The Fourth of July is a special time on Cape Cod because summer is in full swing, and the action really starts to pick up for the season. In fact, the entire week leading up to Independence Day is loaded with patriotic events, so you can get an early start depending on when you arrive on the Cape.
These events are free and take place in communities throughout Cape Cod, so you can easily reach a few from your vacation rental. Here’s a look at some events you won’t want to miss this Independent Day.
Fireworks Displays
Everyone loves fireworks, and there’s no shortage of displays all over the Cape. No matter which day you want to check out a show, there’s likely something going on.
The first fireworks display of the season takes place at Mashpee High School on Friday, June 28. This display gets started at dusk, but there will be music, entertainment, food, and games at the venue beginning at 5:00 PM. This family-friendly event offers the perfect way to kick off the season.
The following night, June 29, fireworks will be displayed at Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Although the fireworks won’t start until 9:00 PM, there will be music by The Moonlighters beginning at 7:00.
On Tuesday, July 2, you can check out some fireworks at Veterans Field in Chatham starting at 9:00 PM. This event features plenty of family-friendly activities beginning at 6:00, so you can make a night of it.
July 2 also has a fireworks show at Rock Harbor in Orleans, MA. This display is visible from Rock Harbor, Skaket Beach, and numerous beaches in Brewster and Eastham, so you’ll have plenty of choices when selecting a vantage point.
The most highly-anticipated fireworks show is always the July 4 display at Falmouth Heights Beach, and this year won’t be any different. The show starts at dusk, and music will accompany the display on 102.9 FM. There will be some road closures for this event, so plan ahead if you wish to attend.
Not to be outdone, Provincetown is hosting a fireworks show on July 4, too. This event starts at dusk and will feature a display over Provincetown Harbor. You can book a spot on a whale-watching cruise if you wish to see the show from the water or enjoy it from a local beach or restaurant.
If you love fireworks, Cape Cod has you covered this Fourth of July season.
Independence Day Parades
Of course, it wouldn’t be Independence Day without a parade, and there are events up and down the Cape, so you can choose based on the location of your vacation rental or check out a few of them throughout the day.
The first parade is in Barnstable Village at 9:00 AM. This event has been a fixture since the 1970s and is over an hour long, so you’ll want to bring a chair. Traditional Fourth of July games like a pie-eating contest, egg toss, and tug-o-war will follow.
If you’re staying in the Chatham area, their parade starts at 9:30 AM. This parade is loaded with floats, and there will be prizes for the most creative entries. The route is along Main Street between Old Harbor Road and Shore Road, so get there early to ensure you can see the action.
Wellfleet has a couple of events in the morning on July 4, starting with the car parade at 9:30. This parade begins and ends at the Town Pier, running through downtown Wellfleet, and features various classic cars from the Cape Cod area. The float parade will follow the same route at 10:00.
In Orleans, the Independence Day parade starts at 10:00 AM. This event is full of music and celebrates this lively community and everything it has to offer. The parade starts on Eldredge Parkway and meanders through downtown Orleans on Main Street and Route 28, so there are plenty of spots to stop and see the show.
Sandwich is one of the country’s oldest towns, so it makes sense that it would have a Fourth of July parade. This year’s event starts at 10:30 AM from the Henry T. Wing School before heading downtown. There’s a road race before the parade, too, if you’re looking to go for an early-morning run or watch the festivities.
The Cotuit July 4 parade starts at 11:00 AM and runs on Main Street between the Cotuit Post Office and Cotuit Elementary School. It isn’t the largest parade but typically draws about 10,000 people because of its small-town charm.
If you’re out and about on the evening of July 4, why not check out the Hyannis Harbor Boat Parade? This event starts at 3:00 with a street party in downtown Hyannis, featuring live music and many other activities. Then, the boat parade will circle Hyannis Harbor at 5:00, which you can see from Bismore Park. There will then be a land parade at 6:00 and a free concert by the Cape Symphony at 7:30.
Get Out and Enjoy Independence Day
Visiting Cape Cod for the Fourth of July is special because it lets you celebrate the holiday in some of the country’s oldest towns. You’ll be surrounded by history, natural beauty, and scenic beaches, so you can make the most of America’s birthday in 2024.
