Cue the eagle’s call. We’re on the brink of celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday, ‘Merica — that is, if half of it doesn’t melt from the scorching heat.
Hundreds of millions of Americans in the central and northeastern U.S. are under some sort of heat warning, watch or advisory through the Fourth of July weekend. As a result of the dangerous heat, various parades and events in the Northeast, including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, have had to be canceled, shortened or postponed.
Several major celebrations are still scheduled for this weekend, including mega pop star Taylor Swift’s apparent nuptials to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3. (What’s more American than that?)
Weather pending, from July 3 to 4, official America250 celebrations will be held in various cities across the nation, with events planned in Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
While there are countless other celebrations happening across the country, we narrowed down the list to the biggest ones happening this weekend below. Don’t forget to leave out the milk and cookies for Captain America on July 3.
Mount Rushmore, S.D.
Fireworks display preceded by Trump remarks
🗓️ Friday, July 3, at 4 p.m. MT
🎇 President Trump delivers remarks during a celebration at Mount Rushmore to mark America’s 250th anniversary, featuring military honors, family-friendly activities and a fireworks display set to begin at 9:30 p.m. local time.
Washington, D.C.
Capitol Fourth of July concert
🗓️ Friday, July 3, broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol
🇺🇸 The A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration concert will be broadcast live on local PBS stations and livestreamed online. The lineup of performers includes Jack Everly, the National Symphony Orchestra, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and more. Instead of fireworks happening at the Capitol, they will be livestreamed from Mount Vernon in Virginia.
Salute to America Celebration and Fireworks
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m. ET on the National Mall
🎆 The celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday will feature remarks, including from President Trump at 9:45 p.m. ET, flyovers, performances and a fireworks finale. There will also be demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team, as well as fleet reviews representing all five branches of the armed forces.
New York City
Multiple Times Square ball drops for eight time zones
🗓️ Friday, July 3, starting at 10 a.m. ET
🪩 For the first time in its 119-year history, New York City’s iconic Times Square ball will drop in July to mark America’s 250th birthday. During a 21-hour period from July 3 through July 4, the ball will drop eight times as the clock hits midnight in each U.S. time zone. The first drop will be at 10 a.m. ET for American territories located in Chamorro Standard Time, and then the last ball drop will be at 7 a.m. ET the next day for American Samoa. Unlike the traditional New Year’s Eve ball drop, the event will be a closed set and the public won’t be allowed in the plaza or streets around Times Square. The event will be livestreamed at america250.org or on the America’s Block Party mobile app.
Nathan’s Famous annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at Coney Island in Brooklyn
🌭 Contestants from across the world will seek to win the coveted “Mustard Yellow International Belt” as they try to eat as many hot dogs with buns as they can in 10 minutes. The men’s competition airs live on ABC and ESPN networks starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m. ET live from the Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River and the East River
🎆 The 50th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show will be expanded for the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration. Over 85,000 shells and effects will be launched across the lower East River, the lower Hudson River and the Brooklyn Bridge. The event will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock. It’ll be hosted by Terry Crews with performances by Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey and Blake Shelton.
International Naval Review
🗓️ July 3-8 at the Port of New York and New Jersey
⚓ New York and New Jersey will host the International Naval Review, featuring military ships from more than 20 countries, more than 100 Navy aircraft, the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner and a British aircraft carrier. Vice President JD Vance will deliver remarks at the event on July 4 in New York Harbor. Many of the ships will dock nearby after the review and will be open to the public through July 8.
Bristol, R.I.
Oldest July 4 celebration in the U.S.
🗓️ June 14-July 4
🇺🇸 Bristol, R.I., is home to the country’s oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration, dating back to 1785. It’s a three-week event that kicks off on Flag Day with a concert series, July 3 fireworks at Bristol Harbor and a July 4 ball and parade, which draws more than 200,000 people.
Philadelphia
Time capsule burial
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at 8:30 a.m. ET
🕑 A time capsule will be buried at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia — and it won’t be opened until the year 2276. Inside America’s Time Capsule are carefully curated contributions from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., five U.S. territories and all three branches of the federal government, as well as select partners. The event will be livestreamed on C-SPAN.
Wawa Welcome America festival, concert and fireworks
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at Benjamin Franklin Parkway
🎆 The roughly two-week-long festival concludes with a concert and fireworks display. Headliners include Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, the Roots and Will Smith. Gates open at 3 p.m. ET, and the fireworks are scheduled to start at 11:45 p.m. ET, pending weather.
World Cup game
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m. ET at Philadelphia Stadium
⚽ Paraguay faces off against France in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.
Los Angeles
America250 concert
🗓️ Saturday, July 4, at 6 p.m. PT
🎤 A family-friendly concert will be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, hosted by Queen Latifah and featuring performances by Chris Stapleton and the Smashing Pumpkins. The event will be livestreamed through the America250 app or at America250.org.
