From the hills of North Alabama to the white-sand beaches of the Gulf, communities across Alabama are getting ready to celebrate America’s birthday with fireworks, festivals, and family fun.

With 50-plus celebrations across Alabama, Yellowhammer News has chosen 21 events to highlight the different choices for Fourth of July fun across the state. Whether you’re in the mood for a lakeside concert, a parade through town, or a fireworks show under the stars, this year’s lineup of 21 events offers something for everyone.

North Alabama Events

• Smith Lake Park Fireworks and Music Festival (Cullman County)
  Spend the day at the lake on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live music, local vendors, arts and crafts, and a fireworks show that lights up the water.
• Fireworks Over Lake Guntersville (Guntersville)
  Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy music and food at Civitan Park before fireworks launch over the lake at 9 p.m. on July 4.
• Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration (Florence)
  McFarland Park will be buzzing with activity from 3 to 9 p.m. on July 4 with live music and a crowd-pleasing fireworks finale.
• Red, White & Boom (Athens)
  Family fun kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Athens SportsPlex with fireworks wrapping up the night.
• Town of Gurley July 4th Celebration (Gurley)
  Fireworks, food trucks, and good vibes await from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Charles Stone Park.
• Madison Star Spangled Celebration (Madison)
  On July 3, head to Dublin Park for inflatables, live music, food trucks, and fireworks from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Midnight Ride at Rattlesnake Saloon (Tuscumbia)
  Up for a late-night adventure? Hop on the Midnight Ride on July 4 at this one-of-a-kind saloon tucked under a bluff.

Central Alabama Events

• Thunder on the Mountain (Birmingham)
  Begins at 9 p.m. with fireworks launched from Vulcan Park, visible from locations across the city.
• UAB Summer Band Concert (Birmingham)
  7 p.m. outside Bartow Arena. A free, family-friendly concert featuring patriotic music.
• Homewood 4th of July Festival (Homewood)
  5 p.m. in downtown Homewood. Includes rides, children’s activities, and a great view of Birmingham’s fireworks.
• Independence Day at American Village (Montevallo)
  11 a.m.–9 p.m. Features historic reenactments, colonial games, music, and fireworks.
• Alexander City Fireworks Show (Alexander City)
  Fireworks at dark from the Benjamin Russell High School grounds with a community celebration beforehand.
• Clanton Fourth of July Celebration (Clanton)
  Fireworks at 9 p.m. at Clanton City Park. A family favorite with plenty of space to enjoy the show.
• Opelika Independence Day Celebration (Opelika)
  Gates open in the afternoon behind Duck Samford Stadium. Fireworks begin at dusk.

South Alabama Events

• Independence Day Street Party (Orange Beach)
  Kick off the holiday early on July 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Wharf with kids’ activities, fireworks, and a laser light show.
• Orange Beach Fireworks (Gulf State Park Pavilion)
  A beachside fireworks display lights up the sky at 9 p.m. on July 4.
• Gulf Shores Fourth of July Celebration (Gulf Shores)
  Watch the fireworks from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier at 9 p.m. on July 4. Perfect way to end a day at the beach.
• Mobile’s 4th of July Celebration (Mobile)
  Double the fun with fireworks launching from Cooper Riverside Park and Mardi Gras Park at 9 p.m.
• Fairhope’s Fourth of July Celebration (Fairhope)
  Bring the family to Henry George Park for a concert at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks over the bay at 9 p.m.
• Troy Fireworks Celebration (Troy)
  Head to Veterans Memorial Stadium at 8:30 p.m. on July 4 for a big show in a classic college town setting.
• Monroeville Freedom Fest (Monroeville)
  From 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4, Veterans Park will be packed with water slides, contests, music, and fireworks at dusk.

With big-city spectacles and small-town traditions, Alabama’s Fourth of July celebrations are as diverse as the state itself. Pick your spot, pack a cooler, and get ready to make memories under the fireworks this Independence Day.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].