Fireworks Near Me: Ocean City July 4th 2025 Events

OCEAN CITY, MD — Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun in Ocean City.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Ocean City, which has planned two simultaneous fireworks displays.

North-Side Display:

The northern celebration at Northside Park, 125th Street and the bay, will begin at 8 p.m. with DJ musical entertainment by Radio Ocean City, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Closures: The soccer field and walking path on the northwest side of the park will be closed from viewing due to state and local safety precautions as the fireworks display will move off the west pier into the park to bring the experience closer to viewers.

South-Side Display:

On the south end of town, head to Ocean City’s Boardwalk for music with DJ Kutt at 8 p.m. on the beach at the Caroline Street Stage. The official fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Parking, Transit Options

Parking operations for the Inlet Parking Lot will stay the same for the holiday, Friday, July 4, however; the parking rate for the Inlet Lot will increase to $6 per hour for the day. Visitors are reminded that parking is extremely limited at both fireworks locations and significant traffic delays are expected after both shows.

Coastal Highway bus service will be available from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. Patrons can ride for $4 for a ride-all-day pass.

The West Ocean City Park & Ride on Route 50 is another transportation alternative, offering free parking and $4 ride-all-day shuttle service downtown to and from Dorchester Street and St. Louis Avenue. The service running to and from the West Ocean City Park & Ride to Dorchester Street and St. Louis Avenue will be available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Boating Restrictions

The span of the Route 50 Bridge will remain closed to marine traffic at the usually scheduled 10:25 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. opening times. The Route 50 Bridge will reopen for boaters at 11:25 p.m. on the evening of July 4.

Fireworks Rules, Safety

The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office urges spectators to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

“The power and danger of fireworks should not be underestimated,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal Joe Sexauer. “In addition to causing damage, fireworks can cause injuries and we want people to be safe during their holiday stay in Ocean City.”

Although the State of Maryland has approved the use of ground-based sparkling devices such as cylindrical and cone fountains, these are not legal to use or possess in Ocean City. Any fireworks sold in neighboring states are not legal for use by the public anywhere in Maryland.

For more information about July Fourth activities, visit ococean.com/events or call the Ocean City Welcome Center at 410.723.8600.

Origins Of Holiday

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In that document, the 13 original colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Today, Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.