Independence Day is the summer’s anchoring point for a lot of us.
The weather turns up, life slows down, and a million different traditions from all around the country make the 4th of July a weird and wonderful opportunity to bring communities together.
As event organizers, it’s our responsibility to throw an event that gets attendees in the mood to celebrate big. But standing out isn’t a case of not knowing what to do — it’s about finding unique party ideas, games, and activities that spark excitement and make your event unforgettable.
Here at Eventbrite, we love a good 4th of July bash — which is why we support event organizers nationwide to create and organize unique Independence Day celebrations every single year.
Read on to get 4th of July party activities for large-scale events, family-friendly 4th of July party games, 4th of July party ideas for catering, and more.
Why host a 4th of July party?
If you’re looking to host a holiday-themed event with a huge built-in audience, you can’t do much better than the 4th of July.
Over half of Americans say they love to celebrate Independence Day, and it’s an excellent opportunity to build your events around a sense of community and patriotism. You can’t go wrong if you’re considering throwing 4th of July party games and activities with classics like fireworks.
Spending on 4th of July fireworks hit an all-time high in the last few years. In fact, consumer spending on 4th of July celebrations is increasing in most verticals.
Translation: 4th of July parties are a great business opportunity with fantastic revenue potential for event organizers. You’ve just got to come up with some amazing event ideas to create a cool experience for your guests — and guess what? We’ve done that for you!
Fun 4th of July activities that’ll make your party special
Most of us have been to a neighborhood BBQ or a get-together for 4th of July activities, so we have a good idea of what makes this holiday unique. It’s something like having a cold beer in hand, enjoying the intimacy of celebrating with friends, and basking in the moment right before fireworks light up the night sky.
But how do you bring that same energy to an event for 100+ attendees?
The best way to do it is by incorporating activities or event themes that elevate the experience. Think classic fireworks, but giving it a “4th of July” twist that keeps the celebration fresh, while maintaining the relaxed vibe that makes the day so memorable.
Here are some of our favorite 4th of July activities to get you started.
1. 4th of July of 5k
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Consider organizing a 5k — and then make it totally “4th of July-ified.”
First, choose a fitness activity that doesn’t have much competition in your area but will still draw attendees, such as a half-marathon, boating, biking, or even hiking events. Then, encourage attendees to come dressed in their American-best.
But, make it clear that you don’t just want to see painted faces in the crowd, but people dressed in oversized red, white, and blue flags that double as capes, glittery star-shaped glasses, and fun accessories like giant foam fingers — in other words, the “tackier,” the better.
You can even host a hybrid event, allowing interested participants to race together or on their own time and wrap up with an online awards ceremony.
💡Pro tip: During your planning, consider partnering with a local nonprofit and donating some of your proceeds to an American-born charity that focuses on helping our fellow Americans, such as AmericansAll.
2. Independence Day fireworks display
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Put on a fireworks show after the event to stick to the Independence Day theme.
Take all the necessary safety precautions before your fireworks show. You’ll need enough outdoor space for a large group to gather at a safe distance, and your staging ground needs to be far away from any trees, buildings, or powerlines.
3. 4th of July concert
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No party is complete without music, right?
Live music creates a sense of community and brings people together at an event. A concert works for both indoor and outdoor venues, and it’s a brilliant icebreaker to get your party guests up and moving.
You can even combine live DJs with bands to create multiple musical experiences like DARRON WHEELER ENTERTAINMENT LLC has lined up for THE PINK Affair Breast Cancer Event 4th of July Weekend. It’s a great way to cater to different tastes and keep the party going after the band finishes their set.
💡Pro tip: Want to open your concert to a wider audience? Turn it into a hybrid event by livestreaming the show online.
4. Flag football tournament
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Flag football is an inclusive way to have summer fun on Independence Day. To keep things fair, when your attendees register for your event, include a small questionnaire asking about their skill level, then split your attendees into teams before game day based on a mix of skill levels and team sizes.
You can even set up your outdoor space with multiple fields to stage a tournament between different teams — perhaps finishing the final with a fireworks finale.
5. Patriotic costume contest
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Everybody loves an excuse to dress up. Don’t believe us? Just last year, we found that 41% of 21- to 35-year-olds enjoy wearing themed outfits to events with friends. And guess what? A costume contest is one of the greatest 4th of July party ideas.
You’ve got loads of choices, too. You could encourage guests to go colonial and dress up like Revolutionary War soldiers or the Founding Fathers, heroes from across American history, pop culture icons, superheroes like Captain America, and everything in between.
💡Pro tip: Use a platform like Eventbrite to email your guests. This will ensure all your guests have all the contest rules, requirements, or suggestions so they arrive at your party dressed up and ready to go.
Here’s how it’s done:
6. Capture the Flag tournament
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Capture the Flag is a fun and simple way to attract guests of all ages up and have loads of summer fun. This is a great opportunity to use the American flag and liven up the playing field with patriotic music.
You’ve just got to plan. That means setting up water stations and refreshments — and potentially getting a first aid station on site.
Better safe than sorry, right?
7. Arts and crafts stations
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Integrating arts and crafts into 4th of July activities is a great way to encourage your attendees to make patriotic artwork in a fun and relaxed environment. But you can also take your craft workshop to the next level and get local artisans involved for more advanced adult classes.
For example, you could set up activity stations like a carnival of traditional American arts at your venue, and invite local vendors featuring crafts like flag-making, woodworking, and red, white, and blue tie-dyeing.
💡Pro tip: Rather than hunting for vendors for your event, you can create an event listing on Eventbrite and use that for vendor registration. For example, The Historic Village at Allaire did this for their Flea Market June event. They created a separate listing specifically for "Vendor Registration Only" and included details such as the cost of participation, the size of booth spaces, and their refund policy.
The great thing about Eventbrite is that you can easily create and update your event listing. You can also track who is applying for vendor spots directly through the Eventbrite Organizer app, so you know how many vendor applications you’ve received in real-time.
List your events on Eventbrite
8. 4th of July stand-up comedy show
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Comedy is a great way to break down social barriers and bring people together — which is exactly your goal when hosting an event for the 4th of July.
You could have a big headliner or collaborate with various comedians to make a stellar-themed lineup.
Or, you could mix it up and combine different types of comedy in one action-packed hour of non-stop laughs. For example, The Pack Theatre offers stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy all in the same hour at their recurring Triple Threat Comedy events.
9. Outdoor movie screening
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A drive-in movie event allows event-goers to get outside this summer and make some incredible memories.
To keep up with the “4th of July” event theme, showcase classic American films from across history. For example, if you look at the Misquamicut Business Association’s film lineup in late May and June, you'll find classics like The Karate Kid, Jaws, and The Goonies. Iconic, fun, and very American.
💡Pro tip: Consider offering a double feature, including an early film for kids and a later one for teens and adults. That way, you can please families of all ages.
10. Historical walking tour
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Every US city has its local history to share, so use your area’s unique story as inspiration for an event around Independence Day.
To do it, offer a walking tour of historical sites in your area or let historical re-enactors tell the tale of your town’s founding. Then, host an outdoor art fair featuring present-day and historical works from local artists. Get the kids involved by hosting a patriotic art contest or crafting event.
11. Hot dog eating contest
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Is there anything more American than a hot dog eating contest? They’re a US summertime staple and an opportunity to collaborate with local restaurants or food trucks.
For example, you can do what CrawlsSF is doing with The Official Fourth of July Pub Crawl & Hot Dog Eating Contest and combine a pub crawl with a hot dog eating competition. Local bars could be offering drink specials, exclusive discounts on food, and fun activities like pie-eating contests as well.
💡Pro tip: Want to motivate your contestants to down more hot dogs? Just let them know a few days through a sneaky email or Insta reel that the current men’s record is 62 hot dogs in one sitting and 39.5 for women.
12. 4th of July cruise
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Independence Day is the perfect time for a holiday party cruise. But let’s be honest — a boat party with a view of the fireworks on Independence Day isn’t new territory. So, rather than going for what your attendees would expect, why not shake it up a bit and create an exclusive VIP experience?
For example, Mer Events are going all out with their July 4th Cruise Fireworks Watch Party. We’re talking a 5-hour top-shelf open bar, fireworks, and priority seating options with six-seat VIP tables and oh-so-exclusive perks.
💡Pro tip: To maximize your revenue potential, take another note from Mer Events and offer VIP tickets and early-bird registration to attendees. We found that attendance at VIP events grew globally by 18% on Eventbrite in 2023, and this trend is still rising. In our TRNDS report 2025, we noted that 26% of event revenue comes from VIP packages and premium tickets — so don’t miss out.
With Eventbrite, you can easily create different ticket types for your event and offer tiered experiences. When attendees register, they can see exactly what they’re getting in each ticket tier, and how it benefits them, so they’ll see the value in paying a little extra for exclusive perks and a premium experience.
Sell more VIP tickets this Independence Day
13. 4th of July beach party
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July is hot — so if you’re near the sea or a lake, there’s no excuse not to host a beach party on Independence Day.
Beach parties can be relatively simple and affordable to set up. Best of all, your event space effectively doubles as your entertainment. Just invest in some fireworks for the night’s end, provide some catering options like food trucks or BBQ, and let guests splash around.
For next-level inspiration, get inspired by The Barley Beach House’s 2024 JULY 4th BEACH PARTY. Complete with a roast chicken buffet, a fireworks show, and Hawaiian fire dancers, this is a beach party done well.
Family-friendly 4th of July party games
Family events are a great way to create connections between parents, their kids, and wider communities.
Here are a few of our favorite 4th of July party ideas for a family-friendly day.
14. Sack races
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Sake races are a classic lawn game for a reason. It’s family-friendly, can be played by all ages, and it’s low-budget. All you need is some space, burlap sacks, and a finish line. This activity will have everybody laughing, and it’s guaranteed to liven up your 4th of July party with some friendly competition.
💡Pro tip: Create multiple age groups and classes to keep things fair. This will level the playing field and ensure everyone has a great time.
15. 4th of July arts & crafts fair
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Many cities have started to embrace art shows as an outdoor summer staple. Line your party venue with stalls from local artists to create a festival-like atmosphere at your 4th of July party.
This is also a great opportunity to generate additional income from vendors renting tables or event space and support your local arts scene.
Want to see an example of an arts and craft fair that’ll get your creative juices flowing?
Look no further than Chick Events DC Old Town Manassas Art Show and Craft Spring Fair event at Manassas Museum. What makes this event so great is that it offers free admission, is pet-friendly (so everyone in the family can join in), and has a wholesome vibe that appeals to all ages and celebrates creativity at the same time.
16. Cornhole
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This is another fun game that’s a total classic. It’s a super low-budget take on the bean bag toss and is inclusive for all ages and abilities. It’s also a great icebreaker game to place outside of your venue so guests can grab their drink of choice and pass the time while others arrive.
💡Pro tip: Make sure your corn hole stations are in keeping with your patriotic themes. Think blue stripes, red stripes, stars, and lots of glitter.
17. Field-day
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How about a field day with a bunch of fun activities that’ll get the whole family bonding? Check out SoCalsMoms 10th Annual Great Family Play Day event for some inspo. They’ve got everything from soapbox races to obstacle courses — basically a giant playground where everyone can let loose.
Now, take that idea and throw in a little 4th of July magic. Think patriotic-themed races and activities that scream “America!”
For example, a three-legged race could be so much fun — but with a twist. Make it 4th of July-style by adding a slice of the American flag to each part of the race. You could lay out inflatable stars that contestants have to jump over during the race, then feature an American-flag-colored balloon arch for teams to cross at the end.
18. Independence Day scavenger hunt
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Capture some National Treasure vibes by creating a patriotic scavenger hunt. You can send guests around the city on an epic quest or simply hide clues around a large event space or local park to keep things more centralized.
Inject plenty of patriotic spirit into your clues, and offer prizes for the winning teams.
💡Pro tip: Try integrating technology with QR codes at each location to reveal the next clue. QR codes also allow you to monitor data post-event.
19. Water balloon fight
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Keep guests cool with a classic, no-frills water balloon fight. Stock up on blue balloons, red balloons, and white balloons, split your guests into teams, and let them go to town.
This is fun for guests of all ages; it’s simple and relatively affordable entertainment to add to your festive party.
You could even add a water balloon fight onto a pool party like Mr. Reverse It has lined up for his upcoming ULTIMATE LEO EDITION Mega Splash Pool Party. With organizers planning to supply 1,000 balloons for an adults-only battle, this is definitely going to be a splash.
20. Balloon Pop
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Balloon Pop is another easy 4th of July party game that all your guests will love. Simply paint a few boards in red, white, and blue colors, tack on some balloons, and let your guests toss darts at the objects for prizes.
It’s super low-budget — but you can also generate extra event income by charging your guests for attempts to pop the balloons (or raise money for charity.)
💡Pro tip: Get multiple balloon backdrops for participants to ensure your balloon pop station lasts for the entire event.
21. Limbo contest
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When the weather heats up, everyone wants a little taste of the tropics — and limbo is the ultimate island game.
Limbo is simple, inclusive, and budget-friendly. You can work it into all party themes. For example, Let’s Get Social Raleigh is hosting a competitive Annual Adult Recess Festival at Fletcher Park.
So why not create a patriotic limbo battle?
It requires little-to-no setup, but make sure you spice things up with some great music. You could even invite hula dancers or fire eaters to turn up the heat.
4th of July party catering ideas
It's a safe space here — we can all admit that when you think of the 4th of July, one half of you is all about celebrating America, maybe even looking forward to the fireworks, but the other half is thinking about one thing, and one thing only: the food.
The truth is that food and beverages are a massive draw for attendees, and they’re also a major way to make money on event day. In fact, in our TRNDS report 2025, we found that after ticket sales, food and beverage sales are the biggest revenue driver for event organizers.
So, in your search for Independence Day program ideas, make sure you consider food and drink events centered around an all-American theme with food tables piled high with patriotic desserts, unique cocktails, a classic American flag cake, and everything in between.
Here are some delicious food-and-drink-inspired 4th of July party ideas.
22. Classic BBQ
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BBQ is the great American classic. So why not create an event around this iconic American feast? Picture this: a laid-back BBQ cookout at the beach, or an epic backyard party complete with smoky grills and a huge garden venue with white canopies and lounge chair seating.
For inspiration, take a look at Drink Eat Relax Events LLC’s Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival. They serve up different meats like whole hogs, ribs, brisket, and chicken, all with their slogan “portions heavy and the prices low.”
But it’s not just about the food — they also host engaging activities like a seminar in the “tasting theatre” with distillers from the local area, and fun carnival games like giant Jenga and cornhole.
💡Pro tip: Pair your BBQ dishes with an alcoholic or non-alcoholic signature cocktail, or mix it up with a different type of drink. In one food and beverage trends report, we found that beverages like cannabis-infused drinks are all the rage. For example, serve a “Potomac Punch”, a mix of citrusy lemonade, cannabis-infused rum, and fresh mint.
23. Ice cream bar
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Have we mentioned it’s hot in July? That’s why an ice cream bar is the perfect option.
Set up self-serve stations packed with red sprinkles, white sprinkles, blue sprinkles, red and blue berries, and other sweet treats to decorate their tasty creations. Encourage them to post their desserts to social media with a giveaway.
For a unique take on this one, take a look at Charlee’s Ice Cream Events April Break Event: Easter Ice Cream Cupcakes. They’re serving up themed ice cream cupcakes in the cutest way — by layering little scoops in cups topped with festive decorations. You could do the same but with a July 4th spin: think firework toppers, star-shaped cookie crumbles, and layers of red velvet and vanilla swirl.
24. Food truck
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Pass the ball over to food truck owners to reduce your stress and support a local business. Think taco trucks, ice cream, hot dogs, and burger vans.
Plus, the great thing about food trucks is that it removes all the stress from catering. They’re often less expensive than hiring traditional caterers and add a festival atmosphere to a party.
💡Pro tip: Collaborate with multiple food truck vendors to give guests the gift of choice and add some buzz to your catering ideas.
25. 4th of July cocktails
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Add patriotic flair to your bar with custom cocktails or American-themed drinks to match your party.
A cocktail party makes for a perfect mixer opportunity for adults. In fact, it could even double as a 4th of July networking event or dating event for singles. Just make sure to include mocktails to cater to all.
That’s the approach July4th.com – America’s Party Experts has taken for its Family-Friendly NYC July 4th Fireworks Cruise on Lucille — tasty cocktails for grown-ups and non-alcoholic drinks for younger guests.
26. Pig roast
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A pig roast is a brilliant way to take your BBQ game to the next level. A huge pig on a spit is a cost-effective way to feed a huge group — and it also doubles as a visual centerpiece at your event.
Everybody will leave impressed and stuffed when they see a roast pig spinning over an open fire.
💡Pro tip: While many guests will think a roast pig is delicious, it’s not for everyone. Include a vegan alternative for those who don’t roast pork. Hogless roast, anyone?
27. Burger grill-off
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Host a burger grill-off, charging a small entry fee for every grillmaster to have their burger taste-tested by a panel of judges.
For next-level inspiration, check out Karma Cigar Bar’s Camacho Cook-Off Championship & Dhirien’s B’Day Party event.
Their event is a battle of the grills, with competitors from different stores across the region going head-to-head — paired with wine, beer, and cigar tastings. It’s smoky, bold, and checks all the boxes for a quintessentially American celebration.
You can do the same, or take it up a notch with a live BBQ demo or cigar-rolling station — give guests a front-row seat to the craft behind the smoke. That’d be a great way to entertain your guests while you feed them.
28. Craft beer tasting
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Bring together local breweries to host a craft beer tasting.
Sell tickets for multiple entry times to control the crowd. Then, you can let each brewery set up a table and distribute tasting tickets so event-goers can sample different American craft beers.
💡Pro tip: Capitalize on the online community around craft beer by teaming up with social influencers in the beer community on platforms like Instagram to promote your craft beer event to your target audience.
29. 4th of July potluck
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If you’re planning an intimate 4th of July party, a potluck will remove the stress of catering. Ask guests to bring their own dishes — you could even hold a secret vote and stage a contest to see who brought the tastiest or most patriotic dish.
This is a great catering option to piggyback any party theme. For example, The Pocket created their potluck event series, allowing musicians to meet up for ham sessions.
30. Sloppy Joes
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Sloppy Joes are an amazing way to feed many mouths at little cost. But they’re also bound to create mass nostalgia for all the grown-ups in the room. Plus, they’re easy to make and dish up and offer a quick catering option if you want to move your 4th of July party guests on to the next thing quickly.
💡Pro tip: Using a local restaurant? Ask for drop catering. They’ll drop off the buns and filling, and then you can plate up yourself. This should shave quite a bit off your catering budget.
Let’s start celebrating 4th of July
If you’re looking for a holiday-themed event with an established demand and loads of potential for fun, you can’t go wrong with the 4th of July.
Just make sure you have great activities, games, and catering ideas to make your 4th of July party pop. So pick a few of the ideas we’ve covered to make sparks fly at your next event — and if you need help organizing and promoting your 4th of July party ideas, Eventbrite is here to help.
By partnering with Eventbrite, you can create custom event pages, sell different tickets to create the ultimate VIP experience, stay in constant communication with your guests, promote your Independence Day party, and everything in between.
