Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Boston

Since 1929, a big Boston Pops concert for Fourth of July has taken place along the Esplanade (the fireworks were added in 1974). This year, Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will feature Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love and the Mavericks, with conductor Keith Lockhart overseeing the Boston Pops. The show on July 4 begins at 8pm, but gates for the Oval (the area in front of the Hatch Shell) open at noon and you’ll want to get there early to get a spot. At 10:30pm, the massive fireworks display over the Charles River begins.

Looking for something a little less hectic than the Hatch Shell? The view of the fireworks is just as good on the other side of the river. Take the Red Line to Kendall/MIT and grab a spot on campus near the river. There are plenty of spots to watch the show from, and if you're lucky, you'll find a speaker broadcasting the music so you can hear it, too.

With beaches nearby, Castle Island is a Southie treasure for a lot of reasons, but on the Fourth of July, the park is really something special. For the perfect night, you’ll want to start with a lobster roll at Sullivan's. Later on, if the night is clear, ​​not only will you be able to spot the Boston Pops Fireworks in the distance, you'll also be able to see fireworks displays from Quincy and other nearby spots.

View Boston, the new-ish attraction at the top of the Pru, is hosting a fireworks party and the views should be spectacular. General admission tickets are $50 and will get you access to all three levels of View Boston. You’ll be able to buy seasonal cocktails (this event is 21-plus). If you’d really like to splash out, VIP tickets are $125 and include access to all levels, two drinks and access to a private area overlooking the Charles River.

The place to pregame the fireworks from the Esplanade while drinking excellent local brews is Night Shift’s most scenic beer garden. Located along the Charles River, one of Boston’s best beer gardens is open for the Fourth from 1-8pm. They are celebrating the holiday with two new releases: Firecracker American Lager and Daiquiri Sour, a sour ale brewed with strawberries and lactose. Please note that while dogs are welcome generally at the beer garden, they are usually not fans of fireworks. 

If you’re one of those people that can’t sit still and always wants to get a workout in, Paddle Boston has two amazing options to merge fitness and a beautiful view from the water. Paddle under the fireworks from the Cambridge location in Kendall Square, which is only a few minutes from the big show, or start at the Soldier’s Field Road location in Allston-Brighton and paddle around four miles to the fireworks. Boat options range from single or double kayaks to canoes that can seat up to five adults.

The ultimate low-key, low-stakes way to watch the fireworks is at Quincy's Wollaston Beach. The largest public beach along Boston Harbor provides a nice, if distant, view of the big blasts. If the weather's good, you'll have plenty of company along the shore. Bring a towel or a beach chair, pick out a spot, and if you get there early, hit the Clam Box for some crispy fried clams. 

If a reserved seat and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream sound like your perfect, slightly fancy fireworks situation, get a ticket to Community Boating’s annual SAILabration fundraiser. The only event that offers reserved seating on the Esplanade on July 4, it’s $100 per adult and $75 per child. Admission includes a lot more space to watch the fireworks, as well as unlimited water, Polar Seltzer (we told you it was fancy!) and ice cream from the Vermont legends to beat the heat.