What you need to know about Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July Celebration

Head to Point State Park to watch fireworks over the water, listen to live music and celebrate Independence Day.

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Fourth of July — the smell of barbecues, the heat of a summer night and a sky full of bright lights and colors. Join the City of Pittsburgh this Independence Day to celebrate the holiday at Point State Park with fireworks, live music and outdoor activities.  

From 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4, the City and Fort Pitt Museum will provide a packed schedule. There will be food from the various concessionaires, free live music and simply people watching this holiday. 

Fort Pitt Museum’s “Fourth at the Fort” will kick off the festivities with a flag-raising at 1 p.m. Then, the museum will host family-friendly activities until 4 p.m.

Next, the City — from 4 to 8:30 p.m. — will offer everything from face painting and Summer Soul Line Dancing to photo booths and outdoor games. There also will be demonstrations by the U.S. Army Pittsburgh Recruiting Company. 

Squonk’s “Hand to Hand” will be performed at 5 and 7 p.m. This performance combines high-energy, funky original music, extravagant visual design and playful staging to entertain the audience. Afterward, there will be an interactive workshop with the performance’s props. 

The East Winds Symphonic Band will play at 6 p.m. and the River City Brass at 8 p.m. 

Finally, Zambelli fireworks will light the sky beginning at 9:35 p.m. for about 25 minutes. 

For those who can’t visit Point State Park, watch the fireworks from your favorite, alternate viewing location and tune into 100.1 FM KDKA for a soundtrack to accompany the show. The fireworks can be seen from a variety of sites, including the stellar view from the Overlook at Mount Washington.  WPXI-TV will also be broadcasting the show. 

“We are excited to celebrate with fireworks and festivities this Fourth of July,” Mayor Ed Gainey said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to a day filled with good food, music, and celebrations with friends and family.”