The Fourth of July is fantastic! Shiny firetrucks roll down Main Streets, children wave American flags, and the night sky lights up with colorful fireworks celebrating the birthday of our great nation. And on this, our 248th celebration, it’s more exciting than ever to be a part of it.
Related: History of the 4th of July.
Celebrate America in Annapolis
The Fourth is special no matter where you’re celebrating, and it’s especially fun to mark this holiday in the historic bayside town of Annapolis, where the U.S. Naval Academy resides. There are layers of city and USNA history here, many of which visitors do not yet know about, and stories waiting to be told.
Take this opportunity to travel to a beautiful part of America that was founded more than 100 years before the American Revolution, and continues to inspire Americans every day. As with every year, the capital city of Annapolis has so much fun in store for the holiday weekend, and the USNA has Naval Academy tours that will fill you with the spirit of the holiday and the pride of patriotic history. We’ve pulled together some of the main events so you can plan a few days for a fabulous fourth!
Wednesday, July 3rd, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Dinner Under the Stars
Kick off the weekend with a magical night dining under the stars of Annapolis! Celebrate our star-spangled future in the first block of West Street from Calvert Street to Church Circle, a charming brick road filled with local eateries that cook up a memorable evening. This tradition takes place on Wednesday nights and certain Saturdays during the summer, when the street is closed down to cars and bedecked with lighting to create an atmosphere not unlike those of European cafes, where you can sit and stay awhile to enjoy live music and art installations as people pass by!
Thursday, July 4th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
City of Annapolis Independence Day Parade
Next, you can join in the time-honored tradition of gathering the community to watch a Fourth of July Parade make its way down the historic Annapolis streets. Take in the festive marching bands, old and new fire engines, service clubs, scouts, and more. The parade starts at Amos Garrett and West Street and heads down West Street, going around Church Circle, and then down Main Street. No matter where you catch the action, you’ll have a great view. Be a part of this annual bayside celebration!
Thursday, July 4th 8:00 PM - 9:15 PM (Fireworks start at 9:15 PM)
Fourth of July Fireworks
The parade culminates when the firework-watching begins. Grab your seat as close to 8:00 PM as possible, anywhere in the public spaces Northeast of the Severn River, City Dock, along the Naval Academy Bridge (limited parking area), any of the street end parks facing Spa Creek, or aboard a boat in the Annapolis harbor. The famous Annapolis fireworks will be launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor.
Note that the Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic from Eastport into Annapolis beginning at 6:00 PM. The bridge stays closed until the conclusion of the fireworks at approximately 10:00 PM. The closer you get to downtown, the harder it will be to park and the more difficulty you will have getting out of town after the celebration. Click HERE for a list of parking options from the City of Annapolis.
Saturday, July 6, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Yard
Come see the U.S. Naval Academy, which trains over 4,400 future Naval leaders and is the number one ranked public school in the nation. Celebrating our 179th birthday this year, the USNA is an integral part of Annapolis’ and the nation’s history. Celebrate the Fourth with a USNA historical walking tour or another of our various Naval Academy tours, and take some time to explore the Yard and the fascinating USNA history. You’ll find old sea stories and inspiring history from the training grounds of the most formidable Navy in the world! See where history happens every day.
Sunday, July 7, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
First Sunday Arts Festival
The party’s not over yet. Continue the Fourth with the First Sunday Arts Festival, which runs from May through November on the first Sunday of every month. Sponsored by the Inner West Street Association, this popular event draws people seeking beautiful art, as well as the artful atmosphere along West Street. Enjoy more than 100 exceptional art/craft vendors, delightful café dining, and rousing live entertainment as you stroll the streets.
Related: Get Your 4th of July USNA Gear
Happy 4th!
We look forward to welcoming you to Annapolis and the Yard for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations. Steeped in history, this community makes the celebration extra special, and the fireworks over the water make it twice as nice! When you visit the Academy, you’re also supporting the midshipmen who support our country. All proceeds from the Naval Academy tours that explore USNA history, to the excellent dining spots and fun shopping opportunities on the Yard and at Navyonline.com, fund the extracurricular activities that bind the Brigade together, like cultural arts, music, theater, club sports, and more. Come visit the Academy for the Fourth, take a Naval Academy tour, and show your Navy love!
Neither the Department of the Navy, the United States Naval Academy, nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed or authorized any Non-Federal Entity, Company, Organization or their Products.
