Arlington 4th Of July Events: 2019 Guide, Scheduled Time

ARLINGTON, MA — July 4th is quickly approaching, which means it's time to fire up that barbecue and find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on near you this Independence Day. We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around Arlington so you can start planning now.

Arlington doesn't have any fireworks shows scheduled, so you'll have to leave town if you want to end your night with a bang.

If you're celebrating in Boston:

Wednesday, July 3:

• 5 p.m. Gates open
• 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Dress rehearsal concert

Oval: The Oval Checkpoint will be located between the Lagoon's Clarendon Footbridge and the Berkeley Footbridge. Access to the checkpoint can best be accomplished by accessing the Esplanade from Berkeley Street after 4 p.m. Those arriving to the Esplanade prior to 4 p.m. should use the Dartmouth or Fairfield Street Footbridges over Storrow Drive. (In case you're wondering what the "Oval" is? It's the grass-filled area directly in front of the DCR Hatch Shell.).

Island /Lagoon: There will also be an Island/Lagoon area checkpoint. This checkpoint will be located on the Island/Lagoon by the Clarendon Bridge. This checkpoint will also open at 5 p.m. on July 3, and may be accessed from the Lagoon's Clarendon, Exeter and Fairfield Footbridges. Access to the checkpoint can best be accomplished by accessing the Esplanade from Berkeley Street after 4 p.m. Those arriving to the Esplanade prior to 4 p.m. should use the Dartmouth or Fairfield Street Footbridges over Storrow Drive.

Thursday, July 4:

• 9 a.m. Gates open
• 8 p.m. - 10: 30 p.m. Concert
• 10:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. Fireworks

Oval: The Oval Checkpoint will be located between the Lagoon's Clarendon Footbridge and the Berkeley Footbridge. Access to the checkpoint can best be accomplished by accessing the Esplanade from Berkeley Street.

Island /Lagoon: Access to the Island/Lagoon checkpoints can best be accomplished by using Beacon Street to Clarendon Street or utilizing the Dartmouth or Fairfield Street Footbridges over Storrow Drive. Checkpoints will be located at the Clarendon and Exeter Footbridges. The Fairfield Footbridge over the Lagoon will be designated as EXIT Only from the Island over the Lagoon.

The event takes place along the Charles River, at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade between the Longfellow and Massachusetts Avenue Bridges, on both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river.

Sadly there will be no fireworks viewing allowed from the Longfellow and Mass. Ave Bridges.

There are two main gates to secured areas. The Oval and the Island/Lagoon. Spectators entering these areas will be required to pass through one of the bag check/screening entrances and will receive a wristband specifically for that area, which must be worn at all times during the event to ensure access in and out of that secured area. When the secured areas are full on July 3rd and July 4th, NO additional wristbands will be distributed.

The Oval and Island entrances to the Esplanade are best accessed from Storrow Drive at Berkeley, Clarendon and Dartmouth Streets. Arthur Fiedler foot bridge will be closed to foot traffic.

If you're celebrating in Somerville:

The celebration kicks off with Family Fun Day, followed by the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field on Thursday, June 27 (rain date June 28), beginning with live entertainment at 6:30 p.m.

Family Fun Day at Trum Field will feature free, family-friendly programming including a community BBQ, train rides, children’s activities, face painting, music, and more.

On Thursday, June 27, live entertainment at Trum Field will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include performances by the USO Metropolitan New York Performers, and local Disco-Funk band Booty Vortex, leading up to a 30-minute Fourth of July fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m.

To ensure public safety and pedestrian access to events, traffic and parking restrictions will be in place as follows:

Family Fun Day
· Franey Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10am – 5pm.
Fireworks
· Broadway
o No parking from Cedar St to Charles E. Ryan Rd. (East-bound) 8 a.m. – midnight.
o No parking from Ball Square to Magoun Square, 4 p.m. to midnight. Street closed from 5 p.m. to midnight.
· Cedar Street
o No parking 8 a.m. to midnight. Streets closed 4:30pm to midnight.
· Franey Road
o No parking & street closed, 3 p.m. to midnight.
· Charles E. Ryan Road
o No parking 8 a.m. to midnight. Access for abutters only from 4-6 p.m. Street closed to all traffic 6 p.m. to midnight.
· MBTA Buses 80 & 89 re-routed from 5 p.m. to midnight. See www.mbta.com for full detour information.

Due to the large crowds and loud noise associated with the Fireworks Celebration, the City recommends that attendees leave pets at home and not bring unnecessary bags or backpacks. All bags and backpacks are subject to inspection. For more information, please call 311 (or 617-666-3311), or visit www.somervillema.gov.

The Ball Square Bridge Hopper, a free shuttle to help passengers navigate the Broadway bridge closure, will be running from 7 to 10 p.m. during the Fireworks celebration. The shuttle will run on a continuous loop between Boston Ave. at Broadway and the CVS in Magoun Square. Search "Bridge Hopper" in your smartphone's app store to download the app, which will show you where the shuttle is on its route. Please note that the app will display the typical weekday stops and not this revised route. Use the Bridge Hopper to get through the road detours and access local businesses in Ball Square and Magoun Square.

If you're celebrating in Lexington:

ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CARNIVAL

LOCATION: Hastings Park

2019 Carnival Dates :
The Carnival scheduled for the following days and time

• TUESDAY, JULY 2 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• THURSDAY, JULY 4 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• FRIDAY, JULY 5 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• SATURDAY, JULY 6 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Fireworks Friday July 5th, after dusk

Youth Games Thursday, July 4th at 10:00AM

Money Saving Ride Discounts - "Pay one price" wrist band on select days and times:

Tuesday 7/2 6pm - close
Thursday 7/4 1pm - 5pm or 5pm - close
Saturday 7/6 1pm - 5pm

(any mechanical ride, but does not include bumper cars)

Know of other events in the area? Post them on the Patch calendar or share details on our free Neighbor Post feature.

Planning a celebration for the Fourth? Check out epic July Fourth essentials like red, white and blue swag, patriotic games and luminous LED lights to ensure your party is the best in the USA.