Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular 2026
When:
Saturday, Jul 04, 2026 7:00p -
10:30p
Saturday, Jul 04, 2026 7:00p -
10:30p
Where:
Charles River Esplanade
Hatch Shell
Boston, MA
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Date Idea, Festivals & Fairs, Kid Friendly, Seasonal
Event website:
http://bostonpopsjuly4th.org
Boston Pops announces Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, and Trombone Shorty as special guest artists at 2026 July 4 Fireworks Spectacular celebrating Massachusetts and America 250.
Celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial Anniversary.
In 1781, Massachusetts became the first state to officially recognize July 4th. Because the Commonwealth was the first to celebrate and the place where the Revolution began, it is the best place to mark this once-in-a-generation event. Our enduring spirit of revolution lives here today and for the next 250 years.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for its 52nd year on Saturday, July 4, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET. Led by legendary conductor Keith Lockhart, the Pops concert welcomes three very special guest artists, each making their first appearance with the Pops.
- Grammy-winning country music superstar Lainey Wilson
- Three-time Grammy winner Chance The Rapper
- Grammy-winning NOLA icon Trombone Shorty,
As the Signature Event of the Commonwealth’s MA250 (Massachusetts 250) initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, this year’s free July 4 concert anchors a multi-year, statewide commemoration highlighting Massachusetts’ legacy of leadership and innovation in shaping the nation’s founding and future.
The 2026 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will serve as one of the nation’s largest July 4 celebrations.
With an all-American lineup of top-tier guest artists led by Wilson, Chance, and Shorty, a revolutionary-themed drone show during the performance of the 1812 Overture, and a fireworks display choreographed to music by the Pops, the event will showcase Massachusetts’ creativity, collaboration, and community spirit to an in-person audience expected to break attendance records and millions of broadcast viewers on CNN and on WHDH-Channel 7.
In honor of the 250th, this year’s musical program features the world premieres of two new works by contemporary American composers:
- The first, commissioned by the Boston Pops, sets a poem entitled “Song of Massachusetts” written and performed by Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson to a score by BSO Composer Chair Carlos Simon
- The other, “Spirit of America,” is composed by James M. (Jim) Stephenson in celebration of America 250 and includes reference to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” “paying homage to those who came before us and who lived and died to protect the truths we hold self-evident,” according to the composer’s statement.
The in-person event also includes the screening of “We Declare,” the winning video about the Declaration of Independence created by 8th grade students as part of a statewide civics competition presented by iCivics (more info). The winning students will be introduced at the show.
As always, the free concert includes a patriotic singalong and other Independence Day favorites performed by the Pops along with the Boston Children’s Chorus, Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and the USS Constitution Color Guard. We also welcome a talented young pianist from Berklee College of Music: Pelin Su Yavuz, who was one of the winners of our annual Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition in 2024.
The event will conclude with a stunning fireworks display illuminating the Charles River and choreographed with music performed by the Boston Pops, beginning at 9:15 p.m.
The entire July 4 concert and fireworks display will be broadcast locally in Boston on WHDH-TV Channel 7 and streamed on the CNN app and CNN.com (7:00-9:30 p.m. ET). Portions of the event including the fireworks also will be carried live on an international CNN broadcast of July 4/America 250 celebrations.
Public access to the Oval lawn in front of the Hatch Shell opens at 12 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, the Esplanade will offer a variety of concessions and activities for all ages. These include a collaboration with The LEGO Group to assemble a giant American Flag with the help of onsite attendees and advance support from four Massachusetts libraries in Methuen, New Bedford, Pittsfield, and Worcester who will work during the month of June to pre-build blocks that will be transported to the Esplanade for the project. [More Info]
