America’s 244th birthday is just around the corner.
For Lancaster, that means a whole bunch of fireworks displays that’ll go off — and continue going off — over the course of the next three weeks.
Lancaster fireworks have never been the biggest, brightest, or most spectacular shows in the country. But they make up for their relative modesty with a quaint charm and a sense of community that’s hard to find anywhere else.
While fireworks themselves have some pretty rough problems — like scaring every dog in the tri-county area and risking PTSD flashbacks in our country’s veterans — you can find some spots around Lancaster that are isolated enough to enjoy pyrotechnics without disrupting people’s lives.
These are the best spots to go for Fourth of July fireworks in Lancaster:
#1. Long’s Park
Time: End of June from 7:30-11:00PM
Cost: Free
This year, the US Army Band will perform at Lancaster’s Long’s Park.
Long’s Park is easily the most popular and well-attended Fourth of July festival in the area.
The day of the week changes for Long’s Park festival every year. This year, it falls on a Sunday.
Fortunately for those of us who won’t attend, the fireworks don’t go off all night.
The itinerary is:
- 7:30 – Concert starts
- Dusk (9:00ish) – Fireworks start
- All night – Food trucks available
If you want the quintessential Lancaster experience for the country’s 243rd birthday, then Long’s Park is the place for you to go.
Don’t worry about tickets either. As with most Long’s Park events, you show up when you want, bring what you want, and scope out a place for you and your companions to enjoy the show.
Long’s Park tends to get crowded during the Fourth of July event especially. If you want a good plot of space to lay down a blanket and set up a picnic, get there early!
#2. Lititz Springs Park
Time: July 4, 12:00-11:00PM
Cost: Free
Lititz Springs Park is one of the best-maintained and prettiest locations in Lancaster County (excluding the natural landscape, of course).
Located just near Warwick High School, Lititz Springs Park is a focal point of community and summer living for everyone in what was once called “the coolest small town in America.”
Best of all, this is the only Fourth of July fireworks display to actually be on the Fourth of July — at least on our list.
One of the best parts about Lititz Springs Park’s festivities is that they start early and keep going long into the night.
- 12:00 – 1:30 – Nothing
- 1:30 – 2:00 – Opening ceremony
- 2:15 – 3:00 – Performances by “The Bandalow”
- 3:30 – 4:30 – Lititz Community Band
- 5:30 – 6:45 – Best of “The Eagles”
- 7:30 – 8:00 – Queen of Candles
- 8:15 – 9:00 – Nearly York
- 9:00 – 9:30 – FUN 101.3 Dance Party
- 9:30 – Fireworks
While the fireworks may not last until the end of the event — 11:00 — Lititz Springs Park is still a great time for anyone who wants a smaller, more community-based Fourth of July in the north of Lancaster.
#3. Celebrate Lancaster
Time: End of June, 11:30AM – 10:00PM
Cost: Free
Celebrate Lancaster’s Fourth of July soiree takes place at 100 N. Queen St. in Lancaster City.
Like Lititz Springs Park, Celebrate Lancaster lasts all day and has a ton of things to do. You can get there at the start and stay until the end and have a great time in Lancaster City.
This is when everything happens:
- 11:30AM – 10:00PM – Food vendors available
- 5:00 – 10:00 – Live music in Binns Park and Penn Square
- 5:00 – 10:00 – Pub areas sell beer and wine
- 10:00 – Fireworks over Duke Street Garage
Overall, Celebrate Lancaster has a pretty tight itinerary too. The biggest part is just milling around, enjoying the community and buying from the local food trucks.
It takes place on the entire 100 block of North Queen Street too, which gives plenty of space to enjoy the summer.
The only big differentiator for Celebrate Lancaster is the inclusion and endorsement of alcohol. Two pub areas have beer and wine, which is great.
But if you’re not into alcohol at public events, then Celebrate Lancaster probably isn’t for you.
#4. The Star Barn
Time: First weekend in July
Cost: $10 – $250
The Star Barn is a local landmark in Lancaster that was built in 1877 and subsequently picked up, moved, and re-assembled.
The barn is so special because it’s one of the only remaining barns to feature the Gothic Revival architecture.
Because of this (and its new scenic location), it’s quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in Lancaster for weddings, gatherings, and — as of a few years ago — community celebrations!
During its two-day Fourth of July party, the Star Barn will include petting zoos, wagon pulls, pony rides, fire pits, wine tastings, and a whole bunch more.
Basically, it’s fun for the whole family and anyone of any age.
The celebration follows this schedule:
- July 3, 4:00 – 10:00
- July 4, 11:00AM – 10:00PM
You can extend this itinerary for yourself by springing for Star Barn’s VIP pass, which lets you enjoy the scenery and the locale for an extra day.
Does it cost a bit? Sure.
But the Star Barn is run by a non-profit that helps preserve it and maintain its historic beauty.
So you may pay up, but it goes to a good cause — especially if you’re a local history buff.
Looking for More to Do This Summer?
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