Celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks, food, music and patriotic remembrances across the Valley.

7/1-4: Hero Appreciation at Wet ‘n’ Wild

For four days, the state’s largest water park is giving free single-day admission to veterans, active-duty military members and first responders (active-duty police, fire and EMT). Up to six immediate family members may also receive half-price admission. A fireworks show will take place Monday night for no extra charge.

Details: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 1; 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 2; 10 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, July 3; 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Free for veterans, active-duty military and first responders; $21.50 each for up to six family members. $39.99 regular admission; $29.99 for seniors 65 and over and children under 42 inches; free for children 2 and under. Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix, 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. 623-201-2000, wetnwildphoenix.com.

7/1-4: Independence Day Pool Party Weekend

Party poolside at Lustre Rooftop Bar at Hotel Palomar Phoenix. Saturday through Tuesday, attendees will enjoy live music, guest DJs, vodka tastings, drink specials, and a special grill menu including grilled shrimp skewers and Kobe beef sliders.

Details: Pool opens 11 a.m., Saturday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 4. Located at Cityscape, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. One block from Washington St./Central Ave. Station on Valley Metro Rail. Free and open to the public. 480-478-1707, lustrerooftopbar.com.

7/1: Red, White & Rawhide Fireworks Spectacular

Rawhide Western Town and Event Center is celebrating Independence Day with water slides, bounce houses, live music, stunt shows, a special food menu at its steakhouse, and, of course, fireworks.

Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, July 1. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Indian Community. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Family pack for $60 includes four tickets. Kids 5 and under are free. Parking is $10. 480-502-5600, rawhide.com.

7/1: Patriotic Arizona Diamondbacks Game

The Diamondbacks will be playing the Colorado Rockies in a special patriotic game. The team will be giving away 20,000 patriotic T-shirts to fans and have special themed concessions, including a red, white and blue churro dog. All players and staff will wear patriotic uniforms, and the gear worn in the game will be sold later to benefit the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. A fireworks show will follow the game.

Details: Gates open at 5 p.m., game starts at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Close to Third St./Jefferson St. Station on Valley Metro Rail. Tickets start at $19 and range up to $180 for clubhouse boxes. 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

7/1: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Movie at the Splash Pad

Visit Camino a Lago Park & Splash Pad for an evening showing of “Beauty and the Beast.” You’re welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and pets for this movie in the park adjacent to Sunrise Mountain Branch Library. There is also a wagon contest with prizes and a parade at 7:15 p.m. Arrive early to snag a good seat. There will also be food trucks, a DJ, face painting, balloon animals, character visits and kids activities. Show off your favorite red, white & blue outfit or enter in the parade of wagons. 

Details: 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Camino a Lago Park, 21111 N. 98th Ave., Peoria. Free, with small costs for food, face painting and balloon artist. Email [email protected] by June 25 to enter the wagon parade. eventbrite.com.

7/2: Star Spangled Sunday

Highlands Church in Scottsdale is conducting a special evening service with a focus on thankfulness and prayer for the country. After the service, there will be picnic food, games, bounce houses, water slides, and ice cream. At 8:30 p.m., the church will put on a 15-minute fireworks show.

Details: 6 to 8:45 p.m. Sunday, July 2. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. Free admission. 480-348-9191, highlandschurch.org.

7/3: Celebrate America! at Lake Pleasant

Watch fireworks lakeside at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina. Bring lawn chairs and coolers and claim a spot early. A kids area will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with bounce houses and water slides. There will be a DJ during that time and live music at 7 p.m. until fireworks launch at 9 p.m. from Vista Point. Pleasant Harbor is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Pleasant, about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

Details: 3-11 p.m. Monday, July 3. 8708 W. Harbor Blvd., Peoria. Free activities, $15 parking. 928-501-5253, pleasantharbor.com.

7/3: Third of July Fireworks Bash

Harold’s Corral in Cave Creek is celebrating the nation’s birthday one day early with a barbecue, face painting, shaved ice, and a mobile game truck. The barbecue starts at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks begin after dark.

Details: 5 p.m. Monday, July 3. 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. Free admission and open seating; pay for reserved seating, food, and activities. 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com.

7/3: Anthem Independence Day Celebration

The 18th annual Anthem Independence Day event will include music, dancing, and activities. For kids, there will amusement rides, inflatables, and water rides. Food vendors will be on hand — plus a beer garden — and you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages for a picnic. The city expects about 20,000 attendees, and fireworks will launch at 9:30 p.m.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Monday, July 3. Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. Free, but wristband purchase is required for rides. Wristbands available for $12 early-bird price in June at Anthem Community Center, or $15 at the event. onlineatanthem.com/independence-day-celebration.

7/4: Hometown Fireworks Celebration in Apache Junction

Apache Junction is holding an all-day celebration starting with a co-ed sand volleyball tournament at 8 a.m. at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center. The center will allow for open swim throughout the day, with games and races until 2 p.m. At 6 p.m. gates to the Apache Junction High School field will open, allowing access to bounce houses, water slides, games, booths and vendors. There will be free watermelon and live music, as well as a bicycle and wagon decorating contest for kids with a Fourth of July theme at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Details: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Volleyball and swim at 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction. Games, booths, and fireworks at Davis Field at Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction. Free admission, except $1.50 per child and $2.50 per adult to swim. 480-474-5207, ajcity.net.

7/4: Scottsdale Fourth of July

In WestWorld’s 300,000-square-foot air-conditioned complex, visitors will find a wide range of activities for all ages. There will be a BMX show, meet-and-greets with Disney princesses and comic book characters, a stunt dogs show, bull riding rodeo, pony rides, and petting zoo in a Kids Zone. Ride wristband buyers get access to multiple amusement slides, carnival rides, obstacle courses, and a small ferris wheel. There are separate rides tailored for children ages 5 and under. Fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m.

Details: 3-9:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Free for ages 5 and under; Scottsdale residents $6 general admission, purchased in advance; all other general admission $12 in advance; kids VIP $15, adult VIP $25. $20 parking for fireworks show. Ride wristbands $5 for each child age 5 and under, $20 for the first child above age 5, and $10 for additional children above age 5. Family pack for $100 includes 2 adult VIP tickets, 2 kid VIP tickets, and 2 ride wristbands. 866-977-6849, scottsdale4th.com.

7/4: Tolleson’s Independence Day Celebration

Tolleson is holding a free event at Veterans Park with water slides, food and craft vendors, and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. There will be family contests such as a water balloon toss, marshmallow-eating contest, and hot dog-eating contest.

Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4. 8601 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson. Free. 623-474-4992, tollesonaz.org.

7/4: Schnepf Farms Fourth of July

Schnepf Farms is set to deliver more than just fireworks and food at this year’s celebration. Amusement rides, waterslides, and hayrides across the festival grounds will entertain during the day, while a DJ and light show keep the celebration going at night. Food includes watermelon, funnel cake, pie, wings, burgers, and hot dogs. Festival-goers can end the evening with a showing of “Free Willy” after the 8:30 p.m. fireworks. A VIP experience is available for an additional fee and includes a barbecue dinner in an air-conditioned barn, an unlimited-ride wristband, bottled water, and premier seats for fireworks. A portion of all proceeds goes to Queen Creek Performing Arts Center.

Details: 4-10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 24610 South Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $20 per carload; $12 unlimited ride wristbands; $40 VIP tickets, or $25 VIP tickets for ages 3 to 8. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.

7/4: Westgate Fireworks Fest

Westgate Entertainment District will have a free and family-friendly fest featuring two music stages, an open-air beer garden (from which 25 percent of sales benefit the nonprofit 100 Club of Arizona) and grab-and-go dinner deals from at least 14 restaurants. Fountain Park will feature a splash pad, face painting, music, games and prizes. At WaterDance Plaza, local musicians will perform rock, alternative, country and pop music. After a 9 p.m. fireworks show, festivities will continue at the district’s late-night bars. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, and parking in all lots around the district is free.

Details: 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Loop 101 and Glendale Ave., Glendale. Free. 623-385-7502, westgateaz.com/america.

7/4: All-American Festival in Peoria

Celebrate the nation’s birthday at the All-American Festival at the Peoria Sports Complex. The event features family-friendly activities like a water zone, a kids zone, eating contests, a cornhole tournament, live entertainment and more. Fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. $7 per person until June 29, $10 per person afterward; free for ages 12 and under. 623-773-8700, peoriasportscomplex.com.

7/4: Tempe Town Lake Festival

Kiwanis Club of Tempe will present its annual Independence Day festival at Tempe Beach Park. The event includes inflatables, food, and a beer garden, plus live music and performances. The 66th annual Fireworks Spectacular will begin at around 9:15 p.m. and is choreographed to music, including patriotic, pop and country selections. Tempe buses and Orbit lines will run on modified routes and schedules after 5 p.m. to connect riders to this event and Valley Metro Rail.

Details: Gates open 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. $5 general admission. VIP admission is $30 for ages 5 to 12, $60 for ages 13 and up, and includes seating in a misted area, a meal, and two drinks. 480-350-5189, tempe4th.com.

7/4: July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular 

Chandler is celebrating American heritage with a good ol’ fashioned fireworks show at Tumbleweed Park. Along with food and other vendors, the event will feature performances by a DJ and live musicians, including Blaine Long, who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” For kids, the event will have laser tag, inflatables, a video game truck, and a trackless train. There will also be food trucks and a beer garden.

Details: 5-10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. Free admission, $5 parking per vehicle. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov.

7/4: Old Fashioned Independence Day in Buckeye

At the city of Buckeye’s event, there will be free watermelon, a kids zone with water bounce houses, and food vendors with buffalo burgers, tacos, ice cream, and shaved ice, among other things. Local musician Shari Rowe will perform at 7 p.m. on the stage, and a fireworks show will start at 9 p.m.

Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Youngker High School, 3000 S. Apache Road, Buckeye. Free, but the water bounce houses cost a small fee. buckeyeaz.gov/events. 

7/4: Fourth of July baseball and celebration in Surprise

It doesn’t get any more American then summer and baseball. At 4:30 p.m. at Surprise Stadium, the Rookie League Kansas City Royals will play the Texas Rangers at this 34th annual Independence Day celebration. There will be an in-game contest and prize giveaways. Across the street at the Surprise Aquatic Center, up to 400 Surprise residents can play games, swim, enjoy food concessions and get a poolside view of the city’s fireworks show at about 8:30 p.m.

Details: Baseball at 5:30 p.m., swimming at 6 p.m.,Tuesday, July 4. Surprise Recreation Campus, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free admission to baseball game with canned food donation; event is limited to the first 10,000 attendees. Tickets to swimming event are $6, open only to residents of Surprise; limited to 400 attendees. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov.

7/4: Fabulous Phoenix Fourth

The 32nd annual event annually attracts more than 100,000 participants and will feature one of the largest fireworks displays in the Southwest. This free family event will have two stages of local entertainers, a variety of vendors offering food and beverages, arts and crafts, interactive exhibits, a classic car display and plenty of fun activities for kids, including rides, inflatables, and a water spray zone.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Steele Indian School Park, Third Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix. Located near Central Avenue/Indian School Road Station on Valley Metro Rail. Free. 602-534-3378, phoenix.gov/parks.

7/4: Fourth at the Fountain

Head to Fountain Hills on the Fourth of July to celebrate the nation’s birthday in style. There will be bounce houses for kids, a rock climbing wall, food vendors including Italian ice and lemonade, and a majestic fireworks display at 9 p.m. You can also bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to have holiday food of your own.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. 480-816-5100, experiencefountainhills.org.

7/4: Great American Fourth at Maricopa

The skies over Maricopa will glow with rockets’ red glare at this annual Independence Day celebration. Food vendors, entertainment and a kids’ water zone will keep families busy until the fireworks start shortly after 9 p.m. Before the display, check out the presentation of colors by an Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss City of Maricopa and Miss City of Maricopa’s Outstanding Teen, and the national anthem.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Copper Sky Regional Park, 44345 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa. Free; $5 unlimited ride wristbands. 520-586-9098, maricopa-az.gov.

7/4: Star Spangled Fourth in Goodyear

The city of Goodyear’s annual event includes live music by the Groove Merchants, inflatable water slides and bounce houses, cornhole games, a hot dog-eating contest, prizes, giveaways, and more. Attendees can join a contest where they put on “battle balls” — large human-sized plastic balls — and bump into each other for sport. The event concludes with a 20-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Details: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. Free admission; $10 unlimited-ride wristband, $5 for 3 ride tickets. 623-882-3120, goodyearbp.com.

7/4: Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Mesa’s celebration includes a memorial to Arizona’s fallen soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, a showcase of military vehicles, and an arts and culture showcase of patriotic crafts and displays. A Revolutionary War re-enactment will take place at 6:45 p.m., and a naturalization ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. At America’s Heritage Lane and Independence Hall, you can take a civics quiz, walk through models of national monuments and see historical figures, and watch a flag presentation. A kids zone will have carnival games and inflatables. There will also be a splash zone and a fire truck spraying water, and a tailgate zone with music and games. Enjoy food and drink booths, as well as live performances on multiple music stages, including army bands. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Mesa Amphitheater and Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between Second Street and University Drive. Located within walking distance of Center St./Main St. Station on Valley Metro Rail. Free. azcelebrationoffreedom.org. 

7/4: Fourth of Zooly

The Phoenix Zoo hosts an evening of family fun in honor of Independence Day. In addition to a catered barbecue dinner, guests can enjoy free carousel rides, an inflatable bounce house and slide, special animal appearances and live entertainment. At 9 p.m., head to the back of the zoo to view the Tempe Town Lake Fireworks Spectacular. Beer and wine can be purchased at dinner and during the fireworks show. Seating is provided, but high chairs and booster seats are not.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $45 general admission; $35 for children ages 3 to 12; free for children 2 and under. Reservations required. 602-273-1341, phoenixzoo.org.

7/5-8: $4 for the Fourth

Visit Phoenix’s 1,500-year-old prehistoric Hohokam archaeological site to get a feel for life in the Salt River Valley hundreds of years ago. Following Independence Day, the Pueblo Grande Museum is offering discounted admission of $4 for adults and seniors. The museum is a Local First Arizona member.

Details: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 5 to Saturday, July 8. 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Accessible from 44th St./Washington St. Station on Valley Metro Rail. $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 17, free for ages 5 and under. 602-495-0901, pueblogrande.com.

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