Picture this: It’s a warm and sunny day on the Fourth of July. You’re surrounded by your family, friends and community members as you cheer on the parade floats as they happily pass by and toss candy at you. Later that day, you’re sitting on a park lawn gazing up at the night sky, watching fireworks dance across the stars. 

The Fourth of July is right around the corner – and to make sure your Independence Day is the best day, here's a guide to parades and firework shows around Milwaukee and beyond. Share how much fun you’re having – tag us at @OnMilwaukee or use #onmilwaukee.  

Have fun and stay safe this Fourth of July – and the rest of the Great Milwaukee Summer!

Parades

Alcott Park
3751 S. 97th St.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Located outside of Greenfield, make sure to arrive early to secure the perfect spot to view the parade stepping off at 9:45 a.m. Have fun cheering on parade floats, catching candy and showing off your Independence Day spirit. Enjoy the flag ceremony, cannon salute and ice cream around 10:30 a.m. followed by a bike display, raffles, crafts, tattoos, balloons, face painting, concessions and more until 5 p.m.

Brookfield
Calhoun Road between North Avenue and Gebhardt Road
https://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us
Make sure you find a spot and set up early: Calhoun Road will close at 9:30 a.m. for the parade to step off at 10 a.m. Bike decorating will begin July 3 at 11 a.m. in Brookfield’s Public Library east parking lot for the children’s parade on July 4. Enjoy Independence Day activities, flag raising ceremony and a family fest following the parade.

Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
https://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and travel through historic downtown Cedarburg, giving parade-goers a sight to see! Following the parade is a day of picnics in the park, food, beverages, live music and more! 

Cudahy
East Grange and Packard Avenue through Layton and Lake Drive
https://www.cudahy-wi.gov
Although the children’s parade begins at 11:30 a.m., the full Cudahy parade will begin at noon starting at South Packard Avenue and East Grange Avenue then concluding at East Layton Avenue and South Lake Drive. After, head over to Library Square for music, games and food from 1 to 6 p.m.

Enderis Playfield
2978 N. 72nd St.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Get up early because parade registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and step-off is at 8:45 a.m. followed by the welcome and flag ceremony at 9:30 a.m. There will be an American trivia contest at 9:45 a.m. and music, games, crafts and more at 10 a.m. Stick around – parade winners will be announced and trophies will be awarded at the Milwaukee Police Department Squad Car Display and District 7 information table. The Milwaukee Fire Department will handle the water cannon display at 11:30 a.m. 

Franklin
West Loomis Road and Forest Hill Avenue
https://www.franklinwi.gov
Unlike the other parades, Franklin’s parade starts a day early on July 2 with the children’s parade stepping off at 12:30 p.m. and the main parade following at 1 p.m. The parade will follow through West Loomis Road and Forest Hill Avenue then north on Loomis to Drexel and finishing at Drexel Avenue at the fire station. Enjoy community social activities, a carnival, face painting and more following the parade at the fire station's west lawn.

Glendale
6560 N. Milwaukee River Parkway
https://welcometoglendale.com
The City of Glendale and Bank Five Nine invite you to celebrate the Fourth of July with them this year! The children’s parade will kick off the celebration at 10 a.m. with the main parade extravaganza at 10:30 a.m. The celebration isn’t over after the parade – come back at 4:30 p.m. for a food truck festival, live music, afternoon activities and more until 9 p.m.

Gordon Park
2828 N. Humboldt Blvd.
hthttps://city.milwaukee.gov
Parade participants: Parade set up begins at 9 a.m. at Brement Street and Clarke Street and the full parade begins at 11 a.m. followed with the theme, "America The Beautiful." Enjoy parade activities afterward like local entertainment and family-friendly activities. 

Greendale
6500 Northway, Greendale
https://www.greendale.org
This year, Greendale’s Fourth of July parade is back bigger and better than ever before! Get ready for new acts and surprises that’ll keep you in awe the entire parade. The parade will start earlier this year with the children’s parade at 9:15 a.m.; children’s parade participants will receive free ice cream at Jaycee Park after they lead. Continue the celebration with live music, animals, exciting acts and so much more!

Greenfield
East Layton Avenue to Konkel Park
https://www.gfjuly4.com
Stepping off at 12:15 p.m., find a seat anywhere up and down East Layton Avenue toward Konkel Park with the House of Harley leading the way to start the parade. Enjoy this year’s theme – “Hometown Heroes” – a mile of parade fun and amusing parade floats like “High Noon” HOGs, children’s parade and more. The celebration will conclude with family-friendly carnival activities at Konkel Park to celebrate the rest of the day. 

Hales Corners
Scharles Avenue through New Berlin Road
https://www.halescorners.org
Enjoy a Firecracker Four Run beginning at 8 a.m. and an antique and classic car show until 3 p.m. And get ready: The children’s parade begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by an ice cream social. Spend the entire day in Hales Corners attending the numerous events they have planned for the day – there’s even a pie-judging contest! The events conclude at 5 p.m. before the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Humboldt Park
3000 S. Howell Ave.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Head over to Humboldt Park this year! The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at South Kinnickinnic Avenue and East Lincoln Avenue. Registration for the children ages 2-12 years old for the decorated vehicle contest which will happen between 12 to 12:30 p.m. The party is only getting started at this point; there’s a donut and donut hole eating contest, for instance, in front of the park pavilion from 12:15 to 1 p.m. There will also be children’s entertainment from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and so much more. 

Lake Park
3233 E. Kenwood Blvd. 
https://city.milwaukee.gov
The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Riverside Park and Maryland Avenue School (Prospect and Bradford Avenues). Ice cream, games, bikes and trikes, and more will happen from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Enjoy all your Fourth of July fun before the fireworks shows later in the evening.

Mitchell Park
2600 W. Pierce St.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
While the parade begins at 9 a.m., there are three locations for the school parade. Locations include National Avenue and 4th Street, Mitchell Street and 23rd Street, and Scott Street and 30th Street. Followed by the flag raising, costume, bike and trike, and more kicking off at 10 a.m. then games for children and adults at 11 a.m., a pie-eating contest will take place at 11:45 a.m. and live music from 6-9 p.m. 

Oak Creek
8545 S. Shepard Ave.
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov
Beginning right at 9 a.m. near Edgewood Elementary school, find a seat anywhere from East Groveland Drive, East Puetz, South Mayhew Drive and South Shepard Avenue to enjoy this vast parade. During the parade and after, there will be a number of activities for kids and adults to get involved in – like a coffee and donut social, ice cream social, face painting, pinatas for kids and more. 

Shorewood
Oakland Ave. toward River Park
https://www.villageofshorewood.org
Unlike the other Fourth of July parade schedules, Shorewood begins the day at 12:30 p.m. with a free all-ages swimming session, then a bike decoration for the parade and contest, followed by the parade stepping off at 4 p.m. and concluding at 5 p.m. The party doesn’t stop there; make sure to stick around for more fun, entertainment, flag-raising and more from 5:30-9 p.m.

Wauwatosa
92nd Street to North Avenue
https://www.wauwatosa.net
Due to construction, Wauwatosa’s new route will begin north on Swan (92nd Street) and proceed to North Avenue then right on North Avenue to 76th Street. The parade will step off at 9 a.m. and the afternoon activities following the parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Hart Park. Enjoy a bike contest, face painting, ice cream and more until 7 p.m.

West Allis
77th Street and Greenfield Avenue
https://www.westalliswi.gov
The City of West Allis and West Allis Events Committee invite you to their Independence Day celebrations and the parade this Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m. This year’s parade features marching bands, vintage cars, live performances, Dancing Grannies, 610 Stompers and more!

Wilson Park
1601 W. Howard Ave.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Parade line-up and check-in begins at 8:15 a.m. followed by the parade stepping off at 9 a.m. at South 20th and West Howard Avenue and ending at Wilson Park. An ice cream social will begin at 9:45 a.m. followed by a flag ceremony, games, balloon art and more throughout the day until the evening.

Fireworks

Alcott Park
3751 S. 97th St.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.

Brookfield
19990 River Road
https://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us
Fireworks will begin at 9:17 p.m. at Mitchell Park on July 4. 

Cedarburg
N62W5865 Columbia Ct
https://business.cedarburg.org
Fireworks will begin at 9:17 p.m. at Adlai Horn Park on July 4. 

Cudahy
4800 S. Lake Dr.
https://www.cudahy-wi.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. at Sheridan Park - east of the pond on July 4. 

Franklin
8713-8743 W. Drexel Ave.
https://www.franklinwi.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at Lions Legend Park on July 4.

Glendale
6560 N. Milwaukee River Parkway
https://www.glendale4thofjuly.com
Fireworks will begin at dusk on July 4. 

Gordon Park
2828 N. Humboldt Blvd.
hthttps://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.   

Greendale
Southway, Greendale
https://www.greendale.org
Fireworks will begin at dusk at Greendale High School’s Brinkman Field on July 4. 

Greenfield
5151 W. Layton Ave.
https://www.gfjuly4.com
Fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. at Konkel Park on July 4. 

Hales Corners
5765 S. New Berlin Rd.
https://www.halescorners.org
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at Hales Corners Park on July 4.

Humboldt Park
3000 S. Howell Ave.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks begin at 9:15 on the east side of the lagoon of Humboldt Park on July 4.

Lake Park
3233 E. Kenwood Blvd. 
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks being at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. 

Mitchell Park
2600 W. Pierce St.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.

Milwaukee Lakefront
1300 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
https://county.milwaukee.gov
The lakefront fireworks will be a 30-minute show that starts at 9:30 p.m. on July 3.

Oak Creek
4001 Lk Vis Pkwy
https://www.oakcreekwi.gov
Fireworks will begin at dusk at Lake Vista Park on July 4. 

Shorewood
4000 N. Lake Dr.
https://www.villageofshorewood.org
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at Atwater Park on July 4. 

Wauwatosa
7300 Chestnut St.
https://www.wauwatosa.net
The firework show will begin with live music then fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at Hart Park on July 4.

West Allis
11601 W. Lincoln Ave.
https://www.westalliswi.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the West Allis Athletic Complex at Nathan Hale High School on July 4.

Wilson Park
1601 W. Howard Ave.
https://city.milwaukee.gov
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.