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Downtown Portland’s annual fireworks show takes place in the Willamette River, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge.

Credit: Jeremy Piehler, via Flickr

Fourth of July Events

Celebrate Independence Day with an array of all-American activities in Portland.

There’s nothing more American than fun, family and, of course, fireworks — and Portland’s awesome array of annual Independence Day celebrations promises plenty of all three.

One of the city’s biggest annual events, the downtown Waterfront Blues Festival attracts thousands of blues fans from around the world. It’s also the best perch in town to catch Portland’s July 4 fireworks, which are launched from Tom McCall Waterfront Park at around 10 p.m.

You may not need tickets to catch the fireworks show, many of Portland’s parks, including Mt. Tabor Park, Sellwood Park and the International Rose Test Garden, are excellent choices. You can also score prime viewing at Oaks Amusement Park, where ride hours will be extended for visitors who want to watch the waterfront fireworks show but linger afterward for some classic summertime fun.

Visitors can also pick from a wide range of regional Fourth of July fetes, like the St. Paul Rodeo. There’s also plenty to do over the holiday weekend, including the Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival and the Portland Craft Beer Festival.