2026 July 4 Fireworks Guide For Matawan-Aberdeen And Surrounding Towns

MATAWAN, NJ — Fourth of July activities in the Matawan-Aberdeen area have extra sparkle in 2026, as this year is the 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The holiday falls on a Saturday in the middle of a three-day weekend, July 3-5. To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch put together a guide to fireworks and other celebrations in Matawan, Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.

Matawan will host America's 250th birthday party and fireworks June 27: Matawan’s 2026 Independence Day and 250th American Anniversary celebrations — called "Founders, Freedom & Fireworks" — will take place this Saturday, June 27 (rain date is June 28).

The free, full-day community event will host colonial history displays at Hourihan Field, markets and a spectacular fireworks show launched over Lake Lefferts Park after sunset. Come to Hourihan Field from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday to witness living colonial encampments with cannon firings, flintlock demonstrations, blacksmithing and tomahawk throwing.

• Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Rain Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
• Time: Festivities run throughout the day, with fireworks igniting at dark
• Location: Lake Lefferts Park, Matawan, NJ (best for fireworks viewing)

Fireworks and drone light show July 2 on the Perth Amboy waterfront: Perth Amboy will have a massive fireworks and drone show (250 drones) over Raritan Bay. Festival starts at 6 p.m. on Sadowski Parkway. It is expected to draw thousands of people. Get more info. here.

Fireworks July 2 on the Woodbridge waterfront:

Woodbridge Township's annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display will be July 2. Held at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park on Port Reading Ave on the Sewaren waterfront. (Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, Port Reading Ave, Woodbridge Township, NJ, 07077)

Gates open at 4:00 p.m. There will be live music entertainment followed by a fireworks show at dusk. Entertainment runs until dusk and the fireworks go off when it gets dark. Rain date is July 3.

Highlands, July 3: Tall ships will be docked off Sandy Hook on July 3. Get more info. on how to see them here: All The Info. On NYC's Tall Ship Parade July 3-8

Free viewing of fireworks over the Navesink River July 3: Family fireworks on the Navesink will return this summer. Hosted by the DiPiero Family, the fireworks display will take place on Thursday, July 3, at the family's home. It's a private party that raises money for Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center, but public spectators can enjoy the show from various locations along the river, or by boat near the Oceanic Bridge. Fireworks usually go off around 9:15 p.m. July 3.

Keansburg, July 4: There will be a large fireworks display on July 4, when it gets dark, at Baywalk East over the Raritan Bay.

Fireworks at Pier Village in Long Branch, July 4: Long Branch will host its annual Independence Day firework spectacular on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of Oceanfest, the state’s largest Fourth of July celebration. The festival starts at 1 p.m.; stroll the shops and boardwalk and then fireworks go off over the ocean when it gets dark, usually around 9 p.m.

It's great to see from the beach, and the Great Lawn & Promenade, 10 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Middletown, July 5: 6:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5 at Bayshore Waterfront Park (719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth) for an evening of family-friendly fun as they celebrate America's 250th birthday. Enjoy food trucks, beach volleyball, cornhole, arts and crafts, bounce houses, a Declaration of Independence signing area, tours of the historic Seabrook-Wilson House and a spectacular patriotic drone show to cap off the evening!

Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the drone show on the beach; the drone show goes off when the sun does down.

Fireworks show July 11 in Aberdeen: Aberdeen Township will host its annual Independence Day Extravaganza at Veterans Memorial Park (Ocean Blvd & Lakeshore Dr) on Saturday, July 11. Festivities run from 5:00-10 p.m. with the fireworks spectacular lighting up the bay at approximately 9:15 p.m.

• Activities: Family fun zone, food trucks, inflatables, face painting, character meet-and-greets and a DJ.
• The splash pad will remain open until 8:00 p.m.
• Free bus transportation will be provided to and from the park

Have a safe and joyous July 4th!