July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Howell. 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 Howell and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Howell Summer Concert Series and Fireworks
Where: Soldier Memorial Park, Lakewood Farmingdale Road at Maxim Road.
When: July 2, 5 p.m.

Howell's summer concert series kicks off in time to celebrate the Fourth of July with music from the Amish Outlaws and fireworks after the concert. Parking will be limited at Soldier Memorial Park, so the township will offer shuttle buses to and from the park from Howell Middle School North, 501 Squankum Yellowbrook Road.

What: Freehold Borough July 4th Celebration
Where: Freehold Raceway, Route 9
When: July 3, 5:30 p.m.

There will be food trucks, music and fun at the annual celebration held at Freehold Raceway. Ends with fireworks at dusk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets; no backpacks, coolers or pets.

What: Brick SummerFest Concert and Fireworks
Where: Windward Beach Park, Princeton Avenue
When: 6:30 p.m. July 4

Brick's popular summer concert series includes fireworks after the concert, and for 2024 it falls on the Fourth of July. Super Trans Am is scheduled to perform. Parking at the park is limited; free shuttle buses are available. Read more: Celebrate July 4th At Brick SummerFest With Music, Fireworks

What: Beachwood's Fireworks Over the Toms River
Where: Beachwood Beach, and beaches in Pine Beach, Ocean Gate and Island Heights along the Toms River.
When: July 4, at dark

The popular donation-funded pyrotechnics show that draws thousands to the banks of the Toms River will be lighting up the sky. Beachwood has vendors, food trucks and activities in the park at Beachwood's beach during the afternoon and evening.

What: Jenkinson's Independence Day Fireworks
Where: Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach
When: July 4, at dusk

What: Fireworks Extravaganza at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Where: ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood
When: July 4, after the baseball game

A patriotic fireworks show follows the Jersey Shore BlueClaws game against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

What: Lavallette Patriotic Bicycle Parade
Where: President Avenue at the Boardwalk, Lavallette
When: July 3, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Dress up your bike, scooter or wagon for the Independence Day Patriotic Bike Parade, from President Avenue to New York Avenue. There will be patriotic face painting and tattoos for the kids.

What: Lavallette Patriotic Concert and Fireworks
Where: Lavallette Gazebo, Bay Boulevard
When: July 7, 8 p.m.

The borough's patriotic concert and fireworks will fill the air with music and light.

What: Seaside Heights Concert Series: All-American Variety Show
Where: Franklin Avenue Stage, Seaside Heights
When: July 1, 7 p.m.

Patriotic music is the theme ahead of the Fourth of July. Come out and enjoy the spirit on the boardwalk.

What: Seaside Heights Fourth of July Fireworks
Where: Boardwalk, Seaside Heights
When: July 4, 9:30 p.m.

What: Lakehurst 4th of July Car Show
Where: Lakehurst Elementary School, 301 Union Ave., Lakehurst
When: July 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., July 4

All years, makes, and models will be on display.

What: Fireworks at Lake Horicon
Where: Lake Horicon Park, Lake Street
When: July 3, at dusk

Enjoy a celebration of Independence Day with fireworks over the lake.

What: Manchester Day Fireworks
Where: Harry Wright Lake Park, Lake Avenue, Whiting
When: June 29, at dark

Manchester Day is the township's annual celebration and includes vendors, games, food trucks and live music. The celebration starts at 2 p.m.; the live music begins at 6 p.m. with Kickin' Wing and KBrown Express. The fireworks are at dark over the lake.

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.