HAMPTON
Fourth at the Fort- Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Fort Monroe, Hampton VA
8:45 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Events all day.
All incoming traffic to Fort Monroe will be closed at 8 p.m.
Firework Show: 9:15 p.m.
Stars over Hampton (Downtown)
Saturday, July 4, 2026
710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton VA
9 pm
NORFOLK
43rd Annual Great American Picnic & Fireworks
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
Grain Rooftop Party
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Red, White, Brew & BBQ Patio Party at Grain in downtown Norfolf
Starting at 9:30 om
Norfolk July 4th Fireworks Dinner Cruise
Friday, July 4, 2026
American Rover Sailing Cruises
333 Waterside Drive (Norfolk VA)
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Private Event: — $85 per person
WILLIAMSBURG
Palace Green or Market Square
Saturday, July 4, 2026
300 Palace Green St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Fireworks start at 9:35 pm
Busch Gardens
July 2-5th, 2026
Fireworks start at 9:15 pm
Prime Viewing Locations
-Rhine River Bridge
-Big Bad Wolf Plaza & Pantheon Area:
-Apollo's Chariot Overlook
*Requires admission to park
Yorktown
Yorktown Beach
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Fireworks start at 9:15 pm
Parking & Transportation Tips
-Daytime Parking: Free parking is available until 4 p.m. at the Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace, York Hall, and the York-Poquoson Courthouse. The ADA-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs a modified daytime route to help you get to the beach.
-Evening Parking (After 4 p.m.): The main designated viewing parking is located at the Yorktown Battlefield (corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street). This lot opens at 4 p.m. and closes as soon as it reaches capacity
CHESAPEAKE
Celebrate Freedom
Thursday, July 3, 2026
Chesapeake City Park, 900 City Park Drive
Fireworks start at 9:30 pm
Free event. $10 on-site parking fee.
Following band concerts featuring patriotic music, fireworks will light up the night sky.
Annual South Norfolk July 4th Parade and Picnic in the Park
Friday, July 4, 2026
Lakeside Park Chesapeake
Parade at 10 a.m.
Picnic immediately after until 3 p.m.
Live music and food
Independence Day Celebration at the Great Bridge Battlefield Museum
Friday, July 4, 2026
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Admission prices vary by age range)
NEWPORT NEWS
Stars in the Sky
Friday, July 4, 2026
Victory Landing Park
6 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Firework Show at 9 p.m.
PORTSMOUTH
Shaggin’ 4th of July Celebration
High Street Landing — 1 High Street
Music, dancing and fireworks! A tribute to Portsmouth’s own Bill Deal and beach music favorites.
5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
SMITHFIELD
The Town of Smithfield's 2026 Independence Day fireworks celebration
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Best viewed from Smithfield Station and along the riverfront.
Fireworks start at 9:30 pm
SUFFOLK
2026 Stars and Stripes Spectacular
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina
6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Crittenden/Eclipse/Hobson: 4th of July
Friday, July 3, 2026
Morning Events (Location varies)
(All day affair)
Fireworks begin ad sundown over the ballfields
Top 4th of July fireworks in Hampton Roads for 2026
from your favorite local photographer
Hi, I'm Desiray Miquelarena. Gloucester VA | Family Photographer. It is that time of the year to prepare your 4th of July events. This year is a big deal because it is the United States of America's 250th Anniversary. 250!!! That's amazing. Well I took the guess work out of it for you and found something good for each area and then I included my own favorite location 😉
Where else can you go for 4th of July fireworks if you don't like crowds, lines, and traffic?
I get it. I am pretty social but I have little ones and the idea of scouting out a bathroom and waiting in ridiculous lines so my tiny little humans don't pee on themselves is less than ideal. I don't want to constantly worry about where my littles are, who is around them and is and isn't acting appropriate, but I still want to see the show. We route to plan B. Day trip on the boat, boat sandwiches, a raft, fishing poles and we can literally go to any of the locations above and be guaranteed a great show! Just make sure you or your captain is great navigating the waters. Bonus, when you return to shore, traffic is usually completely gone.
2026 4th of July Essentials
Sunblock
A smile
Plenty of Red, White and Blue
Favorite Snacky Snacks!
and from my family to yours-- stay SAFE!
Keep a look out for my Christmas in July Mini session.
if you would like to book a session or interested in more information about my mini's, drop your information below and I would love to get you scheduled.
The process is easy. Tell me what you want, we schedule, create magic and your receive an online digital gallery where you can purchase prints directly from it!
