29 Fourth of July celebrations around Phoenix
Celebrate our nation's independence with fireworks, food, music and patriotic remembrances across the Valley.
Fireworks Family Night
Kids can dress as their favorite superheroes to watch the animated Disney film "Big Hero 6" indoors on a huge LED screen. There will be bounce houses, games and food, followed by a fireworks show after sunset. Church members also will perform "Celebrate America" at 9 and 10:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Phoenix First Assembly, 13613 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-867-7117, phoenixfirst.org.
Independence Day Celebration
Anthem's celebration will include water slides, inflatable rides and plenty of food, including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, kettle corn, ice cream, snow cones and fry bread. The Rotary will have a beer garden sell margaritas. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are permitted, and on-site grills are available. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. after the national anthem. Check online for traffic restrictions.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 2. Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. Free admission and parking; $15 for ride bracelets. 623-742-6050, onlineatanthem.com/events.
Light Up the Sky
Inflatable rides, games and community organization booths will fill the stadium at Maryvale Baseball Park. Big Red from the Arizona Cardinals, Smokey the Bear and other mascots will be on hand. Fireworks will begin at 9:10 p.m. Only unopened water bottles will be allowed inside the stadium. Food and beverages will be for sale.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2. 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix. 602-262-6575, phoenix.gov/parks.
Cave Creek 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Three restaurants and bars are involved in this bash. Harold's Corral will offer an outdoor barbecue, mobile gaming truck, shaved ice and face painting. The Buffalo Chip Saloon will serve corn dogs, smoked turkey legs, roasted corn and snow cones. The Cave Creek Roadhouse will have balloons and giveaways. All three will offer drink specials, live music, free open seating and a view of Rural Metro's fireworks display just after sunset. Complimentary shuttles from 6 p.m. to midnight are available but limited to get partygoers around town. Carefree Resort & Conference Center (480-488-5300, carefree-resort.com) will offer discounted room rates and a breakfast buffet.
Details: 5 p.m. Friday, July 3.
• Harold's Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road. Free; table reservations are $10 for two; $15 for four; $30 for 10. 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com.
• The Buffalo Chip Saloon, 6811 E. Cave Creek Road. $10-$30 for reserved seating. 480-488-9118, buffalochipsaloon.com.
• Cave Creek Roadhouse, 6900 E. Cave Creek Road. Free. 480-488-3300, cavecreektaphaus.com.
Salute From the Shores
Watch fireworks lakeside at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina. Bring lawn chairs and coolers and claim a spot early. Water slides, bounce houses, Euro trampoline bungee and country music from Mogollon will be featured. There will be food and drink vendors. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.
Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 3. 8708 W. Harbor Blvd., Peoria. Free activities; $12 parking. 928-501-5253, pleasantharbor.com and facebook.com/pleasantharborrvresort/events.
Red White & Boom
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce event will be at Pecos Park this year. Activities include a pool playground, splash pad, dunk tank, zip line and carnival games
before fireworks at 9 p.m. There will be live entertainment and a color-guard march, but no skydivers this year. Vendors will sell beer, shaved ice, frozen lemonade, kettle corn, nachos, ice cream and fry bread. A misted Boom! Room and the Oasis Lounge include food, drinks and other amenities.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 3. 17010 S. 48th St., Phoenix. Free; $5 parking; $25 for Boom! Room or Oasis Lounge. 480-753-7676, red-white-boom.com.
Fourth of July Wet 'n' Wild Hike and Splash
Combine the best of hiking and swimming at this fun summer event. It's a half-mile hike from the parking lot to Lake Pleasant, where visitors can cool off with a swim. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and wear water shoes or grubby sneakers you don't mind getting muddy. Life vests are required; loaners are available at the trailhead. And don't forget to wear sunscreen. After returning from the lake, the park will raffle off a four-pack of tickets to Wet 'n' Wild Water Park in Glendale.
Details: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown. $6 per vehicle. 928-501-1710, maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant.
Made in the USA Rooftop Independence Day Weekend Pool Party
Party poolside at Lustre Bar at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Phoenix. There will be a DJ and live music, specialty cocktails, beach balls, pool toys and a rooftop view for fireworks after the Arizona Diamondbacks game July 4. Wear patriotic gear and compete for the best-dressed contest. Cabana and room reservations are available.
Details: 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $10 for non-hotel guests. 602-253-6633, Search "Lustre" at eventbrite.com.
Great American Fourth
Copper Sky Regional Park in Maricopa will have a water zone with wet and dry inflatables, bounce houses, a game truck, community performances and food vendors. Kids can count on being drenched by fire trucks for 10 minutes every hour. NineBall will play rock tunes, and there will be a patriotic celebration and veteran recognition featuring Mayor Christian Price and Jaime Buchholz, Miss City of Maricopa. A fireworks display will begin after sunset. A free shuttle will operate 5:30-11 p.m.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 44345 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Free; $5 unlimited ride wristbands for age 3 or older. maricopa-az.gov.
Independence Day Car Show and Fireworks Celebration
Spiffy wheels and fireworks are the highlights of this annual event presented by Art of Noize. View more than 200 cars while enjoying drinks and food at the onsite bar and
restaurant. Volleyball, beanbag toss, horseshoes and more take place throughout the day along with a fireworks show beginning about 9 p.m.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Victory Lane Sports Park, 22603 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale. $20 to enter car; $4 general admission for age 13 or older. 623-581-6000, artofnoize.com.
Independence Day Music Festival
There will be fireworks at Talking Stick after a July 3 concert by Wilco with Dr. Dog. Sit in reserved seats, on the grassy field or in the baseball stadium. Get pit tickets for dancing up-close to the entertainment. Blankets, seat cushions and two unopened bottles of water per person are allowed, but no umbrellas, chairs or outside food or drink.
Details: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 6 Friday, July 3. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Loop 101 and Pima Road, Salt River Reservation. $25-$95; free for age 2 or younger (pit seating excluded). $10 parking. 480-270-5000, saltriverfields.com, ticketmaster.com.
4th of July Celebration
Watch a Rookie League baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners at Surprise Stadium. There will be games and giveaways between innings, the Nothin' But a Party Band will play and vendors will sell merchandise. Fireworks will begin at 8:30 p.m. Grab a seat on the grass of the adjacent soccer field, where That Kool Band will perform at 6:30 p.m.
Details: Gates open at 4:30 p.m.; game starts at 5:30 Saturday, July 4. 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free admission with canned-food donation. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.
Bag It for Bucks
Float the Salt River and collect trash in provided litter bags as you go. Your reward for being a patriotic steward of public land will be a Star-Spangled Bucks coupon for each full bag, good for a $7 discount on tube rental for a future float through Aug. 28. Beach balls, water-balloon contests, prizes and live entertainment will be featured. KKFR-FM (98.3) and JAMZ-FM (101.5) will broadcast live.
Details: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5; tubes rented until 2 p.m.; last shuttle bus at 6:30 p.m. Salt River Tubing & Recreation, 9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa. $17, includes tube rental. 480-984-3305, saltrivertubing.com.
$4 for the Fourth
Visit Phoenix's 1,000-year-old prehistoric Hohokam archaeological site to get a feel of life in the Salt River Valley hundreds of years ago. Walk ruins trail, imagine how games were played at ball court and mound areas, see artifacts and let kids feel history in a hands-on gallery. Admission is $4, a $1-$2 savings for moms, dads and grandparents. A golden coupon for 20 percent off a gift-shop purchase of $20 or more (some books excluded) can be found online.
Details: July 2-4. 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $4; free for 5 or younger. 602-495-0901, pueblogrande.com; coupon at localfirstaz.com/independents-week.
Scottsdale 4th of July at WestWorld
In air-conditioned comfort, find a free zone with such activities as "Frozen" land, live music, Grand Prix Gatsby-era racing on a track (age 16 or older), video-game trucks, mutton busting, bull riding, an extreme trampoline show and music and theater performances. Wristband purchase includes obstacle courses, slides, a zip line, bounce house, mechanical bull and a bungee run. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Food and drinks will be sold. The family four-pack includes access to all activities, all-you-can-eat food and bleacher seating for the fireworks.
Details: 2-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 16601 N. Pima Road. $17; $12 in advance; $6 in advance for Scottsdale residents; free for age 5 or younger and military families with ID. Wristbands are $20, $10 for each additional child 6 or older, $5 for age 5 or younger; $120 in advance for family four-pack. 866-977-6849, westworldaz.com.
Fourth of July Celebration
Dress like your favorite '80s personality and show up at Veterans Park in Tolleson for a chance to win cash prizes. Dance to music from Rock Lobster and cool off with free water slides and watermelon slices. At 5 p.m., watch contestants scarf down as much pie and hot dogs their stomachs can hold. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.
Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 8601 W. Van Buren St. Free. 623-474-4992, tollesonaz.org/events.
Red, White & Rawhide
The frontier town will have three stages of music by A.B. Quintanilla and Los Kumbia Kings All Starz, David Cook, Matt Farris, the Electric Cowboys, Caleche Ryder and AzTex. Guitarist Chris Perez, widower of Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla, will sign his book "Selena, With Love." Keep cool on multiple water slides. Dining options include the Fourth of July Buffet in the Rawhide Steakhouse, Town Grill and food trucks.
Details: 5-11 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Doors open at 4 p.m. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. $30, $25 in advance; $19.75 each for family four-pack; free for age 5 or younger; $10 to park. 480-502-5600, rawhide.com/red-white-rawhide-2015.
All-American Festival
This blowout at the Peoria Sports Complex includes a water zone, beanbag tournament, live music and bounce houses. There will be three eating contests where challengers will stuff their faces as fast as they can with food from Sonic: tater tots, footlong hot dogs and Route 44 slushes. Watch the skies at 6:55 p.m. for a flyover of vintage aircraft. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food and beer will be for sale. Presented by Sears Vacations.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 16101 N. 83rd Ave. $10; $7 by July 3; free for age 12 or younger; free parking. 623-773-8700, peoriaaz.gov/specialevents.
4th of July at Schnepf Farms
Activities include free hayrides, as well as a water slide, train rides, a roller coaster, rock-climbing wall, miniature golf and jumping pillows for $3 each. A patriotic performance at 7 p.m. will be followed by fireworks at 9. Rides will remain open until 10:30 p.m., and a family-friendly flick will be shown on a giant screen until 11:30 p.m. to help avoid a traffic jam as the crowd leaves. Watermelon, funnel cake, pie, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled pizza and other food will be for sale at a shaded outdoor pavilion. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center.
Details: 5-11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road. $15 per car (cash only); $12 for ride wristbands (cash or credit card); $3 per ride. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com/event/4th-of-july.
Westgate Fireworks Fest
Bring the family, blankets and lawn chairs to Westgate Entertainment District. A splash pad, DJ music, games, prizes and face painting will be at Fountain Park near AMC Theatres. Bands will play, multiple radio stations will be broadcasting and there will be a beer garden at Waterdance Plaza. More than 20 restaurants will offer "grab and go" dining deals. A 15-minute fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.
Details: 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. Free. westgateaz.com/fourth.
Fox 10 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
If sharing a lakeside fireworks show in the desert with a crowd of thousands sounds good, then Tempe Beach Park is your destination. Claim your spot on the lawn to enjoy live music, rides, a rock-climbing wall and splash playground. Blankets, chairs,
umbrellas up to 4 feet long and one sealed gallon of water per person are permitted, but no outside food or drink allowed. A 30-minute fireworks show over the lake will begin at 9:15 p.m. Get tickets in advance at Fry's or online. Misted VIP seating is available.
Details: Gates open 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. $5 or $6 in advance; $8 at the gate; $15 for two at the gate; free for military and age 12 or younger. $30-$60 for VIP garden. 480-350-5189, tempe4th.com.
Fourth at the Fountain
Celebrate Independence Day around Fountain Hills' landmark 560-foot fountain and lake. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. The bash will include a parachuting demonstration, bounce houses, beer garden, DJ music, food and beverages. New this year are a water slide and 25-foot-tall climbing wall. No coolers permitted. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd. $5; free for age 20 or younger. 480-816-5100, fh.az.gov or facebook.com/fourthatthefountain.
Fire in the Sky
There will be music and eating contests, and beach balls will be given away. Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, snow cones, lemonade and glow necklaces will be for sale. Two additional viewing locations are available nearby for the fireworks show about 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 4; gates open at 5:30 p.m. Central Christian Church, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert. Free; canned-food donations requested. 480-305-7500, centralaz.com/fireworks.
Hometown Fireworks Celebration
Game booths and a kids zone with bounce houses and water slides will be included in this Apache Junction party. Decorate bicycles, wagons, tricycles and mini floats for a contest. Judging will be at 6:30 p.m. with winners announced at 7 just before the band Reign-N-Country takes the stage. There will be free watermelon (while it lasts). Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. The nearby Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center will have a co-ed volleyball tournament at 8 a.m. and public swimming and wacky activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Apache Junction High School's football stadium, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive. Free; fees apply for game booths. 480-983-2181, ajcity.net/events.
4th of July Celebration
A kids zone with water rides and bounce houses are featured. Play checkers and eat watermelon for free, and buy hot dogs, kettle corn, roasted chicken and shaved ice. Glow sticks and bracelets will be sold by Friends of the Recreation Center, with proceeds benefiting youth scholarships. The Screamin' Javelinas will play classic rock, folk and country from 7 p.m. until the fireworks start at 9.
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Youngker High School, 3000 S. Apache Road, Buckeye. Free; $5 wristbands. 623-349-6322, buckeyeaz.gov/events.
Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom
Mesa's celebration includes an indoor memorial to Arizona's fallen soldiers, local heroes and displays of public-safety vehicles, military vehicles and classic cars and trucks. Other highlights include a 7 p.m. naturalization ceremony, a Revolutionary War re-enactment, a patriotic chalk mural and art and culture displays. At America's Heritage Lane and Independence Hall, take a civics quiz, learn about your family's military genealogy and more. Keep cool at a splash zone or with sprays from fire trucks. Vendors will sell food and drinks. Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.
Details: 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Mesa Amphitheater and Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between Second Street and University Drive. Free. azcelebrationoffreedom.org.
Fabulous Phoenix 4th
This celebration at Steele Indian School Park draws 100,000 people each year for the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show, which will last 25 minutes this year. You can bring your own refreshments, but with 10 food trucks and 30 vendors on site, options will be plentiful. No alcohol will be sold or allowed. Activities include a classic-car display, arts and crafts and interactive exhibits. Local bands will perform on two stages, and Kids World will have rides, bounce houses and a water-spray zone.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Third Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-262-7424, phoenix.gov/parks.
Fireworks Spectacular
Bands will play and vendors will sell food and drinks at Chandler's Tumbleweed Park. Although there will be no kids games or activities, a 25-minute fireworks display will be featured at 9 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, but no alcohol or glass containers. Vehicles can enter from Germann Road at Hamilton Street or from McQueen Road at Celebration Way.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. 2250 S. McQueen Road. Free admission; $5 cash to park. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov/4thofjuly.
Butterfly Wonderland
Red, white and blue butterflies will fill the atrium and may land on your head. There will be live music, food trucks, face painting and curator talks. Visitors can take photos with the new Butterfly Princess, Miss Antoinette, and with Blue Morpho Lady, dressed like the butterfly. Wear red, white and blue for 10 percent off admission.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Salt River Reservation. 480-800-3000, butterflywonderland.com.
Michael Senft and Ashley Whalen contributed to this list.
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