Celebrate Fourth of July on Cape Cod: Fireworks, parades, road races - plus a boat parade

It's almost time for another Cape Cod Fourth of July.

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 up to Provincetown, parades, firework displays and a couple of races are taking place all in the name of American independence. Celebrations begin at the end of June and run through the fifth of July - plus we give you a heads up about one more fireworks show at the end of August - so be sure to mark down in your calendars the dates and times of every event you want to try to get to.

Fourth of July Events happening on Cape Cod

Mashpee

In Mashpee, celebrations are starting early as 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 School’s athletic field (500 Old Barnstable Road, Mashpee.)

Fireworks will begin around 8:45, according to Mary Bradbury, recreation director for the Mashpee Recreation Department, but games, train rides, face painting and food trucks will be on-site to fill the time and tummies until the show.

If Mother Nature decides to play a wicked trick and fill the day with rain, the picnic and fireworks display will take place on June 29 instead.

Sandwich

Sandwich’s 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.

The town’s parade is scheduled to take off at 10:30 a.m. on July 4 from the Henry T. Wing School.

Plus, if you’re looking to start the Fourth on a more athletic note, 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.

Chatham

Another early celebrator, Chatham’s Fourth of July fireworks will set off at dusk on July 2 from Veteran’s Field.

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.

Orleans

Orleans’ Fourth of July fireworks will set off at dusk on July 2 from Rock Harbor.

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.

Hyannis

In Hyannis, the festivities begin at 4 p.m. on July 4 with live music and performances on Main Street and the Bandstand on the Village Green, featuring a slew of local acts like the Cape Cod Ukulele Club and even 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.

All events are free to attend and a map of parking lots near the festivities is available on the Town of Barnstable’s website.

If you’re wondering where the fireworks are in this lineup, the town will be hosting its third annual “Second Summer Fireworks” on Aug. 31 at Lewis Bay with spectator viewing at Kalmus and Veterans Park beaches.

The Hyannis Port Mini-Marathon and Parade, presented by the West Beach Club, are both scheduled for July 4. The race sets off from the Hyannis Port 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.

Barnstable and West 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

Centerville’s 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, perfect for a sunny Fourth of July celebration.

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,” according to Brianna Sullivan, executive director of the Wellfleet Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Cotuit

Cotuit’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 on School Street then goes down Main Street towards the old Cotuit Elementary School, where the parade will culminate. The parade is presented by the Cotuit Civic Association.

The day following (July 5), 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

Falmouth’s Fourth of July fireworks will set off from Falmouth Heights Beach at dusk on July 4, according to the Falmouth Police Department’s website. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.

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 fireworks and parades for 2024