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. In 2021, many events have, unfortunately, been canceled due to health department recommendations. This list usually contains all of the annual events and one-time-only celebrations, but 2020 is a different year.
This list is divided into two sections: One for Omaha Fourth of July events (and Omaha fireworks) and the rest of Nebraska.
UPDATED: This post was first published in 2019, and updated in May 2022 with current dates.
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If you have an event you’d like to see added to this list, please email me – ohmyomaha@gmail.com.
2022 Nebraska Fourth of July Celebrations
There are plenty of celebrations planned outside of the state’s largest city. Read on for more Nebraska towns’ and cities’ Independence Day plans.
Seward Fourth of July, “America’s Small Town Fourth of July City”
When: July 4, 2022
Where: City of Seward-Downtown; Plum Creek Park, Fifth and Seward streets Seward, Neb.
What: Seward is considered Nebraska’s official Fourth of July City. Festivities include the Grand Parade, craft show, car show, and fireworks.
Cost: FREE
Recommended hotel: Cobble Stone Hotel & Suites in Seward
Related post: The Seward celebration is on the list for the 10 Unforgettable Things To Do This Summer In Nebraska.
Boomfest 2022
When: July 1-3, 2022; fireworks are Saturday at 9:45 p.m.
Where: Norfolk, Neb.
What: Boomfest will include a wings contest, fireworks, inflatable midway and more activities.
Cost: FREE
Recommended hotel: Norfolk Lodge and Suites, an Ascend Hotel Collection
Red, White, KaBoom!
When: July 3, 2022 at 10 p.m. (VIP parking opens at 8 p.m.)
Where: Columbus, Neb.
What: Fireworks may be seen from Columbus High School
Recommended hotel: Hampton Inn Columbus
Sumner’s Fourth of July
When: July 2-4, 2022
Where: Sumner, Neb.
What: Festivities include a rodeo and street dance, plus on July 4, a parade at 10:30 a.m. and fireworks at dusk.
Hotel recommendation: You’ll have better luck looking for hotels and rentals in nearby towns. Booking.com has some suggestions for places in Lexington, Cozad and Gothenburg.
Living History Fourth Of July Celebration at Fort Atkinson
When: July 2 and 3, 2022
Where: Fort Atkinson Historical Park, 201 S. Seventh St., Fort Calhoun, Neb.
What: Living history weekend at a fort, complete with cannon firing and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Cost: 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).
Hotel recommendation: You’ll have better luck finding accommodations in nearby towns like Blair and Omaha.
Treestock Independence Day Celebration in Nebraska City
When: July 2-4, 2022
Where: Festival at Central Avenue side of Steinhart Park in Nebraska City and fireworks from Steinhart Park
What: Live music, car show, and family games in the park. Fireworks are on July 2 at dusk.
Cost: FREE
Recommended hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nebraska City
Freedom Fest at Eagle Raceway
When: July 2, 2022; gates open at 5:15 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks are after the races
Where: Eagle Raceway, 617 S. 238th St., Eagle, Neb.
What: Car racing, a clown for kids, and an evening ending with a huge fireworks display.
Cost: $15, adults (13+); $5, kids (5-12); and FREE for kids under 5
Recommended hotel: You’ll have better luck looking for accommodations nearby including Lincoln and Walton.
1890s Independence Day Celebration
When: July 4, 2022, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Stuhr Museum of the Pioneer Prairie, 3133 West Highway 34, in Grand Island, Neb.
What: The Independence Day celebration is all day on the museum’s grounds. Activities include a parade down Main Street in Railroad Town, an 1890s patriotic ceremony, the firing of the anvil, a German Language Church Service put on by the Hall County Historical Society at 10 a.m.
Cost: Included with museum admission
Recommended hotel: Best Western Plus Grand Island Inn & Suites
Hebron Fourth of July Celebration & Parade
When: July 4, 2022
Where: Hebron, Neb.
What: Not much is known yet, but you may want to check the southeastern Nebraska Tourism page for possible updates.
Recommended hotel: You may have better luck finding accommodations in nearby towns like Fairbury, which as The Edgewood Hotel and Suites.
Quad County Museum Car Show & Firework Display
When: July 4, 2022
Where: Humboldt, Neb.
What: Not much is known yet, but you may want to check the southeastern Nebraska Tourism page for possible updates.
Firecracker Frenzy
When: July 3, 2022
Where: York County Fairgrounds, 2345 N. Nebraska Ave., York, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Recommended hotel: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites York
Omaha Fourth of July Events
This section will be updated if any 2022 Fourth of July celebrations in Omaha neighborhoods are announced.
Fourth of July Pool Party
When: July 4, 2022
Where: Omaha public pools with open hours on Monday
What: Admission to Omaha public pools is $1 on the Fourth of July. Pools will close at 5 p.m. that day.
Cost: $1
Ralston Independence Day Celebration
When: July 4, 2022
Where: Ralston, Neb.
What: The large Fourth of July parade is held each year on July 4, as well as a fun run, fire department water fight, and fireworks display. Parade begins at 1 p.m.
Cost: Mostly FREE, the fun run may have a fee
Salute to our Military
When: July 4, 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Gene Leahy Mall, 1302 Farnam St.
What: A patriotic celebration with the Omaha Symphony, featuring Camille Metoyer Moten and Résonance. Concludes with a fireworks display.
Cost: FREE
FNBO Independence Fireworks
When: Typically held around the Fourth of July, and in 2022, it will be held on July 4 (game starts at 7:05 p.m.)
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion Neb.
What: An annual fireworks show held following an Omaha Storm Chasers’ baseball game.
Cost: Included with the price of admission to the game.
City of Omaha Celebrates America Free Concert & Fireworks Show
When: Typically held before the Fourth of July; in 2022, the concert is July 22
Where: Memorial Park, Omaha
What: An annual favorite for Omahans, the Memorial Park Concert attracts a large crowd that sticks around for the large fireworks display after the show. In 2022, the headliner is Sheryl Crow.
Cost: FREE
Annual Fourth of July events in Omaha usually include the follow (list will be updated with details as they’re announced):
- Field Club Independence Day – Along 36th Street and Woolworth Avenue, parade will be at 10:30 a.m. on July 2 and fireworks at July 5 at 9:30 p.m.
- Patriotic Concerts with Heartland of America Band – The Air Force band will perform on on June 28 at 7 p.m. at SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb., and June 29 at 7 p.m. in Council bluffs, Iowa (location TBA).
- J.E. George Boulevard Festivities – Along the 600 and 700 blocks of J.E. George Boulevard, the parade is July 4 at 10 a.m.
- Skylark-Cryer Neighborhood – At 118th and Cedar streets, parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4
- Boys Town Fireworks -TBD
More annual Nebraska events awaiting 2022 updates
This section will be updated as more 2021 Fourth of July events are announced in Nebraska towns (or if the cancellation is announced). Annual festivities usually include:
- Blair Independence Celebration – Fireworks will be on July 4 at dusk from Transformation Hill, North 28th Avenue and College Drive
- Uncle Sam Jam at Oak Park Lake in Lincoln – July 3 with fireworks at 10 p.m.
- Annual Platte Center Fourth of July celebration
- Fourth of July Party at River View Park Resort and Marina, Blair, Neb.
- Annual Hooper Fourth of July Fun Run
- Madison Fourth Of July Parade
- Stanton Fourth Of July Parade
- Murdock Fourth of July Celebration
- July Fourth Flea Party
- Prague Third Annual Firework Show at Czechland Lake Recreation Area in Prague, Neb.
- City of Hickman Fireworks Display
