Portland Maine 4th of July events

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Downtown Portland’s annual fireworks show takes place in the Willamette River, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge.

Credit: Jeremy Piehler, via Flickr

There’s nothing more American than fun, family and, of course, fireworks — and Portland’s awesome array of annual Independence Day celebrations promises plenty of all three.

One of the city’s biggest annual events, the downtown Waterfront Blues Festival attracts thousands of blues fans from around the world. It’s also the best perch in town to catch Portland’s July 4 fireworks, but many of Portland’s parks, like Mt. Tabor, Sellwood Park and the International Rose Test Garden, are also excellent choices. You can also score prime viewing at Oaks Amusement Park, where rides and rollerskating hours will be extended for visitors that want to watch the waterfront fireworks show, but linger afterward for some classic summertime fun.

Visitors can also pick from a wide range of regional Fourth of July fetes, like the St. Paul Rodeo and Hood River Fireworks. There’s also plenty to do over the holiday weekend, including the Chamber Music Northwest Summer Festival and the Portland Craft Beer Festival.

• Mt. Tabor Park

  This popular park features expansive views, picnic areas, natural-surface and paved paths, a dog off-leash area, a playground and a performance stage, plus tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

• Sellwood Park

  Sellwood Park sits on the site of the old City View Racetrack. Today, amenities include sports fields, a basketball court, a disabled-access picnic area, a disabled-access restroom, a horseshoe pit, paths, picnic areas, a playground and more.

• Portland International Rose Test Garden

  Founded in 1917, the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the U.S. features over 10,000 rose bushes and views of downtown. Free guided tours are offered in the summer.

• Oaks Amusement Park & Roller Skating Rink

  One of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the country, Oaks Park blends old-time charm with modern excitement, offering thrill rides, children’s rides, mini golf, carnival games and the largest skating rink west of the Mississippi.

• Fort Vancouver

  The site interprets the stories of the Native Americans, the British Hudson’s Bay Company, the U.S. Army at Vancouver Barracks, early aviation at Pearson Field, the world’s largest spruce mill during World War II.