Watch dazzling fireworks displays across Pennsylvania on and around the Fourth of July.

As the birthplace of the United States, you might expect Pennsylvania to go all out to celebrate the country’s birthday — and you’d be correct! The Keystone State is host to hundreds of fireworks displays on and around Independence Day, whether we’re talking about the huge fireworks show in Philadelphia or community-run fireworks shows in Pa.’s small towns.

Most fireworks displays are on July 4, but many are in the days leading up to the holiday, or even after, meaning you can see multiple displays! Or, if you live in an area with a number of displays on the same night? Head to a high point to watch multiple fireworks shows explode all around you.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite fireworks displays in Pa. — but you’re of course not limited to our picks. Where else can you see fireworks light up the sky?

The best fireworks in southeastern Pa.

Wawa Welcome America – Philadelphia

Dates: June 19 – July 4

It should be no surprise that Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebration is one of the biggest in the country. After all, the Constitution was signed in the city — roughly 237 years ago!

The Wawa Welcome America Festival is a major city celebration, its schedule beginning weeks before its main event on the Fourth of July. The festival features a veritable cornucopia of free, family-friendly activities, such as live music, free museum days, and of course, a giant fireworks show.

While other festival events also include fireworks — e.g., Kidchella Music Festival and the Black Music Month 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert — the biggest fireworks can be seen on July 4, after hit artists Ne-Yo and Kesha wow the audience. You can watch the fireworks up close on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or you can catch the show from numerous sites around the city, like Fairmount Park or even a rooftop bar.

Conshohocken Fireworks Display – Conshohocken

Date: July 3

The fireworks show hosted by the borough of Conshohocken is even sweeter because the Montgomery County community rallied together to save the fireworks display when budget problems threatened its future in 2009 and 2010. This year, the annual Conshohocken Fireworks Display takes place at dusk on July 3 in Sutcliffe Park. So that anyone in the borough is able to see the fireworks, the fireworks show is even bigger than it used to be.

Easton Heritage Day – Easton

Date: July 7

You can watch fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July, and then you can double dip and watch fireworks for Easton Heritage Day!

The festival takes place three days after Independence Day and marks the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Easton, as the town was one of the first places the Declaration was publicly read. Heritage Day has live music, food and craft vendors, and of course, a reenactment of the reading of the Declaration. After sunset at Hackett Park, a fantastic fireworks display caps off the day!

The best fireworks in western Pa.

City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration

Date: July 4

The highlight of the City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration is the fireworks show that ends the evening. The celebration across downtown Pittsburgh has live music, food and drink vendors, and activities for the kids, but this is all a warm-up for the 25-minute fireworks show that will light up the Pittsburgh skyline soon after sunset on July 4. Plus, fireworks fans can tune in to 100.1 FM KDKA for a specially curated soundtrack to the light show.

Lights Over Lake Erie

Date: July 3

Catch Erie’s bayfront fireworks show, Lights Over Lake Erie, the day before Independence Day. The fireworks will be launched from the landmark Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing, with excellent viewing locations in Erie all along Presque Isle Bay.

You can even spend the day enjoying the water around the peninsula that’s home to Presque Isle State Park and then watch the fireworks show from the state park itself.

The best fireworks in NEPA

Fireworks Celebration – Honesdale

Date: July 1

Northeastern Pa.’s Honesdale will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks set off atop Irving Cliff, which sits above the small town. Honesdale’s Firework Display takes place at dusk on July 1. You can watch the show from Central Park Honesdale, which will also host live music. 

Let Freedom Ring Celebration and Carnival – Bushkill

Date: July 3 – 6

Poconos Park is hosting an Independence Day carnival between July 3 and July 6, with fireworks lighting up the sky above the Pocono Mountains on the last day! The Let Freedom Ring festival will have classic carnival rides like a Ferris wheel, activities like face painting, as well as live music, food and drink, and even a pie-eating contest.

The celebration is free to enter but you’ll pay to experience the carnival rides. Be sure to catch the fireworks just after sunset on Saturday, July 6.

The best fireworks in central Pa.

Central PA 4th Fest – State College

Date: July 4

State College doesn’t hold back for its firework display, which costs roughly $4,000 a minute for the 45-minute show (we’ll let you do the math). But Central PA 4th Fest is even more than its massive fireworks show, with a parade, car show, BMX show, and of course, lots of food and art vendors.

The festival will be held around minor league baseball’s Medlar Field; you can purchase tickets to the festival, including seats within the baseball field for watching the fireworks show. Tickets include free cake and hot dogs!

July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks – Harrisburg

Date: July 4

Hosted on Riverfront Park, the July 4th Food Truck Festival & Fireworks is one of the largest fireworks shows in central Pa. Plus, you can grab a bite to eat from more than 40 food trucks, enjoy a beer and wine garden, and sway to live music. The fireworks show, which starts around 9:15 p.m., can be viewed for miles along the Susquehanna River.

Gettysburg Forth Independence Day Celebration – Gettysburg

Date: July 4

In this town central to U.S. history, you can head to Gettysburg Recreational Park for the 4th Annual Gettysburg Forth Independence Day Celebration. There will be live music, food trucks, and of course, a fireworks show to close out the evening.