America’s 250th anniversary, or the semiquincentennial (say that five times fast!) is officially on July 4, but the celebrations are going all summer long. Check out where you can party like it’s 1776 around Atlanta and beyond.
JULY 3-5 – The Semiquincentennial Weekend
Celebration of Independence
Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Main Street, Tucker
Gather on Main Street for live music, a DJ, kids zone, food trucks, and end the night with a fireworks spectacular. This event is free and open to the public.
Welcome to Atlanta Party
Friday, July 3, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta History Center
Celebrate Atlanta’s role in the country’s history with community resources from across the city, books and merchandise, a cash bar, and a DJ, plus a game of trivia with a chance to win a prize. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to register.
Norcross Red, White & Boom
Friday, July 3, 5 to 10 p.m.
Lillian Webb Park
Before the fireworks light up the sky at dusk (or about 9:40 p.m.), the city has live music from The A-Town A-List, food from local vendors, face painting, and other family activities.
Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race
Saturday, July 4, 6 a.m.
60,000 participants from all 50 states and 30 countries will take part in the 57th annual road race along the 10-kilometer route from Peachtree Road at Lenox Square Mall to Piedmont Park.
Dunwoody 4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 4, 9 a.m.
The theme for the state’s largest Fourth of July Parade is “Honoring the Past, Marching into the Future” to mark the country’s 250th birthday. The 2.7-mile route begins at Jett Ferry and Mt. Vernon Road and heads to Dunwoody Village via Mount Vernon.
Fourth of July Family Day
Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Honor America’s only president from Georgia on the country’s 250th anniversary. The museum will offer free admission plus kids activities and crafts, scavenger hunts, and cupcakes. Also, hear award-winning author and historian Denise Kiernan discuss her new book “Obstinate Daughters,” which recognizes the role of women in the colonial era.
America 250 at Mimms Museum
Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mimms Museum
Enjoy a museum-wide scavenger hunt, and create your own souvenir punch card using an original IBM 029 machine. Additionally, Mimms Museums members get free entry to the Chattahoochee Nature Center from July 3 to July 5.
Peach State Block Party
Saturday, July 4, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Underground Atlanta
Underground Atlanta has hosted the Peach State Block Party for nine years in a row. This 21+ event will feature live music, food trucks, games, and a fireworks show at the end of the night. Get tickets here.
Stars & Stripes Firework Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 4 p.m.
City Springs District, Sandy Springs
Get ready for some “American Pie,” as Don McClean will be headlining this year’s Stars & Stripes Firework Celebration in Sandy Springs. This family-friendly event will also feature food trucks beginning at 6 p.m. and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Pied Piper Parade & Fireworks
Saturday, July 4, 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Decatur
Watch (or join in) the Pied Piper Parade as it winds through downtown with decorated floats, wagons, and bicycles at 4 p.m. Stay for an evening of live music from G Clef & The Playlist before fireworks at approximately 9 p.m.
Chamblee Rocks with Robin Thicke
July 4, 6:30 p.m.
Head to downtown Chamblee to celebrate the Fourth of July with a special free concert by award-winning, platinum artist Robin Thicke (“Blurred Lines,” “That’s What Love Can Do”).
Truist Park 4th of July Fireworks Show
July 4, 8 p.m.
The Battery & Truist Park
Celebrate Independence Day by cheering on the Atlanta Braves as they take on the New York Mets. Enjoy a Braves Block Party in The Battery before the game with live music, chalk artists, appearances by the Atlanta Braves Heavy Hitters, Tomahawk Team & The Home Depot Tools, and more. Stick around after the game to enjoy a special 4th of July fireworks show!
Monumental Moments: America’s 250th
Saturday, July 4, Various Times
All Georgia State Parks
Every Georgia State Park and Historic Sites will host activities on the 4th, such as cornhole competitions, watermelon seed spitting contests, readings of the Declaration of Independence, and more. Check out what your favorite park or site is up to on the big day here.
EXTENDED EXPERIENCES
Fantastic Fourth Celebration
July 1 – 6, 9:30 p.m.
Stone Mountain Park
The show here will not disappoint: Stone Mountain Park has been voted the “Best Place to see Fireworks in Atlanta” by Atlanta Journal-Constitution readers, a “Must-See Fireworks Show” by USA Today, and one of Reader’s Digest’s picks for “America’s Most Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks.” Watch as drones, lights, and fireworks light up the sky to celebrate America’s 250th.
Faces of the Revolution Tour
Thursdays from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. until Dec. 17
Georgia Capitol Museum
View historical busts and portraits of revolutionary era figures like Archibald Bulloch, Lyman Hall, and John Adam Treutlen. To register for this tour, visit this link, email gacapitoltours@uga.edu, or call (404) 463-4536.
America 250 Augusta History Trail
Daily until Dec. 31, All day
Augusta
Get out of Atlanta for a while and explore various historical sites in Augusta like Meadow Garden, home of one of the youngest Founding Fathers, the Lucy Craft Museum of Black History, the childhood home of former President Woodrow Wilson, and more. Visit this link to receive your free exploration pass for this self-guided tour, which can be enjoyed across multiple days at your own pace.
Georgia250: Celebrating America’s Last Colony
Explore how Georgia evolved and its history with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s new program, which includes author talks, a 13-part video series, and a virtual interactive map of significant historical landmarks. W. Wright Mitchell, who wrote a book about Georgia’s first elected governor, will be speaking at Rhodes Hall on Sept. 10.
