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Centennial Olympic Park’s show is the last fireworks bonanza left in Atlanta.
Centennial Olympic Park’s dazzling show is the last fireworks bonanza left in the City of Atlanta.
AJ Brustein/Flickr

Where to watch Atlanta July 4th fireworks

In metro Atlanta, tried-and-true favorites plus some new incarnations abound in 2019

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Centennial Olympic Park’s dazzling show is the last fireworks bonanza left in the City of Atlanta.
| AJ Brustein/Flickr

The past few years have seen the demise of Fourth of July fireworks blowouts at both Turner Field and Buckhead’s Lenox Square, the latter ending nearly six decades of tradition. But there’s still plenty of boom-boom around the ATL come Independence Day.

From Marietta to Avondale Estates and Stone Mountain, metro Atlanta offers a multitude of options for the most patriotic—and pyromaniacal—among us. Between this weekend and Thursday, you’ll find plentiful spots around the city proper and beyond to take in celebratory fireworks, and in the true spirit of ’Merica, they're all free. Or almost free.

So set your July 4 plans in motion, prepare to fire up your grill, get out on the town, and go celebrate America.

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Centennial Olympic Park

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With expansion construction now complete, Centennial Olympic Park welcomes the return of the Southeast’s largest pyrotechnic display—considered one of the country’s best—back within its gates. The park now offers more green space and new features to enhance this Atlanta tradition.

Gates open at 7 p.m. Thursday with an evening of food trucks and a special set by DJ Yvonne Monet at 7:30, followed by sky-high explosions at 9:45 p.m. Check here for a full know-before-you-go guide.

After a brief hiatus, downtown fireworks return to Centennial Olympic Park.
GWCCA.org

Fireworks in Fourth Ward

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After a successful launch (despite a downpour) last year by the Old Fourth Ward Business Association and Ponce City Market, the second annual “Fireworks in Fourth Ward” returns to Historic Fourth Ward Park on Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m. with food trucks, booze tents, and family-friendly hullabaloo followed by a “grand fireworks show.”

Festivities also will take place starting at 5 p.m. at The Roof at Ponce City Market with its annual Fourth of July Rooftop Bash.

Curbed Atlanta

Downtown Decatur

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At 6 p.m. Thursday, the Pied Piper Parade wends through downtown Decatur (expect very patriotic floats), followed by the Concert on the Square at 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band. Fireworks start cracking at 9 p.m.-ish.

Stone Mountain Park

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What's more American than a laser Elvis performing An American Trilogy? A laser Elvis performing An American Trilogy followed by Independence Day fireworks! The free shows actually run from July 1 to 7 and start at 9:30 p.m. (You'll have to pay $20 for parking, however.) This year marks the park’s 52nd anniversary for fireworks, and includes the largest fire wheel in North America. No wonder this event has been picked by Reader’s Digest as one of “America’s Most Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks.”

SweetWater 3rd of July

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Get a jump on celebrating our nation’s birthday with SweetWater Brewing Company’s 3rd of July celebration. Starting at 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, festivities include a charitable conrhole tournament, a Big Green Egg Cookout, and fireworks.

For those who want an elevated experience, VIP tickets are available for $75 per person and include a complimentary buffet, four beer tokens, and front-row seats to the fireworks.

East Point bash

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The oldest and largest Independence Day blowout in South Fulton County—East Point's "Salute to the Red, White and Blue"—actually ignites with a free summer carnival from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and runs nightly through Sunday. On Thursday, carnival festivities start at 3 p.m., with the real treat launching at about 9:30 p.m., with "South Fulton County's largest Pryo Digital Fireworks display synchronized to a musical score!"

Sandy Springs blowout

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Per tradition, Thursday brings fireworks to Sandy Springs and a promise to "illuminate the skies above the King and Queen buildings" with the seventh annual Stars and Stripes Celebration at the Concourse Corporate Center Lawn. Expect music from the band Bogey & The Viceroys at 7:30 and boom-boom at 9:45 p.m. Pack a picnic, and enjoy an al fresco dinner prior to the festivities. No drones (or booze) allowed.

Avondale Estates Celebrates

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Avondale Estates on Thursday will host this "time-honored tradition" promoted as "truly a blast" with a 10 a.m. parade. Fireworks to follow at dusk, beside the ITP city’s beloved lake. Expect warning blasts beforehand, meant to acclimate the local wildlife.

Chamblee Independence Day

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Up in Chamblee, Independence Day events begin at 5 p.m. in Keswick Park on Thursday with inflatables, a bike parade, and live music from Crystal Clear Band. Fireworks will follow at 9:30 p.m. When heading to the event, avoid the traffic and take MARTA (instructions here) and check out the Chamblee Rail Trail en route to festivities.

Marietta Square bonanza

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OTP, anyone? Marietta's venerable “Fourth in the Park” celebration will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday with a "Freedom Parade" (30,000+ spectators strong) and continue all day long with a festival, music (including A1A–The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show and more), and fireworks.

Mall of Georgia’s Star Spangled Fourth

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Road-tripping to a northern Gwinnett mall might not sound too alluring on the 4th of July, but Buford's biggest retail outlet puts on one of the most impressive fireworks showcases in the region (at 9:40 p.m.-ish Thursday). Expect music at 7:30 p.m. from The Throwback Experience and a post-fireworks showing of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part on a 70-foot movie screen. Plus, a carnival.

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Centennial Olympic Park

With expansion construction now complete, Centennial Olympic Park welcomes the return of the Southeast’s largest pyrotechnic display—considered one of the country’s best—back within its gates. The park now offers more green space and new features to enhance this Atlanta tradition.

Gates open at 7 p.m. Thursday with an evening of food trucks and a special set by DJ Yvonne Monet at 7:30, followed by sky-high explosions at 9:45 p.m. Check here for a full know-before-you-go guide.

After a brief hiatus, downtown fireworks return to Centennial Olympic Park.
GWCCA.org

Fireworks in Fourth Ward

After a successful launch (despite a downpour) last year by the Old Fourth Ward Business Association and Ponce City Market, the second annual “Fireworks in Fourth Ward” returns to Historic Fourth Ward Park on Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m. with food trucks, booze tents, and family-friendly hullabaloo followed by a “grand fireworks show.”

Festivities also will take place starting at 5 p.m. at The Roof at Ponce City Market with its annual Fourth of July Rooftop Bash.

Curbed Atlanta

Downtown Decatur

At 6 p.m. Thursday, the Pied Piper Parade wends through downtown Decatur (expect very patriotic floats), followed by the Concert on the Square at 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band. Fireworks start cracking at 9 p.m.-ish.

Stone Mountain Park

What's more American than a laser Elvis performing An American Trilogy? A laser Elvis performing An American Trilogy followed by Independence Day fireworks! The free shows actually run from July 1 to 7 and start at 9:30 p.m. (You'll have to pay $20 for parking, however.) This year marks the park’s 52nd anniversary for fireworks, and includes the largest fire wheel in North America. No wonder this event has been picked by Reader’s Digest as one of “America’s Most Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks.”

SweetWater 3rd of July

Get a jump on celebrating our nation’s birthday with SweetWater Brewing Company’s 3rd of July celebration. Starting at 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, festivities include a charitable conrhole tournament, a Big Green Egg Cookout, and fireworks.

For those who want an elevated experience, VIP tickets are available for $75 per person and include a complimentary buffet, four beer tokens, and front-row seats to the fireworks.

East Point bash

The oldest and largest Independence Day blowout in South Fulton County—East Point's "Salute to the Red, White and Blue"—actually ignites with a free summer carnival from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and runs nightly through Sunday. On Thursday, carnival festivities start at 3 p.m., with the real treat launching at about 9:30 p.m., with "South Fulton County's largest Pryo Digital Fireworks display synchronized to a musical score!"

Sandy Springs blowout

Per tradition, Thursday brings fireworks to Sandy Springs and a promise to "illuminate the skies above the King and Queen buildings" with the seventh annual Stars and Stripes Celebration at the Concourse Corporate Center Lawn. Expect music from the band Bogey & The Viceroys at 7:30 and boom-boom at 9:45 p.m. Pack a picnic, and enjoy an al fresco dinner prior to the festivities. No drones (or booze) allowed.

Avondale Estates Celebrates

Avondale Estates on Thursday will host this "time-honored tradition" promoted as "truly a blast" with a 10 a.m. parade. Fireworks to follow at dusk, beside the ITP city’s beloved lake. Expect warning blasts beforehand, meant to acclimate the local wildlife.

Chamblee Independence Day

Up in Chamblee, Independence Day events begin at 5 p.m. in Keswick Park on Thursday with inflatables, a bike parade, and live music from Crystal Clear Band. Fireworks will follow at 9:30 p.m. When heading to the event, avoid the traffic and take MARTA (instructions here) and check out the Chamblee Rail Trail en route to festivities.

Marietta Square bonanza

OTP, anyone? Marietta's venerable “Fourth in the Park” celebration will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday with a "Freedom Parade" (30,000+ spectators strong) and continue all day long with a festival, music (including A1A–The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show and more), and fireworks.

Mall of Georgia’s Star Spangled Fourth

Road-tripping to a northern Gwinnett mall might not sound too alluring on the 4th of July, but Buford's biggest retail outlet puts on one of the most impressive fireworks showcases in the region (at 9:40 p.m.-ish Thursday). Expect music at 7:30 p.m. from The Throwback Experience and a post-fireworks showing of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part on a 70-foot movie screen. Plus, a carnival.