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Fourth of July Fireworks and Celebrations in Dutchess County

Date Published: June 24, 2024

Of course, what would the Fourth of July holiday be without fireworks and celebrations? Here in Dutchess County, we have plenty of those. Read on for a list of family-friendly Independence Day events around which you can plan an unforgettable Hudson Valley getaway. 

Fireworks at the Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Fireworks at the Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

Fourth of July Fireworks 

Thursday, July 4

• Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie: Witness the City of Poughkeepsie’s annual fireworks show with an unobstructed view from 212 feet above the river at the Walkway Over the Hudson. The Walkway will close to the public at 5 p.m. that day and reopen at 7 p.m. for those with tickets to the event. Space is limited. This event sells out every year. To purchase tickets, click here. Plus, book an overnight stay at the brand-new Inn at Bellefield in Hyde Park and receive two free tickets to the fireworks. Use promo code E3109 when booking to receive a discounted rate AND two free tickets to the July 4 Fireworks Spectacular. The Inn at Bellefield is only a few minutes away from the Walkway.

• Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie: Enjoy front-row viewing of the City of Poughkeepsie fireworks along the Hudson River, reserved on-site parking and a covered picnic area, along with fun inside the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum beginning at 7 p.m. Price is per car, so pack up the family and friends and come down to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront! Click here to purchase tickets.

• Hudson River Sloop "Clearwater," Poughkeepsie: Climb aboard "America's Environmental Flagship" and view the Poughkeepsie fireworks from the deck of the historic ship. This is not a public sail, as the boat will remain at the dock. Click here for details and to purchase tickets for this event or for public sail events.

• Memorial Park, Beacon: The City of Beacon presents its annual fireworks show, which will begin as soon as it gets dark. Parking is limited, so you may want to consider walking or biking to the park. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Click here for details.

• Heritage Financial Park (formerly Dutchess Stadium), Wappingers Falls: Settle in and enjoy the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game against the Brooklyn Cyclones starting at 7:05 p.m., and stick around for the Independence Day MEGA Fireworks Show after the game. And if you love ballpark food, be sure to purchase tickets for the All-You-Can-Eat Ballpark BBQ! Enjoy an endless supply of all your favorites, including hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, salad and more. Click here to purchase tickets. The Renegades, a Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, also host post-game fireworks following most Friday and Saturday home games throughout the season. This year, that includes the July 5 and 6 games as the Renegades close out their three-game series with the Cyclones. 

• Four Brothers Drive-In Theatre, Amenia: For a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July experience,  head to Four Brothers Drive-In for its annual movie double-feature with fireworks. See "Inside Out 2" (rated PG) followed by "A Quiet Place: Day One" (rated PG-13), with a fireworks show in between. Arrive early and enjoy live music along with delicious food and drinks from the Grand Shack. play some mini-golf and get cozy by the fire pit. Click here to reserve tickets. Plus, if you're looking for a next-level glamping adventure, the Hotel Caravana in a completely refurbished vintage Airstream camper located on-site.

 

Friday, July 5 

• Hopewell Recreation Park, Hopewell Junction: The East Fishkill Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by Adam and the Newhearts at 7 p.m. Hear all your rock n' roll favorites from the 50s and 60s, followed by a fireworks show. Free admission. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Click here for details. 


Related: Revolutionary War History in Dutchess County


Livingston Mansion at Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown
Livingston Mansion at Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown

Events and Celebrations

Thursday, July 4

• Annual Fourth of July Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Fishkill: Join the Village of Fishkill for its annual Fourth of July reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Village Hall starting at 11 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for updates.

• Hyde Park Parade: The theme of this year's parade will be "Celebrating 50 Years of Music in the Parks," the annual summer concert series at the Vanderbilt and Staatsburgh mansions. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. and march north on Route 9 from Roosevelt Cinemas toward Town Hall. Click here for updates. 

• Independence Day at Clermont: Learn what life was like at the start of the Revolutionary War for the people at the Livingston family estate at Clermont State Historic Site. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. on the Arryl Lawn. Watch reenactors portray the daily lives of these colonists through cooking, woodworking, blacksmithing, farming and more. Enjoy the songs and stories of Thomas Hooker Hanford. Learn about African American and European Colonial musical traditions with Carla and Keyes. Hear readings of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Enjoy delicious hot food from At First Bite and sweet frappes and coffees from Happie Bean. The festivities will conclude with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Admission is $15 per car at the gate. Click here to RSVP. 


Saturday, July 6

• Troutbeck, Amenia: Celebrate the holiday with a barbecue feast that simply can't be beat in Troutbeck's Pole Barn beginning at 12 p.m. Enjoy a generous selection of seasonal fare, much of which will be prepared in Troutbeck's woodfire-powered mobile kitchen. Play lawn games, listen to music and soak in the beautiful scenery. Click here to make reservations. Tucked away in the bucolic Amenia countryside, Troutbeck is a wonderful place to relax and recharge. The historic inn offers luxury accommodations with plenty of modern amenities. Click here to book your stay.


Related: Top 10 Destinations for the Perfect Kids Summer Vacation


An antique biplane is ready for takeoff at an air show at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Red Hook
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Red Hook

Holiday Weekend Bonus Activities

Public Sails on the Sloop Clearwater, Poughkeepsie

Air Shows/Military Appreciation Weekend, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Red Hook

• Powerhouse Theater, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie

• SummerScape and Spiegeltent, Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson

• Black Staatsburg: The Gilded Age Black Community of Staatsburg, Staatsburgh State Historic Site

Fly Fishing 101, Orvis Sandanona, Millbrook

• "Driving Miss Daisy" at Bannerman Castle, Beacon

• "My Fair Lady," Center for Performing Arts, Rhinebeck

Stormville Airport Antique Show and Flea Market, Stormville

• Jazz in the Vineyard, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook

"Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson: Apt 2B," County Players at Falls Theatre, Wappingers Falls

• Lyra Music Festival, Howland Cultural Center, Beacon


Related: Top 10 Places to Get Ice Cream in Dutchess


 

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