Waltham's Annual Independence Day Celebrations!

The City of Waltham, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass State Police, and Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy are pleased to announce this year’s Independence Day Celebrations on Sunday, June 28th, 2026! 

As with previous years, fireworks will be set off from a barge set up in the Charles River near Moody Street Bridge. The fireworks will begin at dusk on Sunday, June 28th. The Moody Street Bridge (139 Moody Street at the Riverwalk to Moody/Pine Streets) will be closed to vehicular traffic and open to pedestrian traffic only starting at 4PM on Sunday, June 28th. 

Potential viewing areas for the Fireworks Display:

• Moody Street Bridge – premier viewing area
• Waltham Common – Carter Street side & the Moody Street side
• Riverwalk – Southbound portion of the Riverwalk near Margarita’s (access to the Riverwalk from Prospect Street & from the Northbound entrance on Moody Street by the stone wall will be denied)
• McDevitt School Field – Church Street side of the McDevitt School offers a distant view point
• Crescent Street Municipal Lot
• Walnut Street Municipal Lot
• Fitch School
• Church Street Municipal Lot
• Landry Park – Close to the stone wall near the waterfall
   

Additional things to make note of:

• There will be no events at Prospect Hill Park this year and no additional events scheduled from Monday, June 28th - Sunday, July 5th.
• The Charles River will be INACCESSIBLE to recreational boaters between the bridges on Prospect Street & Moody Street on Sunday, June 28th from 10am-10pm.
• Moody Street bridge, Landry Park, and the Riverwalk @ Moody Street will be closed from 3:30pm-5pm to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and will open to pedestrian traffic ONLY at 4pm.
• See: Municipal Parking Map
• The rain date for fireworks is Monday, June 29th
• Various food vendors will be on site. Any vendors or solicitors require a permit from the City Clerk's Office.
• No contraband or weapons will be allowed. No public drinking allowed. It is strongly recommended that backpacks, coolers and glass containers are not carried for security purposes. Officers will be on detail in uniform as well as plain clothes to ensure a safe and orderly event. 
• Due to the large noise associated with fireworks, it is recommended you leave your pets at home.
• Handicap parking will be available in the parking lot adjacent to the Embassy Parking lot.
• A designated "drop-off" area will be available in the Carter Street parking lot.
• The rain date for fireworks will be Monday, June 29th.
• Waltham Police and Fire details will be on site.
• There will be no affect to MBTA Bus service.

For additional information please contact the Mayor’s Office at 781-314-3100.