Fireworks will light up the sky all over metro Atlanta on July 4th - weather permitting.
With rain the forecast, be sure to check the websites or with sponsors for cancellations or postponements before taking off to watch.
Many metro Atlanta events involve more than fireworks, with live music, games and other activities to help you party the day and evening away. Here’s your guide to some of the best shows in town Wednesday and Thursday. Most are free.
WEDNESDAY
Independence Day Celebration and Mother's Finest Concert, Norcross.
4 p.m. July 3. Free. Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St. 678-421-2000, www.norcrossga.net.
Duluth Celebrates America
4 p.m. July 3. Free. Scott Hudgens Park - River Green Business Park, River Green Parkway. 770-476-3434, www.duluth-ga.com.
City of Kennesaw's Salute to America — postponed to an undetermined date
THURSDAY
4th of July at Centennial Olympic Park
Relax on the Great Lawn or splash in the Fountain of Rings. The AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular is synchronized to patriotic music.
6 p.m., gates open. Fireworks begin about 9:40 p.m. Free. Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Avenue West, Atlanta. http://www.centennialpark.com/.
Red White & Brew at the Georgia Aquarium
Watch the Centennial Olympic Park fireworks from the roof of the Georgia Aquarium with Red White & Brew. Beer and music. Hosted in the Oceans Ballroom before moving to the roof for the big show in the sky.
6 to 10:30 p.m. $55, 21 and older only. Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, Atlanta. 404-581-4000. http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/.
Lenox Square 4th of July
Games for children, music, food concessions and one of the largest fireworks display in the Southeast. Many line the streets around the mall to watch, hauling folding chairs and food for the evening show.
10 a.m., opens. Fireworks at dusk. Free. Music, fun for kids. 3393 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta. Phone: 404-233-6767. http://www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square.
Mall of Georgia Fabulous Fourth
A full day of activities including children’s rides, inflatables, live music, food. Kids Zone opens 2 p.m. for games, water balloon toss. Parking recommended in the Dillard’s lot. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
2 p.m. events begin. Fireworks begin at dusk. Free. Post-fireworks screening of Playing for Keeps (rated PG-13).
Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678.482.8788. www.mallofgeorgia.com.
Alpharetta’s July 4th Fireworks and Festivities in Wills Park
Children’s activities and entertainment on the lawn behind the Alpharetta Community Center (175 Roswell Street) from 6 to 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk, rain or shine. The City Pool open until 9 p.m. Patrons can watch from the pool deck.
6-10 p.m. Free. Wills Park 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 678-297-6133. www.alpharetta.ga.us.
Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins
Okay, it’s a two-fer. Cheer on the Braves then stay around for the fireworks. Or, if you are nearby, watching from a parking lot is free.
7:10 p.m. Tickets $11-$92. Turner Field 755 Hank Aaron Drive. 800-745-3000. www.Braves.com.
Marietta Freedom Parade, Fourth in the Park and celebration
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church and ends at North Marietta Parkway. Marching bands, civic organizations, beauty queens, scouts and local businesses. Festival starts after the parade with food concessions, music, arts and crafts and carnival.
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Free. Fireworks at dusk. http://www.mariettaga.gov/city/residents/parks/specialevents/julyfourth.
Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain Park
Enjoy the Lasershow Spectacular followed by a fireworks July 4-6 on the lawn.
Begins at dusk. $10 daily parking pass or $35 for annual parking permit, Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain. http://www.stonemountainpark.com/.
Decatur’s July 4th Pied Piper Parade
Decorate your wagon, ride your bike, skate, or walk in this parade. Everyone can join the neighborhood and organization floats before settling in a the square for the fireworks, which begin about 9 p.m. Parade line-up is at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 5:30 p.m. Parade begins at 6 p.m. and ends at the Community Bandstand on the square, where a concert by the Callanwolde Concert Band, begins at 7 p.m.
6 p.m. Free. 404-371-8386 or email Katie.Abel@decaturga.com. http://www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com.
Fireworks at The Nash Farm Battlefield in Hampton
Nash Farm, 4361 Jonesboro Road, Hampton. http://www.henrycountybattlefield.com/.
Free. Fireworks at dusk.
Thursday Thunder and Fireworks at Atlanta Motor Speedway
NASCAR’s stars of tomorrow race in Legends and Bandolero cars. Family-oriented fun in a kid-friendly environment that includes autograph sessions, a rock climbing wall, clowns, face painters. root beer chugging contests, trivia games.
Children 6-11 $2, adult $6. 1500 N Highway 41, Hampton. 770.946.4211. http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/.
Woodstock run, parade, festival, fireworks
A full day of celebrating, eating and playing. Freedom Run begins at at 7:30 a.m.; Main Street parade at 10 a.m.; Festival in the Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fireworks at dusk behind Kohl’s/Target Shopping Center on Ga. 92.
7:30 a.m. for race. Registration $30 for race, other events free. Main Street, downtown Woodstock. http://www.woodstockga.gov/index.aspx?nid=90.
14th Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravanganza, Roswell
Carnival games, local duo Banks & Shane play before the fireworks.
5:30 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Roswell High School, 11595 King Road, Roswell. 770-641-3705, http://bit.ly/18irFCk.
POSTPONEMENTS
East Point Hometown Celebration
Gather in the heart of East Point for an old-fashioned carnival with favorites such as the carousel, Ferris wheel, rides, games, concessions and watermelon eating contest.
Postponed until Saturday 5-11 p.m. Free. 2757 Main St., East Point. 404-270-7059. http://www.atlanta.net/eastpoint/events-fourth-of-july.aspx.
Celebrate July 4th in Lilburn — postponed until Sept. 1
Sugar Hill Sparks in the Park — postponed until Aug. 3
Acworth July 4th Concert and Fireworks — postponed until July 19
