When are fireworks on Cape Cod? Every show, festival, parade and picnic we could find.
Fourth of July on Cape Cod is full of fireworks, parades and festivals.
If you're wondering just what's in store for this year's set of celebrations, fear not! We've got you covered.
From Falmouth to Provincetown, parades - including a boat parade - firework displays, a couple of races, live music and festivals with everything from food to face-painting are taking place all in the name of American independence. Celebrations begin at the end of June and run through the fifth of July - so be sure to mark down in your calendars the dates and times of every event you want to try to get to.
Cape Cod Fourth of July fireworks, festivals and parades
Friday, June 28
Mashpee: The town’s annual community picnic and fireworks are set to take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 28 at Mashpee Middle-High School’s athletic field (500 Old Barnstable Road, Mashpee.) Fireworks will begin around 8:45 p.m. Games, train rides, face painting and food trucks will be on-site to fill time and tummies until the show.
Saturday, June 29
Mashpee: Rain date for the June 28 picnic and fireworks display.
Sandwich: Fourth of July fireworks are scheduled to go off at 9 p.m. on June 29 from the Henry T. Wing School (33 Water St.) following a performance from the Moonlighters at 7 p.m., according to the town's website.
Tuesday, July 2
Chatham: Chatham’s Fourth of July fireworks will be set off at dusk on July 2 from Veteran’s Field.
Orleans: Orleans’ Fourth of July fireworks will be set off at dusk on July 2 from Rock Harbor.
Thursday, July 4
Barnstable: At 9 a.m. on July 4, floats will glide through Barnstable Village as part of the Barnstable Civic Association’s Fourth of July Parade.
Centerville: Fourth of July parade, presented by the Centerville Civic Association, begins at 9 a.m. on July 4 with the raising of the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of “America the Beautiful.” At 10:30 a.m., the Scout Troop 54 Color Guard and a Centerville fire truck will lead the parade from Centerville Elementary School to Bumps River Road then Park Avenue and onto Main Street, ending at the Centerville Recreation Center. Hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy, face painting and awards will await parade attendees and participants at the finish line.
Chatham: The town’s Fourth of July Parade will set off at 9:30 a.m. on July 4 from Main Street. This year’s theme is “Chatham — It’s a Shore Thing,” according to Chatham Parade’s website.
Cotuit: Cotuit’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 on School Street then goes down Main Street toward the old Cotuit Elementary School, where the parade will culminate. The parade is presented by the Cotuit Civic Association.
Falmouth: Fourth of July fireworks will be set off from Falmouth Heights Beach at dusk on July 4, according to the Falmouth Police Department’s website.
Hyannis: Hyannis Port Mini-Marathon and Parade sets off from the Hyannisport post office at 9 a.m. followed by the parade at 11 a.m. — which begins at the same location. The parade will run from the post office to Washington Avenue to Lafayette Avenue then to Winchester Avenue, Scudder Avenue and Dale Avenue before ending at the West Beach Club.
Live music and performances on Main Street and the Bandstand on the Village Green begin at 4 p.m., featuring a slew of local acts like the Cape Cod Ukulele Club and a reenactment from the Yarmouth Minutemen. At 5 p.m., the annual Hyannis Harbor Boat Parade begins. At 4:30 p.m., boats decked out in red, white and blue will begin lining up in the inner harbor before looping around to show off their patriotism to onlookers at Bismore Park.
The Cape Symphony’s “Joy4July” concert rounds out the celebrations at 7:30 p.m. A rain date for the show is set for July 5. A map of parking lots near the festivities is available on the town of Barnstable’s website.
Orleans: The town’s parade will set off at 10 a.m. on July 4 from Eldredge Parkway. A full parade route and more information is available on the Orleans Fourth of July Committee’s website.
Provincetown: Provincetown’s Fourth of July Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on July 4 at the Harbor Hotel followed by fireworks at MacMillan Pier at dusk — typically a little before 9 p.m. according to Radu Luca, executive director of the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce.
Sandwich: The town’s parade is scheduled to take off at 10:30 a.m. on July 4 from the Henry T. Wing School. The “Spirit of Sandwich” 5K Road Race sets off at 8 a.m. from the Henry T. Wing School. Registration will be open on race day from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. and is $15 for runners 14 and up, $10 for runners 13 and under.
Wellfleet: Wellfleet’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4 at the town pier. As always, the antique car parade will head down the route first, starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Fourth of July Parade. The theme of this year’s parade is “Fishing for a Good Time."
Friday, July 5
Cotuit: The Cotuit Firecracker Road Race sets off at 5 p.m. at Lowell Park. For more information about the race, visit, www.semcsports.com/.
Falmouth: Rain date for Falmouth fireworks.
Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Fourth of July: When are fireworks, parades and festivals?