The Fourth of July in metro Atlanta has it all — parades, concerts, frozen treats, laser shows and of course fireworks. Here’s a look at nine star-spangled ways families can celebrate the holiday:
The 4th of July parade in Dunwoody
The annual Dunwoody parade will begin at 9 a.m. July 4, and will feature marching bands, floats and clowns. Last year, the parade attracted over 2,500 participants and 32,000 spectators. This year’s theme is “Dunwoody Salutes America and the Arts.”
Parade spectators are encouraged to set up chairs along Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody Village Parkway up to the shops on the right and the parade entrance into Dunwoody Village. (Spectators will be blocked from viewing on the east side of Jett Ferry Road on Mount Vernon due to the staging and setup for parade participants.) dunwoodyga.org/Dunwoody-4th-of-July-Parade.
A Positively Patriotic Party at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Follow Uncle Sam in a musical parade, create your own red, white and blue geometric painting inspired by artist Piet Mondrian, and visit Professor Labcoat at the Science Bar to see what happens when you mix together the colors of the American flag. And learn the words of some of our country’s treasured songs, including “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 4. Note: parades at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., July Fourth singalongs at 1 and 4 p.m. and science show at noon. Free for members; $15.95 for children and adults; children younger than 1 are free. Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437, childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
16th Annual Star-Spangled Fourth at Mall of Georgia
Let freedom ring at Mall of Georgia with live music, kid fun, fireworks and food. On July 4, festivities begin at 3 p.m. with food concessions and a kids play zone in the parking lot across from Dick’s Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble. Free. Other activities include concerts in The Village Amphitheatre at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:35 p.m. and a post-fireworks screening of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (rated PG-13) in the parking lot across from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Mall of Georgia. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-2365, simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia.
Fantastic Fourth Celebrations at Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park will celebrate Independence Day all week long with laser shows and fireworks each night. Parkgoers can also catch the High-Flying Dog Show, which will feature K-9 athletes performing acrobatic tricks.
July 1-7. Attraction hours, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; laser show and fireworks, 9:30 p.m. Attraction price: $31.95 online ($34.95 at gate); children ages 3-11, $29.95. Laser show and fireworks: Free with $20 parking. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. stonemountainpark.com.
Coca-Cola July 4th Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia
Looking for an adrenaline rush? The amusement park has a host of fun rides for you to try for its five-day Independence Day celebration. And if you bring a can of Coca-Cola, you’ll even have access to select rides and attractions one hour before the park opens. Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks show at dusk; it’s included with admission.
June 30-July 4. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday. $67.99; $47.99 for children under 48 inches tall. Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell. sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
RELATED: County-by-county guide to fireworks shows around metro Atlanta
MORE: Everything you can do in and around Atlanta on July 4
Gwinnett Stripers baseball game
It’s the Stripers versus the Norfolk Tides on July 4. Cheer on your favorite players as you munch on popcorn and hot dogs. There will also be a special jersey auction and postgame fireworks.
7:05 p.m. July 4. $9-$20. Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville. milb.com.
4th of July Celebration at Georgia World Congress Center
Centennial Olympic Park is undergoing renovations, so this year’s festivities are near the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. Make your way to the green field and surrounding spaces between the center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Philips Arena for live concerts and the fireworks show.
6 p.m. July 4. Free. Georgia World Congress Center Authority, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta. gwcca.org.
Alpharetta 4th of July Fireworks
Bring your friends and family to Alpharetta for an evening of entertainment. The fireworks begin at dusk, and the Alpharetta City Band is also set to perform. There will even be a host of children’s activities for the kids to enjoy.
6-9:30 p.m. July 4. Free. Alpharetta Community Center Lawn, 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. awesomealpharetta.com.
MORE: Voted Best Attraction in Atlanta
Decatur’s Pied Piper Parade
This family-friendly affair is making its way back to downtown Decatur. Whether you want to bike, walk or skate, anyone can participate in the parade. However, vehicles must register. A concert will take place right afterward, and the fireworks will start at nightfall.
6 p.m. July 4. Free. Parade begins at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. visitdecaturgeorgia.com.
Najja Parker contributed to this article.
RELATED: Find more Kids and Family events on the AJC calendar
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