Boston Fireworks 2011

Plus Boston Pops July 4th Concert

Celebrate July 4th in Boston with fireworks and concerts

Spectacular Boston fireworks for July 4th light up the sky over the Charles River for half a million spectators watching this beloved annual event. 

If you're traveling to Boston for this national patriotic holiday, consider spending a memorable evening at the free Boston Pops Concerts and FIreworks Spectacular located on the Esplanade along the banks of the Charles River.

After all, Boston is where the fight for American liberty began.  Saying that July 4th is a very special occasion here is an understatement. 

The city is always proud of its revolutionary heritage, but around July 4th, celebratory pride escalates to such a degree that you'll experience patriotism on steroids. 

Boston Pops July 4th 2011 concerts

The Boston Pops Concerts and Fireworks Spectacular, America's best Independence Day celebration, takes place on July 3rd and 4th on the Esplanade next to the Charles River. 

Concerts in the historic Hatch Shell on both days feature Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra along with a terrific lineup of special guests including Lionel Richie, Lowell MA native son Michael Chiklis and the Michael Chiklis Band, and Norm Lewis.

The nationally televised Boston Pops show on July 4th, like the show on the 3rd, lasts 2 hours.  The music is terrific, and then comes the finale - Tchaikovsky's explosive 1812 Overture, ending with dramatic drumrolls and real cannon fire, while church bells ring throughout the city. 

Check out this video of the Pops' rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by a fly-over of fighter jets from Hanscom Air Force Base, to get a sense of the excitement of being there!

Boston July 4th fireworks 2011

Soon after the concert on July 4, the Boston fireworks begin to be launched from barges in the middle of the Charles River. 

Find yourself a comfortable spot on either side of the river, and enjoy this special Boston patriotic event.

The skies light up on July 4th with dazzling pyrotechnics reaching as high as 1,500 feet.

Depending on where you stay, you may even be able to watch the fireworks from your hotel room or roof deck - check out these hotels for Boston Fireworks Spectacular.

Boston fireworks, seen from behind the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House
Photo copyright 2008 Stephen Orsillo

When to arrive for the concerts and fireworks

Both Boston Pops concerts start at 8:30pm, and both are free.  The awesome Boston fireworks, which begin after the end of the Pops concert on the 4th, usually start around 10:30 pm and can be seen for miles.

If you want to be able to actually see the concert, you need to be within what's called the "Oval" - a grassy area in front of the Hatch Shell where the musicians play.  Although this may sound like the ideal place to sit, there's a down side: you may not be able to see the fireworks very well because of all the trees surrounding this area.

The area around the Oval is fenced for the concert in order to prevent overcrowding.  If you want to sit there, you need to enter through one of three entrances, where your bag will be checked for banned items (alcoholic beverages, blankets larger than 5 feet by 7 feet, glass containers, and sharp pointy objects like knitting needles,can openers, and of course, knives). 

Entrances to the Oval open at 4pm on the 3rd, and 9am on the 4th.  In order to get a seat in the Oval, you need to arrive as early as possible. The area usually fills up by 7pm or earlier on the 3rd, and soon after 9am on the 4th.  Especially on the 4th, people tend to line up well before 9am. 

Most of the area behind the Hatch Shell, extending back to about Revere Street in Beacon Hill, is used as a staging area for equipment and so forth, and is closed off to pedestrians.

Although early arrival isn't quite so crucial for the fireworks, many of the prime spots along the river, especially on the Boston side, begin to fill up by late morning or early afternoon, depending on the weather.

Keep in mind that Boston Harborfest with 200+ events also takes place during this period - so if you want to do both, you may have to make some tough choices!

Best spots to watch the Boston fireworks

If watching the fireworks is your main objective, you'll find plenty of great spots along the 3-mile long Boston Esplanade as well as on the Cambridge side of the Charles River. 

The fireworks event takes place between the Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges, but the fireworks shoot so high up in the sky that you can see them for miles around. 

Waiting for fireworks on the Charles River - late afternoon
Photo courtesy of Steven Issacson

In my experience, great viewing sites are more plentiful on the Cambridge side, partly because it has fewer trees plus it's usually less crowded.  You'll be able to hear the concert, just not see it, from both sides of the river as it is broadcast from approximately 36 sound towers placed throughout the area. 

What's important to remember, though, is that the Boston fireworks make a huge display, totally lighting up the sky.  As long as you're not behind a tall building blocking your view, you're going to be able to see the show easily from many Boston and Cambridge locations, so it's probably not worth worrying about finding the "perfect" spot.

If you want to splurge, though, Top of the Hub is the place to be - just be sure to call first for reservations!

You'll be happy to know that plenty of portable toilets are located throughout the Boston and Cambridge areas along the river during this event. 

You'll also see lots of concession stands selling food, drinks (but no alcohol - alcoholic beverages are banned throughout the entire area), and souvenirs such as t-shirts.  The City of Boston regulates concession prices, so they're usually fairly reasonable, and vendors donate all merchandise profits to help fund the concert and fireworks event.

Best hotels for viewing the fireworks

If you're staying in a Boston hotel for July 4th, keep in mind that several offer spectacular views - although you need to request a room with a river view on a higher floor when making your reservations, and confirm the view.  Public spaces in many of these hotels may also offer terrific views.

Public transportation: Getting to the concerts and fireworks

The best way to get to the Pops concert and Boston fireworks show is by public transportation and walking, as parking is very limited in the area and crowds will be dense.  More people than cars will be filling the streets, making driving even more difficult than usual.

Bonus: you can travel free on the T after 10:30pm on the 4th - but do remember that the T stops running (depending on the line) between 12:30am and 1am.

Closest T stations for Pops concerts and Boston fireworks:

• Boston - Green Line/Arlington or Red Line/Charles-MGH
• Cambridge - Red Line/Kendall-MIT
  

Closed footbridge alert: If you're planning to watch from the Esplanade (Boston side of the river), you will not be able to use either the Fiedler Footbridge or the Charles Street Footbridge to cross Storrow Drive as they are blocked off on these days. 

Instead, cross over to the Esplanade using the Dartmouth, Fairfield, or Mass Ave Footbridges.

Details and directions for the Boston Pops concert and Boston fireworks

Location: 

• Boston Pops Concert:  Hatch Shell, just to the east of the Fiedler Footbridge which crosses Storrow Drive from Arlington Street
• Boston Fireworks:  Easily viewed from both sides of the Charles River between the Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges

More information:  Check the Boston Event Calendar for July, as well as the July 4th website.

Any questions about Boston's July 4th Fireworks or the Boston Pops Concert?

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- Susan

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