Every July 4, America celebrates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and separation of the 13 original colonies from British rule with parades, pyrotechnics and other parties. If you’re looking to get your Fourth of July fix — and see some colorful explosions in the sky — here are some suggestions taking place throughout the weekend and on July 4 itself.

Northside Parade and Rock N’ Roll Carnival June 30-July 2 Rock around the block with the free three-day Northside Rock N’ Roll Carnival. Good news for the foodies: you can jam out while you pig out on food from vendors like N.Y.P.D. Pizza, Bridges, Taqueria Las Catrinas and Streetpops. Local artists Heavy Hinges, Annie D, Tweens, Raderall, Sammy K, the Harlequins and more will be performing during the carnival. The Northside Parade will be the centerpiece for the event, taking place on July 4 at noon, working its way down Hamilton Avenue. June 30-July 2. Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsiderocks.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Taps, Tastes, and Tunes Festival June 30; noon-11 p.m. July 1; and noon-10 p.m. July 2 Sip on some cold moonshine slushies, beer or soft drinks while jamming out to ‘90s band Everclear (and other local bands) all weekend. Celebrate America’s independence with the community while munching on local food vendors and listening to music from bands Joey Said No, Sister Hazel, The Gamut, Vinyl Countdown and others. Parking is free. No outside food or drinks allowed. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. June 30; noon-11 p.m. July 1; and noon-10 p.m. July 2. 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, thingstodocincinnati.com. Photo: Everclear, Wikimedia Commons
Colerain Township 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular 7 p.m. July 3 Colerain Township’s Fourth of July celebration is back this year, with food and beverages, family-friendly activities, music, and, of course, fireworks. The event includes free admission, free parking and free shuttle service. Live music starts at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 10 p.m. 7 p.m. July 3. 4200 Springdale Road, facebook.com/events. Photo: Elisha Terada, Unsplash
Sparks in the Park in Milford 7 p.m. July 3 Set some blankets and chairs up on the Riverside Ballfield for a Rozzi Famous Fireworks show at 10 p.m. While you wait for the show, grab some grub at food trucks like Funnelofluv, Joe’s Pizza Napoli, Cool Guys Dogs & Fries, Kone Ice and more. The local fire department will be handing out ice cold soda or water to wet your whistle while you munch on all the goodies above. Enjoy some live music from Sean Riley and DatBand starting at 7 p.m. before the fireworks take over the night sky. 7 p.m. July 3. Riverside Park Ballfield, 3969 Round Bottom Road, Milford, milfordohio.org. Photo: Alex Jones, Unsplash
Red, White & KaBOOM in Fairfield 5 p.m. July 3 Stop by a food truck to get a bite to eat at 5 p.m. before the screening of Captain America: The Last Avenger starts at 6 p.m. Are movies not your thing? Head down to the lower soccer field area of Harbin Park to rock out with The Sly Band at 7 p.m. Finally, throw down a blanket and watch the night sky being painted with fireworks at 10 p.m. 5 p.m. July 3. Village Green Park (301 Wessel Dr.), and Harbin Park (1300 Hunter Road) in Fairfield, fairfield-city.org. Photo: Provided by Fairfield
Coney Island’s Balloon Glow 10 a.m. July 3 Enjoy a day of family fun at Coney Island for their 23rd Annual Balloon Glow. While at the magical event, the whole family can munch on some food, pick up a drink and hit the rides and waterslides all day until nightfall. Then, it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy not only the balloon glow at 8 p.m., but also the fireworks show at 10:15 p.m. 10 a.m. July 3. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township, coneyislandpark.com. Photo: Provided by Coney Island
Madeira Independence Day Parade and Celebration 5:30-10:30 p.m. July 3 Start off the Fourth of July festivities with some exercise by running the Madeira Mile race at 5:30 p.m. Then, celebrate your feat of fitness with a parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks show at 10 p.m. Food, beer and other cold beverages are available for purchase. 5:30-10:30 p.m. July 3. Sellman Park, 7141 Miami Ave. and 6700 Marvin Ave., Madeira, 365cincinnati.com. Photo: Mike Enerio, Unsplash
Mt. Healthy Park Fireworks 4-9 p.m. July 3 Mt. Healthy’s Fourth of July’s celebration includes food vendors beginning at 4 p.m., entertainment from the Michelle Robinson band and the ice cream social at 6 p.m., and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. 4-9 p.m. July 3. Mt. Healthy City Park, 1541 Hill Ave., Mt. Healthy, facebook.com/cityofmthealthy. Photo: Kew Li Wen, Unsplash
Edgewood 4th of July Celebration 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. July 4 Mt. Healthy’s Fourth of July’s celebration includes food vendors beginning at 4 p.m., entertainment from the Michelle Robinson band and the ice cream social at 6 p.m., and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. 4-9 p.m. July 3. Mt. Healthy City Park, 1541 Hill Ave., Mt. Healthy, facebook.com/cityofmthealthy. Photo: Vincent Grg, Unsplash
Fretboard Brewing Red, White, and Blue Ash 4-10:30 p.m. July 4 Red, White, and Blue Ash is back for their 2023 Independence Day celebration. Enjoy festival rides, food vendors, a live performance from Collective Soul and cold drinks. The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. by Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics. Come for the family fun, stay for the fireworks. 4-10:30 p.m. July 4. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, blueashevents.com. Photo: Ankured182, Wikimedia Commons
Catch the Newly-Revamped Kings Island Fireworks Show 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason In celebration of Kings Island’s 50th anniversary, the park decided to update its nightly fireworks show. The show now will conclude with 200 synchronized drones, laser projections, fire bursts and plenty of fireworks that will tell the story of Kings Island over the past 50 years. “Fun, Fireworks and Fifty – A Kings Island Nighttime Spectacular,” lasts for 14 minutes (four times longer than the show lasted in years past), and will continue through the summer.
City of Loveland’s Independence Day Celebration 3-11 p.m. July 4 Loveland’s Fourth of July celebration is packed with fun. Start the day off with a dog show, corn hole, and “the kid zone”, then wind down into Bingo, the Fourth of July parade, a concert and last but not least, the fireworks. Honorable mentions include: a pie-eating contest, a kid’s bike contest and the water zone. Food will be available all day from local vendors. 3-11 p.m. July 4. Downtown Loveland, lovelandoh.gov. Photo: Erwan Hesry, Unsplash
Fort Thomas 4th of July Celebration 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. July 4 What’s going down at the Fort? Loads of fun, from the YMCA Firecracker 5k at 7 a.m., to a parade at 10:30 a.m. and a kids zone, food trucks and a concert. And let’s not forget the star of the show — the fireworks at 10 p.m. at Tower Park. 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. July 4. Tower Park, 900 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, visitcincy.com. Photo: Weston M, Unsplash
4th of July Celebration at Stricker’s Grove 2-11 p.m. July 4 Enjoy a day of family fun while you ride amusement park rides, grab a bite at the best food booths and end the day with a fireworks celebration. The park is open all day. A $20 wristband is available for riding unlimited rides throughout the day, or you purchase a single-ride ticket for $2.50. 2-11 p.m. July 4. Stricker’s Grove 11490 Hamilton Cleves Road, facebook.com/events. Photo: facebook.com/strickersgrove
Red, White & BOOM! 8 p.m. July 4 Gather to celebrate America’s Independence with the Pops Symphony Orchestra. Join Pops conductor John Morris Russell and the orchestra for a showcase of American favorites. A fireworks show will take place after the Pops performance. Free lawn tickets are available for kids 17 and under. $5 tickets are also available for active and retired military. 8 p.m. July 4. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., California, riverbend.org. Photo: Designecologist, Unsplash
57th Annual Independence Day Fireworks at Ault Park 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4 Ault Park has a day full of fun ready for your whole family. Start off the morning with the children’s bike parade and bike decorating contest. Chill out throughout the rest of the day with some music, quick bites and cold drinks before finally wrapping up the night with fireworks. 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4. Ault Park, 5090 Observatory Dr., visitcincy.com. Photo: Luis Lara, Unsplash