Lighting Up the Night
Friday July 1
Chesapeake Beach
Fireworks go up from a barge anchored off shore at Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa. View on grounds, from the tiki bar or air-conditioned restaurant (tables reserved), where Split Second Band plays (5-9pm). For water fun with your fireworks, view from Chesapeake Beach Water Park or the beach at neighboring North Beach. For free views, come early to claim your space at Chesapeake Beach or North Beach boardwalk. Or watch by boat: www.chesapeake-beach.md.us.
Herrington Harbour
Fireworks set off from a barge illuminate Herring Bay. Marina grounds are reserved for members. But the view is great from boats, private docks, lawns and beaches. About 9:15pm, Herrington Harbour South, Rose Haven: www.herringtonharbour.com.
Historic St. Mary’s City
Pyrotechnics follow Brass and Blues with the Chesapeake Orchestra playing Sousa, Filmore, Clarke, Anderson, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Prince and James Brown plus Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Music at 7pm: Townhouse Green,
St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City: www.chesapeakeorchestra.org.
Sunday July 3
Sherwood Forest
See this private community show from the Severn River — your boat or the Harbor Queen, with light snacks and cash bar. 7:30-10:30pm, Annapolis City Dock, $48 w/discounts, rsvp: http://bit.ly/BayWeekly_JulyThirdCruise.
Monday July 4
Annapolis
Fireworks rise from a barge anchored in Spa Creek, illuminating Annapolis Harbor, after a United States Naval Academy concert at City Dock (8pm). Town and water views including from the Harbor Queen (7:30-10:30pm, City Dock, $53 w/discounts includes snacks and a cash bar, rsvp: http://bit.ly/BayWeekly_ FireworksCruise): Annapolis, free: www.annapolis.gov.
Baltimore
Fireworks illuminate the Inner Harbor, where the fun starts early when the U.S. Navy Band Cruisers play at the amphitheater (7pm). Come early to find your spot on land or water; for a heightened view, watch from the Top of the World observation floor, World Trade Center ($50 w/discounts), rsvp:
410-837-8439; www.promotionandarts.org.
Bowie Baysox
Fireworks with an extended finale follow the Baysox baseball game with the Trenton Thunder; rsvp for picnic with all-you-can-eat buffet ($31 w/discounts). Picnic 5:30pm, game 6:35pm, Baysox Stadium, Bowie, rsvp: www.baysox.com.
Solomons
Fireworks shoot from a barge anchored in the Patuxent River, giving the entire island front row seats. A parade of decorated boats show their patriotic colors at noon. rsvp by July 1 to watch aboard the Wm. B. Tennison; bring picnics and beverages.
8pm, Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, $30: 410-326-2042 x41): 410-326-2042; www.solomonsmaryland.com.
Washington, D.C.
Celebrate America’s independence in its capital as the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery blasts cannons in synch with fireworks. Tens of thousands of celebrants gather early on the National Mall for the National Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert. The day at 11:45am with the Independence Day parade to the Lincoln Memorial. Prime views throughout the city, including the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and Ellipse: www.nps.gov.