8 Great Spots to Watch Fireworks This 4th of July

8 Great Spots to Watch Fireworks This 4th of July

By Baya Voce
June 30, 2017

If you consider fireworks and hotdogs to be the greatest gifts, the Fourth of July is like Christmas in… uh… July. Tis the season to kick off your shoes, grab your cooler and watch some ’splosions!

The Average Joes of the world will go to a friend’s house, throw some snap pops and light a couple fountains. But for adventurers, for revelers, for true patriots, this just won’t cut it, so we’ve put a list together of the top 8 places to watch fireworks in Utah.

The Gateway (Salt Lake City)

Salt Lake City’s most iconic fireworks show, traditionally held in Sugar House, has found a new home. The rejuvenated Gateway will host 4th of July festivities from 4pm until fireworks go off around 10pm. Activities include yard games, a live art installation, food trucks, craft beer from Bohemian Brewery and cocktails from Five Wives Vodka, live music, DJs, and karaoke — so you can perform your own rousing rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Smith's Ballpark (Salt Lake City)

Head over to Smith’s Ballpark on July 4, 5 and 6 to cheer on your Bees as they face off against the El Paso Chihuahuas. After the game, and hopefully a Bees victory — they’ve already kind of won by not being named the Chihuahuas — hang around a little longer to enjoy the fireworks. What could be more American than baseball and fireworks? BYO apple pie. Tickets start at $12.

South Towne Promenade (Sandy)

If dad-friendly folk rock isn’t your bag, how about a full day in Sandy at the city’s annual event, with a 5k run, youth arts festival, parade, food and a spikeball tournament? Not enough? How about all-day entertainment headlined by a Metro Music Club concert and fireworks that night? Still not sure? IT’S FREE.

Stadium of Fire (Provo)

Check out the loudest fireworks show in the United States… in your backyard. Provo is known for a lot of things (their dirty soda being at the top of our list, but that’s neither here nor there), including their Stadium of Fire concert and fireworks show, which has garnered some serious attention nationwide as the loudest fireworks show in the U.S. (If you bring your kids, earplugs wouldn’t be the worst idea.) Country music star and 2019 ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will perform. Available tickets start at $45

Park City

The Fourth of July celebration in Park City lasts all day, can be as mellow or exciting as you want it to be, has a great parade that strolls right through Main Street. Park City just feels like it was made to host events like this, with great shopping and eating and lots of activities for the kiddos, too. Plus it’s usually 10 degrees cooler than the Wasatch Front.

Kanab

Kanab was kind enough to call their Independence Day celebration race a “Color Fun Run,” adding that “/fun” bit for those of us who may not love the competitive aspect of a race. Not only are Kanab’s parade and fireworks show amazing, but if you’re going to make a weekend out of it, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has some of the most stunning views and the cutest animals on the planet. People travel from all over the world to volunteer here, which you and your kids can do, too.

Moab

If spending the day exploring red rocks on the 4th sounds as good as an old-fashioned all-day community gathering at the park, try heading to Moab where you can do both. Their inaugural edition of Red Rock & Blues Bash will be held at Swanny City Park and will last all day so you can pop in and out between bikes and hikes — but make sure you’re back to watch fireworks against the insanely gorgeous Moab backdrop. Activities include an escape room, cornhole, prizes, henna tattoos, and a watermelon eating contest.

Brian Head

Another one where the destination is as big a draw as the festival, Brian Head is also likely to be the coolest party on this list all the way up there at 9,800 feet. A family-friendly day of music, food, activities and rusty-red/forest-green scenery.