Fourth of July celebrations, event schedules for Columbus, central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Independence Day parades and Fourth of July fireworks will celebrate the United States on Friday, July 4, with patriotic family events in Columbus and beyond.

See a detailed list and event schedules below:

Columbus 4th of July celebrations

National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 West Broad Street in Columbus on July 4
• NVMM will be open on Friday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate Independence Day. Visitors are invited to join in a day filled with engaging activities and patriotic spirit.

• Events will include an educational flag activity, a special “Red, White, & Blue Elephant Toothpaste” launch in collaboration with COSI and a guided tour with NVMM President retired Army Col. Bill Butler, who will offer his insights into the museum’s mission and exhibits.

42nd Annual Doo Dah Parade
Goodale Park, Victorian Village, and Short North Arts District on July 4
• Watch or march in the craziest parade in history. The parade starts at 1 p.m., with the lineup beginning at noon on Park Street. No entry fee or pre-registration, just show up. Parade with, the 2025 Less-Than-Grand Marshal: Marshal Marshall, NBC4's Colleen Marshall.

• Parade Route: West on Buttles from Park Street, South on Dennison, West on Collins, North on Neil Avenue, East on Second Avenue, South on High Street to end at Russell. Marchers will go west on Russell and cars will continue South on High.

• Free block party in Goodale Park at the Gazebo, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free live music before and after the 1 p.m. Doo Dah Parade.

Central Ohio 4th of July celebrations

Bexley 4th of July celebration

Capital University’s Main Street lawn on July 4
• All evening celebrations and festivities are on Capital University’s Main Street lawn. Residents and guests are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transportation to the event.

Event schedule:
8 a.m. — John Barr 5K
9:30 a.m. — Parade
6 p.m. — Evening activities
10 p.m. — Fireworks

Delaware 4th of July celebration

Ohio Wesleyan University on July 4
• Delaware’s fireworks show will launch from the city’s Cherry Street property, with ideal viewing areas along Henry Street and the OWU athletic fields.

Event schedule:
11 a.m. — July 4 Parade
The parade will step off from the Delaware County Fairgrounds’ main gate on Pennsylvania Avenue, proceed down Sandusky Street through downtown, to Wilmer Street and conclude at South Henry Street. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early for the best viewing spots. More information.
7:30 p.m. — Central Ohio Symphony Concert
The Symphony’s much-anticipated outdoor performance returns to the Ohio Wesleyan University campus, on the Phillips Glen lawn west of Selby Stadium. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets. More information.
10 p.m. — Fireworks Finale
Delaware’s dazzling fireworks show will launch from the City's Cherry Street property, with ideal viewing areas along Henry Street and the OWU athletic fields.

Dublin 4th of July celebration

Dublin Coffman High School on July 4
• Celebrate Independence Day with an evening of live music featuring rock legends Kansas and 38 Special and a spectacular fireworks display. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the fireworks show begins at 9:50 p.m.

Event schedule:
4:30 p.m. — Gates Open
4:45 p.m. — Dublin Cornet Band
6:15 p.m. — Kansas
8:15 p.m. — 38 Special
9:45 p.m. — National Anthem
9:50 p.m. — Fireworks

Grove City 4th of July celebration

Murfin Fields, Haughn Road, on July 4
• The fireworks display, launched from Murfin Fields, begins at 8:45 p.m. Visitors can listen to simulcast music on Qfm96, WLVQ-96.3. Using a radio is recommended as streaming from a device results in a 30-second delay. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome at the event.

Hilliard 4th of July celebration

Roger Reynolds Municipal Park on July 4
• A free annual event at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park that celebrates Independence Day with nationally known artists, food trucks, games for kids and a fireworks show at dusk. 

Event schedule:
Noon to 4 p.m. — HFAC Pool Hours
3 p.m. to 11 p.m. — Food trucks
5 p.m. to 9 p.m., wristband sales begin at 4 p.m. — SuperGames Activities
6 p.m. to 11 p.m. — Shuttle service
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Chalk artist
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Roaming stilt walkers
~5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Alan Carl Band
~6:45 to 7:45 p.m. — Dillon Carmichael
~8:20 to 9:30 p.m. — Gabby Barrett
9:45 p.m. — National Anthem performed by Maria Lippoli
Dusk, approximately 9:45 p.m. — Fireworks

Lancaster-Fairfield County 4th of July celebration

Fairfield County Fairgrounds on July 4
• A day-long event with a parade, craft show, music and fireworks.

Event schedule:
Parade and downtown
8:30 a.m. — Parade lineup begins, Fairfield County Fairgrounds
10 a.m. — Parade Begins. Route: starts at the Columbus Street Gate of the Fairgrounds, south to Main Street, east to Broad Street, north back to the Fairgrounds

Fairfield County Fairgrounds
Noon to 10 p.m. — Amusement rides. Fun for all ages, with food vendors and arts & crafts booths
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — DJ Mike O’Riley. Music, fun and games at the Fair Office Stage
8 p.m. (approx.) — Evening entertainment, Justice 3:16 live performance at the Fair Office Stage
10 p.m. — National Anthem and fireworks, Carrie Peters performs the National Anthem

New Albany 4th of July celebration

New Albany Middle School on July 4
• Instead of a festival, the city of New Albany has announced its parade will be bigger and better than ever for the community. This will be followed later in the day by a fireworks display beginning at approximately 10 p.m. The best view of the show is from Rose Run Park and the New Albany Plain Local School Campus.

Event schedule:
7:45 a.m. — New Albany Independence Day 5K
11 a.m. — Independence Day Parade “Too Fly for the 4th of July” theme
• Special guests: Uncle Sam and his flock of eagles
• Live performances: bagpipers and interactive entertainers
• Amazing Giants entertainment, featuring: stilt walkers, a patriotic juggler, a patriotic penny-farthing cyclist, a bald eagle roller skater, Lollipop Lyra aerialist
10 p.m. — Fireworks display

Pickerington 4th of July celebration

Downtown Pickerington on July 4
• The parade route is approximately two miles in length: north on Lockville Road past Victory Park, west on Columbus Street through Olde Pickerington Village, south on Hill Road, ending at Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School.

Event schedule:
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. — Parade lineup along Opportunity Way
10 a.m. — July 4 parade through Olde Pickerington Village

Plain City 4th of July celebration

Pastime Park on July 4
• Prepare for a day filled with activities, live music, food, and fireworks. Fireworks will start promptly at 9:45 p.m. 

Event schedule:
8:30 a.m. — Parade lineup begins in Pastime Park
10 a.m. — Parade begins. Heading out the north entrance, down Chillicothe Street, turning right on Main Street and back into the park's south entrance.
9:45 p.m. — Fireworks display

Reynoldsburg 4th of July celebration

Downtown Reynoldsburg on July 4
• Annual parade to celebrate America’s freedoms. The parade begins at the intersection of Rosehill Road and Main Street, traveling down Main Street to Haft Drive and ends in Huber Park.

Event schedule:
10 a.m. — Parade begins

Sunbury 4th of July celebration

Big Walnut Middle School on July 4
• The Independence Day celebration includes food trucks, a kids zone and fireworks at dusk.

Event schedule:
10 a.m. — Independence Day parade, Sunbury Square
Dusk — Independence evening celebration, fireworks, Big Walnut Middle School

Upper Arlington 4th of July celebration

Northam Park on July 4
• The city’s Independence Day celebrations include a parade and Party in the Park, a perfect place to view the fireworks.

Event schedule:
9 a.m. to noon — Parade, Northwest Boulevard starting at Kingsdale
5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — UACA Party in the Park, Northam Park
10 p.m. — Fireworks Northam Park

Westerville 4th of July celebration

Westerville Sports Complex on July 4
• Residents are invited to make an evening of their Independence Day celebration at the Westerville Sports Complex, from 5 p.m. through the fireworks. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, enjoy the concert and food trucks from 5 to 10 p.m., then stick around for the fireworks.

Event schedule:
7:45 a.m. — Vets 5K & Kids Fun Run
10:30 a.m. — State Street Parade
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Free concert and food trucks
10 p.m. — Westerville fireworks

Worthington 4th of July celebration

McConnell Arts Center and Thomas Worthington High School stadium on July 4
• Worthington's Independence Day celebration includes the Rotary Family Picnic and fireworks. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy food, music, inflatable games and much more. The festivities continue until approximately 9 p.m. Neighbors can bring their own food or purchase from a variety of food trucks or hot off the grill.

• Seating at the stadium will be in the grandstands, with extremely limited seating on the field. All spectators need to enter the grandstands through the gates. The field will be closed when it reaches the designated capacity. 

Event schedule:
6 p.m. — Family Picnic, front lawn of the McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street
10 p.m. — Fireworks