Today I'm going to share with you some of the most exciting events happening across the US on July 4th, 2023. Whether you're looking for fireworks, parades, concerts, or festivals, there's something for everyone on this special day. Let's get started!

New York City: The Big Apple never disappoints when it comes to celebrating Independence Day. The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is the largest and most dazzling display in the country, with more than 65,000 shells launched from barges along the East River. You can watch it live on NBC or from various viewing spots around the city. If you're feeling patriotic, you can also join the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, where competitors try to devour as many franks as possible in 10 minutes.

Washington DC: The nation's capital is the perfect place to celebrate America's birthday. You can start your day by visiting the National Archives, where you can see the original Declaration of Independence and other historic documents. Then you can head to the National Mall, where you can watch the Independence Day Parade, featuring marching bands, floats, and military units. At night, you can enjoy A Capitol Fourth, a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Military bands, classical music orchestras, and celebrity pop and rock artists will all fill the show with their colorful mix of genres. The concert is followed by a spectacular fireworks show over Washington Monument.

Los Angeles: The City of Angels has plenty of options for celebrating July 4th. You can catch some sun and surf at one of the many beaches along the coast, where you can also see fireworks displays from Santa Monica to Malibu. You can also visit Disneyland, where you can experience patriotic-themed attractions and shows, such as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History. Or you can head to Hollywood Bowl, where you can enjoy a musical extravaganza with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and special guests like Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, and Lizzo.

Chicago: The Windy City knows how to throw a party on July 4th. You can check out the Grant Park Music Festival, where you can listen to classical music and patriotic tunes by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. You can also visit Navy Pier, where you can ride the Ferris wheel, play carnival games, and watch fireworks over Lake Michigan. Or you can explore Millennium Park, where you can see art installations like Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean) and Crown Fountain, and catch some live music at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Boston: The Cradle of Liberty has a rich history and tradition of celebrating July 4th. You can follow the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route that connects 16 historic sites related to the American Revolution, such as Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, and Bunker Hill Monument. You can also attend the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, a free concert at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, featuring the group En Vogue who will headline the Boston July 4 fireworks celebration, joining Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops at the Hatch Shell. Also taking the Hatch Shell stage is Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez (“In the Heights”), country duo LOCASH, and a trio of Broadway performers — Alton Fitzgerald White, Elizabeth Stanley, and Andrea Jones-Sojola — who participated in the Pops’ recent concert presentation of “Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert.” The concert is capped off by a stunning fireworks display over the river.

These are just some of the amazing events happening across the US on July 4th, 2023.

If you feel like staying home here are 3 ideas that your family and friends might enjoy.

1. Decorate your home with red, white, and blue. You can use flags, banners, balloons, streamers, or anything else that shows your love for America. You can also make your own DIY decorations, such as paper stars, pom-poms, or wreaths.

2. Make some delicious patriotic treats. Nothing says July 4th like a tasty dessert that's themed after the American flag. You can bake a cake, a pie, cupcakes, cookies, or brownies and decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, or fruit. You can also make some refreshing drinks, such as lemonade, punch, or smoothies, and add some blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries for a pop of color.

3. Play some fun games with your family and friends. You can organize a scavenger hunt, a trivia quiz, a bingo game, or a relay race based on July 4th facts and history. You can also play some classic outdoor games, such as cornhole, horseshoes, croquet, or badminton. Or you can try some new games, such as water balloon toss, glow stick ring toss, or patriotic pinata.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found some inspiration for your own July 4th plans.
Happy Independence Day!

Resources...

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/macys-4th-of-july-fireworks-special-on-nbc-2023-what-to-know
https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbcs-macys-4th-of-july-fireworks-to-celebrate-tina-turner
https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/
https://momsla.com/best-fourth-of-july-celebrations-in-los-angeles/
https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2023-season/2023-centerstage-july16
https://www.bostoncentral.com/events/esplanade_fourth_of_july_boston_fireworks/p907.php