July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around Morris Plains

MORRIS PLAINS, 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 in and around Morris Plains.

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 Morris Plains and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2025

Morris Plains

• What: Family Day & Fireworks Extravaganza
• Where: 51 Jim Fear Dr, Morris Plains, NJ 07950-2500
• When: Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m.
• "Get ready for a day packed with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Our Family Day & Fireworks event is the perfect way to spend quality time with your loved ones. Featuring face painting, bouncy castles, and more.

Chester

• What: 61st Independence Day Firemen's Carnival and Fireworks
• Where: Chubb Park, 290 W Main St, Chester, NJ, 07930
• When: June 24-June 28, 6 to 10:30 p.m. each night (Fireworks Friday at 10 p.m.)
• The 61st Annual Chester Firemen's Carnival will be held from June 24 to June 28, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. each night. Expect rides, food, beer tent, firetruck rides, and "fun for the whole family." Fireworks on Friday, June 27 at 10 p.m. 50/50 Raffle drawing on Saturday, June 28, at 10 p.m.

Mendham

• What: Independence Day Fireworks and Celebration 2025
• Where: Mosle Field
• When: July 1, 6:30 p.m. (Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.)
• Mendham Township will kick off the 4th of July Week with a Boom! Join us for Fireworks, entertainment, delicious food, and tons of community fun on Tuesday, July 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Mosle Field. Expect music, food trucks, and more fun.

Morristown

• What: July 4 Public Reading of Declaration of Independence 2025
• Where: Morristown National Historical Park, 30 Washington Pl, Morristown, NJ, 07960
• When: July 4, 12 p.m. (Rain or shine)
• Morristown National Historical Park will celebrate our Declaration of Independence with July Fourth activities beginning at noon on the park's Washington’s Headquarters grounds, 30 Washington Place, with a 'Warm-Up for the Declaration' followed by the reading of the Declaration. At 1 p.m. the 'Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence' will commence. Attendees will be encouraged to cheer along with park rangers and re-enactors as they denounce tyranny and praise liberty. At the conclusion of the reading, attendees are welcome to participate in a mock salute called a feu de joie (musket salute). Following the reading of the Declaration, the Ford Mansion will be open for self-guided tours with re-enactors in period dress bringing life to the mansion once again.

Parsippany-Troy Hills

• What: 4th of July Fireworks and Rock Concert
• Where: Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Dr, Morris Plains, NJ, 07950
• When: Friday, July 4, 5 to 10 p.m. (Fireworks at dusk)
• Rock concert will feature "Overboard." No pets. Rain date Saturday, July 5.

Randolph

• What: Independence Day Freedom Festival 2025
• Where: County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ, 07869
• When: Thurs., July 10, Fri. July 11, Sat. July 12, 6 to 10 p.m
• "This three-day festival will again showcase live music, amusements, carnival games, great food, fireworks, and an expanded Beer Garden with beer, wine and hard seltzer. Enjoy your favorite festival food like funnel cake, fried Oreos, sausage and peppers, hot dogs, and ice cream. Bring your family and friends to the County College of Morris and enjoy an evening of family entertainment. Mechanical Rides will once again be here for 2025 – with Thursday and Friday night being bracelet night – ride as much as you like for $30 on Thursday and/or Friday nights."

Denville

• What: Fire Department Carnival & Fireworks 2025
• Where: Denville Volunteer Fire Dept., 2 Indian Rd, Denville, NJ, 07834
• When: Wednesday, July 16 to Saturday, July 19, 4 to 11 p.m. (Fireworks Thursday at 9 p.m.)
• "The Denville Department’s 2025 Carnival will take place from Wednesday, July 16th, through Saturday, July 19th, located at the fireman’s field on Indian Rd (next to the firehouse.) This annual fire department fundraiser features thrilling rides for all ages, great food and treats, beer garden, carnival games, and fun for the whole family! Fireworks will be held on Thursday, July 17th, at approximately 9 p.m."

Montville

• What: July 4 2025 Carnival And Fireworks
• Where: Montville Township High School, 100 Horseneck Rd, Montville, NJ, 07045
• When: Wednesday, June 25, to Friday, June 27, 5 to 10 p.m. (Fireworks Friday at 9:15 p.m.)
• The Montville Township 4th of July Celebration 2025 is a three-day event that runs from Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, June 27 with rides, car show, food, live music, and fireworks. Fireworks will be held on Friday, June 27, at 9: 15 p.m.

Dover

• What: Independence Day Fireworks Celebration 2025
• Where: Hamilton Field, 302 E McFarlan St, Dover, NJ, 07801
• When: Thursday, July 3, 6 p.m.
• "Dover will hold their Independence Day fireworks celebration on July 3rd at the Hamilton Field Complex. Gates open at 6 p.m."

Hanover

• What: July 4 Patriotic Celebration of Fireworks 2025
• Where: Veterans Park, Hanover, NJ, 07981
• When: Wednesday, July 2, 6 p.m. (Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.)
• "This fun-filled, family-friendly evening will feature entertainment by DJ Flo and a live performance by the band The Mighty Spectrum. Activities will include a bounce house, face painting, balloon sculptures by Kellei Cosby, and more. A variety of food trucks will be available on site, offering a selection of meals and refreshments for purchase. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for seating."

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.