Fox Valley and East Central Wisconsin Fourth of July 2026: Fireworks, Parades and Festivals

Neenah-Menasha CommunityFest

Fourth of July weekend is a big one across the Fox Valley and East Central Wisconsin, with celebrations stretching from Appleton and Oshkosh to Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Green Lake and Waupaca.

And because 2026 marks America’s 250th birthday, several communities are leaning into bigger-than-usual celebrations, especially the lakefront and waterfront towns. Whether you want a classic parade, a full festival day, a big city fireworks show or a smaller lakefront celebration, this part of Wisconsin gives families plenty of options.

Related: See the full Wisconsin Fourth of July 2026 statewide guide, the Milwaukee-area Fourth of July guide, the North Shore Fourth of July guide, and the Elkhart Lake Fourth of July guide.

Best bets for families

If you want the biggest downtown party, head to Green Bay’s Fire Over the Fox. If you want a classic Fox Cities tradition, Neenah-Menasha CommunityFest gives you two waterfront parks and a full two-day schedule. Oshkosh is a great all-day option with a parade, Menominee Park, the zoo, food trucks and fireworks. Manitowoc and Sheboygan are strong picks for lakefront celebrations, while Green Lake and Waupaca are ideal if you want a small-town holiday with water views.

Friday, July 3, 2026

Appleton Festival Foods Fireworks

Appleton kicks off the weekend on Friday, July 3, with Festival Foods Fireworks at Appleton Memorial/Veterans Memorial Park, 1620 E. Witzke Blvd. The event runs from 4–10:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 9:45 p.m.

American Legion Post 38 is partnering on food, beverages and entertainment, with burgers, brats, beer and seltzers beginning at 4 p.m. Parking inside the park is $10 in designated areas. Dogs and personal fireworks are not allowed.

This is one of the easiest Fox Cities fireworks shows to build a simple family evening around: arrive late afternoon, grab food on site, let kids settle in with blankets or chairs, and stay for the 9:45 p.m. show.

Planning an overnight? See our Appleton lodging guide.

Kimberly Independence Day Celebration

Kimberly’s celebration takes place Friday, July 3 at Sunset Park. The event includes food trucks, craft vendors, giant inflatables, live music and Festival Foods Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

A free shuttle runs from JRG Middle School beginning at 4 p.m. One important planning note: tents, canopies and tarps are not allowed, so bring chairs or blankets instead.

Kewaunee Fireworks on the Shore

Kewaunee’s Fireworks on the Shore is scheduled for Friday, July 3 at Lakehaven Hall, 96 Ellis St. The celebration includes food, kids activities, music and fireworks at dusk along the lakeshore.

Elkhart Lake Fireman’s Fireworks

Elkhart Lake’s fireworks are scheduled for Friday, July 3 at dusk along the lakefront. The Fireman’s Picnic continues through the weekend, with the parade and additional picnic activities on Sunday, July 5.

For a deeper itinerary, see our Elkhart Lake Fourth of July guide.

Shawano Fireworks

Shawano’s fireworks are scheduled for Friday, July 3 at dusk, launched from the Shawano Airport area.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Oshkosh 4th of July

Oshkosh starts July 4 with its 9 a.m. parade, beginning at Waugoo Avenue and North Main Street. The route travels north on Main, east on Irving Avenue and into Menominee Park.

Menominee Park becomes the center of the celebration for the rest of the day. The Menominee Park Zoo is open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., train rides run 10 a.m.–6 p.m., food trucks are scheduled from 3–10 p.m., and Festival Foods Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. The best fireworks viewing is across Ames Point at the north end of the park.

This is one of the best all-day family options in the region because you can pair the parade with the zoo, lakefront park time, food trucks and fireworks without moving around too much.

Green Bay Fire Over the Fox

Green Bay’s Fire Over the Fox is the region’s big downtown waterfront celebration. The event runs Saturday, July 4 from 3–10:30 p.m. across Leicht Memorial Park, CityDeck, the Ray Nitschke Bridge and the Neville Public Museum grounds.

Families can expect multiple stages of live music, food and beverage vendors, a Kids Zone, an artisan market, Waterboard Warriors ski shows at 2 and 4 p.m., and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. over the Fox River.

If you want a high-energy Fourth with music, crowds, food trucks and a dramatic downtown fireworks backdrop, this is the one to circle.

Neenah-Menasha CommunityFest

Neenah-Menasha CommunityFest is a Fox Cities classic, with events on both sides of the water. The celebration begins Friday, July 3 with the Parade of Lights through Neenah and Menasha, then continues Saturday, July 4 at Riverside Park in Neenah and Jefferson Park in Menasha.

Neenah’s Festival Foods Fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. at Riverside Park. Menasha’s Festival Foods Fireworks are scheduled for 9:50 p.m. at Jefferson Park.

This is a great choice if your family likes a traditional community festival atmosphere, with food vendors, music, activities and a walkable waterfront setting.

Manitowoc Fourth on the Shore

Manitowoc is scaling up its Fourth on the Shore celebration for America’s 250th anniversary, with events running July 1–5 and the biggest schedule on Saturday, July 4.

The July 4 parade begins at 10 a.m. at South 8th and Washington streets, then heads north onto Maritime Drive toward the Manitowoc Yacht Club. The day also includes live music, food trucks, lighthouse activities, SubFest at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and Festival Foods Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at South Pier.

This is one of the best picks for families who want to combine a Fourth of July celebration with a mini lakefront getaway.

Fond du Lac Fireworks at Lakeside Park

Fond du Lac’s Festival Foods Fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park, 555 N. Park Ave.

Lakeside Park is already one of the area’s best family parks, so this is a good option if you want a classic park-and-fireworks evening.

Sheboygan Freedom Fest and Independence Day Parade

Sheboygan’s Independence Day celebration begins with the 9 a.m. parade, followed by Freedom Fest at Deland Park beginning at 11 a.m. The day includes live music, food and fireworks over the lakefront at 9:30 p.m.

The lakefront setting makes this one especially appealing if you want a full day near the water.

Green Lake Light Up the Lake

Green Lake’s Light Up the Lake celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 4. The day includes a pancake breakfast from 7–11 a.m., Reilly’s Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m., a boat parade, family activities, duck races, a 4 p.m. community parade, live music and fireworks at dusk over Big Green Lake.

Best viewing spots include Deacon Mills Park, Hattie Sherwood Park and Sunset Park.

Waupaca 4th of July

Waupaca’s Fourth of July celebration includes a 10 a.m. parade on North Main Street, an 11 a.m. Knights of Columbus BBQ and burger lunch at South Park, the Chain Skiers water ski show at 5:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, and fireworks over Shadow Lake at dusk, approximately 9:30 p.m. The fireworks soundtrack will be synced on 100.7 FM.

New London Festival Foods Fireworks

New London’s fireworks celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 4 at Hatten Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. with kids games, concessions and a DJ before fireworks at dusk, listed by Festival Foods for 9:30 p.m.

Winneconne Fireworks

Winneconne’s fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July 4 over the Wolf River north of the bridge, with the evening show beginning around 9:45 p.m.

Two Rivers Fireworks

Two Rivers hosts its community fireworks at Walsh Field on Saturday, July 4, with family activities and music before the show. Fireworks are listed for 9:30 p.m.

Kohler Fireworks

Kohler’s Independence Day weekend includes a July 4 fireworks celebration at Ravine Park, with fireworks scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m.

Bonduel Fourth of July

Bonduel’s July 4 celebration includes an 11 a.m. parade and fireworks at dusk at Village Park.

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Elkhart Lake Fireman’s Picnic Parade

Elkhart Lake continues the holiday weekend on Sunday, July 5 with the Fireman’s Picnic parade and daytime picnic activities. The fireworks are Friday, July 3, so treat Sunday as the parade-and-picnic day rather than the fireworks night.

Before you go

Most of these events are outdoors and weather-dependent, so check the official event pages before leaving home. Bring chairs or blankets, plan extra time for parking, and expect the biggest crowds at Green Bay, Oshkosh, Neenah-Menasha and Manitowoc.

For more Wisconsin holiday planning, start with the full Wisconsin Fourth of July 2026 guide, then browse more North Shore Family Adventures holiday guides.