July 4 in Hampton Roads: Your guide to celebrating America's 250th anniversary

Events across Hampton Roads are set to celebrate a major milestone for the United States: the 250th anniversary of America's independence on July 4, 2026.

Whether its parades in the morning or fireworks at night, we've got you covered. News 3 compiled a list of events and happenings taking place this Independence Day.

Watch related coverage: Descendants of first enslaved Africans to arrive in Virginia reflect on America's 250th anniversary

July 4 events guide:

Norfolk:

• The Shore Thing Concert & Independence Day Celebration: On July 3, Ocean View Beach Park is hosting festivities from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with fireworks set to start at 9:30 p.m.
• The 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks: The event will be held at Town Point Park. Festivities will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Portsmouth:

• Shaggin' 4th of July Celebration: This event has been canceled due to the heat wave, according to the city.

Watch related coverage: Billy Flora's heroic stand at the Battle of Great Bridge helped shape American independence

Virginia Beach:

• July 4 Stars & Stripes Celebration: Concerts will be held across the Oceanfront at 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks. The fireworks show will be visible anywhere along the Oceanfront and it will begin at 9:30 p.m.
  
  • 17th Street Park: Chester B's Tribute to Motown will feature music by The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. This performance will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • 24th Street Park: Patriotic and Americana music will be played by The Tidewater Winds Concert Band as part of their new historical theatrical production. "Racing the Night" will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • 31st Street Park: The 100th Army Band from Ft. Knox will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Hampton:

• Stars Over Hampton: From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., festivities will be held at the Downtown Hampton Waterfront. Bleachers and vendors will line Settler's Landing Road, which will be closed to traffic. The Downtown Band, Adam Irvin, Patrick Luley Band and Maestro the Cellist are among the performers set for the vent. A fireworks display and 400-drone light show will conclude the night of festivities.

Newport News:

• Stars in the Sky Celebration: Victory Landing Park will host a series of events, food vendors and live music from 7 p.m. (delayed from 5 p.m.) to 9:15 p.m. Good Shot Judy and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra are the performers slated for this event. A fireworks show will take place above the James River, starting at 9 p.m.

Watch related coverage: Newport News Fourth of July event delayed due to heat

Chesapeake:

• Celebrate Freedom: On July 3, Chesapeake City Park will host the annual Celebrate Freedom Concert and Fireworks Spectacular. This event begins at 5 p.m., and it will feature music from the U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
• South Norfolk July 4th Parade: The annual parade at Lakeside Park will feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities and up to 100 floats. Sections of Bainbridge Boulevard will close as a result of the parade. This event begins at 10 a.m. and it will conclude with a picnic in the park until 3 p.m.

Suffolk:

• Stars and Stripes Spectacular: Constant's Wharf Park and Marina will feature music, food, games and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. The music performances are set to begin at 6 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.
• July 4 Farmer's Market: Due to extreme heat, the Farmer's Market has been canceled.

Watch related coverage: Suffolk firefighters urge residents to skip home fireworks and attend pro shows

Historic Triangle:

• Independence Day Celebration: A full day of activities — from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.— is slated for Riverwalk Landing. A parade will make its way down Main Street, ending at the river. Along with a showcase of local businesses, a bell-ringing ceremony and a patriotic concert are among the festivities set for the event. The fireworks show will begin over the York River at 9:15 p.m.
• American Revolution Museum events: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown will showcase a series of revolution-era demonstrations. These exhibits will feature 18th-century artillery, historic farm life, and martial music with fife and drums.
• The Pinnacle of the 250th: Colonial Williamsburg — a focal point in American history — will celebrate the revolution-era with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, music from the Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drums and reenactments of notable American figures. A drone show will begin at 9:25 p.m., then a fireworks show will take place over the Governor's Palace at 9:35 p.m.
  
  • America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together: Special guests, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger, filmmaker Ken Burns and singer-songwriter Judy Collins, will be in attendance for the Fourth of July celebration at Market Square North in Colonial Williamsburg.

Outer Banks:

• Town of Duck Parade and Community Celebration: On July 3, starting at 9 a.m., a one-mile parade will begin at Scarborough Lane and end at Pamela Court.
• Outer Banks 4th of July: Celebrations will take place throughout Dare County, including a pie contest, live music and of course, fireworks. Four fireworks shows are slated to be held across the Outer Banks, with the first show beginning at 9:15 p.m.:
  
  • Avalon Pier
  • Nags head Fishing Pier
  • Manteo Waterfront
  • Avon Fishing Pier

Weather forecast:

Meteorologist Tony Nargi says high temperatures on the Fourth of July will reach the upper 90s to low 100s, with heat indices surpassing 110 degrees. This is dangerous heat, stay cool and be careful out there. An extreme heat warning is in effect until 8 PM. We'll see mostly sunny skies and hazy conditions for most of the day. This afternoon after 3 PM some isolated storms capable of producing severe wind gusts will be possible, particularly on the peninsulas. Winds will be light out of the SW at 5-10 mph. Overnight skies will clear out and lows will drop into the 70s.

Tomorrow will be very warm again, and another extreme heat warning is in effect. We'll see mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 90s to 100. Heat indices will be near 110. A stray afternoon thunderstorm will be possible on the peninsulas once again, though the chance of rain is only about 10-20% tomorrow. Winds will be light out of the WSW at 5-10 mph. Overnight lows will drop into the 70s with partly cloudy skies.

Transportation information:

Hampton Roads Transit says several bus routes will be impacted due to July 4 celebrations. The following detour information was taken from an HRT press release.

In Norfolk, at 4 p.m., bus routes 6 and 45 will not service the MacArthur Light Rail Station bus stop on City Hall Avenue and the stop on Boush Street. All passengers should use the Route 8 bus stop at Bank and Plume located in front of the Fountain Park Garage.

In Virginia Beach, around 7 p.m., because of expected large crowds, bus routes 20, 33 and 960, along with VB Wave trolley routes 30, 31 and 35, may experience delays and impromptu detours.

In Newport News, from 6-9:30 p.m. routes 101, 104, 105 and 112 will detour for road closures. Customers should expect delays due to increased traffic in the area.

In Chesapeake, sections of Bainbridge Boulevard will be closed due to the parade. Route 58 will detour from 9 a.m. to noon. Customers should catch buses at Liberty and Seaboard or Bainbridge and Freeman.

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