Looking for Delaware, Maryland fireworks? Here is our list for 4th of July shows
UPDATE: Bethany Beach rescheduled its Fourth of July fireworks to Sept. 3, but the parade and other festivities still will happen on the holiday.
Let's be honest, fireworks are one of the biggest draws for a Fourth of July celebration. And Independence Day is just around the corner.
So we're cutting straight to the chase to let you know where you can see these dazzling parade of lights throughout Delaware, along with some locations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, too.
Wilmington
A full day of events will be on tap for families, starting at 2 p.m. This includes tours of the Kalmar Nyckel ship, pony rides, petting zoo, games, face painting and more.
Fireworks will blast at 9:15 p.m.
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Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 2 to about 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Visit cityfestwilm.com or (302) 576-2100.
Newark
This glorious light show is going down at the University of Delaware.
Athletic Complex (605 S. College Ave., Newark) from 6 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. Visit newarkde.gov/calendar or (302) 366-7000.
Middletown
Fireworks will blast off after dark, likely between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Silver Lake Park will open for viewing at 6 p.m. with food for sale from a variety of vendors, a spokesperson from the town of Middletown said.
Silver Lake Park (200 E. Cochran St., Middletown) from 6 to about 11 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. Visit middletown.delaware.gov or (302) 378-2711.
Hockessin
Since this Fourth of July celebration is driven by volunteers and is 100% funded by donations, the Hockessin community is asked to make a donation, according to the Hockessin Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks website.
It costs $39,000 to fund this event's fireworks, per a recent post at Facebook.com/Hockessin4th.
From 9 a.m. to noon, the celebration will hit the ground running with relay races. (But participants should arrive at 8:30 a.m.)
At 9:30 a.m., there's a Fun Run for ages 5 and younger.
At 11:45 a.m., there's a Fun Run for ages 15 and older. Parents also are encouraged to join in.
At noon, there will be an awards ceremony and pictures.
Later at 3 p.m., the parade begins on Old Lancaster Pike. Parade registration closes at 5 p.m. June 30.
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Fireworks begin at dusk and can be seen from all over Hockessin, especially Swift Park, Piedmont baseball fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian Soccer Fields.
Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. To register for relay races or to join the parade, or to make a donation, visit hockessin4th.org or (302) 239-6900.
Dover
The Capital City will paint the town red, white and blue with its Independence Day festivities, starting at 10 a.m. The parade is at 6 p.m. and the lineup begins at 4 p.m. on Park Drive (between East Division and East Loockerman Street). The parade heads west on Loockerman Street, turns left on State Street and ends at Water Street.
Fireworks will fly over Leg Hall at 9:15 p.m.
Legislative Mall (411 Legislative Ave., Dover) starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Visit dover4thofjuly.com.
Lewes
From 9 a.m. to noon, Lewes returns with its tradition of old-school kids' games on Second Street.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the Lewes Independence Boat Parade will cruise along for spectators to see.
At 5 p.m., shenanigans will be on full display with the colorful Doo-Dah Parade, starting at Lloyd’s Market on Savannah Road and winding its way down Kings Highway to Second Street and ending on Savannah Road, looping back toward Lloyds.
At dusk, the day will end on a high note with fireworks.
Festivities will be held in downtown Lewes, near Second Street, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Visit leweschamber.com or (302) 645-8073.
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Rehoboth Beach
Delaware's premier beach will draw most of the attention downstate on the Fourth of July when the sparks start flying at night.
Fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. from the beach on New Castle Street.
Road closures will begin at 6 p.m. around the Bandstand, and at 7 p.m. on Henlopen and Surf avenues. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., vehicles won't be able to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the circle. Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed around 8 p.m., according to organizers.
At 8 p.m., The Funsters will groove the bandstand.
New Castle St., Rehoboth Beach with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Sunday, July 2. Visit cityofrehoboth.com or (302) 227-6181.
Bethany Beach
This year's holiday theme for Bethany Beach is "Sand & Sea in '23." The holiday marks Bethany's most popular party of the year.
At noon, the parade begins, which goes down Garfield Parkway.
At 7:15 p.m., rewards will be announced, followed by a live concert with Mike Hines and The Look at 7:30 p.m.
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Fireworks have been rescheduled to Sept. 3.
Near Bethany Beach Bandstand at noon; Concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. Visit cityofrehoboth.com or (302) 227-6181.
Dewey Beach
Highway One owner Alex Pires said his company will deliver fireworks for the eighth year.
At 9 p.m., fireworks will launch from a barge in Rehoboth Bay. Folks will also be able to see them from the Rusty Rudder.
Starting at 8 p.m., the crowd-favorite band Love Seed Mama Jump will play live from the Rudder.
Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Ave., Dewey Beach) around 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Visit rustyrudder.com
Laurel
A cornhole tournament will kick things off at Janosik Park at 5:30 p.m.
According to the town of Laurel's website, there must be a minimum of four teams and registration is $25. Folks can register at Laurel Town Hall.
At 6 p.m., the parade lineup begins on Evergreen Drive. The parade starts at 7 p.m. The route will travel on Central Avenue, turning right onto Market Street and down Delaware Avenue. To participate in the parade, folks can sign up below.
Starting at dusk, fireworks will blast off.
Near Janosik Park (201-299 Front St., Laurel) from 5:30 p.m. to about 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Visit townoflaurel.net or (302) 875.2277.
Ocean City, Maryland
America's birthday celebration, including music, is going to be lit with ice cream-colored fireworks on the beach.
Ocean City (North Division Street, Ocean City, Maryland, from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Visit oceancity.com.
Salisbury, Maryland
The seventh annual Red White and Boom will make some noise with music, food vendors and one of Delmarva's premier fireworks shows.
Grab a blanket, chairs and get cozy at this longtime affair. The main event is at James M. Bennett High School. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
The rain date is July 5.
James M. Bennett High School (300 E. College Ave., Salisbury, Maryland) on Tuesday, July 4. Visit redwhiteboomsalisbury.org or (410) 726-5194.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Fourth of July 2023 fireworks to see in Delaware, Maryland
