July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around Maplewood

This article was updated on June 27

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — 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 around Maplewood.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s happening around Maplewood and Essex County.

A celebration including fireworks will take place in Maplewood on Friday, July 4. The day-long event will include activities such as a race, a bike parade, an ice cream eating contest and a pet parade. The event will take place at Memorial Park, 580 Valley Street. Activities begin at 9 a.m. and the fireworks are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. (Learn more here)

Local fireworks lovers can also get their fix at three “Concert and Fireworks Spectaculars” in Essex County this summer (shows take place at 7:30 p.m.):

• Friday, June 27 – New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Branch Brook Park (Newark, Belleville)
• Tuesday, July 1 – Stage Revolution: A Night of Rock, Weequahic Park (Newark)
• Wednesday, July 2 – The Infernos, Brookdale Park (Bloomfield/Montclair)

>> Read More: Free County Concerts, Fireworks Shows Will Return (See Schedule)

Need more? Here’s where some other nearby Independence Day fireworks shows are taking place this summer:

BELLEVILLE – Belleville will bring back its annual Independence Day celebration, which will include a fireworks show and family friendly event at the Municipal Stadium on Thursday, July 3. DJ music, face painting, food trucks, clowns, rides and other attractions begin at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk. >> See Related: Belleville To Hold Independence Holiday Events

BLOOMFIELD – Bloomfield is holding an Independence Day celebration at Foley Field on Friday, July 4 as part of its "Summer of Fun" events. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with amusements, face painting, food vendors and live music. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. (Learn more here)

CEDAR GROVE – Cedar Grove will hold its annual fireworks display on Monday, June 30 at Panther Park Field. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at dusk. Other attractions include music, children's activities and refreshments for sale. The rain date is July 1. (Learn more here)

LIVINGSTON – Livingston will be bringing back its annual July 4th fireworks display on Friday, July 4, which will also include a family friendly “community day” beforehand. The day-long festivities are mainly held on and around Memorial Oval (Robert Harp Drive), with special events at Northland Recreation Center (3 Madison Court). Events begin at 9 a.m. with the "largest auto show in New Jersey," and end with a 9 p.m. fireworks display. >> See Related: July 4th Events In Livingston For 2025

NUTLEY – Nutley will kick off its 4th of July festivities at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4 at the Nutley Park Oval. Food vendors will line Franklin Avenue, and activities including music, games, face painters and balloon artists will be taking place. A fireworks show will begin at dusk. Franklin Avenue will be closed between Chestnut and Church Street beginning at 3:30 p.m. and will not reopen until cleanup is finished. (Learn more here)

VERONA – Verona will hold its fireworks display on Wednesday, July 2 at the Verona Community Center (Liberty Field, off Whiterock Road). Activities including a DJ, dancing and entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at dark (appx. 9:15 p.m.) The rain date is July 3. (Learn more here)

WEST CALDWELL – A fireworks display will take place in West Essex on Friday, July 4 at James Caldwell High School (Bonnel Field), 265 Westville Avenue in West Caldwell. Gates open at 7 p.m., and fireworks begin at dusk. Parking is available at Westville Pool. The rain date is July 5. The event is sponsored by the towns of Caldwell, Essex Fells, North Caldwell, Roseland and West Caldwell. (Learn more here).

HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

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.

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk

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