Fireworks Near Me: Toms River July 4th 2025 Events

TOMS RIVER, 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 Toms River.

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 Toms River and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2025

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 5, 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. Read more: Beachwood Fireworks Over The Toms River Return With Important Change For 2025

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.

What: Lavallette Patriotic Concert and Fireworks
Where: Lavallette Gazebo, Bay Boulevard
When: July 6, 8 p.m.
The borough's patriotic concert and fireworks will fill the air with music and light.

What: Seaside Heights Fireworks Extravaganza
Where: Boardwalk, Seaside Heights
When: July 6, 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: Jenkinson's Independence Day Fireworks
Where: Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach
When: July 4, at dusk

What: Star-Spangled Nights at Six Flags Great Adventure
Where: Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson
When: July 4 and July 5 at dusk
Six Flags Great Adventure will celebrate Star-Spangled Nights for the Fourth of July and July 5th, with fireworks and more. Park admission required.

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.