In order to help families plan how they’d like to celebrate Independence Day, a guide has been put together for 2026. From festive foods and concerts, to patriotic parades and fireworks; there are tons of options all over Southern Maryland the week of Fourth of July. From our family to yours… We wish you a Happy 4th of July!
CHARLES COUNTY
FUN FILLED FOURTH
Regency Furniture Stadium
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: Gates open at 4:00PM/ Fireworks at 9PM
Location: 11765 St. Linus Drive, Waldorf, Maryland 20602
Details: Fun-Filled 4th is a free, family-friendly celebration packed with patriotic fun for all ages! Enjoy live entertainment from Freedom Circus (5 p.m.), an Action Jaxx foam party, crafts, and fireworks!
Food will be available for purchase from:
- Gig’s Shaved Ice
- Circus Ice Cream
- Pretty Girl Creamery
- Did Someone Say Funnel Cake?
- Suya & Spice
Cost: FREE
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS- CHARLES COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 3:00PM – 10:00PM (Gates open at 3PM)
Location: 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata, MD
Details: This firework display is a thank you to the community for their support for the Charles County Fair throughout the year. Before the fireworks display, come and enjoy some great food, pony rides and outstanding live music from some local talented people. The grand finale of our celebration will be a digital pyro-musical display shot off and thundering to a multicultural musical blast! Facebook event link.
Cost: Admission and parking are free. Additional fees for food and beverage.
TOWN OF INDIAN HEAD- 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Village Green and Pavilion- 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head
Details: The Day kicks off with a Patriotic Opening Ceremony at 3:30 PM. There will be amusement ride (4PM-8PM), live entertainment (4PM-8PM), and food available for sale. No pets of any kind or alcoholic beverages permitted.
Cost: Free Admission
TOWN OF LA PLATA- 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Town Hall- 305 Queen Anne St. La Plata, MD 20646
Details: This family friendly event is free and lots of fun! Have the kiddos come in their swimming suits… there will be seven different water slides, ice cream and air brushed tattoos.
Cost: Free Admission -Food will be available for purchase from the following local favorites.
CALVERT COUNTY
STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM (Gates Open)
Location: Calvert County Fairgrounds
Details: This community is fun for the whole family. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display.
4TH OF JULY AT THE ROD N’ REEL
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: 5:00PM- 11:00 PM
Location: Town of Chesapeake Beach – Calvert County, MD
Details: 5PM-8PM Enjoy live music with Mike Mallick at the Dock. 8PM – 11PM DJ Ketchup at the Bandshell. Followed with Fireworks hosted by the Town of Chesapeake Beach!
Cost: FREE
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION – CHESAPEAKE BEACH
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: 5:30PM – 10PM: Fireworks after dusk 9PM
Location: Kellam’s Field Complex- 3825 Gordon Stinnett Ave.
Details: Calvert County is offering a family-friendly Fourth of July celebration, featuring live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, complete with a grand finale of fireworks.
Cost: FREE
4TH AT SOLOMONS ISLAND
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: Event starts at 10AM/Fireworks between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m.
Location: Riverwalk, Solomons Island
Details: Join in for a full patriotic day of fun and celebration in Solomons! Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Special events and activities will take place throughout the day including:
-
- Flag Raising Ceremony / 10:00 am LOCATION: Watermen’s Memorial at entrance to Solomons Island
- Children’s Bike Parade / 10:45 AM registration/ Parade Starts at 11:00 AM LOCATION: Our Lady Star of the Sea Parking Lot/ Alexander Lane, Solomons
- 1st Maryland Regiment Colonial Reenactors Encampment / 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM LOCATION: Corbin Nature Pavilion / Calvert Marine Museum
- Boat Parade / 12:00 Noon LOCATION: Begins in Back Creek and proceeds to Patuxent River past the Riverside Boardwalk
- FREE Live Concert / SOCIAL / 7:00 PM LOCATION: Boardwalk Pavilion
- Fireworks / 9:15 pm LOCATION: Patuxent River in front of the Riverside Boardwalk
Cost: FREE
Weather Updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveSolomonsFireworks
ST MARYS
FREEDOM FEST
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: Gates open at 5:00 PM
Location: St. Mary’s County Fair Grounds- Leonardtown, MD
Details: St. Mary’s Freedom Fest is an Independence Day celebration. Music, entertainment, food, craft vendors, kid’s activities and a grand fireworks display at dark. This is a free admission event.
Cost: FREE
USA 250TH CELEBRATION
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 5:00PM-10:00PM
Locations: Dennis Point Park
Details: Dennis Point Marina & Campground extend our sincere gratitude to @visitstmarysmd for their support of the USA 250th Celebration on July 4th. Join us for a great afternoon and evening of Live Music, Food Trucks, Games, Fireworks and Fun! T-Bone and Heather of 97.7 The Bay will broadcast the event live and we’ll be raising funds to support Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad of Valley Lee.
Cost: Tickets $15 per vehicle
FREEDOM FEST
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM
Location: NAS PAX River
Details: Celebrate Our Independence in the best way possible! MWR’s Freedom Fest has the best views of the Patuxent River with some awesome activities that will keep the entire family entertained! *Base Access Required* We will have water inflatables, rock climbing, games, arts and crafts, games and music. Food, Drinks and Glow Items will be available for purchase. Bring the family and your chairs and spend the day with the MWR Community Rec Team! ***MILITARY/BASE ACCESS ONLY***
Cost: FREE
CAPITAL AREA
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
George Washington Mt Vernon
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 9AM-8PM
Location: Mt. Vernon
Details: Get out to George Washingtons Mount Vernon, for an all-day, turn-back-the clock Forth of July. Marvel at gorgeous scenes of the Potomac River from the Founding Father’s estate, and listen to Revolutionary War-era music while savoring Colonial-style ice cream. The event also includes a special day-time fireworks display.
Cost: Included with Admission
FORTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW
Date: July 4 & 5, 2026
Time: Park Opens at 10:00 AM /Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Location: Kings Dominion – Doswell, VA
Details: All-American thrills are waiting for you at Kings Dominion as we celebrate Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’S®, the most breathtaking 4th of July event in Virginia in 2025! The night’s sky will be painted with bright and colorful lights while explosive sounds erupt in combination with patriotic music, creating an unforgettable show for all ages.
The National Mall is the most popular place to watch the fireworks display, with attendees staking out spots near the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and an array of other locales across DC’s most scenic space. The 17-minute display will start at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Give yourself plenty of time to find a spot and familiarize yourself with public access entry points, road closures, prohibited items and other tips from the National Park Service. Unable to make it in person? Tune in to the Trust for the National Mall’s Monument Cam for a virtual, front-row seat to the show.
ACTIVITIES & TIPS
If you are looking for some fun ways to entertain the littles; be sure to check out the LINK TO PATRIOTIC SENSORY PLAY!- click here
Don’t forget little ones with sensory needs may benefit from wearing ear protection! We also love gearing up in glow so that the kids are easy to keep track of in the dark.
***The Playful Parent is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free resources to the community that advocate learning through play and promote family bonding. Thank you for following. Be sure to check us out on Facebook or Instagram. Donations to the organization can be made on Patreon. This article is intellectual property of TPP.***
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