Boston’s July 4: Parade, Declaration reading, Faneuil Hall oration, Esplanade concert and fireworks
Updated: 12:29 PM EDT Jul 4, 2026
Boston is marking Independence Day on Saturday with a morning of parades, historic ceremonies and public events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Celebrations of the semiquincentennial begin early in the morning and will continue into the evening. Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s commemorations are designed to celebrate Boston’s role in the nation’s founding while bringing together residents and visitors for the Fourth of July.”Boston is proud to have led the nation 250 years ago in fighting for independence from tyranny, and the people of Boston today continue to embody this revolutionary spirit,” Wu said in a statement.Video below: 2025 Independence Day paradeHere’s the schedule: The semiquincentennial events began at 7:30 a.m., when parade staging started at Dartmouth Street and Copley Square, according to the city. The Independence Day Parade stepped off from Copley Square at 9 a.m., featuring historic organizations, military units, veterans groups, civic organizations, musicians and community participants, according to the city.The parade route began at Copley Square, traveled along Boylston Street, turned left onto Tremont Street and ended at Court Street.At approximately 10 a.m., the parade paused at the Old Granary Burying Ground for the traditional Halt of Honors ceremony, according to the city. During the ceremony, Col. Lee Fife read biographies of notable patriots while wreaths are placed at the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Peter Faneuil and Crispus Attucks, according to the city.At 10:15 a.m., the public gathered outside the Old State House for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the historic balcony, according to the city. The ceremony included a trumpet call, a performance of “God Bless America” by Boston Police Officer Stephen McNulty, remarks from Wu and the traditional reading by the Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company before concluding with patriotic music by the Zarba Military Band, according to the city.Video below: Crowd joins Pledge of Allegiance The morning concludes at 11 a.m. with the annual Independence Day Oration at Faneuil Hall, according to the city. The program is scheduled to include musical performances by the Zarba Military Band, remarks from Wu, a featured Independence Day Oration and additional observances honoring the nation’s founding and Boston’s role in American independence, according to the city.Celebrations on the Charles River Esplanade normally begin with the opening of the oval lawn at noon, but this year the annual race for the best seats will be pushed back to 4 p.m. because of concerns about the heat. The Boston Pops July 4 Fireworks Spectacular begins at 7 p.m., fireworks start at 9:15 p.m., and the entire program ends at 9:30 p.m. Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty will take the stage as guest artists, along with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, for the annual July 4 concert.
BOSTON —
Boston is marking Independence Day on Saturday with a morning of parades, historic ceremonies and public events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Celebrations of the semiquincentennial begin early in the morning and will continue into the evening.
Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s commemorations are designed to celebrate Boston’s role in the nation’s founding while bringing together residents and visitors for the Fourth of July.
“Boston is proud to have led the nation 250 years ago in fighting for independence from tyranny, and the people of Boston today continue to embody this revolutionary spirit,” Wu said in a statement.
Video below: 2025 Independence Day parade
Here’s the schedule:
The semiquincentennial events began at 7:30 a.m., when parade staging started at Dartmouth Street and Copley Square, according to the city. The Independence Day Parade stepped off from Copley Square at 9 a.m., featuring historic organizations, military units, veterans groups, civic organizations, musicians and community participants, according to the city.
The parade route began at Copley Square, traveled along Boylston Street, turned left onto Tremont Street and ended at Court Street.
At approximately 10 a.m., the parade paused at the Old Granary Burying Ground for the traditional Halt of Honors ceremony, according to the city. During the ceremony, Col. Lee Fife read biographies of notable patriots while wreaths are placed at the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Peter Faneuil and Crispus Attucks, according to the city.
At 10:15 a.m., the public gathered outside the Old State House for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the historic balcony, according to the city. The ceremony included a trumpet call, a performance of “God Bless America” by Boston Police Officer Stephen McNulty, remarks from Wu and the traditional reading by the Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company before concluding with patriotic music by the Zarba Military Band, according to the city.
Video below: Crowd joins Pledge of Allegiance
The morning concludes at 11 a.m. with the annual Independence Day Oration at Faneuil Hall, according to the city. The program is scheduled to include musical performances by the Zarba Military Band, remarks from Wu, a featured Independence Day Oration and additional observances honoring the nation’s founding and Boston’s role in American independence, according to the city.
Celebrations on the Charles River Esplanade normally begin with the opening of the oval lawn at noon, but this year the annual race for the best seats will be pushed back to 4 p.m. because of concerns about the heat. The Boston Pops July 4 Fireworks Spectacular begins at 7 p.m., fireworks start at 9:15 p.m., and the entire program ends at 9:30 p.m.
Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty will take the stage as guest artists, along with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, for the annual July 4 concert.