Two Days to Celebrate the Fourth on the Esplanade

This year the Fourth of July celebration on the Esplanade will span two days, starting on July 3 with a Pops concert and wrapping up on July 4, with another performance -- except this one ends with the sights and sounds of a fireworks display over the Charles. 

Lionel Richie will headline the concert with the Pops this year, which starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Hatch Shell on July 3 and July 4. The show will also include Michael Chiklis, Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, and Norm Lewis. The July 4 show will feature the same lineup -- as well as cannons, military plane flyovers and performances by the National Honor Guard.

The fireworks display is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. on the Fourth. The 101st Field Artillery Regiment is back from Afghanistan and will shoot cannons to honor our nation's birthday. The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus -- a 65-member instrumental ensemble founded in 1946 -- will also perform.

Jets overhead will feature the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, one of the oldest flying  units in the state. And a joint forces honor guard, which includes members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard will all participate during the "Star Spangled Banner."

See the full schedule here.

Getting There

Your best bet is to take the T and walk. On July 4 the MBTA will provide extra buses and train service, and public transportation will be free after 10:30 p.m.

The closest T stops are Charles MGH, Kendall, and Central Square on the Red Line, or Arlington Street on the Green Line. On July 4th the Esplanade is accessible from Beacon Street via Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, and Fairfield Streets and Massachusetts Avenue. On July 3, you will need to use one of the footbridges to cross Storrow Drive.

If you have to drive, suggested parking is at the 100 Clarendon Street garage, which is within walking distance to the Esplanade.

Watch From Home

Can't make it this year? Tune in nationally on the CBS Television Network to view the event during a live one-hour primetime special. Locally, you can watch the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on WBZ-TV Channel 4 from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Good to Know

• Get there early. You have to go through a screening/bag check at the Hatch Shell, and you'll get a wristband which gives you access in and out of the area until 6 p.m. After that, "you may not be able to be readmitted even with a wristband due to crowds and public safety concerns." Also, they'll stop issuing wristbands when the Oval is completely filled, usually around 7:30 p.m. on July 3, and 2 p.m. on July 4.  

• Bring cash to buy food from plenty of concession stands, and goodies like T-shirts and hats. All proceeds benefit the event.

• Don't bring your grill, and keep alcohol, glass containers and sharp objects (knitting needles, metal tent spikes, can openers, metal utensils) at home. You can bring foldable and beach style chairs, and tarps and blankets must be 8' x 10' or smaller.

• Use the port-a-potties. There will be over 350 portable restrooms located in Boston and Cambridge. Handicap accessible restrooms can be found at all restroom locations.

• Handicapped area is to the right of the Hatch Shell. People with disabilities will be admitted into the designated area on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person is allowed one guest, and the area will close 6 p.m. or when it has reached capacity, whichever comes first. On the Cambridge side, there is a reserved handicapped area along a section of the Cambridge Parkway on July 4.