From Sonja Cohen,
Your Guide to Boston.
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One of Boston’s most famous and popular events is the annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks display, which features a live performance by the Boston Pops and appearances by various special guests. Televised nationwide, this free event takes place on Boston’s Charles River Esplanade.

To watch the concert live you’ll need to sit in the Oval, the grassy area in front of the Hatch Shell along Storrow Drive. Gates open at 9 am and you’ll want to arrive early to stake out a spot. If you don’t get to sit in the Oval you can still listen to the concert elsewhere on the Esplanade and you’ll probably get a better view of the fireworks. You can also get an excellent view of the fireworks from the Cambridge side of the river, where there will be sound towers, concessions, and portable toilets.

If you’d like to see the concert but have other Fourth of July plans or just want to avoid the massive crowds, there is also a free practice concert on July 3 at the Hatch Shell Oval featuring the same music, but no fireworks (gates open at 4 pm).

The 2007 Concert and Fireworks

The 2007 Fourth of July concert will feature rock musician John Mellencamp and conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. Craig Ferguson of CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” will host the event. The event will also feature the solo vocalist winner of POPSEARCH 2007, and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums. This year also marks the final flyover for the 102nd Fighter Wing.

The Boston Pops will perform their classic Fourth of July rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” with cannons and ringing church bells, accompanied by a fantastic fireworks display.

The 2007 display promises to be Boston’s largest and most complex Fourth of July fireworks shows yet, with more than 20,000 pounds of explosives set to go off.

Boston Fourth of July TV Broadcast:
Local: WBZ-TV at 8 pm
National: CBS Network at 10 pm

Getting There

On July 4, pedestrians will not be allowed on the Fiedler Footbridge, the Charles Street Overpass, or the Esplanade walkway adjacent to the Charles River from the Hatch Shell to Community Boating.

Parking is extremely limited, so if you can take public transportation you should. The closest T-stops are the Red line at Charles Street, and the Green line at Arlington Street. If you do decide to drive, arrive early and try parking at the 100 Clarendon Street parking lot, which will cost $15 on the Fourth of July and is within walking distance of the Esplanade.

Additional Information

• Food and merchandise concessions will be available at the event. Bring cash.
• If you will be sitting in the Oval you are allowed to bring portable chairs and tarps (no larger than 5' by 7').
• No alcohol will be allowed at the event.
• See july4th.org/esplanade for information about restrictions, bag checks, and more.
• Portable toilets will be available on both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river.
• If you’re going to spend the day staking out your spot, be sure to bring sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially if it is hot.
• For accessibilities questions see the july4th.org accessibilities pdf.

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