🎉 Updated June 2026
Michigan Fireworks 2026
The Complete Guide
Every major display from June 18 to July 10 — dates, launch times, best viewing spots, and cost for 40+ shows across the state.
Always confirm before you go. Rain delays and last-minute changes happen every year. 2026 is America's 250th birthday (Semiquincentennial), so some towns have shifted or expanded their usual schedules. Verify times with each event's official website.
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Michigan's 10 Biggest Fireworks Displays — Quick Reference
1
Ford Fireworks — Detroit
June 22, ~10:06 pm · 10,000+ effects over the Detroit River
June 22, ~10:06 pm · 10,000+ effects over the Detroit River
FREE
2
Festival of the Hills — Rochester Hills
June 24, 10:05 pm · Michigan's 2nd-largest suburban show
June 24, 10:05 pm · Michigan's 2nd-largest suburban show
FREE
3
Bay City Fireworks Festival — Bay City
July 3–5, dusk each night · Multi-night over the Saginaw River
July 3–5, dusk each night · Multi-night over the Saginaw River
FREE
4
Greenfield Village Salute to America — Dearborn
July 2–5 nightly · DSO + 1812 Overture cannon fire + fireworks
July 2–5 nightly · DSO + 1812 Overture cannon fire + fireworks
TICKETED
5
National Cherry Festival — Traverse City
July 4, 10:30 pm · Over Grand Traverse Bay
July 4, 10:30 pm · Over Grand Traverse Bay
FREE
6
Mackinac Island — Two Simultaneous Barges
July 4, ~10 pm · Most unique fireworks experience in Michigan
July 4, ~10 pm · Most unique fireworks experience in Michigan
FREE*
7
Mackinaw City Fireworks
July 4, ~10 pm · Largest display in Northern Michigan
July 4, ~10 pm · Largest display in Northern Michigan
FREE
8
Marquette Freedom Fest
July 3–4 · Fireworks + laser show on Lake Superior
July 3–4 · Fireworks + laser show on Lake Superior
FREE
9
Bessemer Blast — Bessemer (UP)
July 4, dusk · One of the UP's biggest celebrations
July 4, dusk · One of the UP's biggest celebrations
FREE
10
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
July 24–25 · Two-night choreographed show over Round Lake
July 24–25 · Two-night choreographed show over Round Lake
FREE
June 19–20
Hamburg Fun Fest — Hamburg Township
Hamburg Fun Fest Fireworks
Hamburg Township — Southeast Michigan / Livingston County
Dusk — Both Nights
Best Viewing
Manly Bennett Park, Hamburg Township
Cost
✓ Free
Multi-day festival with food vendors, live entertainment, and family activities. No vehicle pass required.
June 20
Walled Lake Summer Festival
Walled Lake Annual Fireworks Show
Walled Lake — Southeast Michigan / Oakland County
Dusk
Best Viewing
East Lake Drive · Pavilion Park (Walled Lake) · Lake Shore Park, Novi
Cost
✓ Free
Day-long festival with local vendors, live entertainment, and beach activities along Walled Lake. No pass required.
June 22
Ford Fireworks — Michigan's Largest Show
🎉 Michigan's #1 Fireworks Show
Ford Fireworks over the Detroit River
Detroit / Windsor — Southeast Michigan
~10:06 PM
Best Viewing
Hart Plaza · Belle Isle · Detroit RiverWalk (Atwater St.) · Windsor waterfront · GM Renaissance Center
Cost
✓ Free to Watch
Belle Isle requires MI State Park Recreation Passport ($12/day)
Michigan's single largest fireworks show — 10,000+ pyrotechnic effects launched from barges on the Detroit River. Hart Plaza is free and open to all. Arrive at least 2 hours early. Multiple food trucks and vendors along the riverfront. Pre-show festivities throughout the afternoon.
June 24
Festival of the Hills — Rochester Hills
Festival of the Hills Fireworks
Rochester Hills — Oakland County
10:05 PM
Location
Borden Park, 1400 E. Hamlin Rd., Rochester Hills
Gates Open
6:00 PM — Entertainment, food, inflatables, movie screening
Cost
✓ Free Admission
Food
27 food vendors on site
Michigan's 2nd-largest fireworks display — draws 50,000+ attendees. Petting zoo, inflatables, cornhole tournament, and outdoor movie at 6 PM. No alcohol, no pets, no personal fireworks, no drones. Limited parking at the Hamlin Road entrance; street parking on Hamlin opens at 4 PM. Fireworks Hotline: 248-841-BOOM.
June 25
Three Shows — Southeast Michigan
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival Fireworks
New Baltimore — Macomb County
9:30 PM
Location
Walter & Mary Burke Park, 36300 Front St., New Baltimore
Cost
✓ Free
A beloved Macomb County tradition tied to the annual fishfly (mayfly) hatch on Lake St. Clair. Live music and food vendors throughout the day.
Red Run Golf Course Annual Fireworks
Royal Oak — Oakland County
~9:00 PM
Location
Red Run Golf Course, 2036 Rochester Rd., Royal Oak
Cost
✓ Free from public areas
Held annually on the last Thursday in June. Visible from surrounding streets and neighborhoods.
Lite the Night Fireworks — Sibley Park
Wixom — Oakland County
Dusk
Location
Sibley Park, 48900 Pontiac Trail, Wixom
Cost
✓ Free
Held every year on the 4th Thursday of June. Info: 248-624-2850.
June 26
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest — Howell
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest Opening Night Fireworks
Howell — Livingston County (Festival runs June 26–28)
Dusk
Location
Howell High School grounds, Howell
Cost
$5/day or $10 weekend wristband
One of the Midwest's best hot air balloon festivals. Fireworks close out opening night. Balloon launches and food vendors throughout the weekend.
June 27
Two Shows — Southeast Michigan & Upper Peninsula
Kensington Metropark Fireworks
Milford / Brighton area — Southeast Michigan
10:00–10:30 PM
Best Viewing
Kensington Metropark Nature Center · Maple Beach · Kent Lake picnic areas
Cost
Metroparks Pass Required
Daily pass available at the gate. Annual Metroparks pass ($35) covers all 13 Metroparks — Kensington, Stony Creek, Willow, Lake Erie, and more. Live entertainment before fireworks.
St. Ignace Fireworks Over the Bay
St. Ignace — Upper Peninsula
Dusk
Best Viewing
Downtown St. Ignace waterfront · Any public shoreline facing the Straits
Cost
✓ Free
St. Ignace sits at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge. Watching fireworks here with the bridge and Mackinac Island in the background is one of Michigan's most scenic settings.
June 28
Livonia Spree & Willow Metropark
Livonia Spree Grand Finale Fireworks
Livonia — Wayne County
~10:15 PM
Location
Livonia Spree festival grounds (Ford Field Park area)
Cost
✓ Free
Week-long community festival culminates in a ~30-minute grand finale fireworks show. Food vendors, carnival rides, and live entertainment all week.
Willow Metropark Annual Fireworks
New Boston — Wayne County
Dusk (~10:00–10:15 PM)
Location
Willow Metropark, 23200 S. Huron Rd., New Boston, MI 48164
Cost
Metroparks Pass Required
Live entertainment by the American Ages Band before fireworks. Park trails and playground open. Info: 734-697-9181.
July 2
4th of July Weekend Kicks Off
Hart Sparks Fireworks
Hart — West Michigan / Oceana County
Dusk
Location
Downtown Hart
Cost
✓ Free
Small city in Oceana County near Silver Lake Sand Dunes — pair with a sand dunes visit the next day.
Greenfield Village Salute to America
Dearborn — Wayne County (Runs July 2–5, nightly)
~10 PM Nightly (After DSO Concert)
Location
Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI 48124
Cost
Ticketed — Purchase in Advance
Event Hours
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM each evening
Tickets
thehenryford.org | 313-982-6001
Michigan's most sophisticated fireworks experience. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) performs on the Village Green each evening, culminating in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with the historic Loomis Battery cannon fire — followed by fireworks. Brass, ragtime, blues, and jazz groups perform throughout the evening.
July 3
Night Before the 4th — Shows Statewide
Southeast Michigan
Lake Erie Metropark Fireworks
Rockwood / Brownstown Township — Wayne / Monroe County
6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Location
Lake Erie Metropark, 32481 W. Jefferson Ave., Brownstown Township
Cost
Metroparks Pass Required
Waterfront setting on Lake Erie. One of the Metroparks system's most scenic shows.
West Michigan
Manistee Forest Festival Fireworks
Manistee — West Michigan
Dusk
Best Viewing
Manistee waterfront along Lake Michigan
Cost
✓ Free
Part of the Manistee Forest Festival, a multi-day community event. Fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Pentwater Fireworks over Lake Michigan
Pentwater — West Michigan / Oceana County
Dusk
Best Viewing
Mears State Park Beach · Village Park · Breakwall / downtown waterfront
Cost
State Park Pass for Mears ($12/day)
Free to watch from the public breakwall and waterfront. Mears State Park requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
White Lake Area Fireworks over White Lake
Whitehall / Montague — West Michigan
Dusk
Best Viewing
Whitehall City Park · Montague waterfront areas along White Lake
Cost
✓ Free
Leland Fireworks at Hancock Field
Leland — Leelanau Peninsula / Northwest Michigan
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location
Hancock Field, 826 S. Union St., Leland
Cost
✓ Free
Northern Michigan
Bay Harbor Fireworks with Petoskey Steel Band
Bay Harbor — Northern Michigan (between Petoskey & Charlevoix)
Steel Band 8:00 PM — Fireworks Follow
Best Viewing
Bay Harbor waterfront and marina
Cost
✓ Free
Boyne City 4th of July Festival — “Best Fourth in the North”
Boyne City — Northern Michigan (July 3–4, two full days)
Grand Fireworks ~10:30 PM on July 4
Best Viewing
Lake Charlevoix waterfront / City Park, Boyne City
Cost
✓ Free
Recognized by Good Morning America, USA Today, Travel Channel (#2 Best Small-Town 4th), and Reader's Digest (#1 Best Small-Town Fireworks. Two days: arts & crafts fair, patriotic boat parade on Lake Charlevoix, Independence Day Run, kids' bike parade, Grand Parade through downtown, and fireworks over the lake Saturday night.
Upper Peninsula — July 3
Marquette Freedom Fest — Fireworks + Laser Show
Marquette — Upper Peninsula (July 3–4)
Dusk (Both Nights)
Best Viewing
Downtown Marquette waterfront on Lake Superior · Presque Isle Park
Cost
✓ Free
One of the UP's premier holiday events — food vendors, live music, and a laser light show alongside traditional fireworks over Lake Superior.
Mid-Michigan — July 3–5
Bay City Fireworks Festival
Bay City — Mid-Michigan / Saginaw County (3 nights: July 3–5)
Dusk Each Night (July 4 is the “Big Night”)
Best Viewing
Wenonah Park (prime riverside) · Veterans' Memorial Park · Either bank of the Saginaw River
Cost
✓ Free
One of Michigan's most beloved multi-night fireworks events, running since 1962. Carnival, live entertainment, and food vendors throughout the long weekend. Saturday (July 4) draws the largest crowds — arrive very early to Wenonah Park.
July 4, 2026 — Independence Day Fireworks in Michigan
America's 250th Birthday — Celebrations statewide are bigger than ever. Shows organized by region below.
Southeast Michigan — July 4
Huntington Woods Fireworks
Huntington Woods — Oakland County
Dusk
Best Viewing
Rackham Golf Course, Huntington Woods
Cost
✓ Free
Lake Orion / Maceday & Lotus Lake Fireworks
Lake Orion — Oakland County
Dusk
Best Viewing
Maceday Lake and Lotus Lake shoreline access points
Cost
✓ Free
Port Austin Harbor Fireworks
Port Austin — Thumb Region / Huron County
Dusk (After Downtown Parade)
Best Viewing
Port Austin State Harbor waterfront — over Saginaw Bay
Cost
✓ Free
Pinckney Fireworks over Portage Lake
Pinckney — Livingston County
9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Best Viewing
Portage Lake access areas, Pinckney
Cost
✓ Free
Beautiful inland lake setting just outside Ann Arbor.
West Michigan — July 4
Frankfort 4th of July Fireworks over Lake Michigan
Frankfort — Benzie County
9:30 PM
Best Viewing
End of Main Street shoreline · Frankfort Beach / Betsie Bay · Elberta waterfront (across the bay)
Cost
✓ Free
Classic small-town parade earlier in the day, fireworks over Lake Michigan at night. One of West Michigan's most scenic July 4th settings.
Grand Haven 4th of July Fireworks
Grand Haven — Ottawa County
10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Best Viewing
1 N. Harbor · Grand Haven State Park Beach · Downtown boardwalk
Cost
State Park Pass for Beach Parking ($12/day)
Free from public areas and the boardwalk. Grand Haven State Park requires a Recreation Passport. Very popular — arrive well before dark to secure a spot.
Muskegon 4th of July Fireworks
Muskegon — West Michigan
10:20 PM
Best Viewing
Shoreline Drive / Muskegon Lake waterfront · Margaret Drake Elliott Park · Pere Marquette Park
Cost
✓ Free
Ludington 4th of July Fireworks over Lake Michigan
Ludington — Mason County
Parade 2 PM — Fireworks at Dusk
Best Viewing
Stearns Park Beach — fireworks launch over Lake Michigan
Cost
✓ Free
The Scottville Clown Band marches in the parade — a beloved West Michigan tradition. Fireworks over Lake Michigan from the beach.
Northern Michigan — July 4
🎉 100th National Cherry Festival
National Cherry Festival Fireworks
Traverse City — Grand Traverse County
10:30 PM
Best Viewing
Open Space Park (best — large lawn on the bay) · Clinch Park Marina · Bryant Park · West End Beach · By kayak on Grand Traverse Bay
Cost
✓ Free from Parks
2026 is the 100th National Cherry Festival — expect an expanded show. Fireworks are free from all public park areas. Some Cherry Festival events are ticketed (Blue Angels air show, concerts). Arrive at Open Space Park by 8:30–9 PM to get a blanket spot.
🎉 Most Unique Fireworks in Michigan
Mackinac Island — Two Simultaneous Barge Displays
Mackinac Island — Northern Michigan
~10:00 PM
Best Viewing
East display: Mission Point to Windermere Point
West display: Grand Hotel boardwalk toward Mackinac Bridge
West display: Grand Hotel boardwalk toward Mackinac Bridge
Cost
✓ Free to Watch
Ferry required: ~$29–$31/adult round-trip (Shepler's or Star Line)
No cars on the island. Two fireworks barges go off simultaneously over Lake Huron. Arrive by early afternoon to explore. Horse-drawn carriages, no road noise — one of America's most unique July 4th experiences.
Mackinaw City Fireworks — Largest Display in Northern Michigan
Mackinaw City — Emmet County
Festivities 1 PM — Fireworks ~10:00 PM
Best Viewing
Marina Lawn / Conkling Heritage Park waterfront · Breakwall · Any public waterfront
Cost
✓ Free
The Mackinac Bridge serves as the backdrop for the fireworks launch — one of the most photographed July 4th moments in Michigan.
Harbor Springs Fireworks — Barge Launch in the Harbor
Harbor Springs — Emmet County
Dusk
Best Viewing
Harbor Springs waterfront / Zorn Park · Little Traverse Bay beach areas
Cost
✓ Free
Morning Paul Revere 5K/10-mile run, patriotic parade through downtown, all-day art show, live music, food vendors, and children's activities. Fireworks launched from a barge in the harbor.
Petoskey 4th of July Fireworks over Little Traverse Bay
Petoskey — Emmet County
Dusk (Parade + Waterfront Music Earlier)
Best Viewing
Bay Front Park / Petoskey waterfront on Little Traverse Bay
Cost
✓ Free
Parade leads to live music on the waterfront. More info: petoskey4th.org
Walloon Lake Independence Day Celebration
Walloon Lake — Charlevoix County
10:30 PM
Location
Village Green Park, 4454 M-75, Walloon Lake
Cost
✓ Free
Face painting and kids' activities 10 AM–5 PM, live music all day, late fireworks at 10:30 PM. Picturesque inland lake.
Indian River Fireworks over Burt Lake
Indian River — Cheboygan County
Dusk
Best Viewing
DeVoe Beach, Burt Lake · Indian River waterfront park
Cost
✓ Free
Art show and parade during the day. Burt Lake is part of the 40-mile Inland Waterway — one of Michigan's premier boating destinations. Info: irchamber.com
Upper Peninsula — July 4
Bessemer Blast — Giant Parade + Fireworks
Bessemer — Gogebic County, Western UP
Giant Parade 7 PM — Fireworks at Dusk
Best Viewing
Bluff Valley Park (fireworks launch site) · Downtown parade route
Cost
✓ Free
One of the western UP's biggest celebrations. Flea market, cornhole tournament, children's races before the evening parade and fireworks.
Sault Ste. Marie Fireworks over the St. Marys River
Sault Ste. Marie — Chippewa County, Eastern UP
After Dark
Best Viewing
Brady Park (recommended primary spot) · Visible from both US and Canadian sides of the St. Marys River
Cost
✓ Free
Downtown parade followed by fireworks over the international waterway. Watching fireworks with freighters passing through the Soo Locks is one of the UP's most iconic July 4th moments.
Munising Downtown Fireworks
Munising — Alger County, Eastern UP
Dusk
Best Viewing
Downtown Munising waterfront on Munising Bay · Anna River area
Cost
✓ Free
Full day of activities, food vendors, and contests in downtown Munising — gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pair with a Pictured Rocks boat cruise the next morning.
Copper Harbor Fireworks over the Harbor
Copper Harbor — Keweenaw County (Tip of the UP)
11:00 PM
Best Viewing
Copper Harbor waterfront / Township Park
Cost
✓ Free
Late 11 PM start — the UP doesn't get fully dark until late. Fire-department cookout at Township Park throughout the day, then fireworks over the harbor. A true bucket-list Michigan destination.
Grand Marais Fireworks over Lake Superior
Grand Marais — Alger County, Eastern UP
Dusk
Best Viewing
Grand Marais Harbor waterfront on Lake Superior
Cost
✓ Free
Remote but gorgeous. Grand Marais is near Pictured Rocks — combine the two for an unforgettable UP long weekend.
Menominee 4th of July Celebration
Menominee — Menominee County, UP / Green Bay
Dusk
Best Viewing
Menominee waterfront on Green Bay
Cost
✓ Free
Parade, kids' games, live music, and fireworks. Waterfront on Green Bay.
July 5
Post-4th Fireworks — UP & More
Several Michigan communities — particularly in the Upper Peninsula — traditionally hold their fireworks on July 5. Great option if you missed the 4th or want a second show.
Escanaba 4th of July Celebration (held July 5)
Escanaba — Delta County, UP
Dusk
Best Viewing
Ludington Park, Escanaba waterfront on Little Bay de Noc
Cost
✓ Free
Food vendors, music, and classic car show during the day.
Ishpeming 4th of July (held July 5)
Ishpeming — Marquette County, UP
Dusk
Events
Parade + fireworks
Cost
✓ Free
Hermansville 4th of July (held July 5)
Hermansville — Menominee County, UP
Dusk
Events
Parade · Classic car show · Mud runs · Fireworks
Cost
✓ Free
Greenfield Village Salute to America — Final Night
Dearborn — Wayne County
5 PM – 10 PM (Fireworks at Dusk)
Location
Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
Cost
Ticketed — thehenryford.org
The four-night DSO series wraps up. Same format: Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with cannon fire and a fireworks grand finale.
July 24–25
Charlevoix Venetian Festival — Northern Michigan
🎉 Two-Night Choreographed Fireworks Experience
Charlevoix Venetian Festival Fireworks
Charlevoix — Charlevoix County
~10:15 PM Both Nights
Night 1 (July 24) Best Viewing
Depot Beach (live music by Pinter Whitnick) · East Park (live music) · Ferry Beach (Up North Jazz Big Band + dancing)
Night 2 (July 25) Best Viewing
Bridge Park · East Park (immediately after the iconic Venetian Boat Parade on Round Lake)
Cost
✓ Completely Free
Producer
Colonial Fireworks · Master Pyrotechnician Frank Loffredo Jr.
Established in 1931. An 8-day festival with big-name concerts, carnival, street and boat parades, and two spectacular choreographed fireworks nights. Crews spend nearly a full week on-site hand-placing shells. Frank Loffredo's credits include Thunder Over Louisville and the Statue of Liberty Bicentennial. No admission for any Venetian Festival event. More info: venetianfestival.com
🌟 Michigan Fireworks 2026 — Practical Tips
What time do Michigan fireworks start?
Most displays begin at dusk — roughly 10:00–10:15 PM in late June and 9:45–10:15 PM in early July. Shows at organized venues (like Greenfield Village) may list an earlier concert start time. Always arrive 60–90 minutes early for good viewing and parking.
Do I need a pass for Metroparks fireworks?
Yes. All Huron-Clinton Metroparks events (Kensington, Willow, Lake Erie) require a vehicle pass. Daily passes are available at the gate; an annual pass ($35) covers all 13 Metroparks for the full year — excellent value if you visit more than twice.
Do I need a pass for State Park fireworks?
If you're parking at or entering any Michigan State Park (Belle Isle, Mears, Ludington, etc.), you need a Michigan Recreation Passport — $12/day or $35/year. Purchase at any Secretary of State office or at the park entrance.
What are the best FREE fireworks in Michigan 2026?
The Ford Fireworks (Detroit), Festival of the Hills (Rochester Hills), Bay City Fireworks Festival, National Cherry Festival fireworks (Traverse City), and nearly every suburban and UP community show are completely free to watch. Michigan is exceptionally generous with free public fireworks.
Which Michigan fireworks are over water?
Nearly every show in this guide is over water — the Detroit River, Lake Michigan (Frankfort, Manistee, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Pentwater, Ludington), Grand Traverse Bay (Traverse City), Lake Charlevoix (Boyne City, Charlevoix Venetian), Lake Superior (Marquette, Grand Marais), Little Traverse Bay (Petoskey, Harbor Springs), the Saginaw River (Bay City), and dozens more. Michigan's Great Lakes geography makes waterfront fireworks the norm.
Why is 2026 a special year for Michigan fireworks?
America celebrates its 250th birthday (Semiquincentennial) on July 4, 2026. Many Michigan communities have expanded their celebrations — longer shows, bigger crowds, more community programming. Expect record attendance at major events like the Cherry Festival, Ford Fireworks, and Boyne City.