July 4th 2024 Fireworks, Events Around Princeton

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

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Fourth of July Jubilee at Morven Museum & Garden
Where: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton
When: July 4, 12 p.m.
It’s Morven’s 20th anniversary. Join the commemoration this Independence Day with reflections on history, civic engagement, and community at the museum’s annual Fourth of July festival. The 2024 event will take place as part of Civic Season, a national program of activities connecting Juneteenth and July 4th to better understand our past and shape our future. The program features community partners hosting family-friendly activities and crafts inspired by themes of history, civics, and service; tours of Morven’s gardens; live music from the Vintage Vibe Tribe; food from Oink & Moo BBQ, The Empanada Guy, and Kona Ice; face painting; an opportunity to sign the Declaration of Independence; and much more.

What: Independence Day Celebration in South Brunswick
Where: Crossroads South Middle School
When: July 1, rain date July 2
South Brunswick will host an Independence Day celebration with fireworks on July 1 at Crossroads South Middle School. Celebrations begin at 6 p.m., with fireworks scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m.There will be music and vendors at the event. Rain date is July 2.

What: Independence Day Fireworks 2024 Lawrence Township
Where: Rider University
When: June 28, 6 p.m. onwards
The annual Independence Day Fireworks will be held at Rider University on Friday, June 28, according to the township's Recreation Department. There will be food trucks, live band and children's entertainment. Events will begin around 6 m. Fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m.

What: Trenton Thunder Baseball July 4th Independence Day Extravaganza 2024
Where: Trenton Thunder Ballpark
When: July 4, 7 p.m.
Trenton Thunder will host the Frederick Keys. enjoy pregame Happy Hour and postgame fireworks.

What: East Windsor Independence Day Celebration
Where: Etra Lake Park, East Windsor
When: July 6, 6 p.m. onwards
The Independence Day celebration begins at 6 p.m. with Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band, a 6-piece band from the Delaware Valley area, best known for its traditional jazz sound. They will be followed at 7:45 p.m. by the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, a 6-piece ensemble from Central Jersey performing Americana and a variety of popular melodies. Fireworks display will begin immediately following the musical presentations, around 9:30 p.m.

What: Hamilton 2024 Independence Day Fireworks & Concert
Where: 2206 Kuser Rd, Hamilton Township
When: July 1, 6 p.m.
The annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks hosted by Hamilton Township will take place on Monday, July 1st at Veterans Park, 2206 Kuser Road Hamilton. Rain date scheduled for Tuesday, July 2. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with music and food from a variety of vendors, along with musical entertainment by the Heartbeats. Then, at 9:30 p.m., there will be fireworks display.

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.