July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around Peabody

PEABODY, MA — 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 and around Peabody.

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 2025

What: Peabody Ward-By-Ward July 4 Events
Where: Parks Across the City
When: 10 a.m.

The Ward 1 event occurs at Raddin Park between 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a patriotic parade starting at 9:45 a.m. All the other festivities kick off at 10 a.m. at Raddin Park. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, and ice cream from Treadwell's for everyone. Contests will include: Most Patriotic Parade Participant, Soccer Skills Challenge hosted by the Northfields United Soccer Club, Potato Sack Race, Hula Hoop, Basketball free throw, Pie Eating, and a 50-Yard Dash. There will be prizes for contest winners and limited edition "We're #1" shirts for everyone.

The Ward 2 Fourth of July Celebration is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at the Welch School (50 Swampscott Ave.) and adjacent to O’Connor Park. The day will begin with the singing of the national anthem and a Patriotic Parade at 9:15 a.m. (registration at 9 a.m.) at the front of the school. Bring your decorated bike, tricycle, scooter, wagon, or carriage. Field games (sack races, running races, egg toss, etc.), pony rides, balloon artist, face painting, and a photo booth will take place beginning at 9:45 a.m. Kids can explore a firetruck, see a police vehicle, play at the playground and cool down in a misting tent throughout the morning. The event will include music. There will be a free raffle and prizes will be given out for the various events. Lunch, soft drinks, refreshments, cookies, and ice cream will be served free of charge beginning at 11:15 a.m.

The Ward 3 Fourth of July celebration will take place at Connolly Park from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The day will start with a patriotic children’s parade at 9:30. Decorate your bike, stroller, scooter, or wagon to participate. There will be races, games, and crafts. The day will end with the traditional egg toss. Hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream and more.

The 4th of July Celebration in Ward 4 will be at Emerson Park at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. The morning will begin with a Pledge of Allegiance &National Anthem followed by a Patriotic Children's Parade, DJ, races and games, arts and crafts, face painting, bounce house, egg toss, hot dogs, hamburgers and Treadwell’s Ice Cream, as well as a few other surprises.

The Ward 5 Fourth of July activities will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Lt. Ross Park. Bicycle, tricycle, and carriage parade will start at the Kiley Brothers Memorial school at 9 a.m. Please decorate for a patriotic theme. The parade will be escorted to Lt. Ross Park by a police vehicle. After the parade, there will be races, money in the hay, a bouncy house, and an egg toss. At 11 a.m., a light lunch and beverages will be served. There will be raffles and gifts for all the kids that come to the party.

The Ward 6 Annual Independence Day Picnic will take place at Symphony Park (off Catherine Drive) from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will begin with a Patriotic Parade of carriages, wagons, tricycles, and bicycles looping around the park. Decorate your entry with a patriotic theme. Registration for the parade will start at 8:30 a.m. Following the parade there will be music, field games (sack races & 50-yard dash), a free-throw shooting contest, and coins in the hay. The playground will be open and there will be a moon bounce and cornhole boards. Rainforest Reptile Shows will be at Symphony Park from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a collection of interesting animals. Lunch will be served starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. with grilled hot dogs, burgers, potato chips, and drinks. The event will end with the traditional egg toss competition.

What: Beverly Farms Pride Fireworks, Horribles Parade
Where: West Street Beach
When: Fireworks 9 p.m. on July 4

The annual Beverly Farms Pride 4th of July Fireworks are on July 4 with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. This is a ticketed event with wristbands $25 at the gate and $20 if bought prior to July 4.

Only West Beach Sticker holders may enter the beach on July 4th prior to 5 p.m. (proof of residence will be required). After 5 p.m., non-sticker holders with wrist bands will be allowed on the beach for the fireworks.

The Horribles Parade will also be held at 8 a.m. with entrants invited to assemble at 7:15 a.m. on Oak Street. Prizes will be awarded for both theme and category.

What: Salem Celebrates The 4th
Where: Derby Wharf
When: Fireworks 9 p.m. on July 4; Concert at 7 p.m

Bring your beach blankets and folding chairs to enjoy the 42-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra on Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for a grand celebration of our nation’s Independence Day.

Featuring a Pops concert, a Kid Space play area, and fireworks launched over Salem Harbor, this is a quintessential celebration of the 4th of July.

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.