July 1, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti

Waterbury makes a point of celebrating Independence Day ahead of the pack. It starts the holiday party early, leaving opportunity for local residents to check out the celebrations elsewhere on the 4th — or the 3rd, as some may be.

Below is a rundown of festivities around the region with links for more details should you decide to venture out for parades, fireworks, food, music and more.

In town July 2-3

*Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour 2025 poster*

Know that in Waterbury, Circus Smirkus is a big attraction on Wednesday-Thursday, July 2-3, with four shows at Farr’s Field (noon and 6 p.m. each day).

The circus relies on local volunteers in the communities where it performs to help out as parking attendants, ushers, ticket-takers, etc. Most volunteer roles are for individuals ages 18 and older, but kids 12 and up can help distribute programs. Volunteers get to see the show for free. Read more about this year’s Big Top Tour and volunteering here.

Also on Thursday, Waterbury Rotary’s Concert in the Park is on with the band Moonbird playing at Rusty Parker Memorial Park from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Moonbird covers a range of musical genres from old-school artists like Aretha Franklin, Little Feat, and NRBQ to contemporary bands like Lake Street Dive and Melt. Read more about the weekly free concerts here.

And early in the day on Thursday, July 3, Waterbury Recreation hosts Dinoman for a free performance at Rusty Parker Park starting at 11 a.m. (weather permitting). This event is geared toward youngsters in elementary school and younger. Bring blankets, chairs.

July 3: Montpelier, Burlington

Burlington and Montpelier hold their Independence Day celebrations on July 3.

Burlington

Vermont’s largest Independence Day celebration happens in the state’s largest city. Burlington’s festivities take place at Waterfront Park between 5 and 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. The city has a webpage dedicated to the event with details on getting there by car, bike, boat and even train, entertainment, food vendors, and more. Live music this year will be from the bands Sambatucada (familiar to Waterbury from the River of Light Lantern Parade) and Jesse Ray Smith playing several sets.

Waterfront parking will be tight with long waits expected once the fireworks wrap up. The recommended option is parking at UVM’s Patrick Gym and taking a Green Mountain Transit shuttle bus for $2. Parking at Perkins Pier and Burlington’s North Beach and Oakledge parks is $3/hour ($12 max). Free bike valet parking is available at Waterfront Park, too.

The event’s website lists 15 food vendors with a wide variety of options from kabobs and cheesesteaks to creemees and cannoli. The fireworks and lights show is at 9:30 p.m. with Lake Champlain as the backdrop, of course. Find all the details online at btvjuly3.com.

Montpelier

Montpelier’s official celebration runs from 3 to about 10 p.m., but a variety of activities take place throughout the day on July 3. There’s free admission at the city swimming pool, 1-4 p.m. The annual reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous 1852 Independence Day speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall. Admission is free at the Vermont History Museum all day and the Montpelier Fire Department is open for folks to visit, check out the trucks and take photos (as long as they don’t need to respond to a call). Various restaurants and pubs have special events and host fireworks viewing as well.

At 3 p.m., the Food Truck Festival begins on the State House Lawn with more than 30 food trucks signed up this year serving until 9:30 p.m.

The annual Montpelier Mile Road Race is held at 6 p.m. That’s followed immediately by the holiday parade that begins at 6:15 p.m. at the Spring Street roundabout and travels down Main Street to State Street, ending at 133 State St. Dave Keller performs with Johnny Rawls at the State House, 7-9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.)

More details and a full schedule are online at montpelieralive.com/july3. Find details on free parking available in multiple state and city lots and a shuttle bus as well as street closure information under the heading Event Details & Logistics.

July 3-4-5: Williston

Williston celebrates Independence Day over three days this year. It begins on Thursday, July 3, with the annual Friends of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Book Sale, 4-6 p.m. at Williston Central School. Add in an Ice Cream Social and Town Band concert on the Village Green starting at 6:30 p.m. The book sale continues on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On the 4th, there’s the annual parade in the morning — starting at 10 a.m. on U.S. Route 2/Williston Road from Johnson Farm to Old Stage Road. Activities on the Village Green run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food and beverages, and booths from community organizations.

Morning/early afternoon open houses are planned at the Old Brick Church, the Stovepipe Corners Schoolhouse and the Williston Fire Department.

Evening activities from 6 to 9 p.m. include food and music by the Northern Comfort Band are at Village Community Park. Two free shuttles will run starting at 6:30 p.m. from multiple locations to the park. Fireworks are at the park around 9:20 p.m.

On Saturday, July 5, the Deb Beckett Memorial 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m., organized by the Williston/Richmond Rotary. On site registration is $30 for adults, $20 for runners age 16 and younger.

All of the celebration details and schedule are posted online on the Williston Recreation Department website.

July 4: Warren, Stowe, Richmond

Warren

This year marks Warren’s 75th Independence Day parade (in its 76th after skipping one during the COVID-19 pandemic). Warren town and Mad River Valley Rotary Club organizers have chosen the theme, “State of the Union,” this year and they posted this reminder to attendees: “Please remember that everyone is welcome to participate in the parade, regardless of political leanings – please be respectful. Freedom of Speech is still one of our inalienable rights.”

They promise a “wild, wacky, and wickedly fun parade, street dance, and family festivities.” Grand Marshals this year are local librarians.

As always, the parade begins with a cannon boom at 10 a.m. on Main Street, which closes at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

No registration is needed to participate in the parade. Those with floats or general entries should arrive at the south end of Main Street and organizers will facilitate the line-up.

Parking with free shuttle buses is available at Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush ski area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers ask attendees to leave dogs (and horses) at home. If dogs must come, be sure they are leashed and have water along for them.

*Warren July 4 parade file photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

The Buddy Badge tradition continues for $1 where parade-goers can seek and find another with the same badge number for prizes. Live music, food, dancing, and family-friendly activities will be held at Brooks Field at Warren Elementary School immediately following the parade into the afternoon. Alcohol is not allowed in the parade zone. Lawson’s will be serving beverages in the beer garden at Brooks Field post-parade.

Main Street reopens around 3 p.m.

The fireworks show at Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush should happen around 9:15 p.m. All are welcome and the show is free.

Check out the details online at madrivervalley.com/4th. In addition, Sugarbush has a full holiday weekend schedule, July 4-6, including free lift rides, live music, games and activities, even a snowgun mist machine for cooling off. Find those details and schedule online at sugarbush.com.

Stowe

While the main July 4 parade and festivities will take place in downtown Stowe and later at Mayo Field, the celebration begins with the 50th annual Moscow parade at 10 a.m. sharp, according to the Stowe Reporter. The quirky tradition lasts less than a half hour, so don’t be late. (Click the link for Gordon Miller’s moss-cow photo to see what it’s like.)

A little ways north on Main Street will be bustling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual “shortest marathon” in honor of U.S. Marine Lt. Ryan Casey happens on the rec path at 11 a.m. and the parade on Main Street starts at noon. The fun includes food vendors, activities and live music performances. Later in the day, the celebration continues at Mayo Fields starting at 6 p.m. with more food, music and hayrides and fireworks at dusk. More information is online at stowevibrancy.org.

*The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s summer tour is an annual tradition. Photo courtesy of the VSO*

NOTE on VSO in Stowe on Sunday: The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s final performance on its Summer of Love festival tour is scheduled for Sunday, July 6, in the Trapp Family Lodge meadow, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The rain location is Stowe High School.

According to the Flynn Center ticketing website, tickets for the indoor venue (should it be needed) are sold out. If the concert proceeds outdoors as planned, additional tickets will be available at the gate starting at 5:30 p.m. when it opens for picnicing. More information is online on the VSO website and the Flynn Center ticket site.

Richmond

Richmond’s July 4 celebration this year has the theme “Stars, Stripes & Heroes,” and everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favorite hero. The festivities begin with a Fun Run at 10:30 a.m. starting at Camels Hump Middle School and finishing at Volunteers Green. That’s immediately followed by the parade on Main Street at 10:35 a.m. A daylong schedule ends with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

In addition to food trucks, there’s a car show, games, raffles, a 1 p.m. Community Band concert and two serious karaoke competitions — one each for kids and adults. More live music follows, leading up to the fireworks finale.

For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page with individual event listings posted and the town website.

What’s on tap for Independence Day in reach of Waterbury