When And Where Are 2026 4th Of July Fireworks In Northern MN, WI?

America is getting ready to celebrate its 250th birthday, and communities around Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin are all getting ready to celebrate with parades, fireworks, and festivities over the holiday weekend.

While the 4th of July happens on Saturday this year, lots of celebrations will be getting going leading up to the big weekend, with a number of communities starting celebrations earlier in the week.

As I do every summer, I put together a list of when and where every Northland fireworks show will be for Independence Day, along with other information about community celebrations for the holiday.

Here's a look at this year's festivities:

Friday, July 3

Aurora, MN: Fireworks are at 10 pm on July 3. This is part of Aurora's "Patriotic Days" celebration, which starts on Wednesday, July 1, and wraps up Saturday, July 4. Events like a medallion hunt, axe throwing, car show, live music, and a street dance are all part of the week's festivities. Find more details on the Celebrate Aurora website or Facebook page.

Eveleth, MN: Fireworks are at 10:15 pm on Friday. This is part of Eveleth's two-day 4th of July celebration. Also on Friday is a street dance from 8 pm until 12:30 am, and Saturday, the 4th includes a parade at 9:30 am and activities afterward in the park. Find details on the Eveleth 4th of July website.

Lake Nebagamon, WI: Fireworks are at dusk, best viewed from the beach. Saturday, the 5-mile run/walk will happen in the morning, and a parade is scheduled for 4 pm. There will also be a boat parade on the lake, a street dance in the evening, and other events throughout the day. Learn more on the Nebagamon Community Association Facebook page and Lake Nebagamon Community Facebook page.

Nashwauk, MN: Fireworks are at dusk, wrapping the first of Nashwauk's two days of celebrating Independence Day. Also happening on Friday is a car show, the "Poppin' Pin-Up Pageant", food vendors, and live music. Saturday the 4th, a 10K run starts the day, followed by a Veteran's flag raising ceremony at 10, and then the parade is at noon. There are other activities planned for the afternoon, including kids' races and a bags tournament. For more, visit the City of Nashwauk website.

Orr, MN: Fireworks at dusk over the Orr Bay. This is part of Orr's "July 3 Fun Day", which also includes a parade and other fun. It is worth noting that this year, all activities during the day will be at the Orr Center, and not downtown, as they had been in the past. Find more details on the Orr Fun Day Facebook page.

Saturday, July 4

Ashland, WI: Fireworks from the ore dock are at 10 pm over Chequamegon Bay, wrapping up a full day's worth of activities that start with an early morning patriotic salute at 6 am, parade at 11 am, live music, and more. Find more details on the Visit Ashland website.

Bayfield, WI: Fireworks at 9:45 pm from La Pointe on Madeline Island. Speaking of Madeline Island, there will be a parade on the island at 10:30 am, with other activities throughout the day. More on the Madeline Island website.

Brookston, MN: Fireworks are scheduled for 10 pm, capping off a full day of festivities. Also on the schedule is a flag-raising ceremony at 11 am, a parade at noon, bags tournament, races, and more. Details from the Brookston American Legion & Auxiliary Post and the Brookston 4th of July Facebook page.

Cloquet, MN: Fireworks are at 10:25 over the St. Louis River from Veterans Park. This is part of a full day of festivities that also includes the annual Sawdust 5K, parade, and much more. Find more details on the Cloquet 4th website or Facebook page.

Duluth, MN: Fireworks will start at 10 pm over the Duluth Harbor, with viewing from Bayfront Festival Park (and many other places in Duluth). This is part of the annual "Fourth Fest", which also includes vendors and live music. See our full Fourth Fest guide here. You can also learn more on the Fourth Fest website

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Ely, MN: Fireworks at 10 pm on the east side of Miners Lake on Saturday, wrapping up two days of 4th celebrations. A couple of the other highlights of the weekend include on Friday, the "Rock the Park" music event will happen at Whiteside Park, and Saturday, a parade will be held at 1 pm. Find more on the City of Ely's website.

Gordon, WI: Fireworks after dark at Warner Park/Mooney Ball Field as part of Gordon Good Neighbor Days, the community's 4th of July weekend celebration from July 3rd through the 5th this year. There are three days of events planned, with the big day being Saturday. Along with the fireworks, a car show, duck race, live music, and parade are part of the schedule on the 4th. On Sunday, mud volleyball and bags tournaments are part of the fun. Find more information on the Gordon Good Neighbor Days Facebook page.

Grand Marais, MN: Fireworks are at 10 pm over the Grand Marais Harbor. More on the Visit Cook County website.

Grand Rapids, MN: Fireworks at 10 pm over Lake Pokegama. Learn more on the Visit Grand Rapids website.

Hayward, WI: Fireworks at dusk behind the Intermediate School on 5th street, capping off two days of fun for the annual July Jubilee that also includes music, food, and fun for the family. Learn more on the Hayward Lakes Visitor Bureau website.

Keewatin, MN: Fireworks are at dusk, wrapping up two days of festivities that also include a kiddie parade at 1:15 pm and a parade at 1:30 pm, vendors, a street dance, bags tournaments, and more. Learn more on the City of Keewatin website.

McGregor, MN: Fireworks at 10:15 pm in front of Floe Island on Big Sandy Lake.

Mellen, WI: Fireworks will be lit from Water Tower Hill at dusk, capping off a day of fun that includes the Breakfast at the Ballfield, a parade at noon, and a bunch of other activities through the day. Learn more on the City of Mellen website.

Moose Lake, MN: Fireworks at approximately 10 pm at Moose Lake City Park, part of two days' worth of fun that includes a kiddie parade and other activities on Friday and the main parade on Saturday. There are also other activities around town, like live music. Learn more on the Moose Lake Chamber website.

Silver Bay, MN: Fireworks at dusk. This is just a precursor to Silver Bay's "Bay Days" festival, which is the following weekend, July 10-12, 2026. - More info about the fireworks on the City of Silver Bay website.

Solon Springs, WI: Fireworks at dusk over Lake St. Croix. This concludes a day of activities that also includes a pancake breakfast at the community center, parade at noon, and afternoon kickball tournament Find more details on the Solon Springs Community Center Facebook page and the Village of Solon Springs website.

Superior, WI: Fireworks at Barker's Island at 10 pm, wrapping up a day of fun that also includes a parade at 11 am, car show, live music, and other festivities throughout the day. Learn more on the City of Superior's website.

Tofte, MN: Fireworks display at dusk, wrapping up a day of events that include kids' activities, vendors, and a parade at 2 pm. Learn more on the Visit Cook County website.

Tower, MN: Fireworks in the evening, following a day that includes a pancake breakfast, kiddie parade, grand parade, 5K and 10K races, live music, and more. Organizers say they will provide more information soon on the City of Tower website.

Virginia, MN: Fireworks at 10:15 on the shore of Silver Lake. Get more info from the City of Virginia website.

Minnesota's Best Restaurants You Can Boat Up To

Minnesota, as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, has a lot of great restaurants and bars right on the water. While there are many with beautiful lakeside views, not everyone has the option to boat up to enjoy some time at the establishment.

While this is by no means a complete list of every bar and restaurant you can boat up to in Minnesota, these are the top-rated ones according to online reviews.

NOTE: These are in no particular order.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth