The annual celebration of the Founding Fathers’ ratification of the Declaration of Independence and what is known as the birth of the United States on July 4 is rapidly approaching. A day full of parades, loud and colorful pyrotechnics and hot dogs, the Fourth of July is full of so many different activities to partake in. If you are unsure of what to do to celebrate the nation’s birthday (and a long weekend off of work) in Greater Cincinnati, here are some suggestions.

Newport Blast Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport July 3 from 5-10 p.m. This Fourth of July celebration will include a wide range of different events scattered across Newport on the Levee. Events include line-dancing lessons, live music, Wild West-themed photo ops and, of course, a fireworks display. BB Riverboats is also offering a ticketed cruise that coincides with the fireworks display. Photo: facebook.com/newportonthelevee
Red, White & BOOM Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township July 4 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening at Riverbend Music Center with Red, White & BOOM. With performances from three-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry and rock band The Steel Heels, Red White & BOOM is the perfect event for the whole family. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatipops
Ault Park Fireworks Ault Park, 5090 Observatory Circle, Mt. Lookout July 4, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. The annual Ault Park Fourth of July celebration will kick off with a children’s parade that leads into a full day of events. Food trucks and a beer vendor will be around all day, and the evening will wrap up with the live music from the Cassette Junkies and a fireworks show. Photo: facebook.com/AultParkCincinnati
Kings Island Star-Spangled Nights Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason July 4 and 5, fireworks at 10 p.m. Spend your Fourth of July riding roller coasters before enjoying an enormous fireworks show at King Island’s Star Spangled Nights. With two days of events, Kings Island is a wonderful option for both adults and kids. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
MadTree Red, White & Blue Ash Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash July 4 from 4-10:30 p.m Spend your evening listening to Billy Gibbons and the BFGS in Summit Park during MadTree Red, White & Blue Ash. Along with live music, Red, White & Blue Ash will feature a fireworks show, rides, games and plenty of food and drinks. Photo: facebook.com/BlueAshEvents
Northside Parade and Rock N’ Roll Carnival Jacob Hoffner Park, 4109 Hamilton Ave., Northside July 3-5 Enjoy three days of celebrations with the Northside Parade and Rock N’ Roll Carnival. The carnival, at Jacob Hoffner Park, will feature headliners Ernie Johnson from Detroit and Beef. The Northside Parade will be a major event on July 4 and will travel down Hamilton Avenue from Ashtree to Blue Rock. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Fireworks Photo: Pexels
Washington Park Fourth of July Celebration Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine July 4 from 6-10 p.m. With live music from Soul Pocket and plenty of activities for the kids, the Washington Park Fourth of July celebration will certainly be a great time. Photo: facebook.com/WashingtonParkOTR
Village of Indian Hill Independence Day Parade and Festivities Stephan Field, 6400 Drake Road, Indian Hill July 4 from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. The Village of Indian Hill will be starting its annual Independence Day celebration with a parade beginning at Cincinnati Country Day School. The parade will end at Stephan Field where patrons can enjoy food, music and a fun-filled fireworks display. Photo: Kew Li Wen, Unsplash
Rockin’ the Roebling Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks July 3 from 6-10 p.m. Kick off your Fourth of July festivities with some live music at Rockin’ the Roebling on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn at Moerlein Lager House. The July 3 performance will be from local band Natural Progression. Photo: facebook.com/rockintheroebling
Red, White & KaBOOM Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield; Harbin Park, 1300 Hunter Road, Fairfield July 3 from 4-10 p.m. Fairfield’s Red, White & KaBOOM will be spread between Village Green Park and Harbin Park, with the first of the events taking place in Village Green Park. Two performances by the Cincinnati Circus will happen in Village Green Park before the rest of the evening’s festivities in Harbin Park. Photo: Flickr/Roberta
“The Show Must Go On,” by Killian Baarlaer and Brent Stroud May 31 issue As Greater Cincinnati music venues finally returned back to normal operations for the first time since the height of the Covid pandemic, CityBeat music writers Killian Baarlaer and Brent Stroud spoke with large and small venues about how they’ve managed to bounce back from Covid-related challenges. Unlike other major cities, Cincinnati did not lose a single independent venue as a result of the Covid pandemic. Instead, against all odds, two new music venues opened in Cincinnati directly following the height of the pandemic — MegaCorp Pavilion and the Andrew J Brady Music Center. In the aftermath of the pandemic, venues are still facing several unique obstacles to success, including rising artist fees, increased customer demand and, on the flip side, hesitancy from some customers who aren’t fully comfortable yet with attending large in-person events. Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Inwood Park 4th of July Inwood Park, 2308 Vine St., Mt. Auburn July 3 from 7-10 p.m. Enjoy one of Cincinnati’s beautiful parks and spend the Fourth at Inwood Park. The celebration will include a variety of games, picnics and a fireworks display to end the evening. Photo: Flickr/Kevin
All American Birthday Bash Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, The Banks July 5 from 2-10 p.m. Take it easy the day after your Fourth of July celebrations at the All American Birthday Bash at Sawyer Point. Spend the day taking in a showcase of all-American cars to put the finishing touches on your Independence Day weekend. Photo: Cincinnati Parks
Loveland Independence Day Celebration July 4 from 12-11 p.m. This family-friendly event in Loveland will feature a parade that will travel from Loveland Elementary School to E. Loveland Avenue. There will be a live musical performance from Marty and the Docs, among a number of other family-oriented activities. The evening will conclude with a stunning fireworks display. Photo: Erwan Hesry, Unsplash