City prepares to welcome thousands Downtown for fireworks spectacular

- June 29, 2026

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – On Saturday, Grand Rapids will welcome thousands of visitors Downtown for its annual Grand Rapids Fireworks, presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in celebration of Independence Day and our nation’s 250th birthday. In advance of crowds gathering for the spectacular display, the City of Grand Rapids is issuing tips for navigating Downtown and enjoying the fireworks with family, friends and neighbors.

The July 4 spectacular, which promises to be an amazing experience for families across West Michigan, is free and open to the public.  Riverbank Events and Media, home of the Amway River Bank Run and Gentex Santa Parade is coordinating the live entertainment which kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Amway Hotel Employee parking lot located on the corner of Fulton Street and Market Avenue (51 Market Ave SW). The viewing area includes the Meijer family fun zone, food vendors and vendor exhibits. The family activities continue until 10:30 p.m. and the start of the fireworks display. 

With the work beginning on the river restoration project and Ah-Nab-Awan Park being closed, a new launch location needed to be selected. Amway Hotel Corporation kindly stepped up and offered their employee parking area as a viewing and family fun location. The office of Special Events, Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments all worked together to ensure we could celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

4th of July Celebration event (complete rules on 4thofjulygr.com):

Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) downtown ambassadors will be available to offer visitors directions and information about events, places to eat or other assistance. To request assistance, dial (616) 250-8263 to reach the ambassador on duty.  Everyone has a role in ensuring this is a safe and enjoyable experience for all who attend.  Please note the following guidelines for enjoying the festivities:

  • No alcohol allowed at this family-friendly event – this includes social district cups.
  • Leave large coolers and bags at home. All coolers and bags are subject to search by security and the Grand Rapids Police Department.
  • No pets are allowed in the Market and Fulton, Lyon Square, Pearl Street Bridge, Bridge Street Bridge, Blue Bridge, 6th Street Bridge, 51 Market Ave SW viewing areas.
  • Bikes, scooters, skateboards, mega/blow horns, smoking or glass bottles are not allowed in the above-mentioned areas.
  • No fireworks or sparklers allowed on any public property, sidewalks or streets. This includes in Market and Fulton, Pearl Street Bridge, Bridge Street Bridge, Blue Bridge, 6th Street Bridge, 51 Market Ave SW viewing areas.
  • No weapons (pocket knives, firearms, etc.)
  • No solicitation or unpermitted vending

Plan your July 4 visit.

Road/Bridge Closures:

    • All access to the Fulton Street Bridge, between Market and Mount Vernon, closes at 9 a.m.
    • Pearl Street NW bridge close at 8:25 p.m.
    • The 131 Pearl Street exit (NB and SB) closes at 8 p.m.
    • Market Ave will be closed between Fulton and Bartlett Street, with limited traffic allowed between Bartlett and Wealthy.

Parking: There is ample accessible parking in all City ramps and lots and available parking throughout downtown Grand Rapids. Street parking meters are enforced 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Signs are posted on meters that are enforced after 7 p.m. or on Saturdays. Most of these can be found along Monroe Center. Visitors should check out the Interactive Visitor Parking Map outlining parking locations. Mobile GR’s parking locations and customer assistance center are open 24/7. Please be aware of no parking and loading zone signs. Don’t store valuables in parked vehicles.

Micromobility options: The City of Grand Rapids’ Lime e-scooter and e-bike share options downtown will shut down on downtown streets at the following times:

    • Fulton Street from Market to Seward: 9 a.m. to Midnight
    • Pearl Street from Monroe to Front: 3 p.m. to Midnight
    • Monroe/Market Street from Pearl to Oakes: 3 p.m. to Midnight

Scooter/bicycle safety tips:

    • E-scooters and e-bikes are available only for those 18 years old and older.
    • Don’t ride on sidewalks or in no riding zone areas. Always ride WITH other traffic
    • Obey the rules of the road as any other vehicle operator, including all traffic signs, lane markings and signals, and use hand signals to indicate turns, slowing or stopping
    • Wear bicycle helmets and reflective clothing
    • Ride predictably and defensively, and do not ride while drunk, impaired or distracted
    • Always yield to pedestrians

Safety in crowds:

  • Be patient and courteous. With thousands expected within a relatively confined space, please be courteous of fellow attendees, make room for those arriving to view the fireworks, and be patient of pedestrians and fellow-commuters traveling to and from the event in walkways, parking areas and roadways.
  • Stay Alert. Be aware of your surroundings and others around you. Don’t be distracted by your phone or by listening to headphones. Avoid walking alone. Try to walk in a groups whenever possible. Don’t carry/display valuables.
  • If you see something, say something. Please call 911 if you see suspicious activity or behavior that is out of the ordinary or threatening. Tell the dispatcher your location, what happened, if anyone is injured, and any other information you may have. GRPD will have additional officers on patrol and officers assigned specifically to the park and viewing areas if you need assistance.

Reminders:

Curfew

Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, Grand Rapids ordinances prohibit minors from being on a public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of:

    • 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. – Minors under 12
    • 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. – Minors under 15
    • Midnight to 6 a.m. – Minors under 17

Consumer-grade fireworks usage

    • State law prohibits igniting fireworks on public streets, public sidewalks, parks, churches, schools or public rights of way.
    • To maintain a peaceful and secure environment, the City's fireworks ordinance specifies the permitted times and dates for setting off fireworks throughout the year. For the Independence Day holiday, consumer-grade fireworks are permitted 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. June 29 to July 4.

 

# # #

Back to News Search