Where to see fireworks and celebrate the Fourth of July in Seattle and the Eastside

It’s the United States’ birthday, and the party is on at Seafair Summer Fourth, Bellevue Family 4th, and many other celebrations around the region Monday, July 4.

Seafair Summer Fourth festivities open at noon at Gas Works Park, with music on the Main Stage from 12:30 to 9 p.m., games from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m. and the big fireworks show at 10:20 p.m. Monday. Food vendors and food trucks will offer salmon, burgers, barbecue, fried chicken, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, ice cream and more, and there’s beer and beverage gardens for ages 21 and older. Bringing in your own food is fine, but no personal barbecues, alcohol or glass bottles are allowed. Weapons, drones and pets are also prohibited. Small, transparent tents are permitted until dusk, but no full-sized tents or tent staking is allowed in the park.

Fireworks at Seafair Summer Fourth — with new equipment to match the fireworks more precisely to the music — are accompanied by a soundtrack of songs about flight, stars and exploration to celebrate Boeing’s Centennial. More than 10,000 pounds of colorful fireworks launch up to 1,000 feet in the air from a barge the size of a football field for the 20-minute pyrotechnic show.

Admission to Seafair Summer Fourth is free, with reserved seating available while supplies last. There’s no parking at Gas Works Park on Monday, and parking in the neighborhood is very limited. If you aren’t within viewing distance of the big show, KIRO 7 TV broadcasts the fireworks show live, starting at 9 p.m. Monday.

The biggest Independence Day party on the Eastside is Bellevue Family 4th, the 25th year of the event at Bellevue Downtown Park. Bellevue Parks Family Fun Zone interactive play area with entertainment and inflatable rides and the International Food Court open at 2 p.m., and Main Stage entertainment starts at 3:45 p.m. Monday. The big fireworks show at 10:05 p.m. is synchronized to music by Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, also performing before and after the fireworks.

Free parking is available after 6 p.m. at The Bellevue Collection (Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place), with limited free parking available at City Hall visitors lot, 450 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. Dogs and other pets aren’t allowed in Downtown Park after 2 p.m., and barbecues, camp stoves and other cooking devices are prohibited. Tents, canopies or other shelters are prohibited after 8 p.m. at the event.

Have fun, be safe and have a happy Fourth!