Our beautiful state of Maine became the 23rd state in 1820 and ever since 1870 when the Fourth of July became a national holiday, we’ve been celebrating in style with festive celebrations and beautiful fireworks displays which have only become more impressive over the years. Here's where you can see some of the best fireworks displays in Maine in 2024:

1. Bar Harbor’s July 4th Celebration

This year’s 4th of July Celebration at Bar Harbor will start with a craft fair marketplace, and an Independence Day Parade, and continue with a seafood festival, then live music at the Town Pier, and then the Bar Harbor Band will perform at the Village Green. Then, everyone will gather on the waterfront in downtown Bar Harbor and the fireworks will begin. The display will take place over Frenchman’s Bay.

2. Ogunquit Beach 4th of July Fireworks

Few things are as spectacular as fireworks over the ocean while you observe them from the beautiful beach. This year the display will begin at 9:15 p.m. and be visible all along Ogunquit Beach. You’ll be able to see the show from Main Beach to as far as North Beach and further. Get to the beach early to set up your blanket and bring some snacks or park nearby and watch from your car. The Main Beach parking lot will be closed.

3. Eastport 4th

This is the largest 4th of July celebration in the state! From July 3-8, the USS Forrest Sherman DDG-98 will be in port and its officers and crew will join the festivities. There will be a scavenger hunt for specially painted rocks hidden around town, a comedy show with Brian Giles, and the Grand Independence Day Parade. And don’t forget the Great Rubber Ducky Race. There will be events and activities of all kinds for all ages beginning July 1 and continuing through July 6. The fireworks begin on Eastport’s waterfront at dusk on July 4.

4. Millinocket Independence Day Festival

The tiny, charming town of Millinocket celebrates the Fourth of July with a parade and this year’s theme is “Small Town, Big Spirit.” There’s also a children’s parade, a vendor fair, and a whoopie pie bake-off. The fun continues through July 5 and 6 with a bike rodeo, and Tickles the Clown will be entertaining folks by making magic and balloon animals. On July 6, there will be a farmers and artisans market and bandstand jams.

5. Stars & Stripes Spectacular in Portland

Portland’s Fourth of July celebrations are nothing short of spectacular, so it’s no wonder its fireworks show is called the Stars & Stripes Spectacular. It starts at dusk on July 4 and the best viewing is from the Eastern Promenade. The Cutter Street lot will be filled with food trucks selling lobster rolls, clam chowder, sweet treats, and much more. There are so many activities and events surrounding this one, which you can find out about in this online guide.

6. Music By The Sea and Fireworks in Camden

Camden’s celebration of the Fourth of July is centered around music. There will be four live bands at Music by the Sea, including the Bay Chamber Concerts Jazz Ensemble, Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra (MoJO), Gawler Family Band, and The Right Track R&B/Soul/Funk. The first band will play on the Village Green and the three others will play at the Library Amphitheatre. Feel free to bring blankets and picnic chairs to the amphitheater, where free popcorn and water will be available. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. over Camden Harbor.

7. 4th of July in Castine

The tiny, bucolic town of Castine has a lively celebration every Fourth of July. There’s an annual 1K/5K Walk/Run Race which benefits the Round School. Then the parade starts and it’s traditional for people to wear costumes. There will be costume prizes awarded. There are more festivities like sack races, tug-of-war, and pie-eating contests. At 1 p.m., the Pentagöet BBQ starts and later the Castine Town Band will play on the Common. At dusk, the fireworks begin over Castine Harbor.

8. Greater Bangor Area 4th of July

Bangor begins its celebrations with a pancake breakfast at Jeff’s Catering & Events Center. Then locals work off that breakfast with a 3K race followed by a huge parade and a concert by Chords For The Cure, which benefits children with cancer. At 9:30 p.m., the fireworks will take place over the Penobscot River, dazzling all within view.

Are you ready for the best fireworks displays in Maine this year? Do you have a favorite one that you attend each year? Let us know all about it in the comments. While you’re enjoying summer in Maine, take a drive around and check out some of the best summer attractions in Maine:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maine/20-summer-destinations-me/