There’s nothing quite like watching fireworks boom among the stars after a day of barbecue and pool time with loved ones in red-white-and-blue gear.
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If you’re making Fourth of July plans with friends or family this Independence Day, why not head out to some of the country’s biggest and baddest fireworks displays to commemorate the patriotic occasion?
Here are 10 of the country’s largest, most impressive fireworks shows, according to a variety of online reviews and travel magazines:
41st Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
New York City, New York
The Big Apple’s 25-minute celebration boasts the nation’s largest Fourth of July fireworks display with more than 60,000 booms and bangs to light up the sky over the East River this year.
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More than 3 million people gather annually to catch the show and the preshow concert featuring star musical performers. This year, Lady Antebellum, Braid Paisley and Hailee Steinfield are on the list.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
Boston, Massachusetts
Music and fire collide in this historically renowned 20-minute extravaganza where fireworks are accompanied by real cannon fire and the musical talent of the Boston Pops Orchestra.
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The show, shot along the Charles River, is known as one of the country’s most expensive fireworks displays.
National Mall Independence Day Celebration
Washington
The nation’s capital features one of the most patriotic displays in the country during its all-day celebration at the National Mall.
The 17-minute show over the reflecting pool in front of the Washington Monument attracts an average 700,000 viewers annually.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s 21-minute fireworks show over Lake Union features more than 10,000 pounds of fireworks shot into the sky and accompanied by music.
The evening display follows a full day of patriotic festivities at Gas Works Park.
San Diego, California
Hundreds of thousands of people gather annually at one of the city’s four different barges on Big Bay to catch 18 minutes of spectacular fireworks and synchronized music.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Wawa Welcome America fireworks show is the grand finale to the city’s 6-day festival. Right before the patriotic fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Mary J. Blige and Boyz II Men will take the stage for the annual concert event.
Nashville, Tennessee
In Music City, the “seriously over-the-top” Independence Day fireworks display is perfectly timed to the epic Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is home to one of America’s best Fourth of July displays, renowned for its impeccable visuals (think sparks reflected in the lake’s still waters with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background).
America’s Biggest Birthday Party
St. Louis, Missouri
Picture the Gateway Arch and all 1,371 acres of Missouri’s Forest Park lit up in red, white and blue for Independence Day.
Fair St. Louis will set off 15,000 pounds of fireworks over the 3-day festival, where attendees will enjoy musical performances from Akon, 3 Doors Down and Jake Owen.
Dallas, Texas
Small town, big show. The Addison Kaboom Town! display has consistently ranked among the nation’s top fireworks shows, beloved for its prefireworks airshow put on by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.
Though the Dallas suburb is only home to about 15,800 locals, nearly 500,000 tourists flock to the town to catch the Fourth of July extravaganza, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
Did we miss your favorite Independence Day fireworks show? Let us know in the comments.
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