Tennessee Rocks July 4 Celebrations

Tennessee pulls out all the stops this year to celebrate American freedom. Independence Day in the Volunteer State will host the very first July 4th parade in the nation; the largest Independence Day celebration in the country; community events that exude quaint charm; and, of course, lots of fireworks. Check out what Tennessee has in store for the most patriotic weekend in the nation.

East Tennessee

Chattanooga

Chattanooga has a variety of events happening for the 4th of July. Fun on the Fourth is the city's official Independence Day celebration in the heart of downtown 2-9:30 p.m. July 4, 2023. Old-fashioned fun and high-tech entertainment will fill Miller Park. Carnival games, a 50ft gondola Ferris wheel, vintage vendors and cars, food trucks, cocktails and local beer, live music all day and so much more lead up to the laser light show grand finale at 9:30 p.m. Catch fireworks shows at the Chattanooga Lookouts games June 30 and July 2; 4th at McLemore 5 p.m. July 1; and Collegedale Freedom Celebration 6 p.m. July 3. Children can celebrate America's Birthday at the Creative Discovery Museum's Red, White and Blue Day noon to 4 p.m. July 4 which includes patriotic-themed crafts, liquid nitrogen ice cream, collaborative fireworks paintings and more.

Museum of Appalachia - Clinton

The Independence Day Celebration & Anvil Shoot looks at how rural residents celebrated the nation's independence July 4, 2023 at the Museum of Appalachia. Shooting the anvil has become the highlight of this event as the earth shakes following a huge blasting sound. Anvil shoots were once a popular way for pioneers to celebrate holidays and special occasions. Anvil shoots are scheduled for 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Live music, southern food, blacksmith demonstrations, beekeepers, dulcimer makers, spinners and weavers are just some of the additional sights you can see to round out the family-friendly, unforgettable experience. 

Elizabethton

If you want small town charm with a side of Independence Day celebrations, visit Elizabethton, Tennessee 4 p.m. July 1, 2023 at Covered Bridge Park. Participate in the Independence Day Patriotic Pedal; decorate your bike to compete for trophies. Then, enjoy live performances, patriotic pup pageant, dance team recitals, free inflatables for the kids to enjoy and more. 

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is the location to experience the "first July 4th parade in the nation" as it begins at 12:01 a.m. ET July 4, 2023. This year's grand marshals are the Harlem Globetrotters. The award-winning Fourth of July Midnight Parade is full of floats, patriotic displays and balloons down the Parkway. Stick around for festivities during the day including the annual River Raft Regatta, a race of unmanned floatables down the Little Pigeon River. The night ends with the Fireworks Finale from the Space Needle, beginning at 10 p.m.

Johnson City

Johnson City throws a huge July 4 bash, the 36th annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration on the grounds of Freedom Hall Civil Center on July 3, 2023. Enjoy live music, food and a beer garden along with kid-friendly activities like face painting and games. Fireworks start at 9:55 p.m.

Jonesborough

Tennessee’s Oldest Town celebrates the annual Jonesborough Days July 1-2, 2023 in downtown Jonesborough. A country & western themed dinner kicks off the weekend of festivities Thursday, June 29 in Jimmy Neil Smith Park behind the International Storytelling Center. Get tickets here. Be there for the parade July 1 at 10 a.m. that starts activities, live music, a market full of local crafts, contests including the annual MoonPie eating contest and more. New this year includes children's activities at Patriot Park including carnival games and prizes, bouncy houses, dunking machine and inflatables.Fireworks starting at 10 p.m. July 2 wrap up the celebration. 

Knoxville

Plan your July 4th weekend in Knoxville to experience Festival on the 4th at World's Fair Park 5-10 p.m. July 4, 2023. Music, food, family-friendly activities will take place. Kids can play miniature golf with Holes to Go and enjoy paddle boats in the lake at World's Fair Park. The musical finale at 8 p.m. - a free concert - will be performed by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra with fireworks starting at 9:35 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

Clarksville

The City of Clarksville will celebrate with the 2023 Independence Day Celebration 5 pm. July 3, 2023 at Liberty Park. Live music, inflatables, carnival games and food set the stage for fireworks over the river that begin around 9:30 p.m. 

Franklin

Franklin on the Fourth is an annual celebration of America’s independence featuring family-friendly activities on July 4, 2023 in downtown Franklin. Music will be performed 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A patriotic pet parade happens at 10:30 a.. followed by free games and corn hole, a 5 p.m. children's parade, free games, crafts and tasty food will round out the festivities. Catch the incredible fireworks display at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.

Monterey

The Old Gray Event Center and Amphitheater hosts Freedom over Monterey. The 6 p.m. concert includes a performance by Caleb & Leann followed by 9 p.m. fireworks. Enjoy food trucks and a great night of music under the stars.

Nashville

One of the nation’s largest July 4 celebrations happens in Music City. Nashville has the largest fireworks show in the country, synchronized to a live performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony. Leading up to the fireworks, catch live music by headliner Brad Paisley along with Ben Rector, The War And Treaty, Langhorne Slim, Tiera Kennedy and more. The free event also includes the Amazon Family Fun Zone with its own stage of live music, football toss and other fun games, Gibson Gives instrument petting zoo and more.

West Tennessee

Collierville

Collierville's Independence Day Celebration takes place July 3 (rain date is July 4) at H.W. Cox Park. Celebrate with food vendors at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment starting at 7 p.m. featuring Alice Hasen & the Blaze, a fiddle-powered groove band followed by the Soul Shockers who perform a mix of classic 60s, Motown, funk and today's hits. The fireworks show, one of the largest in the Mid-South, choreographed to an 18-minute musical salute by the TN Mass Choir at 9:30 p.m. 

Pickwick Landing State Park - Counce

Visit Pickwick Landing State Park July 4, 2023 for ranger-led activities, food and craft vendors. Then, enjoy views of the 9 p.m. fireworks show, launching from Pickwick Landing State Park's Sandy Beach (closed to spectators for safety), near and around the Inn, Circle Beach, from the golf course hillside bank, the playground and shelter one hillside bank areas.

Lexington, Tennessee

Festival of the Lakes celebrates July 4, 2023 with fireworks, music entertainment, water activities and food. Be there for the free event at Beech Lake. At 9 p.m. a stunning, 30-minute fireworks show will take place, viewable from around town.

Elvis Presley's Graceland - Memphis

Head to the King of Rock n' Roll's palace, Elvis Presley's Graceland, for an All-American Elvis-inspired fireworks extravaganza July 1-July 2, 2023. Celebrate our nation's independence with rock n' roll, barbecue, Elvis and fireworks. Enjoy the Victor Trevino Jr. and Pat Dunn: Elvis Tribute Concert 7:30 p.m. at Graceland Soundstage. July 2 kicks off with the Great American Gospel Brunch featuring the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, "Viva Las Vegas" sing-along screening and the All-American Party & Elvis Fireworks Extravaganza. The Elvis-themed fireworks evening is hosted by DJ Argo of SiriusXM Elvis Radio. After the sun sets, the sky lights up with fireworks set to Elvis' music.

Discovery Park of America - Union City

Step back in time at Discovery Park of America on July 1, 2023 to interact with living historians, participate in the "Ringing of the Bell" ceremony, reading of the Declaration of the Independence and more. Enjoy colonial games and activities throughout the park as well.