What to Do In and Around Seattle for Fourth of July

Seattle’s biggest fireworks party is back at Gas Works and Lake Union Park where free parties include live concerts, activities, and beer gardens in both lakeside locations. But if you want to skip jostling for space, reserved seating starts at $66 and open-air spots on the cruise boat go for $341. No matter your vantage point, the fireworks start around 10:15pm. 

Argosy Cruises depart from Lake Union and Kirkland with three and four-hour floating parties. Some boats keep the good vibes going with a full-service bar and DJs; all sell a front-row view of the fireworks and sell out fast.

No fireworks in Edmonds, but they make up for the lack with two parades—three if you count the 5K run. The children’s version marches at 11:30; the main parade through old downtown Edmonds starts at noon.

Les Gove Park becomes home base for a rollicking activity lineup: live music, a car show, mini golf, inflatable rides, trampolines, crafts, and food vendors. Entry is free but you can get unlimited activity wristbands for $10. Bonus: The spray park will help keep things cool. There’s even laser tag. 

The massive Bellevue Downtown Park hosts food trucks, live music (orchestra, dance, and pop), and a designated family-fun area return. Fireworks light up the sky around 10:25pm. Parking is a bear both before and after the event, so it’s prime time to make use of the new 2 Line train.

Tacoma’s annual Fourth of July party spans from Dune Peninsula to the end of Ruston Way. Look out for live music stages with Puget Sound views just beyond, beer gardens, and a kids zone at Cummings Park with crafts and inflatables. Fireworks start around 10pm, launching from a barge in Commencement Bay.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: a celebration of America and one of its great original art forms, blues music. Look for lots of live tunes, a kids parade, vendors, and fireworks at 10:15. 

This day-before party in Puyallup has with vendors, live music, and fireworks at the parking lots of the Washington State Fair grounds on July 3. Think of it like a drive-in movie. A 5k run and a kids corner keeps things active.

Now a three-day series of events, Issaquah’s celebration includes a kids and pet parade, live music, and food trucks. Before the parade, a wagon decorating contest crowns a winner, and the celebration caps with 10pm fireworks on Saturday.

First, a float-filled parade starts on 25th Street and Colby Avenue at 11am. Then, Legion Memorial Park brings out live music, food trucks, and kid’s activities before fireworks launch with a synchronized soundtrack at 10:15pm. 

Thousands turn out for this daytime affair on Winslow Way and in Waterfront Park. Family-friendly activities include a pancake breakfast, a car show, a pie eating contest, a street fair, and a parade at 1pm. Adults will appreciate the beer and wine garden.