How to celebrate Fourth of July 2024 in Richmond

It's almost America's birthday, and if you're looking for ways to celebrate, we've got you covered.

Of note: Officials everywhere are once again asking locals not to commemorate the holiday with celebratory gunfire.

Here are some significantly less dangerous ways to celebrate Thursday, because hopefully you don't have to go to work.

🎆 Fireworks shows

Dogwood Dell Fireworks

Richmond's annual free show starts at 5:30pm, with the fireworks expected around 9:15pm.

• There will be live music from Richmond Concert Jazz Band, food vendors and kids activities.
• Coolers are welcome; booze and dogs are not.
• Overflow parking and shuttle service from City Stadium is from 4-11pm.

Worth noting: Arthur Ashe Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic going toward Dogwood Dell beginning at 6pm. The Nickel Bridge will close around then, too.

Fireworks at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds

The festivities start at 5pm at Chesterfield's free event, with fireworks at dark.

• There will be a DJ and live music from The Morgan Lynsey Band , food vendors and kids activities, including bounce houses ($5 for a wrist band to bounce).
• Coolers are welcome but subject to search; booze and dogs are not allowed.

"Red, White and Lights" at Henrico's Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park

Henrico celebrates the Fourth of July with a laser light show over fireworks. Gates open at 4pm, and lasers start at 9:15pm.

• The lasers are accompanied by music from the Richmond Symphony, plus J. Roddy Walston opening.
• There will also be even more live music, food vendors and kids activities, including bounce houses and face painting.
• 🐶 Coolers are welcome — and so are (leashed) dogs; booze is not.

Fireworks at The Diamond

The Flying Squirrels are in town, as always, and will put on a fireworks show right after the 6:35pm game wraps up.

• The game is sold out, but if you're desperate to watch from inside the stadium, go anyway — there are often extra tickets floating around.

🇺🇸 All-American fun

Virginia's State Capitol's Fourth of July celebration

Virginia's State Capitol grounds is hosting a " grand festival " on July 4 as part of the lead up to America's big 250th birthday in 2026. 5-9pm. Free. On Capitol Square.

Ashland July Fourth Parade and Celebration

Hanover Arts celebrates the Fourth with a parade, apple pie baking contest, patriotic pet costume contest from 11am-2pm. Free. 500 S. Center St.

"Give me liberty, or give me death" reenactment

St. John's Church has a special, holiday reenactment of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech there, at the site where it happened in 1775. 1:30pm. $15 for adults and $12 for kids 12 and under.

New Americans' Oath of Allegiance

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting its annual Fourth of July a naturalization ceremony for 75 new Americans. Watch for free in person or online beginning at 11am, but there will be (Ukrop's) cake in person.

• And reminder, you can take a sample online citizenship test .