Every 4th of July fireworks show in metro Phoenix: An ultimate Independence Day guide
Fireworks will light up the sky across metro Phoenix in celebration of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4, and getting the best vantage point requires some planning.
Cities across the Valley are hosting family-friendly festivals with food, yard games and fireworks displays to celebrate our nation’s independence from Britain. Most notably, Phoenix’s annual celebration — which puts on one of the largest fireworks show in the Southwest — is back for the first time in four years.
Keep in mind that cancellations can occur at any time due to weather, such as high winds, rain, or fire hazards. Check your destination’s social media accounts or the event’s website before heading out.
Here's where and when you can see fireworks across metro Phoenix this Fourth of July.
Anthem
There will be rides, waterslides, festival foods, a beer garden, music and dancing, a glitter tattoo station and fireworks at Anthem’s Independence Day celebration, which takes place one day ahead of the holiday.
The fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m., fire conditions permitting. Organizers recommend parking off-site due to heavy traffic in the area. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed except for on the grass in softball field #4.
Details: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, July 3. Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Phoenix. Free. https://www.onlineatanthem.com/events.
Apache Junction
Leading up to the 8:30 p.m. fireworks extravaganza, the city will have game booths, live entertainment and food trucks starting at 6 p.m.
For quicker entry, place all of your items in clear bags, which will be checked at the gate. Alcohol and glass containers aren’t allowed inside.
Details: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction. Free. 480-983-2181, https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov.
Avondale
Avondale’s Light Up the Sky Independence Day Celebration at Phoenix Raceway will have tailgate parking, food trucks, a kid zone and live music in the general admission area. VIP admission includes cornhole, “gourmet food” and a DJ set.
Fireworks are slated to start at 8:25 p.m. and last 25 minutes.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 1. 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale. Free; VIP passes are $35-$55 and free for kids under 3 years old. 623-333-2400, https://www.avondaleaz.gov.
Buckeye
Buckeye’s Independence Day celebration will be tailgate-style at Buckeye Airport. Food trucks will sell “all-American eats and treats” ahead of the drive-in fireworks show, which begins around 9 p.m. Glass, grills and alcohol are not allowed.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Buckeye Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road. Free. 623-349-6364, https://www.buckeyeaz.gov.
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Chandler
Chandler's Independence Day celebration will feature yard games, food vendors, music from Turn It Up! and a pyrotechnic show at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.
Like last year, there will not be a full fireworks display. Instead, a five-minute pyrotechnic show will accompany the concert at 8:20 p.m. at the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free. https://www.chandleraz.gov.
Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills promises “an evening filled with music, prizes and entertainment for all.” Rock Lobster will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m., when a fireworks display over Fountain Lake begins. The fountain will be lit up in red, white and blue as part of the celebrations.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnics. Food vendors will also be at the park. You can't bring alcohol and glass inside.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. https://www.experiencefountainhills.org.
Gilbert
Gilbert Regional Park's Fourth of July celebration will have live music, aerial entertainment, drones and fireworks.
Guests are welcome to pack their own picnics and seating, though glass, alcohol, tents and canopies are prohibited. Food, drink and dessert vendors will be at the event. Gates will open at 4 p.m. and the fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Buddy Martell Band will perform from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and the Journey tribute band Voyager will take the stage at 7 p.m.
Parking is available on-site; only credit cards will be accepted for payment, and it will cost $15 plus tax. VIP tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite and include "premier seating to live performances, fireworks, exclusive food and drink vendors, luxury restrooms, Gilbert swag and more.”
Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. Free; VIP tickets are $25 per person, free for children younger than 2. https://www.gilbertaz.gov.
Glendale: Westgate Entertainment District
This “free patriotic celebration” will have a beer garden, live music, face and arm painting, a splash zone for kids and a fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m. Westgate’s restaurants will offer dinner deals, according to its website.
Due to limited parking, the venue recommends carpooling or using alternate transportation methods.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale. Free. https://westgateaz.com/event/america.
Glendale: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will host two days of Fourth of July fireworks on July 3 and 4. The show will begin around 8:45 p.m. each night and is included with park admission.
Details: 8:45 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, July 3-4. 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. From $40. 623-201-2000, https://www.sixflags.com/phoenix.
Goodyear
Goodyear Ballpark will have bands, food and drink vendors, a bounce house and a "mesmerizing patriotic fireworks show" on the Fourth of July. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. Free. https://www.goodyearaz.gov.
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Mesa
The 2023 Arizona Celebration of Freedom will take place in downtown Mesa, with fireworks starting at around 9:30 p.m.
The celebration also includes inflatable water slides, live music, a car show, Revolutionary War reenactments, laser light shows and a BMX stunt show. There’s also a food court where you can buy food and drinks throughout the event. A naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens will take place at 5 p.m. in Building C’s main hall.
Guests who don’t bring bags, purses or backpacks can enter through the express lane. All personal items will be checked and tagged when entering the event. Non-alcoholic drinks in sealed containers, food, coolers (maximum measurements 26 inches long, 16 inches wide and 16 inches tall) and portable chairs are welcome.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. Free. https://azcelebrationoffreedom.com.
Peoria
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are again headlining Peoria’s All-American Festival, which also promises a cornhole tournament, giant inflatable water slides, a sensory room, food and drinks. Azz Izz Band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m., followed by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers at 8:15 p.m.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and lawn seating is first come, first served. Fireworks are set to begin at 9:10 p.m.
The VIP experience at the Colonnade grants access to an air-conditioned space, a patio that overlooks the stadium field, a provided meal and a cash bar. Children under 3 years old get in free; all others pay $40. Tickets can be purchased through Peoria Sports Complex’s ticketing website.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. Free; $40 for VIP. https://www.peoriaaz.gov.
Phoenix
Phoenix’s Fabulous Phoenix 4th will bring back one of the Southwest’s biggest fireworks displays for the first time in four years. Steele Indian School Park will have kids activities, food and craft vendors and, of course, fireworks.
Coolers, shade devices, bags and fold-out chairs are allowed. Leave the alcohol, drones, glass and grills at home. There’s no parking at the park, so plan accordingly; there is a light rail stop on the west side of the park on Central Avenue.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. https://www.phoenix.gov.
Phoenix Events Complex
A fireworks show will be added to Forty8 Live!'s weekly Sunset Concert Series event on July 1. Desperado and Skynyrd & Frynds, tribute bands for The Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd, will perform.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Food trucks and a kids zone will be available.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. 2209 N. 99th Ave., Phoenix. $15 per person or $45 for four general admission passes; free for children 12 and younger. https://forty8live.com/2023-sunset-concert-series.
Queen Creek: Schnepf Farms
Schnepf Farms will host its Hometown Fourth event with food and craft vendors, a foam water pit, live music, water inflatables and other entertainment ahead of the fireworks display. Make sure to leave food, drinks and backpacks at home. Admission can only be purchased online at https://schnepf-farms.ticketleap.com.
VIP ticketholders ($120 per person plus fee for 3 years and older) will have access to a private parking lot, barbecue dinner, unlimited soft drinks, front-row viewing for fireworks, air conditioning inside the barn and lawn games.
Details: 4-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 24810 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. From $40 per car, with VIP options. 480-987-3100, https://schnepffarms.com.
Surprise
Surprise’s fireworks will kick off at around 8:45 p.m., with entertainment and food trucks leading up to the pyrotechnics show at the park.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Surprise Community Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free. 623-222-2000, https://www.surpriseaz.gov.
Tempe
Fireworks are back at Tempe’s 71st annual Fourth of July celebration. There will be games, live music, a food court, a family fun zone and fireworks after 9:15 p.m.
The event has been moved to Tempe Diablo Stadium and will charge for admission. Children under 10 years old get in free when their parent or caretaker purchases a ticket; tickets are only sold online at https://tempe4th.com/tickets. VIP access includes shaded seating, catered dinner, dessert bar, soft drinks and exclusive parking.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. $10 plus tax and fee for general admission; $100 for VIP, $50 for children. https://tempe4th.com.
Scottsdale: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
The Red, White and Choo & Choo event at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park will have bounce houses, water slides, a mechanical bull, a pie-eating contest, a food truck serving barbecue and unlimited rides on the train and carousel.
Families are welcome to bring their own picnics, too. Fireworks are scheduled to start at 9 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased via https://www.activenetwork.com.
Details: 4-9 p.m. Sunday, July 2. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 3-12, free for 2 and under. 480-312-2312, https://www.therailroadpark.com.
W Scottsdale
The W Scottsdale will host a Splash and Sparklers Fourth of July fireworks and night swim event for adults 21 and older on July 4. Fireworks will set off at 9 p.m. To reserve a table or cabana, call or text 602-405-0099. For general admission tickets, go to https://cottontaillounge.com/upcoming-events.
Details: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. Wet Deck at the W Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Road. $25 for general admission. 602-405-0099, https://cottontaillounge.com.
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WestWorld of Scottsdale
WestWorld of Scottsdale’s 10th annual Fourth of July event will dazzle with fireworks set against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains.
There’s a variety of ways to participate, whether you just want to see the fireworks from your car or you want to dig into the backyard barbecue inside the venue (starting at $45 for adults, $25 for kids). Indoor access, with food available for purchase, starts at $20 per person. Entertainment includes bull riding, a slider-eating contest, circus performers and a parade of heroes.
Fireworks will be set off at around 9 p.m. Parking for fireworks viewing only costs $20 per car ($40 on the polo field) through June 27; that increases by $5 on June 28.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. From $20. https://scottsdale4th.com.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The 13th annual Freedom Fest will have daily fireworks and entertainment from Saturday, July 1, through the Fourth of July. Guests who dine at the resort’s restaurants can partake in activities on July 1-3; only hotel guests with reservations will be allowed on July 4.
There will be fireworks every night at 9 p.m. Other entertainment offerings include “dive-in” movie screenings, roller skating, mini golf, a Falcon Warbirds air show Tuesday afternoon and outdoor concerts.
Details: July 1-4. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-4848, https://www.scottsdaleprincess.com.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 4th of July 2023 in Phoenix: Ultimate fireworks guide
