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Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

Know Before You Go

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Everything you need to know before you join us on the Esplanade this Fourth of July!

  • Information on this page will be updated continually; please check back for new details regularly.

  • The Oval will open to the public at 12pm on July 4. Rehearsal on July 3 is closed to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is allowed and not allowed on the Esplanade?

To ensure the safety of all visitors to the Esplanade, the following rules will be strictly enforced for the concert and fireworks show on July 4. Unless noted below, no backpacks, shopping bags, or similar type containers may be carried onto the Esplanade, and all carried items are subject to inspection. Please note the regulation on bicycles.

Allowed Items

  • Pop-up tents/canopies with no sides – maximum size 10’x10’.
  • Blankets or tarps no bigger than 10’x 10’.
  • Folding/beach chairs only.
  • Coolers, which must be carried in by shoulder strap or single handle (no wheeled coolers).
  • All personal items must be carried in clear bags only.
  • After inspection, small clutch bags/purses may be taken into the venue with the clear bag.

Prohibited Items

  • No coolers on wheels.
  • No backpacks.
  • No firearms, weapons, sharp objects, or fireworks.
  • No glass containers.
  • No cans.
  • No pre-mixed beverages.
  • All liquids will be carried in sealed clear plastic containers not to exceed 2 liters in size.
  • No grilling, propane tanks, or open flames.
  • No alcoholic beverages.
  • No bicycles will be allowed through the checkpoints into the Oval or Island/Lagoon areas. Bicycles are allowed throughout the rest of the venue but must not be left unattended. Bicycles attached or locked to security fences, poles, or other structures may be subject to removal. No bicycles will be allowed through the checkpoints into the Oval or Island/Lagoon areas. Bicycles are allowed throughout the rest of the venue but must not be left unattended. (This measure is being enacted for public safety and crowd management in the event a speedy evacuation becomes necessary at the Esplanade.)

Boston is a city with so much to do and see! The links below will help you to plan your visit and provide valuable information on public transportation, hotels, and special attractions in the city.

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

DCR manages state parks and oversees more than 450,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts. It protects, promotes, and enhances the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR’s amazing forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and watersheds, visit mass.gov/dcr or find them on Twitter @MassDCR.

Greater Boston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (GBCVB)

The GBCVB is a visitor’s guide to Boston that includes information about area hotels and attractions. For more information, visit bostonusa.com.

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Your official guide to tourism in Massachusetts. For more information, visit visitma.com

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

A complete guide to Boston’s public transportation system. For more information, visit mbta.com. After 9:30pm on July 4 the MBTA will be free.

Community Boating

Enjoy the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular from the docks or sailboats at Community Boating, the nation’s oldest public sailing program, located just steps from the Hatch Shell. Each year, their annual Fourth of July fundraiser welcomes families to a summer cookout, DJ broadcast of the Pops concert, and an unobstructed waterfront view of the fireworks. For tickets and more information, visit community-boating.org.