Best Fourth Of July Fireworks Displays & Events In Omaha (2026)

Communities across Nebraska usually celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, concerts, and, of course, fireworks. Some cities begin patriotic festivities up to a week before July 4. It’s one of my favorite times of year to spend time with friends and family!

If you have an event you’d like to see added to this list or an update to be made, please email me – Kim (at) ohmyomaha (dot) com.

Independence Day Celebration with the Omaha Symphony at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha

Best Fourth of July events in the Omaha Metro

If you spend the Fourth of July in Nebraska’s largest city, you’ll have plenty of options for festivities! First up, the festivities before July 4:

We like to kick off the Fourth of July early in Omaha, and the first big event is the the Memorial Park Concert & Fireworks. The upcoming show is June 26, 2026.

You can always expect a major name as the headliner for it. This year, the headliner is Smokey Robinson, with opener Cake. The National Anthem kicks things off at 6:30 p.m. Smokey takes the stage at around 8:30 p.m., and the fireworks follow at around 10 p.m.

Thousands and thousands of people attend each year. I highly recommend taking the bus since the park is located right off Dodge Street. If you don’t take public transportation, you should plan on arriving early as you’ll have to park far away in a nearby neighborhood. It’s a nice walk, at least.

One of the newer festivities, Freedom Fest, will be held on June 26 at Nelson Produce Farm, 10505 N. 234 St., Valley, Neb. It’s an all-day event from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be fireworks at the end of Freedom Fest. Admission is $20 per person.

Lake Manawa Fireworks is another early Fourth of July tradition in the Metro. As the name suggests, it’s held at Lake Manawa State Park, 1100 S Shore Drive, Council Bluffs, Iowa. This year, it will be held on June 28, starting at around 9:45 p.m. A lot of people look forward to this fireworks display. It’s not a city-run event; this one is run by a nonprofit volunteer group.

Ralston’s Annual Independence Day Celebration is one of the biggest multi-day celebration close to Omaha. Held on July 3 and 4 each year, there’s everything from a street dance and parade to the popular fireworks display.

Some of the highlights from Ralston’s celebrations include fireworks on July 3 at around 10 p.m. (they’re shot from Ralston Arena at 73rd and Q streets; I view the fireworks from the nearby Menards parking lot just a little further north on 72nd Street) and the parade on July 4 at 1 p.m. The parade starts at 80th and Highland streets, heads east on Oakwood, turns into Miller Avenue, then east on Main Street, and ending at Main and 73rd streets.

A crowd watches fireworks following the concert by the Omaha Symphony on the Fourth of July

The biggest celebration in downtown Omaha is The RiverFront Fourth of July Celebration featuring the Omaha Symphony at Gene Leahy Mall on July 4. Expect patriotic tunes like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Stars and Stripes Forever,” as well as some popular tunes from movies and musicals. The evening starts at 8:30 p.m., and culminates with a spectacular fireworks presentation synchronized with live music. Blankets and portable lawn chairs are welcome (and bug spray is definitely recommended).

It’s a free event, and so, it’s extremely popular. I went in 2024 and the crowd size was immense. You’ll want to arrive early, not because you want a good view of the stage, but just because you want a spot at all.

Also, it’s worth noting that the fireworks display is not directly above the stage, though that’s the direction the entire crowd is facing. Where I was seated, you could not see any of the fireworks, and we all had to get up and run to see them.

Omaha Storm Chasers have a home series the week of the Fourth of July, so there will be fireworks on July 3-5, and following the games at Werner Park.

FYI: It’s worth noting that there are fireworks after every Friday game!

Step back in time at the Living History Fourth Of July Celebration at Fort Atkinson on July 4 and 5. This is an annual tradition at Fort Atkinson Historical Park, 201 S. Seventh St., Fort Calhoun, Neb. I like going to the Living History Weekends there even without a holiday to celebrate, so this time of year it’s extra special.

As usual, they will have costumed volunteers portraying different historical figures at the fort, as well as cannon firing. What’s different is that they’ll also read the Declaration of Independence.

There are no other fees to tour the fort grounds other than the Nebraska State Park sticker. There is an admission fee to tour the Visitor’s Center/Museum and watch the video ($2 per adult and $1 for children under 13, and FREE for under 3).

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Annual Fourth of July events in Omaha usually include the follow neighborhood parades and fireworks displays (list will be updated with details as they’re announced):

Field Club Independence Day – Along 36th Street and Woolworth Avenue, parade is usually at 10:30 a.m.
J.E. George Boulevard Festivities – Along the 600 and 700 blocks of J.E. George Boulevard, the parade is usually at 10 a.m.
Skylark-Cryer Neighborhood – At 118th and Cedar streets, parade usually begins at 10 a.m.
Boys Town Fireworks – Usually held on July 4 at 10 p.m. on the Boys Town campus. It’s open to the public.

If you know of any additional Fourth of July celebrations, please leave a comment!