Fireworks Near Me: Wayne July 4th 2024 Events

WAYNE, NJ —Independence Day is here, so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Wayne. Area events include fireworks, festivals, parades, and other 4th of July fun.

The Wayne Police Athletic League hosts their annual fireworks show on Wednesday night to celebrate Independence Day, with Johnny Zeppoli providing concessions and inflatable rides to entertain the kids before the big show. And, there are plenty of other things to do around North Jersey on July 4 and throughout the weekend.

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 Wayne Township and the surrounding areas. Click on the links for more information and any pricing info.

Note: There are some storms in the forecast around New Jersey on July 4, so we recommend checking event organizers' websites and social media pages to make sure things haven't been cancelled before you head out.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

Wayne

• What: Independence Day Fireworks presented by Wayne PAL
• Where: Wayne Hills High School, 272 Berdan Ave, Wayne
• When: Wednesday, July 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

Clifton

• What: Clifton Independence Day Celebration
• Where: Clifton Stadium, 350 Piaget Ave, Clifton
• When: Saturday, July 6 beginning at 4 p.m.

Ridgewood

• What: Ridgewood 4th Of July Parade, Fireworks, And More
• Where: Parade begins the corner of Monroe Street and Godwin Avenue, with fireworks at Veterans Field, North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood
• When: Thursday, July 4 beginning at 9 a.m., with the parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks celebration beginning at 6 p.m.

Parsippany

• What: 90s Rockshow and Fireworks
• Where: Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive, Parsippany
• When: Thursday, July 4 with gates opening at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m., and fireworks at dark.

Maywood

• What: Maywood Fireworks Celebration
• Where: Memorial Park, Spring Valley Road, Maywood
• When: Saturday, July 6 with live music beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Paramus

• What: Food Truck Festival & Fireworks Show
• Where: Cliff Gennarelli Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus
• When: Sunday, July 7 beginning at 3 p.m. with fireworks at dark.

On July 4, 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.