2026 Union County 4th of July Fireworks & Celebrations Guide

July 1st

Roselle Park

• Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Time: At Dusk
• Location: Herm Shaw Field, West Colfax Avenue

 

July 2nd

Cranford

• Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
• Time: Rides & games begin at 5:00 PM; fireworks begin at dusk.
• Location: Nomahegan Park (995 Springfield Ave, Cranford).
• Important Details: Features family-friendly rides and games prior to the show. Fireworks are presented by Garden State Fireworks.

Westfield  Independence Day Concert

• Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
• Time: 7:30pm
• Location: Mindowaskin Park
• Important Details: Hear live music from the community band.

July 3rd

Cranford Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday

• Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
• Time: 1:00pm-6:00pm
• Location: Hanson Park 
• Important Details: Features demonstrations, displays, games, crafts, food trucks, music, giveaways, photobooth, face painting and entertainment. 

New Providence

• Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
• Time: Event starts at 7:00 PM; fireworks begin after 9:00 PM once it is fully dark.
• Location: Downtown New Providence (launched from fields near the NP Community Pool at South St & Westview Ave).
• Important Details: This is a community-wide celebration hosted with local businesses. It features live music, sidewalk chalk for kids, and plenty of space for lawn chairs.

Rahway

• Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
• Time: Festivities start at 6:00 PM; fireworks launch at 9:15 PM.
• Location: Rahway River Park.
• Important Details: The evening kicks off with entertainment by DJ Red Rum, followed by a live music performance by the Midnight Rock Show at 7:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

July 4th

Clark

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: 8:30 PM.
• Location: Municipal Grounds (430 Westfield Ave) or Arthur L. Johnson (ALJ) High School Field directly across the street.
• Important Details: Westfield Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic throughout the event to accommodate spectators.

 

Elizabeth

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: A full-day celebration starts at 10:00 AM; fireworks launch at dusk.
• Location: Veteran’s Memorial Waterfront Park (Elizabeth Ave & Front St).
• Important Details: 2026 marks America’s 250th anniversary, meaning this show doubles as a Semiquincentennial celebration! The massive waterfront event features a Parade of Nations, an official World Cup Fan Zone Watch Party, “Sail 4th 250” Tall Ships, youth soccer clinics, food vendors, and rides.

Mountainside

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: Celebration begins at 8:40 PM; fireworks launch at 9:15 PM.
• Location: Our Lady of Lourdes parking lot (300 Central Ave).
• Important Details: A community-centric evening featuring a DJ, ice cream vendors, and a formal reading of the Declaration of Independence prior to the fireworks.

Plainfield

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: Celebration begins at 5pm, Fireworks launch at 9:15 PM.
• Location: Cedar Brook Park
• Important Details: Parade at 10:00am (E. front Street), Concert begins at 5:00pm

Springfield

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: Dusk
• Location: Meisel Avenue Park, 278 Meisel Avenue

Summit

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: Full schedule starts at 12:00 PM; fireworks at 9:15 PM.
• Location: Soldiers Memorial Field (5 Myrtle Ave).
• Important Details: This is Summit’s 79th Annual Fourth of July celebration. The multi-hour festival includes a flag-raising ceremony, a children’s decorated bicycle parade, amusement rides, food trucks, a live World Cup match screening, and consecutive concerts (including the Sensational Soul Cruisers and Daddy Pop). Adjacent roads close at 6:00 PM.

Union Township

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: Gates/Concert at 7:30 PM; fireworks at 9:00 PM.
• Location: F. Edward Biertuempfel Memorial Park (1300 Winslow Ave).
• Important Details: The annual Fourth of July Spectacular features a live, pre-show concert by The UpTown Band.

 

July 16th

Berkeley Heights

• Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
• Time: Dusk (Typically around 9:00 PM).
• Location: Berkeley Heights (Traditionally held in conjunction with the annual Mount Carmel Feast on Springfield Ave).
• Important Details: Unlike the others, this is a mid-July show that serves as the grand finale for one of the longest-running Italian festivals in the region, featuring rides, games, and traditional food stands.