Family Friendly 4th of July Events and Fireworks Displays Tacoma Auburn Puyallup Renton Kent Steilacoom and Beyond
Here’s our 2019 round up of family friendly places to take the kids to see fireworks or enjoy other old-fashioned fun on the 4th of July around here. Most big South Sound celebrations include fun and free things to do with the kids during the day on the 4th as well as fireworks shows if you’re going to stay up that late. If you appreciate this guide, we would LOVE it if you shared it.
We have provided links so you can double check details. You can expect crowds and traffic at all these events, so plan accordingly!
Free swimming at Metro Parks Tacoma pools 12-5; capacity limited
The Vernardos Circus is at Wright Park Family friendly, animal free circus with acrobats, jugglers, and more. Interactive pre-show party an hour before is a chance for games and selfies with the cast.
The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission. Attendees are encouraged to stay after the show to mingle with the performers and take group photos on stage with the cast for no additional charge. We’ve heard good things about this event from readers. You may want to check out their discount on Goldstar or see the same offer on Groupon Shows at 12 and 3 today.
Renton’s Fabulous Fourth, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is the perfect summer backdrop for Renton’s 4th of July celebration!
An array of entertaining options including two ActivityZones for kids and families and live entertainment. A 25-minute firework display over Lake Washington will conclude the day’s events at 10 p.m. Note that due to high bacteria levels the swimming beach is closed through the weekend of July 6th and 7th, so don’t have the kids bring their suits.
4th of July Splash: Lake Meridian Park
Enjoy a variety of games, family activities and art projects from 12pm-5pm. Live stage entertainment. Fireworks finale over Lake Meridian at 10PM. Be sure to read parking and shuttle instructions. If you haven’t been to Lake Meridian before, check out our full review of this awesome park.
4th of July Festival, Auburn, Les Gove Park
Thursday, July 4, 2019
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth Street SE
FREE (purchase wristband for $5 unlimited activities)Celebrate our country’s birthday at Les Gove Park. The event includes a noon bike parade (meet East of the Bocce Courts), various entertainment on two stages, an arts & craft area with over 50 artists, a car show, 19 inflatable rides, a rock wall, euro-bungee trampolines, train rides and other fun activities for children. The event also offers bingo, mini golf, bocce, a book sale, food concessions, and so much more!
Wristband sales begin at 10:00 AM. You can purchase a wristband for $5 for unlimited activities which include 19 inflatable rides, tubs o’ fun, bungee trampolines, rock wall, train rides, mini golf, two pony carousels, laser tag and balloon art. The fb event page is here.
Red, White, and Blues Festival, Federal Way
Fireworks, food and star-studded entertainment are on tap for Federal Way’s 26th annual Fourth of July Red, White and Blues Festival.
Free and open to the public, the event starts at 4 p.m. July 4 at Celebration Park, 1095 South 324th St., and concludes with a fireworks show that begins at 10:15 p.m.
4th of July Parade, Enumclaw
Puyallup
Puyallup’s 4th of July Red, White, and Kaboom!
Celebrate the 4th of July Downtown Puyallup! Fireworks, Live Music, Food Trucks, Beer Garden, Car Show, Poker Run, Splash Park, and Kids Activities!
Concert Line up and start times:
4pm Leah Justine Band
5pm Chris Jones Band
6:15 Strangely Alright
7:35 Blue Helix
8:55 Limberlost
Fireworks at 10:15
Meeker Mansion, Puyallup
Celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence as the Victorian’s might have, with a good old fashioned Band Concert. The Puyallup Valley Community Band will be performing a patriotic selection of music from 3 pm to 5 pm. There will even be yard games for the kids (or kids at heart) to enjoy. The Mansion will be dressed in red white and blue so be sure to stop by and take a tour from 12 pm to 4 pm. Bring a chair or blanket , picnic basket, or enjoy a strawberry shortcake from our snack shack to enjoy the 4th of July.
Tacoma’s Freedom Fair
Full day of fun and festivities on Ruston Way followed by the area’s biggest fireworks show over Commencement Bay. There is a ticketed kids’ park area.
JBLM Freedom Fest
Celebrate Independence Day Thursday, July 4 at JBLM!
The festivities are at Cowan and Memorial stadiums from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Freedom Fest offers fair food, the annual Classy Chassis Car Show, carnival rides, games, stage entertainment, Kids’ World magic, games and kids’ stage acts, sponsor booth giveaways, roving entertainers and more. The fireworks display will start at approximately 10 p.m. Open to the public (use Dupont Gate and read instructions via the link on public entry).
DuPont July 4th: A Hometown Celebration
pancake breakfast, parade and celebration at Clocktower Park
evening festivities and fireworks at the Home Course.
City of Lacey
This event is July 3rd
Lacey does a super fun, family friendly event, but it’s on the 3rd at Rainier Vista Park. Live music, food vendors, and an evening fireworks display. Pack a picnic and bring your frisbee!
Independence Day in Steilacoom
Parade, vendors, and a fireworks display. A full day of community fun!
Eatonville Fireworks + Parade
July 3, Fireworks display
July 4, Parade at noon
This is a fun event for the whole family. The festivities on the 3rd will kick-off at 5pm at the Eatonville Elementary School with food and vendors followed by a variety of entertainment starting at 6pm. Bouncy big toys will be there for the kids and a great fireworks display starting at dusk. The 4th of July Parade starts at noon followed by the Eatonville Eagles Family Picnic/BBQ. For further information please contact the Chamber, Alana Smith 360-219-5879.
Independence Day Parade, Tumwater
For over 25 years, the City of Tumwater has hosted its Annual Independence Day Parade. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. on July 4. Fireworks
in the evening at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course Gates open at 6pm; show at 10:15; free entry/parking is 10.00.
Gig Harbor
No organized displays that I know about, but (pro tip from someone who grew up there…..) try to get yourself invited to a party overlooking a smallish bay or other body of water, maybe outside of the city limits, and you should have a really good show!
4th of July Sinclair Inlet Fireworks Show, Port Orchard/Bremerton
Drawing crowds of 60,000 or more, the show is visible to Bremerton, the Naval Shipyard, and Port Orchard areas.
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So many options! Which one will you and your family choose? Whatever you do, stay safe and have fun celebrating freedom!
If you know of a fun option we missed, let us know!
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We’re big fans of Auburn festival. We drive past 3-4 festivals to get to that one but it is worth the drive because it is so big without being overcrowded. Tons of fun and lots to do. Not a lot of food options, though. I’m packing a lunch this year.