Fourth of July Activities for the Whole Family
Washington State is Jam-Packed with 4th of July Fun for 2017
The 4th of July in the Pacific Northwest brings fantastic weather and fun activities for all ages.
Lucky for us there are plenty of parades, events, and fireworks shows that the whole family will enjoy!
We want you to build new, fun-filled memories with your family so we’re sharing some of our favorite 4th of July events throughout the state. Best of all, most of these events are free admission and right outside our doors!
Browse Fourth of July Events by County:
Benton County 4th of July Events & Activities
Pasco’s Grand Old Fourth of July Celebration
What: This all-day festival features a ton of family-friendly activities.
The eclectic mix of activities includes a pancake breakfast, a fun run, a parade, a cardboard boat race, softball, and soccer tournaments and a car show.
The evening activities include live music, food trucks and fireworks in Gesa Stadium.
Where: Various locations in Pasco, WA.
When: The festivities begin at 7am and the Fireworks show is at 10pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017.
Cost: Free Admission
The River of Fire Festival
What: The 31st annual River of Fire festival brings over 20,000 visitors to Columbia Park.
The River of Fire festival boasts the largest fireworks display in Eastern Washington.
The festival features live music, free train rides for kids and over 50 food vendors.
The evening will end with a fireworks show over the Columbia River. Be sure to bring a blanket or a chair to watch!
Where: Columbia Park in Kennewick
When: The event time is TBA
Cost: Suggested $8 per car donation
Clark County 4th of July Events & Activities
Independence Day at Fort Vancouver
What: This event, which has been held for over 50 years, takes place at Historic Fort Vancouver. It attracts over 35,000 visitors each year!
The event features live music, food vendors and an amazing fireworks show set to music.
Be sure to bring chairs, food, and drinks but spare the alcohol.
Where: Fort Vancouver Historic Site
When: Live entertainment starts at 6pm and the fireworks start at 10:05pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017.
Cost: Suggested $5 donation
Kitsap County 4th of July Events & Activities
Bainbridge Island Grand Old 4th of July Celebration
What: This annual, rousing event features fun activities for the whole family.
The festival features a jam-packed day starting with a pancake breakfast and a family fun run.
The day continues with a street fair featuring horse rides, musical games for kids, and a car show. In addition, there will be a mile-long parade and live musical performances.
The festival ends with fireworks over Eagle Harbor.
Where: Downtown Bainbridge and Waterfront Park
When: The festival starts at 7am and ends at 11pm after the fireworks show on Tuesday. July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission (some events cost extra)
Whidbey Island 4th of July Festival
What: Whidbey Island holds a festival every year that was voted among the top 10 Independence Day celebrations in the country.
The full-day event starts with a pancake breakfast and a parade. Later on, the festival begins in Windjammer Park and features a DJ as well as arts, crafts, and games for kids.
The festival closes out with fireworks over Oak Harbor.
Where: Other Events are held in various places, but the main festival is at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor
When: The festival starts at 7am and the fireworks start at 10:30pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission
King County 4th of July Events & Activities
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seafair
What: Seafair is a very popular annual event in Seattle.
The event is held at two separate parks and both locations include vendors and exhibitions.
Various Seattle-based musicians will perform at Gas Works park. Gas Works park will also have games such as sack races and pie-eating contests.
The fireworks show over Lake Union was voted as one of the best in the nation by USA Today and Business Insider.
The show uses 8,500 pounds of fireworks and is set to music.
Where: Held at both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park
When: The event at Gas Works Park starts at noon and the event at Lake Union Park starts at 4pm. Fireworks start at 10:20pm and are visible from both locations on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission ($20 or more for reserved seating)
SeaTac’s Family Fourth of July Celebration
What: This family-friendly event is held annually in Sea-Tac.
The event includes a water spray park, which features the “Mega Soaker”, a 55-gallon bucket of water that spills over every few minutes, leaving everyone in its path soaked.
Other family friendly activities include live musical entertainment and a bouncy house.
Don’t forget to bring a picnic and a blanket to watch the fireworks show!
Where: Angle Lake Park in Sea-Tac
When: The event starts at 11am and the fireworks begin at 10pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission (bouncy house is $5 per child)
Bellevue’s Family Fourth of July Celebration
What: Bellevue’s Family Fourth celebration is the Eastside’s largest and will be at the newly renovated Downtown Park.
The festival features a family fun zone with rides and games as well as a food court.
There will also be live musical performances by Seattle-based musicians.
The evening will end with a fireworks show set to a performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony.
Be sure to bring a blanket or a chair to watch the show!
Where: Bellevue’s Downtown Park
When: Event festivities start at 2pm, Fireworks start at 10:05pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission
Pierce County 4th of July Events & Activities
Tacoma Freedom Fair
What: This four-day festival runs from July 1st-4th and attracts over 125,000 visitors!
The main 4th of July event includes an air show, a car show, a children’s play area, seven stages of music, and various vendors.
On top of these exciting events, the festival will also feature a BMX bike show, a beach pole vaulting competition, and an international food marketplace.
The evening will end with a fireworks show over Commencement Bay. The fireworks show was voted one of the world’s top ten fireworks shows by the Travel Channel, The Wall Street Journal, and discovery.com.
Where: The main event is held on the 4th on Ruston Way in Tacoma
When: The main event starts at 9am on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission
Steilacoom’s Grand Old 4th of July Celebration
What: Steilacoom’s family-friendly 4th of July celebration is what the town is known for. The festival is held annually and features a fun run, ice cream from Ice Cream Social, a bike parade, hot dog and pie eating contests and a family fun dance. The Tribal Museum as well as the Historical Museum will be open for tours. The event ends with fireworks over Puget Sound.
Where: Downtown Steilacoom
When: Festivities start at 9am and the fireworks start at 10:30pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free admission (tours are extra)
Thurston County 4th of July Events & Activities
Independence Day Parade in Tumwater
What: This popular parade is held annually in downtown Tumwater.
The parade has floats featuring old cars, horses, and everything in between. The best floats receive various prizes such as a, “Parade Theme Award” and “Most Impressive Animal Award”.
Dress for the theme, “Like totally ‘80s” and come watch the floats!
Where: The parade starts at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and Lee Street in Downtown Tumwater
When: The parade starts at 11am on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission
The Artesian Family Festival and Thunder Valley Fireworks Show
What: The Artesian Family Festival and Thunder Valley fireworks show boasts the biggest Fireworks festival in Thurston County.
Every year, 10,000 guests come to the Tumwater Valley Golf Course driving range to watch the show.
Family-friendly activities such as games, music and food are included.
Bring a blanket or a chair to watch the fireworks, but leave pets, alcohol and personal fireworks at home.
Where: Tumwater Valley Golf Course
When: The event gates open at 6:00pm and the fireworks show starts at 10:15pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: $10 for parking
JBLM Freedom Fest
What: Freedom Fest is a two-day festival for those stationed at JBLM and their families.
The first day of the festival, July 3rd, is only for DOD ID Cardholders and their guests.
The 4th of July event is open to the public. Freedom Fest includes musicians, kid rides, a car show and, of course, food!
Freedom Fest will also feature a “kids world” stage where there will be magic and game shows.
Come experience this popular event!
When: Monday, July 3rd (Noon-7pm) and Tuesday, July 4th (11am-10:30pm), 2017
Where: JBLM, use exit 119 on I-5 for Festival access
Cost: Free Admission
Snohomish County 4th of July Events & Activities
Edmonds 4th of July Celebration
What: Edmonds 4th of July celebration, which started over a 100 years ago, features many family-friendly activities.
There are not just one but two parades, one for kids and one for adults.
Not only are there two parades, there are also two marathons! The day kicks off with both 4K and 1K runs, followed by the children’s and the adult’s parade.
The best floats win prizes such as, “Most Original” and “Funniest Float”.
The fun continues with food and dancing, and ends with a fireworks show.
Where: Festival will be held in Downtown Edmonds, Fireworks held at Civic Stadium
When: The 5K and 1K start at 10am
The children’s parade starts at 11:30am and the main parade starts at noon
Fireworks start at 10pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission
Everett Colors of Freedom Festival and Parade
What: Everett’s Colors of Freedom is a full-day event featuring a parade, a festival, and a fireworks show!
Bring a chair to get a front-row seat for the parade and watch the floats. Following the parade bring a blanket and a picnic to the festival in the park that features a beer garden, kids activities, and food!
The evening ends with a fireworks show over Port Gardner Bay.
Where: The parade will be held at Colby & Wetmore Aves, between Wall St. & 26th St and the festival will be at Legion Park Bluff
Fireworks can be viewed from various areas
When: The parade starts at 11am, the festival starts at 1pm, and the fireworks start at 10:20pm on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
Cost: Free Admission