It’s the Fourth of July and whether you have your gaze set to “A” Mountain or over in Marana, you’ll see the same scene play out: Fireworks that start with a boom then fade to a crack and pop before leaving a brilliant glitter trail in the night sky.
But we know you can’t be all over the city and, frankly, even if you have 20-20 vision, you won’t be able to see everything going boom in the night.
So we have compiled this handy list organized by area of town to help you plan out your 2019 Fourth of July viewing parties. Events are on Thursday, July 4.
Tucson
Fireworks on "A" Mountain
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the firework show at the "A" Mountain Fireworks Celebration. There will be food vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream, entertainment and a nighttime spectacular. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.
When: Thursday, July 4, 7:15-10 p.m.
Where: Watch the fireworks for free from parking lot B (off Cushing Street between Granada and Church Avenue) or parking lot C (off Granada between Broadway Boulevard and Cushing Street) at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. TCC has a great parking lot map, check it out here.
Cost: Event is free and open to the public.
Pro tip: Leave your car near the streetcar route, away from the TCC. Take the streetcar to the TCC and park your lawn chair there. The line of cars is real after the fireworks and you don't want to get stuck in it.
4th Annual Diamonds in the Sky Celebration
See some baseball, listen to music, see the fireworks, win door prizes, $1 hot dogs and plenty of activities for kids and much more. The 30-minute fireworks show begins after the game.
Get your general admission tickets from the Kino Administrative Offices at 2500 E. Ajo Way or the Guest Services window inside the stadium. Tickets available June 10 at Cactus Bowl, Pizza Hut restaurants and Food City stores. Free parking if you buy tickets before July 4, $5 parking at the door.
When: Thursday, July 4, 5-9:30 p.m.
Where: Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
Cost: $4 per person, ages 5 and under are free.
More information here.
Fourth of July Party at Sonoran Glass
Celebrate Independence Day with a BBQ, glass demos, workshops, water balloon fights and a view of the fireworks on "A" Mountain.
BBQ is 6-9 p.m. Food is $12 and admission is $5 at the door. When you pre-order online before June 29 you get both admission and food for only $15 per plate. The balloon fight starts at 6 p.m. with soda and cookies for the kiddies inside the shop. See a live demo at 7:30 p.m. and don't forget the glass workshops that range from $15-$25.
When: Thursday, July 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Sonoran Glass School, 633 W. 18th St.
Cost: $5 admission for adults, kids under 12 are free. Workshops and BBQ are an additional cost.
More information here.
Fourth of July at Hotel McCoy
Enjoy the fireworks poolside at the McCoy. You can book a room or not, but parking is for hotel guests only. So, have you Uber and Lyft apps ready! If you book a room, each reservation includes your choice of a bottle of wine or a craft beer and free breakfast in the morning.
When: Thursday, July 4, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road
Cost: Free or to book a room call 844-782-9622
More information here.
Food in the Streets, Lights in the Sky
Beat the crowd and watch the fireworks at the MSA Annex. You will get a perfect view of "A" mountain fireworks, live music in the courtyard and food trucks set up along Avenida Del Convento.
When: Thursday, July 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost: Free
More information here.
ORO VALLEY
Oro Valley July 4 Celebration
Your kids and your wallet are going to love this. This free event at James D. Kriegh Park features a beer garden and plenty of activities for kids, like face painting, jumping castles, bubble balls, obstacle courses and more. Adults can enjoy live music and domestic/craft beer and wine. If you get hungry, buy from any of the 20 plus food trucks on site. The fireworks start at approximately 9 p.m. and are right over the park.
When: Thursday, July 4, 5-9:30 p.m.
Where: James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia
Cost: Event is free and open to the public.
More information here.
Swimming at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center
Stay cool on the July 4 with a splash pad and waterslide at a discounted price. There will be games and prizes for the children.
When: Thursday, July 4, 5-8:30 p.m.
Where: Oro Valley Aquatic Center, 23 W. Calle Concordia
Cost: $1 for children and $3 for adults. Resident or non-resident welcome.
More information here.
MARANA
Star Spangled Spectacular
The Star Spangled Spectacular is a can't-miss. There will be live music, food trucks, inflatables, a beer garden for the adults and some awesome fireworks. The fireworks show starts at approximately 9 p.m.
When: Thursday, July 4, 5-9:30 p.m.
Where: Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Rd.
Cost: Event is free and open to the public. Clear bag rule applies for this event with the exception of diaper bags. All bags subject to a check before entering the park.
More information here.
SAHUARITA
Red, White and Boom
Enjoy a performance by the Rhythm Edition Band, face painters, bouncers, walking performers, a ferris wheel, rock wall and 10 food trucks. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
When: Thursday, July 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd.
Cost: Event is free and open to the public.
More information here.
Whatever Floats Your Boat Competition
Whatever Floats Your Boat is a competition where participants bring their homemade boat or raft and race it on the lake. Does your boat have what it takes? Races start at 6:30 p.m.
When: Thursday, July 4, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd.
Cost: Event and boat registration is free. Register here.
More information here.
SIERRA VISTA
Fourth of July Celebration
Visit Sierra Vista for the a full day of July 4 festivities. Enjoy fireworks, music, chili cook-off, arts and craft vendors and more. Watch the Pets & People Promenade at Ramada No. 3 at Veterans Memorial Park from 7-9 a.m.
When: Thursday, July 4, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Veteran's Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
More information here.
SERVICES AFFECTED BY JULY 4TH HOLIDAY
Transit services
Transit services will see some changes for the Fourth of July holiday.
Sun Tran routes 1 through 99, in addition to the Sun Link streetcar and Sun Van, will run on a Sunday schedule, according to a San Tran press release.
However, streetcar hours will be extended until 11 p.m. for the 9:15 p.m. firework show on "A" Mountain. The streetcar will run every 15 minutes between 6 and 11 p.m. For the streetcar route and other information, visit sunlinkstreetcar.com.
Sun Express routes 101X-204X will not be in operation. The Sun Shuttle fixed-route service and the Sahuarita/Green Valley Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride will also be out of service for the holiday.
Sun Shuttle's ADA Dial-a-Ride service provided by Discount Cab and Oro Valley's Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride will both offer service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for ADA-qualified passengers only.
Customer service will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun Van's Reservation Center will be open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Special Services Office and the Sun Tran Administrative Office will both be closed.
Regular routes and hours will resume on July 5. For any further information, visit suntran.com or call 792-9222.
Also, parking will be free at three University of Arizona garages — Tyndall Garage, Main Gate Square Garage and Highland Garage.
City garbage, recycling
The city of Tucson's garbage and recycling collection services Thursday will be delayed by one day, as will collections the rest of the week. For information, call Environmental Services at 791-3171 or go to tucsonaz.gov/esd COUNTY GARBAGE, RECYCLING
All county landfills and transfer stations are closed Thursday. That includes the Ajo and Sahuarita landfills, and the Ryan Airfield and Catalina transfer stations. For information, call 6237300. For recycling or waste collection in Pima County, check with your collection company to confirm its holiday schedule. Waste Management collection Thursday and the rest of the week will be delayed by one day. For information, call 7442600.
Pima County Library
Libraries closed Thursday.
Other services
City, county, state and federal offices will be closed.
Post offices
Closed Thursday.
Banks
Most closed Thursday. Call yours to confirm.
School districts, University of Arizona, Pima Community College
Closed Thursday.
Motor Vehicle Division
Offices closed Thursday.
Emissions
Test stations closed.
