20 Fourth of July DC-area celebrations away from the National Mall

You don鈥檛 have to brave the crowds on the National Mall to find Fourth of July fireworks, parades and patriotic fun in the D.C. area.

Across the region, there are a variety of events worth attending to celebrate Independence Day, with everything from watermelon festivals and hot dog eating contests to live music, food trucks and other family-friendly activities.

Whether you鈥檙e looking for a small-town parade, a waterfront party, a suburban fireworks show or a full day of historic programming, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Here are some Fourth of July events happening in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Where to celebrate Fourth of July in DC proper

The Palisades Community Association has organized a Fourth of July parade and this year is no different. The is celebrating Independence Day with a parade along MacArthur Boulevard NW, between Whitehaven Parkway and Edmunds Place. The mid-morning event includes marching groups, musicians, dancers and more. Stick around afterwards for a picnic with live music and face painting.

Another parade to anticipate is in the . For its 23rd year, the Capitol Hill Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. at 8th St. SE. Following the parade is the鈥嬧€嬧€� Barracks Row Main Street’s Watermelon Festival. For this inaugural event, expect live watermelon sculpture carving, live music, a cannoli eating contest and local vendors.

has a July Fourth block party planned with over 15 live DJs, a hot dog eating contest and several 鈥減op-up experiences鈥� throughout the event. Fireworks are also planned. This event is for those ages 21 and over with tickets costing approximately $23 for early bird tickets or $28 for general admission at the gate.

For more live music, hosts its 鈥淔ourth at The Wharf鈥� event. Several country music artists and bands are expected to perform across multiple stages, with a fireworks show at the end.

Where to celebrate Fourth of July in Northern Virginia

On Thursday, a few days before Independence Day, is offering fun for the whole family at their patriotic celebration. The schedule includes live music and kids entertainment with food trucks also available.

For those looking to celebrate a day early on Friday, , is hosting the 鈥淐ivic Jam鈥� event. Festivities include a beer garden, a mechanical bull, axe-throwing, a bounce house and food vendors. There are no fireworks at this event.

The , is hosting their annual fireworks show alongside a family-friendly carnival-style midway. The 鈥淩ed, White & Boom鈥� event includes live music, food trucks, mini golf and 鈥渟pecial guests.鈥� General parking passes cost $35 for one spot and will raise to $40 on the day of.

In the historic downtown area of , locals and tourists can celebrate the nation with a variety of food and craft vendors and one of the largest fireworks displays in Northern Virginia.

Bready Park in , is hosting the town鈥檚 Independence Day celebration. The day promises live music, family-friendly crafts and games, plus a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

For a parade, consider spending the day in the downtown area of . Starting at 10 a.m., a patriotic parade is being held on King Street from Ida Lee Dr. to Fairfax St.

About a 35-minute drive from D.C., , has a full day鈥檚 worth of events for celebrating the Fourth of July. There is a Little Patriots Parade where babies through kindergartners can dress up in patriotic attire and walk or be pulled in a 鈥渞ide鈥� around the Village Centre Green. The main parade starts thereafter on Columbine St., alongside the July 4th 250 Car Show. Later, the July 4th 250 Festival features food trucks a hot dog eating contest and a reading of the 鈥淒eclaration of Independence.鈥�

While tickets to the at Mount Vernon are sold out, guests still have the chance to get tickets to a where there are patriotic events, historic demonstrations and daytime fireworks planned. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $16 for youth.

Where to celebrate Fourth of July in Maryland

, is organizing two events to celebrate Independence Day. The day before, on Friday, the 鈥�250th: Shine Together鈥� event at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington features live music performances. On Saturday, the County is planning its Fourth of July party at South Germantown Recreational Park in Boyds with live bands set to perform. For this event, attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers, but alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted

鈥檚 Minor League Baseball team, The Chesapeake Baysox, are planning an Independence Day celebration at Prince George’s Stadium. Here, attendees can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities and a fireworks display. Tickets cost $15 for adults or $10 for children. Diamond View access is also available for $20 and includes entry to a climate-controlled restaurant with food available 脿 la carte.

For an early morning Independence Day parade, head to . The event starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Carroll Ave. and Ethan Allen Ave. Later in the evening, guests can enjoy a street party with live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and family-friendly activities.

In , there are a variety of Independence Day activities planned, but on the Fourth, attendees can enjoy bike parades, a main parade in Downtown Annapolis, a food festival and, finally, fireworks over Spa Creek.

For those in , Saturday鈥檚 events include food trucks and two music performances with a fireworks display at dusk.

The Fourth of July festivities planned at , include a reading of the 鈥淒eclaration of Independence,鈥� live musical performances and art activities. Fireworks will conclude the evening.

In , those looking for holiday fun can head to Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm for spectator viewing of live music and a 20-minute fireworks display.

Folks can also spend the day at , to celebrate the Fourth of July with live music, family-friendly activities, outdoor movies and 鈥減atriotic entertainment.鈥� There are no fireworks at this event.

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