Downtown Cleveland’s fireworks celebration launches from the Port of Cleveland beginning after sunset on July 4. It can be seen for free from all across the city.
Downtown Cleveland’s fireworks celebration launches from the Port of Cleveland beginning after sunset on July 4. It can be seen for free from all across the city. Credit: Lila Mills / Signal Cleveland

If you are making plans to celebrate the nation’s independence, there are plenty of traditional and unique events happening in Cleveland. From family-friendly to just for the adults, here is a list of some things happening around the city:

Roller skating with cartoon characters 

Stitch, SpongeBob and Garfield are just a few of the cartoon characters coming out to the United Skates of America Wickliffe on the morning of July 4 to meet and skate with kids. The rink will turn into a dance floor from 12 to 12:30 pm.

Atlantic Nurse Shark hovers over bottom of tank.
Atlantic Nurse Shark hovers over bottom of tank. Credit: Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Aquarium offers free admission weekend for military and first responders

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is offering active-duty military, veterans and first responders free admission to the aquarium and parking from Thursday, July 4, through Monday, July 8. 

Cookout in Kinsman

Flyer for The Church of Pentecost-Cleveland Assembly, located on East 90th Street off Kinsman. The church welcomes all to its annual July 4 picnic.

The Church of Pentecost-Cleveland Assembly, located on East 90th Street off Kinsman, welcomes all to its annual July 4 picnic noon until 6 p.m., with sports and games for kids and a variety of food, including African, vegan and American cuisine.

Light Up the Lake at Edgewater Park

Downtown Cleveland’s fireworks celebration launches from the Port of Cleveland beginning after sunset on July 4. It can be seen for free from all across the city, including from the Flats, Voinovich Bicentennial Park, Edgewater, the East 55th Street Marina, and even as far as Lakewood and Old Brooklyn.

Red and white firework burst over Lake Erie. Photo from 2023 Light Up the Lake at Edgewater Park
Light Up the Lake at Edgewater Park Credit: Ian Meadows / Downtown Cleveland

A Pool Party w/Lil Jon at FWD Day + Nightclub

Heavily meditated Atlanta rapper Lil Jon headlines an all-day pool party and DJ line-up at FWD Day + Nightclub in the Flats on Thursday, July 4, a great location for viewing the fireworks. Opening DJs include Cleveland’s Bobby Booshay, a.k.a. “Subgrime.” 

Bedford/Bedford Heights Annual Parade

The Cities of Bedford and Bedford Heights will hosting their 39th annual Independence Day Parade on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 10 a.m.  The parade starts at Columbus and Washington Street, proceeds east on Columbus Road and ends at Bedford Heights City Hall.

View from Lakewood Park at sunset.
View from Lakewood Park at sunset. Credit: Kevin Wayner / City of Lakewood, Ohio

All-day celebration in Lakewood

The City of Lakewood hosts Independence Day celebrations on Thursday, July 4, starting  at 10 a.m. with a parade to Lakewood Park , then a 7 p.m. concert featuring Lakewood High School’s youth rock orchestra, The Lakewood Project, and ending with fireworks at Lakewood Park.   

Nuclear Circus at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds 

The Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus comes to town, now the largest circus in the world and featuring five rings of activities. The virtual-reality-based circus runs Thursday, July 4, through Sunday, July 7, at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

“Allstars For America” Drag and Burlesque Show at Twist 

Twist Social Club is hosting an all-star revue  4th of July show featuring burlesque and drag performers including Bella Sin and Destiny De’Vil as part of its “Party in the U.S. Gay” weekend-long, Independence Day-themed celebrations. 

Want to find more things to do around Greater Cleveland? We’ve got you covered from big events to neighborhood gatherings. Check it out.

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I create audio stories meant to engage and inform people in a way that pushes beyond media stereotypes. I aim to build trust between local media and the community, striving to teach people “how” to think about life in Cleveland, not “what” to think.