Vermont communities across the Green Mountain State host spectacular Fourth of July celebrations that showcase New England’s patriotic spirit and small-town charm. From lakefront pyrotechnic displays to historic village parades, Independence Day brings together families and visitors for memorable experiences under Vermont’s summer skies.
The state’s scenic lakes, rivers, and mountain valleys create perfect settings for fireworks shows that honor both national heritage and local community traditions.
Vermont Cities and Towns with Independence Day Celebrations
- June 28: Waterbury
- July 3: Burlington, Montpelier, Bristol, Brownsville
- July 4: Colchester, Essex Junction, Stowe, Jeffersonville, Peacham, Richmond, Vergennes, Poultney, Killington, Wilmington, West Dover (Mount Snow), Brattleboro, Saxtons River, Wardsboro, Warren, Plymouth, Shelburne
- July 5: St. Albans, Brandon
- July 6: Island Pond
Waterbury Not Quite Independence Day Celebration
Date: June 28, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM Festivities, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Location: Main Street, Waterbury, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Waterbury’s “Not Quite Independence Day” parade features the 2025 theme “Vermont Weather,” encouraging creative floats celebrating the state’s distinctive weather patterns. The parade runs down Main Street from the State Office Complex to Dac Row Field, with participant check-in at 3:00 PM and lineup review at 3:30 PM. Food and drink vendors open at 3:00 PM with a family fun run at 3:45, parade at 4:00, kids activities at Rusty Parker Memorial Park, and a concert by 4Play until the fireworks start a little before 9:00 pm.
Wilmington Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display
Date: July 2, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Wilmington, VT
Rain Date: July 6, 2025
Cost: Free
Event Website
Wilmington’s Independence Day celebration features food vendors including RVQ Food Truck, Farm Road Estate small batch ice cream, Sunshine Lemonade, and La Casita, plus cotton candy, live music, and bouncy house entertainment beginning at 6:00 PM. The celebration culminates with a spectacular fireworks display. Shuttle service provided by MOOver from multiple parking locations.
Montpelier Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 3, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM to dusk
Location: Downtown Montpelier and State House Lawn, Montpelier, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Vermont’s capital city begins festivities at 3:00 PM with a Food Truck Festival and Family Fest on the State House Lawn. The Montpelier Mile Road Race starts at 6:00 PM, followed by the community parade through downtown. Live music performs after the parade until the fireworks display at dusk.
Burlington Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 3, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, fireworks at dusk
Location: Burlington Waterfront Park, Burlington, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Burlington hosts Vermont’s largest fireworks display the evening before the Fourth. The celebration features food trucks, local vendor booths, and live performances on the waterfront lawn from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The spectacular fireworks show launches at dusk over Lake Champlain with the Adirondack Mountains as a backdrop.
Bristol Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 3-4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM on July 3rd, 7:00 AM on July 4th
Location: Downtown Bristol, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Bristol’s two-day celebration begins July 3rd with activities at the Rec Field starting at 6:00 PM, featuring food and craft vendors, games, raffle tickets, and live music by the 40th Army Band (VT National Guard) and The DJ Jam Man. Fireworks launch at dusk.
July 4th kicks off with the Pam Paradee Memorial 5K Road Race at 7:00 AM, followed by Bristol’s legendary Outhouse Race at 9:00 AM. The parade, featuring the theme “Favorite Sitcoms,” lines up at 9:00 AM and steps off at 10:30 AM with color guards, fire trucks, bands, floats, and the Grand Marshal in a historic horse-drawn coach.
The Festival on the Green begins at noon with live music, food and craft vendors, pony rides, and an inflatable family fun center continuing throughout the day.
Brownsville Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 3-4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM on July 3rd, 8:30 AM on July 4th
Location: Ascutney Mountain and Brownsville, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The two-day celebration starts July 3rd with music, food, and fireworks from 6:00 PM to dusk at Ascutney Mountain. July 4th begins with community breakfast at 8:30 AM, followed by music, food, crafts, and activities leading to the Independence Day Parade at 1:30 PM.
Vergennes Independence Day Fireworks
Date: July 3, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, fireworks at dusk
Location: Vergennes Union High School, Vergennes, VT
Rain Date: July 5, 2025
Cost: Free
Event Website
The annual Vergennes fireworks display takes place at dusk on July 3rd in the ballfields at Vergennes Union High School. The fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere around the area.
Colchester Parade and Fireworks
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM 5K Fun Run, 10:00 AM parade, fireworks at dusk
Location: Parade starts at Colchester High School; fireworks at Bayside Softball Field, Colchester, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Colchester’s Independence Day celebration begins with a 5K Fun Run at 7:30 AM, followed by the parade at 10:00 AM starting from Colchester High School. The day concludes with fireworks at dusk along the bay at Bayside Softball Field.
Poultney Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: Poultney, Vermont
Cost: Free
Event Website
The celebration begins with pancake breakfast at 7:30 AM at the Methodist Church on Main Street, followed by a magic show by Magician Tom Joyce at 9:00 AM at Slate Quarry Park. The parade featuring the theme “Enjoying Outdoor Adventures” steps off at 10:00 AM.
At noon, food and fun activities begin with lemonade and hot dog stands, food trucks, and kids’ bounce house on the Bhakta Campus. The afternoon continues with a magic show by Blaine Good at 4:00 PM, followed by No Strings Marionette Company at 5:00 PM, and a dance party with DJ Salis at 7:00 PM, all at Poultney Elementary School. Fireworks launch at 9:00 PM at the elementary school field
Saxtons River Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Saxtons River, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Saxtons River’s 75+ year tradition begins with Firecracker 5K Road Race registration at 7:30 AM and the race at 8:30 AM. The parade featuring the theme “Where Magic Happens!” runs from 11:00 AM to noon, followed by announcements and Volunteer Firemen’s Water Polo.
Street fair activities, games, and food vendors operate from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Gaslight Tinkers perform live music on the bandstand from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Pickup softball games take place at 5:00 PM at the Recreation Center.
Warren Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 9:15 PM
Location: Warren Village and Brooks Field at Warren Elementary School, Warren, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Warren’s 75th parade featuring the theme “Stand Up For Democracy” begins at 10:00 AM with a cannon boom. Free shuttle service runs from Sugarbush Lincoln Peak starting at 8:00 AM.
At 11:15 AM, Jewel House performs for the street dance as the parade winds down. Simultaneous activities begin at Brooks Field with KidVentures hosting kids’ activities, Phineas Gage & Phriends performing live music, hot dogs served by Rotary, and a beer garden hosted by Waterbury Rotary Club.
Buddy Badges ($1 donation) are available at town entrances – find your matching number in the crowd and claim prizes at the town gazebo. Activities wind down at 3:00 PM, with fireworks launching at 9:15 PM at Sugarbush Lincoln Peak.
Peacham Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Peacham Village, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
This quintessential Vermont village celebration begins with a farmer’s market at 10:00 AM, followed by a tractor parade at 11:00 AM. Activities include horseshoe and cornhole contests, food, live music, and more throughout the day.
Killington Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: River Road and Johnson Recreation Center, Killington, VT
Rain Date: August 7, 2025
Cost: Free
Event Website
The celebration begins with Friends of the Library Book Sale at 9:00 AM, followed by the parade featuring the theme “50 Years of Johnson Recreation Center” at 10:00 AM along River Road. Johnson Recreation Center opens for public swimming at 11:00 AM with music by DJ Evan Foley.
The Killington Fire and Rescue BBQ starts at 11:30 AM under the pavilion, serving burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and sides. The inaugural Pie Baking Competition requires entries dropped off at the pool house by noon, with categories including Best Pie Baker in Killington, Most Creative Pie, Prettiest Crust, Best Fruit Pie, and Best Non-Fruit Pie.
Kids Field Games begin at 1:30 PM at the soccer field, with pie competition winners announced at 3:00 PM, followed by the Belly Flop Contest at 3:30 PM. Summit Pond Quartet performs live music at 7:00 PM, leading up to the fireworks show at 9:00 PM at Johnson Recreation Fields.
Brattleboro Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Location: Main Street and Living Memorial Park, Brattleboro, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Brattleboro’s celebration begins with bike decorating at 9:00 AM at the Whetstone Pathway near the Co-op, followed by the Red Clover Firecracker 4.0 Race at 9:30 AM at Living Memorial Park. The parade steps off at 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities include the small fry baseball all-star game at 2:30 PM and fun swim races at 3:00 PM. Carnival activities begin at 4:00 PM in the far end of the parking lot, featuring a giant slide, combo bounce house, face painting, baseball swing, dunk tank, carnival games, and food vendors.
Evening entertainment includes NECCA performance at 5:45 PM on the lower field, Strolling Mimes by My My Mime from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and The Gaslight Tinkers at 7:00 PM on the lower field. Fireworks launch at 9:30 PM.
Wardsboro Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Wardsboro Village, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The 76th Annual Street Fair begins at 9:00 AM with over 50 vendors, followed by the parade at 10:00 AM featuring floats, vintage cars, and fire trucks. Homemade strawberry shortcake, pies, chicken BBQ, children’s games, and live original music continue throughout the day.
Plymouth Notch Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, 3780 Route 100A, Plymouth, Vermont
Cost: Free
Event Website
This special celebration combines Independence Day with President Calvin Coolidge’s 153rd birthday. The day begins with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9:00 AM at Union Christian Church. Historic site tours featuring the new exhibit “That is Final: The Revolutionary Ideals that Shaped Calvin Coolidge” run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
At noon, the Vermont National Guard leads a procession and wreath-laying ceremony at Plymouth Cemetery, with a White House wreath and Coolidge family members reading selections from his speeches. Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas serves as emcee.
John Masko’s 13-instrument orchestra performs at 1:00 PM under the big tent, featuring works by George Gershwin, Arthur Foote, Aaron Copland, and John Philip Sousa. The Coolidge Cup debate tournament concludes with semifinal rounds at 2:30 PM and the championship round at 4:00 PM under the big tent. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic lunches.
Richmond Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM, Fireworks at 9:45 PM
Location: Richmond, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Richmond’s celebration begins with the parade featuring the theme “Heroes” at 9:35 AM with motorized and non-motorized entries. The Fun Run starts at 10:00 AM at Camel’s Hump Middle School and finishes at Volunteers’ Green.
The Richmond Community Band performs at noon in the bandshell at Volunteers Green, followed by Kids karaoke at 2:30 PM and adult karaoke at 5:00 PM. The town-wide karaoke competition begins at 6:00 PM, hosted by DJ Bryan Moreau, with cash prizes of $150, $100, and $50 plus trophies for first, second, and third place winners. Fireworks launch at approximately 9:45 PM at Volunteers’ Green.
Stowe Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Location: Multiple locations in Stowe, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Multiple events begin with the parade at 10:00 AM on Main Street, followed by the Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration on the Village Green from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM with food, live music by Scott Forrest, activities, and vendors. The main parade steps off at noon in Stowe Village. Evening festivities at Mayo Fields start at 6:00 PM, concluding with fireworks at dusk.
Jeffersonville Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Location: Jeffersonville Village and Smugglers’ Notch Resort, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The festive parade through Jeffersonville begins at 10:00 AM, followed by the town fair at Cambridge Elementary School from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM featuring food, book sale, games, and live music from Soulstice. Evening festivities move to Smugglers’ Notch Resort at 5:30 PM, with live music from A House on Fire and fireworks against the backdrop of the Green Mountains.
Island Pond Independence Weekend Celebration
Date: July 4-5, 2025
Time: July 4: 5:00 PM; July 5: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Location: Island Pond Village and Lakeside Park, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The Independence Weekend celebration begins Friday, July 4th at 5:00 PM with Beautiful Wreck, a Rhode Island-based female-fronted rock band performing at Lakeside Park.
Saturday, July 5th features the Independence Day Parade at 11:00 AM, followed by the American Legion Chicken BBQ at noon on Railroad Street, serving chicken or sausage with all the fixings. The Independence Weekend Scavenger Hunt begins at 1:30 PM starting and ending at the Welcome Center.
The evening concludes with the Long Island-based Decadia on the Island Pond stage, at 6:00 PM. Fireworks launch at 9:30 PM over Island Pond.
Shelburne Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: Gates 5:30 PM, concert 7:30 PM, fireworks follow
Location: Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT
Cost: Advance $33 adults, $5 kids 6-17, free ages 5 and under; Gate $40 adults
Event Website
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 PM on the scenic museum grounds, followed by fireworks. Gates open at 5:30 PM for this picnic-friendly evening celebration. The concert will be held at the Shelburne Field House in the event of rain.
Brandon Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to dusk
Location: Various locations around Brandon, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The parade featuring the theme “The Amazing Sunflower” begins at 10:00 AM, followed by bands performing in the parks and Heritage train rides up Park Street. Two auction sites operate throughout the day where winners can take home items the same day.
Additional activities include a beer garden, the world-famous Little Debbie Swiss Cake Roll Eating Contest, and music in the parks. The street dance runs from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, concluding with fireworks at dusk that can be seen from up to a mile away.
Essex Junction July 4th Celebration
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM Festivities, Fireworks at 9:30 PM
Location: Champlain Valley Fairgrounds, Midway Lawn, Essex Junction, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
The fairgrounds host carnival-style activities starting at 6:00 PM, featuring live music, games, face painting, inflatables, food stalls, and stage shows throughout the evening. The celebration culminates with fireworks at 9:30 PM over the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.
Mount Snow Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 5, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Mount Snow Resort, West Dover, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Mount Snow Resort features family activities and entertainment throughout the day, live music from DJ Bay 6 on the Grand Summit patio and Seth Adams at Fairways, concluding with fireworks against the Green Mountains.
St. Albans Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 5, 2025
Location: St. Albans Bay, VT
Cost: Free
Event Website
Bay Day celebration begins with the Great Race Triathlon, a community tradition since 1979 that attracts athletes from near and far. The day continues with a volleyball tournament, paddle boat race, and duct tape regatta. Live music and food are available throughout the day, concluding with fireworks over St. Albans Bay.
Experience Vermont’s Independence Day Traditions
Vermont’s Fourth of July celebrations showcase the state’s dedication to community, family, and patriotic heritage. From Burlington’s lakefront spectacle to small village parades, the Green Mountain State offers Independence Day experiences that honor both national pride and local character.
