Ocean county fireworks guide 2026: where to watch america's 250th july 4th celebrations

From Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach to Toms River and Long Beach Island, dozens of fireworks displays are scheduled across Ocean County over the next three weeks.

Ocean County residents and visitors will have no shortage of opportunities to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday with fireworks, concerts, food trucks, drone shows, and community festivals.

Events are scheduled throughout the county beginning Friday with Manchester Day and continuing through July 11, with displays planned at beaches, parks, boardwalks, schools, and waterfront venues.

Fireworks before and during Fourth of July weekend

Berkeley Township will kick off its annual fireworks celebration Tuesday, July 1, at Veterans Park in Bayville. Fireworks are scheduled to begin around 9 p.m. following a concert.

Barnegat’s fireworks celebration is set for July 2 at Barnegat High School, with festivities beginning at 5 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 10.

Advertisement: toms river township summer concert series

Brick Township will host fireworks following the Summerfest Concert on July 2 at Windward Beach Park. Ocean County Parks will also hold a Patriotic Concert and Drone Show at 7:30 p.m. July 2 at 1198 Bandon Road in Toms River.

Lacey Township’s annual celebration is scheduled for July 3 at Lacey Township High School. Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks expected at approximately 9:15 p.m. A rain date has been set for July 10.

Lakehurst will host fireworks at dusk on July 3 at Lake Horicon. In Jackson Township, Six Flags Great Adventure will present fireworks shows at 9:30 p.m. on both July 3 and July 4.

Long Beach Island and Shore destinations

Surf City’s fireworks display is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 3 at Bay Beach off 17th Street.

Beach Haven will host its annual July 4 fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. along the Taylor Avenue Bayfront. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.

Tuckerton’s fireworks show is planned for dusk on July 4 at Lake Pohatcong, weather permitting. If needed, the rain date is July 5.

Seaside Heights will light up the sky at 9:30 p.m. July 4 along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, while Point Pleasant Beach will hold its display at 9:30 p.m. July 5 at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.

Lavallette’s fireworks and concert celebration is scheduled for 8 p.m. July 5 at the Lavallette Gazebo and Bayfront.

Additional celebrations continue after the holiday

Manchester Day will be held June 27 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Harry Wright Lake and will include fireworks as part of the festivities.

Toms River will host a special America’s 250th celebration June 30 and another fireworks display July 7 following the township’s Summer Concert Series at Shelter Cove. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Lakewood will feature fireworks following Jersey Shore BlueClaws games on July 3 and July 4 at ShoreTown Ballpark. The township will also host a Fireworks and Drone Light Show at 9 p.m. July 5 at Lake Carasaljo.

New Egypt’s Celebrate America’s 250th event is scheduled for July 4 and July 5 beginning at noon at Laurita Winery, featuring food trucks and fireworks. Plumsted Township’s Red, White & Boom celebration will take place July 11 at New Egypt High School, with festivities beginning at 5 p.m.

Johnson Memorial Park in Jackson will host a Fireworks & Food Trucks event on July 11 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to check with local organizers before attending events, as schedules may change due to weather conditions.

Key Points

• Fireworks displays are scheduled across Ocean County from June 27 through July 11.
• Popular events include Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Beach Haven, Toms River, Brick Township, and Six Flags Great Adventure.
• Several communities have announced rain dates, and all events remain weather permitting.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.