Ahh, summertime — when fried food on a stick, sparklers, unicycling clowns and giant explosions in the sky all just feel, well, right.
Small town festivals are often the place to enjoy these simple pleasures, and around the Fourth of July, they’re just about everywhere.
Whether you live in Northern Minnesota or you're visiting for holiday fun, look no further than our huge list of fireworks and parades for Independence Day 2025.
You'll find fireworks maps of each region of the Northland and links to more information on what you'll find at local celebrations. Find the right fit for you and your friends or family.
Or if you're feeling adventurous, why not plan a few road trips? What’s more Up North summer than finding your groove in a pie-eating contest, keeping the kids entertained with a bouncy house, enjoying live music, admiring waving princesses and cuddling up for a late-night red, white and boom show?
Table of Contents |
North-Central
Brainerd
- Fireworks: 10:15 p.m. July 4 on Don Adamson Field at Brainerd High School. Map here
- Parade: 6 p.m. July 4 on Laurel Street and East River Road
Crosby
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 at Crosby Memorial Park over Serpent Lake
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4 on Main Street
Crosslake
- Fireworks: At dusk July 5 over Cross Lake on the Whitefish Chain. Tune in to Skeeter 101.5 FM Radio to hear choreographed music
Deerwood
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 near Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort. Watch from Ruttger’s or Bay Lake
East Gull Lake
- Fireworks: 10:00 p.m. July 4 over Madden’s Resorts. The public can watch from the East Gull Lake airport, Madden’s driving range on County Road 77 or by boat on the south end of Gull Lake
Longville
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 over Girl Lake
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4 on Main Street
McGrath
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4
Music
KAXE is proud to present the 5th annual Grand Rapids Riverfest lineup to you: Courtney Barnett, Margo Price, Jeremie Albino and Alan Sparhawk!
McGregor
- Fireworks: 10:15 p.m. July 4 Floe Island, Big Sandy Lake
Nisswa
- Fireworks: At dusk (about 10:15 p.m.) July 3 at Nisswa Community Center
- Parade: 7 p.m. July 3 on Main Street
Pequot Lakes
- Fireworks: At dusk July 3 at Pequot Lakes High School
- Parade: Noon on July 4, beginning at west side of high school
Walker
- Fireworks: 10 p.m.(ish) July 4 on Walker Bay of Leech Lake
- Parade: 1 p.m. July 4 on Main Street
Northeast
Aurora
- Fireworks: 10 p.m. July 3
- Parade: 5:30 p.m. July 3 from Fourth Avenue to Main Street
Biwabik
- Parades: Patriotic Parade, 9:30 a.m. July 4; Calithumpian Parade 6 p.m. July 4
Cloquet
- Fireworks: Around 10:20 p.m. July 4 over the St. Louis River. Rain date is July 5. Viewing from Veterans Park recommended
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4 down Cloquet Avenue from 18th Street to Eighth Street. U.S. Navy marching in the parade, and a military flyover will kick things off
Duluth
- Fireworks: 10 p.m. July 4 at Bayfront Festival Park. Gates open 1:30 p.m.
Ely
- Fireworks: At dusk, about 10 p.m,. July 4 over Miners Lake
- Parade: 1 p.m. July 4, starting at Fourth Avenue and Harvey Street, going up to Chapman Street on Fourth Avenue, taking a left on Chapman to Second Avenue East, then down Sheridan Street, turning right onto Eight Avenue and ending at Whiteside Park
More from KAXE
Eveleth
- Fireworks: 10:15 p.m. July 3
- Parade: 9:30 a.m. July 4
Gilbert
- Fireworks: 9:30/10 p.m. July 3
- Parade: 7:30 p.m. July 3
Grand Marais
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 over Grand Marais Harbor
Grand Portage
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino
Grand Rapids
- Fireworks: 10 p.m. July 4 at Pokegama Golf Course. Additional parking at Essentia Health, 1542 Golf Course Road. Shuttles will run from Essentia Health to the golf course 8-10 p.m., returning immediately following the show
Hill City
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4, set off of Hill Lake
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4
International Falls
- Fireworks: International Falls fireworks at 10:15 p.m. July 4 at the FHS Track Field
- Parade: 1 p.m. July 4 on Third Street
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Events this week include Karaoke for a Cause in Grand Rapids, Pride Month in the Park in Brainerd, Lake Bemidji State Park pint night and kids' fishing day in Marcell.
Keewatin
- Fireworks: At dusk July 5
- Parade: 1:30 p.m. July 4
Moose Lake
- Fireworks: 10 p.m./dusk July 4, visible from Moose Lake City Park
- Parade: 10 a.m. July 4 , flyover scheduled during the parade
Nashwauk
- Fireworks: At dusk July 3
- Parade: Noon July 4
Orr
- Fireworks: At dusk July 3 over Orr Bay
- Children’s Parade: noon July 3
Side Lake
- Parade: 10 a.m. July 4
Silver Bay
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4
Tofte
- Fireworks: 10 p.m. July 4 at the Tofte Town Park. July 5 rain date
- Parade: 1 p.m. July 4 down Tofte Park Road
Dozens of Northern Minnesota farmers markets make fresh produce and other homemade products available direct to consumers. Find a farmers market near you using KAXE's map.
Tower
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4
Two Harbors
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4
Virginia
- Fireworks: 10:15 p.m., July 4 over Silver Lake
Northwest
Bemidji
- Fireworks: At dusk July 2 over Lake Bemidji
- Parade: 1 p.m. July 6
Detroit Lakes
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 over City Beach
East Grand Forks
- Fireworks: 10:30 p.m. July 4 at South Middle School in Grand Forks
Fosston
- Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. July 5. Watch from the Fosston Sports Complex or the Elementary Yard
- Parade: 10:30 a.m. July 5. Parade route
Laporte
- Fireworks: At dusk, 10 p.m., June 28 in downtown Laporte
- Parade: 3 p.m. June 28
Mahnomen
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 at Shooting Star Casino
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KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Stella Standingbear, Annie Humphrey, Thomas X, GB Leighton and The Jorgensons, the Virginia Sisters, Between Howls and more.
Park Rapids
- Fireworks: Dusk July 4 in Heartland Park
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 4 starting on Fair Avenue near the main entrance of the Hubbard County Fairgrounds, Second Street to Main Avenue to Eighth Street to Fair Avenue. Map here
Red Lake
- Fireworks: 11 p.m. July 5 at the Red Lake Pow Wow Grounds
- Parade: 11 a.m. July 5
Thief River Falls
- Fireworks: July 4 at Seven Clans Casino
Warroad
- Fireworks: At dusk July 4 at The Point
- Parade: 4 p.m. July 4 from Main Avenue to Lake Street
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Andrew Dziengel/KAXEAfter the major storm in Bemidji on June 21, 2025, organizations like United Way of Bemidji Area have stepped up to help. Executive Director Denae Alamano talked about the effort. -
Charlie Mitchell/KAXEDuring the week of June 24, 2025, kids from St. Louis Park to Mesabi tell us why they love being outside. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
contributed/Severn HousePulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bryan Gruley’s new mystery, "Bitterfrost," tells the story of a small northern Michigan hockey town filled with secrets and intrigue. -
Plus: A Guinness World Record was attempted in Grand Rapids Saturday.
