Are you planning a trip to our peninsula over the Fourth of July holiday? Worried you’ll miss out on your local fireworks display and cookout? Fear not! You won’t have to rely on the scattered driveway displays or gas station snacks as you pass by because several Upper Peninsula towns have fireworks shows and celebrations of their own. 

Regardless of if you plan to be driving or hope to sit out on a picnic blanket along a Great Lake, you can count on a show that leaves you oohing and ahhing in these locations: 

  • Ahmeek: Come to Gabriel Chop Park for food, games, music and bingo!

  • Alpha: This will be Alpha’s 118th Fourth of July celebration! Come for the live music and food, stay for the Cracker Jacks and Ice Cream provided by the fire department and fireworks!  

  • Au Train: Guests at Superior Times Resort & Campground, N6750 Autrain Forest Lake Road, can enjoy live music on the sun deck and a firework display launched off their dock for free. Non-guests are welcome with the entry fee being a suggested donation. 

  • Baraga: Lumberjack Days, July 3 and 4, offer a children’s parade and games, main parade down Main Street at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th, bean bag tournament, food, vendors, fireworks and much more! Sky lanterns will be available for purchase and the release will take place before the fireworks start.  

  • Bessemer: This year’s Bessemer blast will run from June 27 to July 4. It features a Hometown Walk/Run and Tot Trot, a three-on-three basketball tournament, Bessemer’s Giant Fourth of July Parade at 7 p.m. and the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks display and much more! 

  • Bruce Crossing: There will be a 2 p.m. parade, kids’ games, craft show and fireworks at dusk.

  • Copper Harbor: Play games, have good food at the cookout in Township Park put on by the Copper Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and then gaze at the fantastic fireworks at dusk.  

  • Curtis: There will be the “Biggest Little Town Parade in Michigan” at 12:30 p.m. from Sand Town to Three Lakes Academy and fireworks at dusk. 

  • Forsyth Township: The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Gilbert Elementary. Festivities following the parade will be in Peter Nordeen Park with fireworks at dusk.

  • Gladstone: On the 4th, experience the Kiwanis Firecracker Run, a parade at 11 a.m. based on a Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness theme, log rollers, kids’ games, inflatable jumpers, Kiwanis Dunk Tank, Splat U Later, food vendors, DJ, live music throughout the day and fireworks at dusk.

  • Greenland: The children’s parade steps off at noon followed by the main parade. Fireworks will light the sky at dusk.  

  • Grand Marais: Enjoy the annual parade, Firemen's Challenge, kids’ games, street dance and fireworks to cap the night off at dusk!

  • Hermansville: This Independence Day celebration will be July 3 with a kids parade, main parade, classic car show, mud bog and fireworks.  

  • Iron Mountain/Kingsford: Celebrate with the Independence Day parade on July 3 at 9 a.m. hosted by Menominee Range Historical Foundation Promotional Committee. 

  • Iron River: There will be a parade at 1 p.m. starting at the high school and ending on Genesee Street.  

  • Ishpeming: Join the fun July 3 at 10:30 a.m. for a parade beginning on Third Street and ending at the high school. Fireworks will be at dusk.  

  • Lake Linden: Lake Linden’s celebration will take place July 2 and 3. Fireworks will happen at dusk the first night!  

  • Mackinac Island: Watch fireworks on Lake Huron’s crown jewel with the Mighty Mackinac Bridge in the background. The best viewing location is the Mackinac Island Public School yard or along the boardwalk. The spectacular show starts at 10 p.m. on the 4th. 

  • Manistique: Events from July 2 to 3 include a parade on July 3 at 12:30 p.m., antique farm tractor show, live music, food booths, arts & crafts vendors and fireworks! 

  • Marquette: July 3 and 4 will bring the Food Fest to Mattson Lower Harbor Park from noon to dusk. The Fourth of July parade starts at noon and the boat parade at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky after dark. 

  • Marenisco Township: Fourth of July activities include a pancake breakfast, parade, several outdoor activities for visitors of all ages, fireworks and more between July 2 and 5! Check out page seven for more information.  

  • Munising: Fun runs, a 4th of July parade at noon, pet parade at 3:30 p.m. and watermelon eating contest — oh my! There’s even more fun activities, not to mention the fireworks at dusk!

  • Naubinway: From July 2 to 4, there will be several events, including a carnival, cake walk, a 12K and 6K run and at dusk on July 3, Thunder Over the Bay fireworks. 

  • Negaunee: Pioneer Days will go from July 2 to 10, with softball games and fireworks on July 10. 

  • Paradise: Events include the Whitefish Township Community Center Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m., parade through downtown at 1 p.m. and bake sale, brats and exhibits from 5-7 p.m.  

  • Sault Ste. Marie: Events include a parade at 7 p.m. with a float competition and fireworks at dusk  

  • South Range: Shop at the flea market, play classic picnic games like horseshoe and cornhole, listen to live music and cap the holiday off with fireworks.  

  • Tapiola: A parade focusing on people in the community will happen Saturday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. 

  • Wakefield: Independence Day weekend events, July 1 to 4, include a variety show, street dance, cornhole tournament, a 4th of July parade at 1 p.m. and fireworks.  

  • Watersmeet: Join the blind draw teams cornhole tournament, enter raffles for prizes and watch the fireworks at the Watersmeet Pavilion.  

  • White Pine: A community picnic will happen from 4-7 p.m. with fireworks following at dusk.

Don your red, white and blue, and come up to the star-spangled spectaculars that the Upper Peninsula has to offer. Happy Independence Day to you and yours!