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Fourth of July Seattle 2025: Festivities light up western Washington

In Seattle, over 20,000 people gathered to watch fireworks at Gas Works Park on July 4.

SEATTLE — From small-town processions to waterfront fireworks and music stages, the Seattle metro area marked the Fourth of July with a full slate of community celebrations, big and small.

In Seattle proper, the marquee event is Seafair’s all-day Fourth of July festival at Lake Union, where crowds packed both Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park starting at 3 p.m. Attendees expected food trucks, beer gardens, live entertainment, and a dedicated kids’ zone, with the fireworks show launching around 10:20 p.m. against the city skyline. The display is synchronized to music and typically draws tens of thousands.

Editor's note: The video above captures the marquee fireworks show above Lake Union, without music from the original event to abide by copyright restrictions. The story that follows was written and published before the event, July 1. 

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Over at Seattle Center, a quieter but meaningful tradition unfolds at noon: the city’s annual naturalization ceremony. Hundreds of immigrants from around the world will take the oath of U.S. citizenship in a public event at Fisher Pavilion.

West Seattle, meanwhile, will host a kids’ parade through the Admiral District. Starting at 10 a.m., the event sees families deck out bikes, wagons, and strollers in red, white and blue before marching a few blocks in patriotic fashion.

On the Eastside, Bellevue hosts its signature Family 4th celebration at Downtown Park, featuring a lineup of live bands, lawn games, food vendors, and a 10:05 p.m. fireworks finale. The Bellevue Youth Symphony takes the stage ahead of the show. Earlier in the day, the city offers the “Four on the 4th” dog walk and costume contest.

Kirkland keeps things simple with its midday “Celebrate Kirkland” parade, starting with a kids’ mini-parade at 11:30 a.m., followed by the main march through downtown. This year’s event is parade-only — no fireworks — but festive and neighborly.

South Sound cities are throwing their own full-day parties. Tacoma’s Summer Blast takes over the Ruston Way waterfront with two stages of music, food trucks, beer gardens, and one of the region’s biggest fireworks shows at 10 p.m., launched over Commencement Bay. Federal Way’s “Red, White & Blues Festival” at Celebration Park leans into its name with blues and rock acts, a kids’ zone, and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.

In Everett, the city’s “Colors of Freedom” event stretches from a morning parade downtown to a sprawling waterfront festival at Legion Memorial Park. Live music, food trucks, and a family activity area carry the day through to a 10:15 p.m. fireworks show dubbed “Thunder on the Bay.”

Other options around the region include Kent’s lakeside "Fourth of July Splash" at Lake Meridian Park, Snoqualmie’s “Red, White & Boom” celebration in Community Park, and Carnation’s two-part event — a morning parade downtown followed by an evening concert and fireworks at Remlinger Farms.

Those looking to get out of town might consider hopping a ferry to Bainbridge Island for the Grand Old 4th. While there’s no fireworks display, the all-day celebration features a pancake breakfast, street fair, and car show.

Where to catch fireworks on the Fourth

  • Lake Union (Seattle): 10:15 p.m.
  • Downtown Park (Bellevue): 10:05 p.m.
  • Commencement Bay (Tacoma): 10 p.m.
  • Port Gardner Bay (Everett): 10:15 p.m.
  • Celebration Park (Federal Way): 10:15 p.m.
  • Lake Meridian (Kent): 10 p.m.
  • Community Park (Snoqualmie): 9:45 p.m.
  • Remlinger Farms (Carnation): 9:45 p.m.

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