July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around Peabody

PEABODY, MA — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Peabody. Area events include fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun.

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 Peabody and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Peabody Ward-By-Ward Events

Ward 1 residents and friends are invited to a patriotic parade at 9:45 a.m. on the corner of Blair Terrace and Lynnfield Street followed by a day of hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, ice cream and contests at Raddin Park.

Ward 2 residents and friends are invited to the Welch School for a Patriotic Parade at 9:15 a.m. followed by field games, pony rides, a balloon artist, face painting, art activities and a photo booth. There will also be music and free lunch, soft drinks, cookies and ice cream served at 11:15 a.m.

Ward 3 residents are invited to Connolly Park from 9:30 a.m. to noon for a Patriotic Parade, races, games, including a traditional egg toss, and food that includes hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream and more.

Ward 4 residents are invited to Emerson Park for a Patriotic Children's Parade at 9:30 a.m. followed by a DJ, races, games, face painting, bounce house, egg toss, hot dogs, hamburgers and Treadwell's Ice Cream.

Ward 5 residents are invited to Lt. Ross Park at 9 a.m. for a bicycle, tricycle and carriage parade starting at the Kiley Brothers Memorial School followed by races, money in the hay, a bouncy house, face painting and an egg toss. Pizza and beverages will be served at 11 a.m.

Ward 6 residents are invited to the Independence Day Picnic at Symphony Park at 9 a.m. Following the parade there will be music, field games, free throw shooting, and coins in the hay. There will also be a Rainforest Reptile Show from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Grilled hot dogs, burgers, potato chips and drinks will be served at 11:30 a.m.

There are no fireworks in Peabody on July 4. But fireworks will be displayed in Beverly at West Beach, in Salem at Derby Wharf and over Marblehead Harbor at 9 p.m.

Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation 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.

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.