Fireworks Near Me: Westport July 4th 2024 Events

WESTPORT, CT — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Westport. Area events include fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Westport and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

What: Westport Independence Day Fireworks Celebration (Traffic Advisory is below)

Where: Compo Beach

When: 8:30 p.m., July 2 (Rain date, July 3)

The PAL Fireworks take place at Compo Beach. This is a ticketed event and tickets can be purchased at the Westport Police Department beginning June 1st, 50 Jesup Road and at the Parks and Recreation Office beginning June 3rd, 260 Compo Road South. The fee is $50 per vehicle, cash or check only!!!

*Special thanks to Melissa and Doug Bernstein and the Bernstein Family Foundation for generously sponsoring this event.

Today, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Traffic Advisory from the Westport Police Department:

The annual PAL fireworks display is set for Tuesday July 2, 2024, with a rain date of Wednesday July 3, 2024. This is the largest annual Westport event featuring heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic affecting all roads south of Greens Farms Road between Compo Road South and Hillspoint Road. It is recommended that spectators plan to arrive early as traffic delays are inevitable. Daytime Compo Beach visitors are reminded that the beach closes at 4:00 PM. Only those vehicles with fireworks passes hanging on their rearview mirrors will be allowed to remain within the beach. All others will be ticketed or towed. The beach should reopen to ticket holders by 5:00 PM, however this determination will be made by Westport Parks and Recreation staff.

Pedestrians attending the fireworks are reminded not to walk on the roads and to use sidewalks when going to and from Compo Beach. It is recommended that pedestrians wear bright clothing and parents please always keep an eye on small children!

For ticket holders:
- Access to the PAL Fireworks display will be through South Compo Road only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be open to only those with residences south of that intersection.
- Firework attendees should display the ticket prominently on the rearview mirror so it can be seen clearly when traveling to the event.
- All ticket holders must be inside Compo Beach by 9:00 PM. No vehicular beach traffic will be allowed south of the Minuteman statue after that time.
- Handicap parking is available between the cannons and the pavilion. Handicap spaces are limited and will be provided on a first come first served basis.

For those who do not have tickets:
- Vehicles without a ticket will not be able to go any further towards Compo Beach than the Minuteman statue.
- Those utilizing Uber, Lyft, or Taxi services will be directed straight past the Minuteman Statue on Compo Road South. There, visitors can walk from the area of Compo Road South and Soundview Drive to the beach.

NOTE: If you choose to use this method of transportation, return service will not be available until after 11pm due to one way traffic exiting the beach area.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR POST-FIREWORKS TRAFFIC
Just prior to the conclusion of the fireworks display two-way traffic will be suspended on Compo Beach Road and South Compo Road to the intersection of Greens Farms Road. There will be two lanes of northbound traffic on these streets until the beach is cleared. Residents of this area will encounter delays in getting to their homes for approximately one hour or until traffic has cleared from the Compo Beach area and should plan accordingly. Residents who are planning on picking up family members in the beach area should also plan for delays. Motorists are reminded there will be a significant amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the Compo Beach area prior to and after the event and are asked to please exercise extreme caution while traveling through this area.

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