4th of July Fireworks, Parades & Events in the Brainerd Lakes Area

Check out our list of 4th of July fireworks, parades, and events in the Brainerd Lakes Area! Find events and activities all weekend long.

Photo collage of Fouth of July events showing fireworks and people having fun in the summer and dressed up patriotically

Where to Watch Fireworks in the Brainerd Lakes Area

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023

  • Crosslake Fireworks Show on Cross Lake. Show starts at approximately 10 p.m. Learn More >

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023

  • Bay Lake Fireworks show near Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort. Show starts at dusk.  Learn More >

MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023

  • Nisswa Fireworks Show located downtown. Show starts at approximately 10:15 p.m. Learn More >

  • Pequot Lakes Fireworks Show located downtown. Show starts at dusk. Learn More >

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

  • Gull Lake Area Fireworks Show on Gull Lake. Show starts at approximately 10:00 p.m. Learn More >

  • Brainerd Fireworks Show located at Don Adamson Field. Show starts at approximately 10:15 p.m. Learn More >

  • Cuyuna Area Fireworks Show on Serpent Lake. Show starts at dusk. Learn More >
Fireworks high in the sky during dusk over a lake with boats in the water in the distance with a dock and shore in the foreground copy
Fireworks show at Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort.
Fireworks at night behind the Pequot Lakes Bobber water tower
Fireworks at Stars & Stripes Days in Pequot Lakes.
Fireworks at night behind a huge statue of a water serpant in Crosby copy
Fireworks show in Crosby.

4th Of July Parades in the Brainerd Lakes Area

MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023

  • Freedom Days Parade, downtown Nisswa. Begins at 7:00 p.m. Learn More >

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023

  • Stars & Stripes Days Parade, downtown Pequot Lakes. Begins at 12:00 p.m. Learn More >

  • 4th of July Parade, downtown Brainerd. Begins at 6:00 p.m. Learn More >

Aerial photo of Pequot Lakes during Stars & Stripes Days parade with hundreds of people lining the streets of Downtown
Stars & Stripes Days in Pequot Lakes.
4th of July Parade photo of two girls watching a fire truck drive by
Brainerd 4th of July Parade.
Two girls waving American flags in a crowd of people Fourth of July Parade
Brainerd 4th of July Parade.

All 4th Of July Events & Festivities

Brainerd Events

  • SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023
    Arts in the Park: Hundreds of local artists and vendors gather in Gregory Park  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the area’s leading arts fair of the summer.

  • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023
    4th of July Parade: The 4th of July Parade is near downtown Brainerd and the Brainerd High School (see parade route map) on July 4 at 6:00 p.m. Live music starting at 8:00 p.m. at Lyman P. White Park Amphitheater (see map). Family relays starting at 8:00 p.m. at Don Adamson Field (Brainerd High School football field). Fireworks at 10:15 p.m. at Don Adamson Field.

  • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023
    Madden’s and Cragun’s on Gull Lake partner to provide fireworks starting around 10:00 p.m. The general public can watch from the East Gull Lake airport, the Madden’s driving range on County Road 77, or by boat on the south end of Gull Lake.

  • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023
    Celebrate Independence Day with Gull Lake Cruises’ 4th of July Fireworks cruise! A 2.5 hour cruise from Cragun’s to watch the Madden’s and Cragun’s fireworks display from Gull Lake. Boarding begins at 8:15 with the fireworks starting around 10:25 p.m. Cruise is open to the public, but tickets and space is limited.

Crosslake Events

  • July 1: Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye
    A 10k and 5k run/walk and kids sunfish dash are fun for the whole family! The event begins at the Crosslake Community Center on Saturday with race day registration starting at 7:00 a.m. Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome. Proceeds help walleye habitat improvement. 
  • SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023
    This is the 53rd year the community of Crosslake has been Celebrating America’s Freedom with Fireworks! Watch the display from the shores of Cross Lake or by boat on the water. Fireworks are launched from Sand Island at dusk (around 10:00 p.m.). Tune in to Skeeter 101.5 for music choreographed to the display! The new National Loon Center docks at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area will be a good viewing spot. Space is limited.

Cuyuna Area Events

  • SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023
    Enjoy spectacular fireworks on Bay Lake near Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort. See the show from the shores of Ruttger’s or from the waters of Bay Lake. Grab a bite to eat before the fireworks at Ruttger’s. Open to the public. Show starts at dusk.  (July 3 is the rain date.)

  • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023
    Head to Crosby for a 4th of July Celebration with a parade starting at 11:00 a.m. After the parade, you’ll find Crosby Memorial Park full of food vendors, live music, entertainment, kids’ games, and activities for all ages. Crosby Memorial Park is also a great spot to watch the fireworks over Serpent Lake. Display starts around dusk.

Nisswa Events

  • MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023
    Come to downtown Nisswa to celebrate Freedom Days! You’ll find activities, like turtle races, water wars, live music, and food vendors. Freedom Days parade begins at 7:00 p.m. on Nisswa’s Main Street. Fireworks start at dusk (around 10:15 p.m).

Pequot Lakes Events

  • MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023
    Celebrate America’s independence in Pequot Lakes at Stars & Stripes Days. Many activities and events are happening near Trailside Park beginning at 5:00 p.m. You’ll find food vendors, kids’ bungee trampoline and bounce house, beer garden, bean bag toss tournament, and live music. Be sure to stay for the fireworks show, which starts at dusk. Best viewing locations: Trailside Park, Pequot Lakes School, and TDS parking lot.

  • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023
    Begin the day with a pancake breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Activities are happening all day at Trailside Park: craft fair, food vendors, beer garden, pie eating contest, kiddie parade, and Stars & Stripes parade at noon—events you don’t want to miss!
Photo of man playing on stage next to the edge of a lake at sunset on a summer day at Ernies On Gull
Photo Courtesy Ernie's On Gull Lake.

Live Music

If you’re looking for live music, the following places have live music throughout the summer!

You’ll find there are a lot of things to do and events happening in the next few weeks! Check out our full events calendar.

Get Social

Most Popular

Explore More

Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Like this post? Share it now:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Scroll to Top