There are so many ways to celebrate the 4th of July with your family this year. New Orleans is full of places to watch fireworks, have a picnic, and even find free inside fun to escape the hot weather.
Thursday, July 3
Uncle Sam Jam Lafreniere Park Music & Fireworks
Celebrate Independence Day at beautiful Lafreniere Park in Metairie at Uncle Sam Jam! Festival-goers look forward to live music, delicious food, and great company each year! Uncle Sam Jam is a FREE festival featuring top local and national acts and fireworks to close the night.
Where: Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, LA on the Al Copeland Concert and Meadow Stage
When: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Hours: 4:00 PM - 10:45 PM (gate opens at 3:00 PM)
How: Just show up!
Cost: Free
For more info: Click here. 504-838-4389; 504-628-4459
Happy 3rd of July Celebration at City Park
New Orleans City Park will celebrate the Fourth of July a day early with a spirited gathering of our community from across the region for a free night of music and fireworks. The patriotic program begins at 6 pm with music by the Marine Forces Reserve Band, followed by the national anthem sung by local artist Robin Barnes. The evening culminates with fabulous fireworks atop the Peristyle at 9 pm. Bonafried and Tanjariné Kitchen food trucks will be on site. Guests are encouraged to arrive early with chairs and blankets while donning red, white, and blue!
When: Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
Where: The Great Lawn
Hours: 6:00 P.M. - 9:15pm
Admission: Free
For more info: https://neworleanscitypark.com/events/3rd-of-july
Friday, July 4
Audubon Zoo, Cool Zoo, and the Aquarium
Take the kids to see the animals, fish, butterflies, and insects! All of Audubon Institute's attractions are open on July 4th!
Where: Audubon Institute attractions
When: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How: Pay admission.
Cost: Prices vary.
For more info: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/
Independence Day Celebration at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Join the museum as they host New Orleans Concert Band for their annual celebration of America’s independence, with musical favorites from past and present! This special celebration will be led by guest conductor Dr. Patrick Hennessey.
Free and open to the community, but registration is requested.
When: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Go 4th on the River Fireworks Display
Celebrate America’s birthday along the historic New Orleans Riverfront with the FREE Go 4th on the River Fireworks Show at 9:00 p.m. on July 4th! The fireworks are a backdrop for the Fourth of July festivities - there will be food to purchase and live music. This spectacular fireworks display can be seen from the East and West Banks of the Mississippi River from Riverwalk Outlets and Hilton New Orleans Riverside to the Moonwalk and Crescent Park in the French Market District. And there’s more! This cherished family tradition will feature more colorful and dramatic pyrotechnic shells than ever, plus hundreds of special-effect features that
have never been seen before! Get your cameras ready! CNN will be showcasing the Fourth of July New Orleans fireworks around the world as part of its “Fourth in America” special again this year! The evening will include live music, food, and beverage sales, and end with the Go 4th on the River fireworks display over the Mississippi River. 9:00 p.m.
When: Friday, July 4th from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Where: Crescent Park, French Market District 2300 N. Peters
Live Music in the French Market District
Catch a performance of the internationally renowned Irish a capella group Trinitones at 2:00 p.m. and again at 8:00 p.m. at Oscar
Dunn Park across from the Moon Walk. At 5:00 p.m. quench your thirst at the Meyer’s Lemonade Cart on the Moon Walk.
The Port of New Orleans will bring out the General Roy S. Kelley fireboat again this year with its famed water show with plumes of red, white, and blue fountains from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Built in 1994, the General Kelley was used by the Port of New Orleans to fight
fires, give tours, and conduct search-and-rescue missions on the Mississippi River.
Free Admission for Active Duty US Military at the WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum and the Blue Star Museums Network have partnered to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and up to five family members. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the US military or other dependent family members with appropriate ID cards. Blue Star Museums program admission also includes complimentary entry to the Freedom Theater experience. Note: The Museum's 4D film experience Beyond All Boundaries is closed through September 30 for renovations.
When: May 17, 2025 to September 01, 2025 - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: National WWII Museum; 945 Magazine St. New Orleans LA 70130
Who: Active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families each summer.
Cost: FREE
Fourth of July Fireworks in Abita Springs
Bring your chairs, blankets, family and friends to the Abita Springs Trailhead Park on Thursday, July 4, 2024, for the town's 4th of July Celebration! The festival features military appreciations, live music by Four Unplugged, fireworks, food and more, from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Admission is free. No outside food or drinks. Fireworks will begin approximately at 9 p.m.
Time 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit here
Location: Abita Springs Trailhead Park
Hours: Fireworks at dusk
Admission: Free
PATRIOTIC CRAFTS, RECIPES AND MORE TO DO WITH THE KIDS
•Fourth of July Quiz - Who Can Answer the Most Questions Correctly
•Patriotic Parfaits
•Why We Celebrate the Fourth of July
•Make Your Own Patriotic T-shirts
•Fireworks Rings
•Homemade Bubbles
•Patriotic Pinwheels
•4th of July Noisemakers
•How to Make a 4th of July Crown
•Patriotic Fruit Pops
•Desserts and Sides for the 4th of July
•Patriotic Ice Cream Sundaes
