The fourth of July is right around the corner, do you know what your plans are for the 4th? There’s plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day in the Birmingham, Alabama area! In this post we’re going to cover the best places to watch fireworks in the Greater Birmingham area, what to do during the day, and also give you information on day trips!
Where to Watch Fireworks for the Fourth of July
The number one thing most people want to know is where the best firework shows are. You’re in luck, Birmingham puts on a great firework show right in downtown called Thunder on the Mountain! It’s recognized as one of the best firework shows in Alabama by Travel and Leisure (source) as well as Southern Living (source).
Of course, there are several other places to watch the fireworks as well, but we’ll start with Thunder on the Mountain:
Thunder on the Mountain
Thunder on the Mountain is the main event for celebrating the 4th in Birmingham! You can see the fireworks from all over Birmingham, but, The Vulcan has a list of the best places to watch the fireworks (like in Five Points South or Homewood) here.
Location: Downtown Birmingham, Alabama
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 9:00 pm – 9:20 pm
Website: http://visitvulcan.com/july-4th-fireworks/
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2331290223753512/
Oak Mountain State Park
There are also other firework shows as well in the Birmingham area besides Thunder Mountain. Oak Mountain State Park has a firework show the day before the 4th called Fire on the Water. This way you can see two fireworks shows!
Location: Oak Mountain State Park
Date: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/845250715807152/
UAB Summer Band
Celebrate Independence Day by listening to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Band during their 4th of July concert.
Location: Bartow Arena
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Website: https://calendar.uab.edu/event/4th_of_july_summer_band_concert#.XP6y7i2ZPLY
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2049202931823524/
Birmingham Barons
Nothing says America like baseball, so enjoy a home baseball game and fireworks on the 4th of July! The Birmingham Barons are playing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at home on Regions Field. There is also another game the next day that will have Friday Night Fireworks! Please see their website below for ticket prices.
Location: Regions Field
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm
Website: https://www.milb.com/birmingham/tickets/promotions
Homewood
Celebrate Independence Day in Homewood! This is another great family friendly way to watch fireworks.
Location: Downtown Homewood
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Website: https://www.homewoodparks.com/special-events/4th-of-july-celebration/
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/889049144782010/
Helena
Celebrate Independence Day at Historic Helena for their annual 4th of July Celebration! There will be music, food trucks, and the fireworks show will take place at 9:00 pm.
Location: Olde Towne Helena
Date: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm
Tannehill
If you like camping, be sure to attend Tannehill’s Independence Day Festival on July 6th. There will be games, face painting, live music, and more! Bring the entire family for a day of fun.
Location: Tannehill
Date: Saturday, July 6th, 2019
Website: http://www.tannehill.org/events.html
What to do During the Day
Birmingham Zoo
Looking for something to do during the day on the fourth? Head on over to the Birmingham Zoo! If you’re a veteran, you can get in free this day. Please see the Birmingham Zoo’s website below for ticket prices and more information.
Location: Birmingham Zoo
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Website: https://www.birminghamzoo.com/event/4th-of-july-at-the-zoo-2019/
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/466824654057116/
American Village Celebrates Independence Day 1776!
Celebrate the 4th at American Village! American Village is having their Independence Day 1776! Event on the 4th. Enjoy a family friendly day of music, games, food, and fireworks! Admission is free to veterans and children under 4.
Location: American Village
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Website: http://www.americanvillage.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gen_news_index
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/338708360138500/
Lakes Nearby
There are several lakes near the Birmingham area that you can spend the Independence Day relaxing at. Some of the lakes even put on major 4th of July events! Check out these lakes with firework shows: https://www.lakesonline.com/Events/
Smith Lake
Spend the 4th out on Smith Lake! There is a music festival going on for Independence Day and there will be a firework show as well.
Location: Smith Lake Park
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1255839594557416/
Lake Martin
Lake Martin has a day event with a boat parade and then a firework show and concert at night!
Here is the information for the firework show:
Location: The AMP on Lake Martin
Date: Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Time: 5:45 pm – 10:30 pm
If you’re just wanting a relaxing holiday, check out these other lakes near Birmingham:
Lake Purdy
Railroad Park Lake
East Lake
Spring Lake
Double Oak Lake
See this google map for all of the lakes near Birmingham, AL: lakes near birmingham alabama
Get in the Fourth of July Spirit Before the Fourth!
Get in the American spirit before or after the Fourth by visiting American Village for their Celebrate America event! Please note that American Village is NOT OPEN JULY 3rd – 5th:
Location: American Village
Date: Tuesdays – Saturdays, June 4th – July 2nd and then July 6th – July 31st (*Please note American Village is CLOSED on July 3rd – July 5th)
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Website: http://www.americanvillage.org/site/PageServer?pagename=tours_events
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2372204243100908/
Day Trips from Birmingham
Want to get out of town for the holiday? Here are some places close enough to Birmingham that you go on a day trip to.
Stay in the state and visit Huntsville’s Space and Rocket Center! Or head to the beach. Alabama’s best beaches include Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island.
You could even head out of state and take a day trip to Nashville or Atlanta, both are popular cities to travel to from Birmingham.
Looking for Other Great Spots in the South to Spend the 4th?
If you have already seen the Birmingham firework show, you may want to see another show. Travel and Leisure has a great post on the best firework shows for every state (source). Here are the top cities in nearby states that have ranked in the best firework shows for their state (note that Birmingham is ranked #1 for the state of Alabama!):
Alabama:
The Vulcan’s Thunder on the Mountain wins for the best Independence Day Fireworks in the state of Alabama. Check out the top of this article for more information!
Tennessee:
Nashville puts on the best 4th of July firework show in the state of Tennessee!
Georgia:
It’s no surprise that Atlanta hosts the best firework show in Georgia. The award winning show takes place at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Note that Savannah also has a popular firework show: River Street 4th of July Celebration (source).
These next firework shows are a bit farther away, but they may be worth taking a trip for a few days!
Florida:
Orlando is a popular place to go for Independence Day, especially with the Disney parks, but Key West knows how to celebrate too! Key West throws a Key Lime pie festival to start the month of July.
Louisiana:
New Orleans knows how to party and it’s no surprise that they throw the best firework show for the 4th of July! Go 4th on the River is the best Independence Day firework show in the state of Louisiana!
Mississippi:
Biloxi throws the biggest 4th of July firework show in Mississippi!
How will You Celebrate the 4th?
With all of those options, how do you plan on spending your 4th? Let us know what your favorite Independence Day festivities are in the Birmingham area!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dianna Howell with The Howell Group: 205-568-5435 or dianna.howell@kw.com
Visit our website for more information on the Birmingham area: https://diannahowellrealtor.com/category/lifestyle/
