In 2026, July 4th is more than Independence Day. It marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and communities across Delmarva are celebrating in true coastal style: fireworks over the bays and beaches, old-fashioned parades, boat parades, live music, family festivals, 5Ks, baseball, carnival fun, and plenty of reasons to spend the long weekend outside.
Whether you are staying near the Delaware beaches, heading down to Ocean City, spending time around Salisbury, or crossing over to Chincoteague, here is a regional guide to Fourth of July fireworks and related events across Delmarva.
As always, times, weather plans, parking rules, and traffic patterns can change, so check the linked event pages before heading out.
Inland Sussex County, Delaware
Millsboro: Delaware’s First Fireworks for America 250
Saturday, June 27
Millsboro gets the celebration started early with Delaware’s First Fireworks for America 250, a full afternoon and evening of family-friendly activities.
Downtown Millsboro | 2:00–5:00 PM
The downtown celebration includes Touch a Truck, live music, caricature and balloon artists, and a parade down Main Street.
Millsboro Little League Ballpark | 5:00–9:00 PM
The evening moves to the ballpark at 262 W. State Street, with a kids zone, inflatables, face painting, games, food trucks, local vendors, a DJ, photo booth, and Sussex County’s first fireworks display of the season at dusk.
More information: https://www.millsborochamber.com/
Cape Region: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach
Lewes: Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, Boat Parade, Doo-Dah Parade & Fireworks
Saturday, July 4
Lewes is leaning into tradition for America’s 250th with a full day of classic small-town celebration.
The day begins with Old-Fashioned Games for Children on Second Street at 9:00 AM, followed by the Independence Day Lewes Boat Parade at 2:00 PM. Later in the afternoon, the always-unpredictable and always-fun Doo-Dah Parade steps off at “approximately” 5:00 PM.
The day ends with fireworks at dusk, launched from a barge off Lewes Beach.
More information:
https://leweschamber.com/event/lewes-celebrates-4th-of-july/
https://gofourthlewes.org/fireworks-faq
Rehoboth Beach: Concerts, Running Events & Fireworks Weekend
Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5
Rehoboth spreads the celebration across the weekend, with music at the Bandstand, athletic traditions, and fireworks on Sunday night.
Friday, July 3: Uncaged – Zac Brown Band Tribute
Start the weekend at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand with Uncaged, a Zac Brown Band tribute, from 8:00–9:15 PM.
More information: https://www.rehobothbandstand.com/events/
Saturday, July 4: Firecracker 5K and 287th Army Band
The morning begins with the 36th Firecracker 5K, hosted by the Seashore Striders, from 7:30–9:00 AM.
Race information: https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/RehobothBeach/BeachPaperFirecracker5kRunSSVirtualSummerSeries5
That evening, the 287th Army Band performs at the Bandstand from 8:00–9:15 PM, offering a fitting patriotic soundtrack for the Fourth.
Bandstand events: https://www.rehobothbandstand.com/events/
Sunday, July 5: Dave Reynolds Biathlon, The Funsters & Fireworks
Sunday morning features the 35th Annual Dave Reynolds Biathlon, a charity event organized by the Rehoboth Beach Patrol and Seashore Striders in memory of the late guard Dave Reynolds.
Event information: https://www.rehobothbeachde.gov/event/dave-reynolds-biathlon-2026/
The evening brings the big finale. The Funsters perform at the Bandstand beginning at 8:00 PM, with fireworks launching around 9:30 PM over the beach and boardwalk. The display is visible along Rehoboth’s mile-plus beach and boardwalk.
Fireworks information: https://www.rehobothbeachde.gov/event/fireworks/
Funsters concert: https://www.rehobothbeachde.gov/event/summer-concert-series-the-funsters/
Important note for visitors: Rehoboth has announced road closures, parking restrictions, and post-fireworks traffic patterns for the evening, so consider using DART Park & Ride or the Jolly Trolley.
Dewey Beach: Bayside Fireworks
Saturday, July 4
Dewey Beach brings its own energy to the Fourth with fireworks over Rehoboth Bay. The display is expected around dusk, approximately 9:30 PM, launching from a barge in the bay in front of Northbeach at 125 McKinley Street. The show should be visible throughout town.
Info phone: 302-227-3888
Quiet Resorts: Bethany Beach & Fenwick Island
Bethany Beach: Stars, Stripes & Shorelines
Sunday, June 28 – Saturday, July 4
Bethany Beach is celebrating both America’s 250th Anniversary and Bethany’s 125th Anniversary with a week of activities under the theme “Stars, Stripes, and Shorelines.”
Sunday, June 28: Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
The celebration begins with the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk at 7:15 AM at the Boardwalk Bandstand.
Friday, July 3: Parade & The Funsters
Bethany’s parade takes place at noon on Friday. Float awards will be presented at 7:15 PM at the Bandstand, followed by The Funsters at 7:30 PM.
Saturday, July 4: Uncaged & Fireworks
On the Fourth, Uncaged performs at the Bandstand at 7:30 PM, followed by fireworks after dark.
More information:
https://delaware250.org/250calendar/town-of-bethany-beach-july-4th-celebration-week/
https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/273/Fourth-of-July
Fenwick Island: Independence Day Family Parade
Saturday, July 4 | 9:00 AM
Fenwick Island will mark the nation’s semiquincentennial with an Independence Day Family Parade on Bayard Street.
Participants will meet at the Faucett-Okie Family Nature Preserve at 9:00 AM for pre-parade festivities. The parade will travel to Pollinator Park on E. Lewes Street, where prizes will be awarded for the most patriotic attire.
Families are encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue and decorate strollers or wagons. Bicycles are not permitted in the parade.
More information: https://fenwickisland.delaware.gov/events/independence-day-parade/
Maryland Coast: Ocean City & Berlin
Ocean City: Two Fireworks Shows, One Big Beach Night
Saturday, July 4
Ocean City will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks from two locations: downtown near the beach and uptown at Northside Park.
The celebration includes free music before the fireworks, with displays expected at 9:30 PM. Downtown, fireworks will light up the sky over the ocean. Uptown, visitors can enjoy the show from Northside Park at 125th Street.
Bring a beach chair or blanket, arrive early, and consider using Ocean City’s bus service, especially because parking will be limited throughout town.
More information:
https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/special-events/4th-of-july-events/
https://www.ococean.com/events/
Berlin: Fireworks at Heron Park
Friday, July 3 | 9:00–9:30 PM
Berlin celebrates one night early with fireworks at Heron Park, located at 10009 Old Ocean City Boulevard. The display is expected around 9:00 PM, with viewing areas around town.
More information:
https://berlinmd.gov/venue/berlin-heron-park/
https://www.visitmaryland.org/events/berlin-fireworks
Salisbury & Maryland’s Lower Shore
Salisbury: Red White and Boom
Saturday, July 4
Salisbury’s Red White and Boom fireworks celebration returns to James M. Bennett High School.
Gates open at 6:00 PM, and fireworks begin at 9:15 PM. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
More information: https://redwhiteboomsalisbury.org/
Delmarva Shorebirds Patriotic Fireworks Extravaganza
Saturday, July 4 | 6:35 PM
Baseball and fireworks are a classic July 4th combination. The Delmarva Shorebirds host the Charleston RiverDogs at 6:35 PM, followed by the Patriotic Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Spicer Bros. Construction, Inc.
Tickets and schedule: https://www.milb.com/delmarva/schedule/2026-07
For more events around the region, Visit Southern Delaware also maintains an events calendar:
https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/events?page=1&date_start=2026-07-04&date_end=2026-07-04&date_label=all&type_ids=&types=
Virginia Eastern Shore
Chincoteague: CVFC Carnival & Fireworks
Saturday, July 4 | 6:00–10:00 PM
Chincoteague’s celebration centers around the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Carnival Grounds, with carnival fun from 6:00–10:00 PM and fireworks at 9:00 PM.
More information:
https://www.cvfc3.com/apps/public/events/eventView.cfm?Event_ID=9
https://www.virginia.org/event/annual-old-fashioned-fireworks-display/113/
Planning Tips for July 4th Weekend on Delmarva
Because 2026 marks America’s 250th birthday, expect bigger crowds than usual in many towns, especially around beach communities and fireworks viewing areas.
A few quick tips:
Arrive early, especially for Rehoboth, Lewes, Bethany, Dewey, and Ocean City.
Use shuttles, trolleys, Park & Ride lots, or public transportation where available.
Bring cash for food trucks, vendors, parking, and donation-based community events.
Check official pages and town social media before leaving, especially if the forecast looks questionable.
Respect local parking restrictions, road closures, beach rules, and neighborhood access.
Celebrate America’s 250th, Delmarva Style
From Millsboro’s early kickoff to Lewes’ old-fashioned games and boat parade, from fireworks over Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to baseball in Salisbury and carnival lights in Chincoteague, Delmarva is ready for a memorable Fourth of July.
Whether your perfect celebration is a beach chair under the fireworks, a small-town parade, a bayside concert, a 5K, or a ballgame, there is a red-white-and-blue weekend waiting for you somewhere across the peninsula.
Plan Your Trip
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday Delmarva-style with fireworks, parades, beach concerts, boat parades, 5Ks, baseball, and family-friendly events from Millsboro to Chincoteague. Use this guide to find July 4th weekend celebrations across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Quick Facts
- Detailed schedule and venue information coming soon...