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

Events, Things To Do

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

By Explore Brainerd Lakes

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

Where to Watch Fireworks in the Brainerd Lakes Area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024

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 >

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024

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 >

FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2024

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

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2024

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

4th Of July Parades in the Brainerd Lakes Area

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024

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

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024

4th of July Celebration Parade, downtown Crosby. Begins at 11 a.m. Learn More >
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 >

All 4th Of July Events & Festivities

Brainerd Events

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
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.
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
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 (Brainerd High School football field).
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
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.
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
Celebrate Independence Day with Gull Lake Cruises’ 4^th 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

SATURDAY, JULY 6: 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 6, 2024
This is the 54th 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! If viewing from shore, the best spot is the eastern shore of Cross Lake at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area.

Cuyuna Area Events

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
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, beer garden, 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.
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2024
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 6 is the rain date.)

Nisswa Events

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024
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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024
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. New this year is a loon calling contest. Be sure to stay for the fireworks show, which starts at dusk. Best viewing locations: Trailside Park, Pequot Lakes School, and TDS parking lot.
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
Begin the day with a pancake breakfast from 7:00–11:00 a.m. Activities are happening all day at Trailside Park: craft fair, food vendors, beer garden, pie eating contest, and kiddie parade. And, of course, the bobber-themed Stars & Stripes parade at 12:00 p.m. The Unicycling Unicorn will do two shows (11:00 a.m. and also immediately following the parade) in front of MN Traders.

Live Music

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

Ernie’s on Gull, The Quarterdeck Grill, Roundhouse Brewery, Jack Pine Brewery, Big Axe Brewery, 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co., Snarky Loon, Dockside at Breezy Point Resort, Moonlite Bay, Zorbaz, Sherwood North, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort, Ox Lake Tavern
Music in the Square: Saturdays at Crosslake’s Legacy Gardens in Town Square starting at 6 p.m.
Bands in the Park: Saturdays at Trailside Park in Pequot Lakes starting at 7 p.m.
Music in the Park: The first and third Thursday of June and August at Crosby Memorial Park starting at 5 p.m. This year, July will be the second and third Thursday because of the July 4 holiday.

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.

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Explore Brainerd Lakes

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