July 4th in Mississippi: Watch a fireworks show and enjoy music, food, games near you

• Mississippi towns and cities will host various Fourth of July events, including fireworks displays, live music and family activities.
• Events are scheduled throughout the holiday weekend, from Thursday, July 3, to Saturday, July 5.
• Most events are free to attend, offering affordable entertainment options for families.
• Fireworks displays will be launched from various locations, including over lakes and rivers.

The 4th of July will be here soon. Looking for family-friendly fun for the holiday weekend? Good news!

Cities and towns across Mississippi will celebrate the 4th of July with local fireworks shows and parties that include music, food, games and more. If you plan your drive ahead of time, you might be able to enjoy several community events this year.

The holiday falls on a Friday, meaning the party to celebrate our nation’s independence can roll through the three-day weekend.

Check out our list of Magnolia State happenings to have a good time with friends and family through the three-day weekend. Celebrations are listed in order by start time. Scheduled times for fireworks shows are listed separately, when available.

Feel like something is missing? Several events took place over the weekend before the holiday.

Diamondhead parties with music, food, fireworks

The city of Diamondhead will celebrate with live music and fireworks. Food trucks will be selling meals. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

• When: 7-10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3.
• Where: South of I-10 exit at Harbor Circle.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9:30 p.m.

State Park offers full day of 4th of July fun

Roosevelt State Park will have fun starting at 8 a.m. with the Sparkz & Restoration Car and Truck Show. Throughout the day, there will be a campsite decorating contest, live entertainment, a watermelon eating contest, a golf cart and bike parade, a kayak race for youths and adults, festival games and a boat parade. Food and craft vendors will be selling all day, and there will be train rides, pool access, a waterslide and all normal park activities. Fireworks will be launched from a barge in the center of the lake, and there are several excellent viewing areas to choose from.

• When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where:  Roosevelt State Park, 2149 MS-13, Morton.
• Admission: $5 per person, special event rate that covers entry to all activities and events.
• Fireworks start: 8:45 p.m./dark.

See the list: Find family-friendly July 4 events in, near Jackson.

Yazoo City gets full day of events with Freedom Festival

Freedom Festival kicks off at 11 a.m., and events for family fun and live music run all day until a fireworks show at night. There will be free clothes and a grocery giveaway for families at this event sponsored by Inspired Heights Ministries, Walmart and the city. Kids can play in bounce houses and on water slides.

• When: 11 a.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: 1255 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Yazoo City.
• Admission: Free.

Meridian plans live music, followed by fireworks over the lake

The city of Meridian will have an evening of live music by Daniel Houze & Vibe Tribe and beautiful fireworks over the lake. Bonita Lakes opens for the event at 3:30 p.m., and vendors will open at 4.

• When: 4 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: Bonita Lakes.
• Admission: Free.

Olive Branch will have Independence Day event, Light the Way Christian music festival

The city of Olive Branch will have its annual fireworks show in the city park. The event syncs up with Light the Way, the largest free Christian music fest in north Mississippi.

When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, July 4.Where: Olive Branch City Park, 8267 Goodman Road, Olive Branch.Admission: Free.Fireworks start: 9 p.m.

Southaven plans 4th of July blowout

The annual Southaven Fireworks Extravaganza will start at 5 p.m. in Snowden Grove. There will be a kids zone, craft vendors and live music from The Brian Johnson Band.

• When: 5 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: Snowden Grove.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9:15 p.m.

See fireworks from the Natchez Bluff

Watch fireworks over the Mississippi River from the Natchez Bluff. The Live at Five in the Fourth event kicks off with live music at 5 p.m., and a special announcement from the Natchez Balloon Festival is planned at 7 p.m. The evening will include games for all ages, and the city suggests brining your own lawn chair or seating.

• When: 5 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: 107 South Broadway, Natchez.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9:30 p.m.

Tupelo plans 39th annual All America City Family Picnic

Kids hour with DJ Chris Douglass starts at 5 p.m. in Tupelo, followed by live music from Bonfire Orchestra and Bluff City Bandits. Fireworks will cap the night.

• When: 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: Ballard Park, 655 Rutherford Road, Tupelo.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9 p.m.

Pontotoc plans music, kids parade

Pontotoc will have live music, food and fireworks in the evening. The fun for the day starts at 10 a.m. when a patriotic parade rolls down Main Street.

• When: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: First Choice Gateway Pavilion.
• Admission: Free.

Mississippi Mud Monsters plan 2 nights of fireworks in Jackson

The Mississippi Mud Monsters have games at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, and 6 p.m. Saturday, July 5. They’re planning a fireworks extravaganza both nights after the games, so if you’re near Trustmark Park in Jackson, be ready for the show!

Mississippi Aquarium offers after-hours fun

The Mississippi Aquarium is offering a special after-hours event with Fins, Fireworks and Frosty Beers. The fun features a pop-up beer garden on the grounds and access to local food trucks. (Meal costs aren’t included.) At the end of the night, participants have exclusive access to the west lawn for viewing the city of Gulfport’s fireworks display, which will be shot from the jetty on the east side of the harbor.

• When: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. (Final entry is at 7:30 p.m.)
• Where: 2100 E. Beach Blvd., Gulfport.
• Admission: $15.
• Fireworks start: 8:45 p.m.

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Vicksburg celebrates bicentennial

Vicksburg has one of the longest fireworks shows in the state. This year, they’re expanding as part of a yearlong celebration of city’s 200th year of incorporation. William Michael Morgan is the featured performer.

• When: 7 p.m. Friday, July 4.
• Where: Historic Downtown Vicksburg on Washington Street between Jackson and Grove streets.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9 p.m.

Get the best seat for fireworks in Pascagoula

Sherman plans parade, music, more

Sherman will hold its community parade in the afternoon, followed by live music in the park. The event will have a splash pad for kids and food trucks.

• When: 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, July 5.
• Where: Sherman Park.
• Admission: Free.
• Fireworks start: 9 p.m.

Nettleton plans annual Independence Day parade

Nettleton will hold its annual Independence Day parade this year. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5, and ends at Roy Black Park, where people can enjoy food trucks and entertainment. The fireworks show will happen after dark.

• When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5.
• Where: Roy Black Park.
• Admission: Free.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at [email protected].