Watch CBS News

Boston Area's Best Fireworks Displays 2015

Watching Fireworks
(Photo Credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Rockets burst in midair along the waterfront of New England. Music, parades and cruises are perfect companions to Boston's Best Fireworks! Independence Day marks the calendar for families to come out with lawn chairs and sparklers into festivities of all kinds in local Boston neighborhoods. Join these events prepared for a night sky full of magic!

Boston Pops
Photo credit: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (Facebook)

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
Hatch Shell, Boston Esplanade
47 David G. Mugar Way
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 266-1492
www.bso.org

Date: July 3 and 4. 2015
Time: 8:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Price: Free

Visitors travel across the nation to Boston to be present at the Hatch Shell for this once-a-year performance of the Boston Pops Orchestra. It's a mouth dropping, goose bump inducing experience live at the esplanade, with plenty of concession stands, umbrellas and blankets on the grass and reflections of light above our cities harbor. This is such a long awaited event that citizens of Boston have been known to break out the camping equipment just to be ready for the Boston Pops! CBS Boston's WBZ-TV plans to air the exclusive July 4 broadcast of The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart in its 42nd annual fireworks spectacular concert at the Hatch Shell. The preview concert on the third of July will not have fireworks that evening. Read: Complete Guide to July 4 on the Esplanade

Spirit Of Boston Fireworks Dinner Cruise
Seaport WTC Marine Terminal, Commonwealth Pier
200 Seaport Blvd. #75
Boston, MA 02210
(866) 310-2469
www.spiritcruises.com

Date: July 4, 2015
Time: 7 p.m. (boarding) to 11 p.m.
Price: $94.90 per person

This fireworks dinner cruise offers the perfect dinner and seating arrangements for the largest fireworks display Boston has to offer this Fourth of July. Luxurious accommodations aboard the Spirit of Boston's cruise ship wrap the reflections and sparkle of the skyline around each of its patrons, floating upon the waves of Boston Harbor. It's a magnificent experience and one that is bound to be as unforgettable as Independence Day itself. Boarding at the Seaport World Trade Center Marine Terminal, parking on such a popular holiday will be a breeze.

Gloucester Horribles Parade & Grand Fireworks Display
Cape Ann Seaport
Gloucester, MA
(978) 283-1601
www.capeannvacations.com

Date: July 3-4, 2015
Time: 6 p.m. (July 3rd) 9 p.m. (July 4th)
Price: Free

Cape Ann along the coast of Gloucester celebrates Independence Day with free concerts, fireworks, parades, bonfires, and that's not all! The annual Horribles Parade begins at the Gloucester High School; the Rockport Fireman's parade begins at Rockport High School and the Manchester official 4th of July parade begins at Manchester/Essex High School. Bring along a flag to wave at the newly graduated senior classes as they begin the march to the Back Beach of Cape Ann Seaport. Parades that end with firework displays over the harbor are genuine New England traditions!

Related: Planning Guide For Spending July 4th On The Boston Esplanade

Golden Harbor Illumination
Crocker Park
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-2787
www.marbleheadfestival.org

Date: July 1- 4, 2015
Time: 9 p.m. (fireworks begin)
Price: Free

The town of Marblehead's Performing Arts Program celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year with over 15 different acts beginning on the first of July with its grand finale on July 4th  and Plymouth's famous Harbor Illumination. Get the family seating early in the beautiful natural concert venue of Crocker Park, located along the shoreline of Marblehead. It's sure to be one of its most exciting and interesting concert series ever presented. Other prime locations to view the show are Fort Seawall, Riverhead Beach and Chandler Hovey Park; each venue is a proud participant of the town's "Golden Illumination."


Sights & Sounds Of Summers Past
Plymouth Waterfront
Plymouth, MA 02362
(508) 591-3411
july4plymouth.com

Date: July 4, 2015
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free

The Plymouth community will celebrate the National Anthem from morning until night in memory of Sir Francis Scott Key this year. The morning of Independence Day begins with parade floats and displays.  Antique cars, color guards, drill teams and marching bands begin the celebrations at Mayflower Business Park and plan to pass the official reviewing stand on the Plymouth Waterfront. The evening brings with it Sights & Sounds of Summers Past with an old fashioned band stand and, of course, fireworks bursting in mid-air. An event both young and old are guaranteed to enjoy all day long!

Related: Find A Fireworks Display Near You

Freelance Writer Corinne Costantino brings the "Best of Boston" to New England. Her work can be found on Examiner.com

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.