July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around Westfield

WESTFIELD, 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 Westfield.

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 Westfield and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2025

Scotch Plains

• What: Scotch Plains Independence Day Fireworks
• Where: North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater
• When: Saturday, June 28 at dusk. (Rain date: Sunday, June 29)
• Join us for the Kids' activities & entertainment at 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. For more information visit scotchplainsnj.gov

Union Township

• What: Union Township's 2025 Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks
• Where: Biertuempfel Park on Winslow Avenue in Union
• When: Friday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
• The night will kick off with a concert at 7:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Free Admission. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, visit uniontownship.com/Calendar

Springfield

• What: Springfield's July 4th Celebration
• Where: Meisel Avenue Park
• When: Saturday, July 4 at 5 p.m.
• A DJ will perform from 5 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a concert from 8 to 9 p.m. Fireworks will be held at dusk. The free event includes food trucks, inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides, and live entertainment. For more information, visit springfield-nj.us/news/4th-of-july-celebration.

Elizabeth

• What: Elizabeth's 4th of July Celebration 2025
• Where: Veteran's Memorial Waterfront Park, 115 Front Street, Elizabeth
• When: Friday, July 4 at 2 p.m.
• Starts at 2 p.m., (Fireworks Start At Dusk)

Summit

• What: Summit City's Fourth of July Celebration 2025
• Where: Soldiers Memorial Field, 5 Myrtle Avenue, Summit
• When: Friday, July 4
• Event details coming soon!

North Plainfield

• What: North Plainfield for Community Day & Fireworks
• Where: North Plainfield High School, 34 Wilson Ave., North Plainfield
• When: Saturday, July 5, from 4 to 10 p.m.
• Rain date Sunday, July 6

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.