaving the comfort of your own home. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be broadcast locally on the WHDH-TV Channel 7. You can also stream the celebration on CNN.com and the CNN app from 7 to 9:30 pm. Anderson Cooper and Pamela Brown will be reporting live from the Esplanade (so you'll still get the full experience all from home!)

No matter where you watch from, Boston's Fourth of July fireworks are a quintessential New England experience.

Wishing all our Terriers a safe and joyful Independence Day!

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Boston University published this content on June 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 25, 2026 at 15:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]