Massachusetts
Didn’t make plans for the 4th? We found great celebrations around Massachusetts
It’s July 3, and you still haven’t nailed down your Fourth of July plans?
Don’t worry, we found some great last-minute choices that are worth celebrating. Consider these.
Rooftop party where the July 4 stars stay: The Fairmont Copley Plaza (https://www.fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston/) is the official hotel of Boston’s Fourth of July stars: The Boston Pops. Book a Gold room for the night of the 4th and you’ll also get star treatment.
The hotel will host a rooftop terrace party with those hors d’oeuvres Fairmont Gold is famous for, a signature welcome cocktail and honor bar, and a partial fireworks view from atop the 110-year old historic hotel.
The party runs from 8 to 11 p.m., which means you’ve plenty of time to meander over to the Esplanade or just walk around and take in the sights of the city.
Gold floor guests also get private check in, a dedicated concierge and access to their lounge where breakfast, snacks and evening appetizers are complimentary.
Should you be a night owl, you may even see some Pops relaxing post concert.
All American in America’s Home town: A huge parade first thing in the morning and a massive fireworks display after dusk bookends a full day of fun in Plymouth, the town where it all began.
Plymouth has long been a great spot for the Fourth. The annual parade steps off at 9 a.m.; you’ll want to get there early to grab a route-side spot. The parade starts at Cordage Park, just north of downtown and comes through the center of town and then down Water Street, past the Rock, Mayflower II and the beautiful harbor.
Once the parade wraps, you can dine in one of the many great downtown and waterfront spots, head to the Plimoth Patuxet living museum for some true American history, grab bites from the food trucks on site or even soak in the sun on the beach or harborside.
Parking can be a challenge as there are many road closures. Your best bet is to arrive early, park outside of downtown and take a little walk in. You can find parking details here: https://www.parkplymouth.com/parkplymouth-homepage.html.
At 7:30 p.m. the Plymouth Philharmonic begins their harborside concert, which goes until the sky lights up with fireworks around 9:30 p.m. Grab a lobster roll from a local spot like Bramhall’s Country Store and picnic harborside.
Pro tip: Do download the Ride Circuit app from See Plymouth (seeplymouth.com), for access to free electric vehicle rides to and from spots like the beaches, museums and shopping areas.
Old school small town big fun: If nostalgia is your aesthetic, or if you just want to dip your toes in a true American home town Fourth of July vibe, head to Sharon.
Sharon’s Fourth (https://sharonjuly4.org/index.html) gets ahead of the game by kicking into high gear on July 3.
It all starts of 4 p.m. on Beach Street where children are welcome to take part in a parade. Decorate a bike or wagon, dress up in your finest; whatever makes you happy and then march along as crowds cheer you on.
That wraps quickly (kids can only march for so long) and is followed by a family concert, which is free like the parade.
Through the afternoon and early evening there’s a food truck fair, games and activities, live music and train rides on the Roaming Railroad (https://www.roamingrailroad.com) a Sharon Fourth of July tradition.
At 8 p.m. you can enter or cheer on competitors in a pie eating contest. Winner takes home $50.
Then at 9:30 it all wraps up with fireworks. See that? You did it all and it’s not even July 4 yet.