🇺🇸 Celebrate the Fourth of July with style in Milwaukee! This year’s Independence Day weekend is packed with dazzling fireworks displays, community events, drone shows, parades, and family-friendly festivities—from the lakefront to neighborhood parks and suburbs.
Lakefront Drone Spectacle & Classic Fireworks
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Drone Light Show – July 3: Kick off celebrations with a 45-minute drone performance over Lake Michigan. With viewing spots at McKinley Beach and Park, the drone show promises a uniquely modern twist on Independence Day glows youtube.com+3visitmilwaukee.org+3spectrumnews1.com+3.
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Lakefront Fireworks – July 3: After dark, head to Veterans Park or along the shoreline for a spectacular fireworks show starting around 9:30 pm. This beloved tradition, sponsored by American Family Insurance and others, draws over 100,000 people annually tmj4.com.
Tips for a smooth experience:
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Arrive early — lots open by 6 am on July 3, parking is first‑come, first‑served. No in‑and‑out once parked spectrumnews1.com+1tmj4.com+1.
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Consider volunteering to help with post-event cleanup — a meaningful way to give back tmj4.com.
4th of July Parade & Hometown Celebrations - July 4th: 9:15am and 10am
Wawausota: The parade starts at 9:00 am. Over 80 units will leave the staging area near Swan Blvd (92nd Street). The parade will go east on North Avenue, ending near 80th Street.
Cedarburg: Starting at 10 am Parade followed by daylong picnic in the park, with food and beverages served by the Cedarburg Lions Club.
Special performance by the Madison Scouts in Cedar Creek Park following the parade.
Fireworks at dusk.
Neighborhood Park Fireworks – July 4, ~9:15 pm
Fireworks light up across Milwaukee parks, ensuring a local display for everyone:
| Park | Parish of Shows |
|---|---|
| Alcott | Yes |
| Gordon | Yes |
| Humboldt | Yes |
| Jackson | Yes |
| Lake | Yes |
| Lincoln | Yes |
| Mitchell | Yes |
| Noyes | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| Wilson | Yes |
Tailor your celebration with picnics, parades, and family fun before the crescendo at dusk (Learn more)
Festivities in The ‘Burbs
Extend the celebrations beyond the city with vibrant events happening in surrounding suburbs:
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Brown Deer: Village Park lights up at noon with music, food trucks, games—and fireworks at 9:30 pm (Learn more)
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Cudahy: Under 5 miles from downtown—bike parade, live music, free ice cream, Cracker Jacks, fireworks at 9:15 pm (Learn more).
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Franklin: Four-day celebration near the public library with rides, games, and fireworks at 9:30 pm on Friday (Learn more).
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Glendale: Kletzsch Park hosts a parade, food truck fest, birthday cake giveaway, live music, and fireworks at 9 pm (Learn more).
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Greendale: Lions Club hosts rides, games, beer & wine tasting from July 2–5 (fireworks at dusk on the 4th) (Learn more).
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Greenfield: Konkel Park’s festival features contests, pageants, ice cream, live tunes, fireworks ~9:45 pm (Learn more).
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Hales Corners: Firecracker Four Run/Walk, pet costume contest, UW Marching Band performance, and fireworks at 9:30 pm (Learn more).
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Oak Creek: Vista Park lights up at dusk following daytime citywide fun (Learn more).
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Shorewood: Atwater Park hosts live music, food & drinks, then fireworks at 9 pm (Learn more).
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Wauwatosa: Starts July 4 with a parade at 9 am, contests, entertainment from 1–3 pm, and a drone show at Hart Park on July 2 (no fireworks this year) (Learn more).
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West Allis: Athletic Complex at Nathan Hale HS features food trucks (6:30 pm), concert by Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (7:30 pm), and fireworks at 9:30 pm; parade is on July 2 (Learn more).
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Whitefish Bay: Parade at 11:30 am, followed by carnival atmosphere at Klode Park, concluding with fireworks at 9:30 pm (Learn more).
Bonus Spot: Juneau Park
While not a hosts fireworks itself, Juneau Park is a scenic vantage point overlooking Lake Michigan and downtown—an ideal spot for the drone show or distant fireworks viewing .
Final Tips
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Plan your route – with events across different days and locations, check times and traffic.
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Arrive early – to secure good viewing spots and parking, especially at lakefront and main city parks.
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Pack essentials – think blankets, chairs, snacks/drinks, bug spray, and maybe a power bank.
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Stay safe & courteous – fireworks are prohibited in the city itself—stick to official displays.
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Capture memories – share your photos with #VISITMKE and let others feel your Milwaukee pride.
This July, from high-tech drones above the lake to neighborhood fireworks booming in suburban parks, Milwaukee delivers the full spectrum of American celebration. Whether you’re downtown, lakeside, or in one of our charming suburbs, Independence Day weekend promises unforgettable moments under the stars.
Happy Fourth, Milwaukee!
Sewart Group
☎️ 414-526-0754
📩 [email protected]
