Tag Archives: 4th of July

The Area’s Best Local Summer Festivals

The official start of summer is right around the corner but doesn’t mean the summer spirit hasn’t around come into full gear! We’ve put together a list of the most fun and most entertaining summer festivals and events in the area. Get out your dancing shoes, check out some art, try an array of great food and much more at these fun summer festivals. There’s a little bit of something for everyone!

Silver Spring Thursday Night Summer Concert Series

Put on your “dancing flip-flops!”  Silver Spring’s Thursday night Summer Concerts are a perfect, free night out for the whole family. You can groove to the tunes on long summer nights while your kids enjoy games and face painting.  Silver Spring’s long running and popular Thursday Night Concerts kickoff on June 20 with a mix of crowd favorites and new offerings in the Silver Spring Season.  The concert series features a raffle with free prizes for adults as well as toys and gifts for kids.   

Event Info:

When: Thursdays from 7pm-9pm // June 20 – August 8th
Where: Silver Spring Civic Building, Veterans Plaza, One Veterans Place.
Cost: Free!

World Heritage Festival

Taste delicious ethnic food from Nigeria, Jamaica, Thailand, Greece and get refreshed with a scoop of ice cream or shaved ice or even a fresh smoothie!! Enjoy a cultural performance show with folk dances from Bolivia, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey and much more! You will have an array of vendors to choose from with more than 60 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between.

Event Info:

When: Sunday, June 23rd
Where: Silver Spring Civic Building, Veterans Plaza, One Veterans Place.
Cost: Free!

K-Town Food Truck Night 

Don’t want to cook dinner? Go to Food Tuck Night in Old Town Kensington every 1st and 3rd Thursday night. Theres great food and music for the family to enjoy!

Event Info:

When: Every 1st and 3rd Thursdays May thru October from 5 – 8pm
Where: 10417-10419 Armory Ave., Kensington, MD 20895
Cost: Free!

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Summer Fair

Come out to the annual Arts and Crafts Summer Fair to see over 60 arts and crafts vendors, cultural dance performances, and food vendors.

Event Info:

When: Sunday, July 14, 2 – 8pm
Where: 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Cost: Free!

Kensington Summer Movie Nights

Kensington Fire Department puts on this great family event. Bring your kids to the park for a night viewing of classic movies, including ‘The Princes Bride’! There will also be food trucks before the movie!

Event Info:

When: Saturday, June 22 and Saturday, July 23 at 6:30pm – 10pm
Where: St. Paul Park, Kensington, MD 20895
Cost: Free!

Latin Heritage Fiesta

A celebration of Latin Heritage with amazing food, over 60 art vendors, and dance performances. It will be a big party that the family will love!

Event Info:

When: August 11, 2 – 8pm
Where: 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Cost: Free!

4th of July Parade and Fireworks

Go see Takoma Park’s 130th Independence Day Celebration! This year’s theme is Community Heroes and leading the parade will be our Grand Marshals, Takoma Park’s First Responders. This event is a great way to start your 4th of July celebrations!

Event Info:

When: Parade starts at 10am. Evening activities starts at 7pm
Where: 7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912-4939
Cost: Free!

Shorts and Sundress Summer Jam

Break out those shorts and sundresses the weather is going to be great for dancing! DJ Lineup: TMF, The Underground, DJ Cel, Handz on Radio, and Tommy Wickens aka A Plane, Cyberjamz Radio. Food and drinks will be provided by Nich’s Kitchen.

Event Info:

When: Parade starts at 10am. Evening activities starts at 7pm
Where: Polka Dot Park, 4320 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781
Cost: $8

Riverdale Park Station Summer Concert Series

Celebrate the start of Summer with the 2nd annual Summer Music Concert Series. This series will feature local artists from the DMV area every Friday from 6pm-8pm in Bear Square.

Event Info:

When: Friday evenings from 6pm-8pm
Where: Riverdale Park Station, 6621 Baltimore Avenue, Riverdale Park, MD 20737
Cost: FREE!

Yappy Hour at Republic

Grab your pup and join The Big Bad Woof for Yappy Hour at Republic! This event takes place on the last Sunday of each month through October. There will be treats and samples for the pups and tasty food and drink specials for the humans.

Event Info:

When: June 30 from 3pm – 5pm
Where: 6939 Laurel Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Cost: FREE!

Celebrate 4th of July with these Community Events!

Many of you will surely be headed downtown for the Independence Day parade, A Capitol Fourth Concert, and the amazing fireworks display. If you’re planning on spending Independence Day on the National Mall, you can find a schedule of events, best firework viewing areas, and lots of other details on the National Park Service site.

If you don’t want to venture downtown, here are some terrific July 4th events you can take in closer to home:

Montgomery County Mid-County Sparkles

Where: Albert Einstein High School
Address: 11135 Newport Mill Road
Website: montgomerycountymd.gov

Live music will begin at 7:30 PM, featuring Quiet Fire with fireworks at 9:15 PM. The viewing areas will be at the front of the school on the ball field and at the Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road. No on-site parking at either school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking. Shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6 PM, at Westfield Wheaton Plaza in the parking lot in between the North Building and the CVS store and at the Wheaton Metro Station Georgia Avenue side. Low lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Rain date for the fireworks only is July 5th. No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

Click here for more information

photo via Visit Montgomery

129th Annual Takoma Park Independence Celebration

Parade: Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues
Fireworks: Takoma Park Middle School
Address: 7611 Piney Branch Road
Website: takomapark4th.org

The parade begins at 10:00 AM and lasts until about noon. Parade is held rain or shine and begins at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. It will travel south on Carroll Avenue, turn right on Maple Avenue, and continue to Ritchie Avenue. The evening celebration will be held at Takoma Park Middle School starting at 7:00 PM with entertainment provided by bilingual folk-rock band Elena & Los Fulanos, the Takoma Park Community Band, and The AcroAirs from Washington Adventist University. Fireworks display is slated to start at 9:30 PM. Limited parking is available in the parking lot of the Takoma Park Middle School and on nearby side streets. There will be food vendors on-site.  Rain date is slated for next clear evening.

Click here for more information

photo via Visit Montgomery

23rd Annual Kensington Fourth of July Bike Parade

Parade: St. Paul Park
Address: Plyers Mill Road and St. Paul Street
Website: tok.md.gov

The annual bike parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Park. Those wishing to participate should begin lining up along St. Paul Street between Plyers Mill Road and Oberon Street by 9:45 am. This event is open to all kids, and those young at heart, that wish to decorate their bike, scooter, wagon or stroller and follow a Kensington Volunteer Fire Department truck through the streets of Kensington.

Click here for more information

photo via eventbrite

City of College Park & The University of Maryland Concert & Fireworks

Where: University of Maryland
Address: Lot 1 adjacent to Campus Drive
Website: eventbrite.com

Free concert featuring The Nightlife Band from 7:00-9:00 PM followed by a 30-40 minute Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk! Fun for all ages with concessions open at 5:00 PM (hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda and bottled water). Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Personal coolers are also allowed, but alcohol is not permitted. Rain date for fireworks only is July 5th.

Click here for more information

Looking for something else? Check out these other area events and celebrate!

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Bowie Baysox Ball Game, BBQ and Fireworks!

City of Rockville Independence Day Celebration at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park

Six Flags July 4th Fest!

Celebrate Independence Day with Local Fireworks Displays!

Many of you will surely be headed downtown for the Independence Day parade, A Capitol Fourth Concert, and the amazing fireworks display. If you’re planning on spending Independence Day on the National Mall, you can find a schedule of events, best firework viewing areas, and lots of other details on the National Park Service site. If you don’t want to venture downtown, here are some terrific July 4th events you can take in closer to home:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY MID-COUNTY SPARKLES

Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road

Live music will begin at 7:30 PM, featuring Gringo Jingo Ultimate Santana Tribute Group with fireworks at 9:15 PM. The viewing areas will be at the front of the school on the ball field and at the Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road. No on-site parking at either school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking. Shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6 PM, at Westfield Wheaton Plaza in the parking lot in between the North Building and the CVS store and at the Wheaton Metro Station Georgia Avenue side. Low lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Rain date for the fireworks only is July 5th. No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

128th ANNUAL TAKOMA PARK INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

Parade, Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues

Fireworks, Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road

The parade begins at 10:00 AM, rain or shine, at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. It will travel south on Carroll Avenue, turn right on Maple Avenue, and continue to Ritchie Avenue. The evening celebration will be held at Takoma Park Middle School starting at 7:00 PM with entertainment provided by bilingual folk-rock band Elena & Los Fulanos, the Takoma Park Community Band, and The AcroAirs from Washington Adventist University. Fireworks display is slated to start at 9:30 PM. Limited parking is available in the parking lot of the Takoma Park Middle School and on nearby side streets. There will be food vendors on-site.  Rain date is slated for next clear evening.

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK & THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

University of Maryland, Lot 1 adjacent to Campus Drive

Free concert featuring The Nightlife Band from 7:00-9:00 PM followed by a 30-40 minute Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk! Fun for all ages with concessions open at 5:00 PM (hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda and bottled water). Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Personal coolers are also allowed, but alcohol is not permitted. Rain date for fireworks only is July 5th.