Fireworks in Atlanta: July 4th, 2011, & More

Reminder: Since the 4th of July falls on a Monday this year, you’ve got quite a few options to see fireworks, both on Independence Day & the days leading up to it.

Don’t know where to go? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Legendary 4th at Lenox Square Mall. There’ll be live musical entertainment on the mall’s outdoor main stage, Adidas Independence Day Tent Sale, Taste Of the 4th, and Family Carnival areas. A1A, known as The Official and Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show, takes the stage at 6:00 p.m., followed by Party on the Moon at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks display starts at approximately 9:40 p.m. FYI–the carnival is a new addition for 2011, and it runs from June 30-July 4. Ride tickets are $20 for 18, and each ride costs between 2-5 tickets. Tickets for the Taste of the 4th are $10 each, and it takes place from 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in the main stage area. You can sample offerings from California Pizza Kitchen, Davio’s, Morelli’s, The Palm, and Red Brick.
• 4th of July Celebration at Centennial Olympic Park. Gates open at 2 p.m., with activities including face painting, stilt walkers, and more, and you can relax on the Great Lawn or cool off in the Fountain of Rings. The free musical entertainment begins at approximately at 4 p.m. with von Grey, followed by The Regulars Band at 5 p.m., theKey at 6:30 p.m., and Crystal Bowersox at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks display will be synchronized to a special selection of patriotic and popular music.
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: All American Celebration at Encore Park. The concert starts at 8:00 p.m., and it’ll be followed by a fireworks display. FYI–looking at the pricing online, it’s cheaper to buy Lawn tickets in the full-price ticket section (they start at $12), but you’ll save $5/ticket if you take advantage of the Family 4-Pack for Reserved seating.
• Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain Park. One of the benefits to being an amusement park is that the 4th of July celebration can last for days. At Stone Mountain Park, the Fantastic Fourth Celebration will take place from July -4. There’ll be fireworks & the all-new Lasershow Spectacular each evening. Technically, the lasershow is free, but if you drive in, you’ll need to cover the $10 special event parking fee unless you have an annual parking pass.
• 4th of July Celebration at Six Flags Over Georgia. Whether you have a season pass or buy one-day admission, you can catch the fireworks display at Six Flags Over Georgia after a day of play. FYI—You can still buy daily tickets at a discount. Check out the current deals for Six Flags Over Georgia.
• Pied Piper Parade, Concert & Fireworks on the 4th. Decatur’s 4th of July Pied Piper parade sounds like fun. The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. and winds its way through downtown Decatur. Participants include you, and anyone else who chooses to follow along with their decorated bicycles, skateboards, wagons, etc, as it passes by. The Callanwolde Concert Band performs at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Bandstand, and the fireworks display starts at dark.
• The Gwinnett Braves take on the Durham Bulls on July 4 at 7:05 p.m. A fireworks display will follow the game.
• Speaking of baseball, you can watch the Atlanta Braves take on the Colorado Rockies on July 4 at 7:10 p.m. After the game, they’ll have a fireworks display. And there are ample discounts, too.
• July 4th Festivities and Fireworks at Wills Park in Alpharetta. There’ll be free children’s activities from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The live music starts at 6:00 p.m. with the Alpharetta City Band, followed by Serious Business at 7:00 p.m. The fireworks show begins at dusk.
• Mall of Georgia’s Fabulous Fourth. The Kids Zone opens at 2:00 p.m., and the music kicks off then, too. The free concerts, which will be in the Village Amphitheatre, feature Samantha Stroh at 2:00 p.m., The Woody’s at 4:30 p.m., & The Atlanta Groove at 7:00 p.m. The fireworks will begin at dusk, and there’ll be a post-fireworks screening of Little Fockers.
• Prelude to the 4th. On Sunday, July 3, the Aurora Theatre will present a free concert on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse featuring music from Beauty & The Beast. Lawn seating begins at 5:00 p.m. & the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display accompanied by a live presentation of Stars & Strips Forever will take place at the conclusion of the concert.
• Conyers Fabulous 4th Celebration at the Georgia International Horse Park. The festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. and include live music by the Georgia State Defense Force band, arts & crafts, children’s activities, a Corvettes in the Park Car Show, a Nostalgic Japanese Street Fighters Car Show, & more. The fireworks start at dusk. Both admission & parking are free.
• Starlight and Fireworks at Panola Mountain State Park. Although no fireworks can be set off inside the park, you can check out the displays along the Atlanta Skyline from atop Panola Mountain. Bring a flashlight & wear comfy clothes. Admission is $10 + $5 for parking.

Now for the rest of the ‘burbs…. By some accounts, our metro area extends to Chattanooga (Chatlanta), Alabama (AtlantaBama), & every other direction until it’s no longer feasible to drive into the city for work. There are countless celebrations taking place around the metro area. Translation: I cannot possibly list them all. To find one near you, just Google your city’s name and look for the events page on the website. If you want to plug your area, please post a comment, preferably with a link.

–Jennifer Maciejewski

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