Watch CBS News

Boston's 4th Of July Celebration Draws Massive Crowds On Esplanade

BOSTON (CBS) – Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the area of the Boston Esplanade Saturday for the city's iconic Independence Day celebration.

Navy Seals Jump
(WBZ-TV)

The celebration kicked off with a Navy Seal skydiving jump to the celebration. A Go-Pro camera was worn on the helmet of a diver to capture their free-fall experience.

Sons of Serendip
(WBZ-TV)

The audience has seen many impressive musical performances from artists like Melinda Doolittle, Sons of Serendip and Michelle Brooks Thompson.

Melinda Doolittle
(WBZ-TV)

Meanwhile, the Boston Pops played several selections including some Frank Sinatra hits.

Michael Cavanaugh wowed the crowd with his performances including "My Life" and "It's Still Rock and Roll."

And the eventful evening concluded with the near half-hour fireworks display.

WATCH: Fireworks Finale At Boston's Fourth Of July Celebration 

Hatch Shell gates opened at 9 a.m. on Saturday for the July 4th concert and fireworks special, with festivities taking place throughout the day.

Ray MacDonald of B4 Productions has been a part of the event since 1982. He said there is plenty in store for guests during the annual event.

"It's tradition, it's Boston," MacDonald told WBZ-TV's Bree Sison on Friday.

Visitors to Boston are asked to take public transportation due to the expected congestion.

Security
(WBZ-TV)

In addition, guests are asked to follow security guidelines.

Watch: 'Safety First' Esplanade Rules Apply To News Anchors, Too

No drones, pets, bikes, coolers or backpacks are allowed at the 4th of July festivities.

Personal items will be allowed in clear bags.

The Boston Pops concert marks the 20th anniversary for maestro Keith Lockhart.

During this year's concert , the audience and viewers at home will be able to vote by text message on what they want to the Boston Pops to play during the concert.

Lockhart and the Pops will take the stage at 8:30 p.m., the fireworks get underway at about 10:30 p.m. and the show ends at 11 p.m.

At 9 a.m. in Faneuil Hall, WBZ-TV anchor Lisa Hughes started the 4th of July fun as the orator for Boston's Independence Day Celebration.

Meteorologist and WBZ-TV Exec. Weather Producer Terry Eliasen's 4th of July forecast predicts mainly cloudy skies through the afternoon.

Most showers will remain to the west and south, but a few light showers are possible in the Boston area. Any showers that arrive should be brief.

Temperatures will fall back into the 60s for the fireworks, but there are no weather concerns.

For those who can't be in attendance Saturday night on the Esplanade, WBZ NewsRadio 1030 begins its broadcast of the event at 7 p.m. while WBZ-TV's Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular special begins at 8 p.m.

For more information on Boston's 4th of July festivities, visit the organization's website.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey Reports:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.