Yorktown Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
Yorktown 4th of July is a family friendly celebration beginning at 8 am with an Independence Day 8K run and 5K walk at York High School.
Along with and a patriotic parade along Water and Main Streets at 9 am.
Evening activities include the 7 pm Bell-Ringing Ceremony, 8 pm Super Jazz Band Concert, and the amazing fireworks show on the York River at 9:15pm.
Bring your flags, wear red, white, and blue, and celebrate America! Yorktown Waterfront. Free event and FREE Trolley service
LINEUP OF EVENTS
8 a.m. The Yorktown Independence Day 8K & 5K Run/Walk
Location for Parking & Registration: York High School
Location for Walk & Run: Surrender Field
Race Day packet pickup begins at 7 a.m.
An 8K run on the scenic roads and trails of the Yorktown Battlefield. Walkers and shorter distance runners are invited to a non-scored 5K event. Both runs begin and end near Surrender Field. Parking and registration at York High School begins at 6:30 am.
4th of July website Race Flyer PR-8K/5K Run/Walk Register Here
9 a.m. Patriotic Parade with Live Music
Coordinated by VFW 824
U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Ceremonial Band Yorktown
Locations: Water & Main Streets
Listen to music from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Ceremonial Band, as well as the Fifes and Drums of York Town.
1 p.m. Family Activities
Face Painting, Games, and Kids Craft – presented by Riverwalk
Landing Business Association
Hot Dog Eating Contest – presented by Toby’s Dog House
Location: Riverwalk Landing
If you who want to make a day out of your visit—stick around for fun children’s activities at Riverwalk Landing. Enjoy face painting, games, and more! Historic Yorktown’s restaurants will be open for business so you can grab lunch, and there will also be several to-go options at the
4 p.m. – 9:15 Patriotic Food Pavilion Opens
Location: Riverwalk Landing
4 p.m. Evening Event Parking Opens
Location: Yorktown Battlefield (Cook Road & Ballard Street) -(More info on parking at bottom of this post)
Will close at capacity
8 p.m. Super Jazz Band Concert featuring Conni Ironmonger will take the stage to perform a patriotic concert leading up to the big
Location: Riverwalk Landing Performance Stage
- 9:15 p.m. Spectacular Fireworks Display
Location: Over York River – Yorktown Waterfront (weather permitting) You should be able to see the fireworks from vantage points up and down the Yorktown Waterfront Wednesday night.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE TROLLEY
Park & Ride Into Town During the Day
The Yorktown Trolley, the only form of public transportation in Yorktown, will run from approximately 10 a.m (following the parade) until 5 p.m. It is free, air-conditioned, handicap-accessible, and includes several convenient stops:
- Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center
- Riverwalk Landing
- Watermen’s Museum
- American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Intersection of Main and Ballard Streets (York Hall)
- Intersection of Ballard Street and Alexander Hamilton Blvd.
ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE FIREWORKS
What You Need to Know About Evening Parking
The community is invited to celebrate Yorktown’s 40th Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4. Free family-friendly activities on Historic Main Street and along the riverfront at Riverwalk Landing are on the schedule of events. Visitors can also take advantage of special programming at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (there is an admission fee for those who do not reside in York County, James City County or City of Williamsburg).
Registration is open for the York County Historical Museum’s annual Independence Day 8K run along the scenic roads and trails of the Yorktown battlefield—thesame path American and French allies took to win the last major battle of the Revolutionary War that secured our nation’s independence. Both runners and walkers are also invited to participate in the 5K event. The races begin and end near Surrender Field. Race day parking, packet pickup, and registration will be conducted at York High School. Day-of registration fee is $45. Learn more, here.
Important Parking Information: All-day street traffic blockades include Zweybrucken Road, Comte de Grasse Street, and Main Street (from Zweybrucken to Ballard). The Beach Picnic Area will be closed to vehicular traffic – Pedestrian traffic only. Church, Nelson, Smith, and Bacon Streets will be restricted to residents only.
Beginning at 4 p.m., unless you are a Yorktown Village resident, Riverwalk Landing business owner, or have an official pass—you will not be able to park in Historic Yorktown. Visitors attending the evening activities must park on the Yorktown Battlefield at the corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street which can be accessed by Cook Road or the Colonial Parkway. The Battlefield will remain open to the public until it reaches capacity.
Morning Parade Closures: Water Street (Comte de Grasse to Ballard) from 8:30 – 10 a.m., and Ballard Street (from Water to Main Streets) from 9 – 10 a.m. Traffic coming in off George Washington Memorial Highway on to Alexander Hamilton from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. will also be directed away from the parade route. The town will re-open to traffic following the parade.
The Yorktown Trolley, the only form of public transportation in Yorktown, will run from approximately 10 a.m. (following the parade) until 5 p.m. It is free, air-conditioned, handicap accessible, and includes several convenient stops:
- Courts, Offices, and Public Parking Complex
- Intersection of Main and Ballard Streets (York Hall)
- Riverwalk Landing
- Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center
- Watermen’s Museum
- American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Additional Event Info:
Independence Day in Yorktown is a free family-friendly celebration featuring a full lineup of events leading up to the big fireworks finale! The morning starts with a 8K Run and 5K Walk followed by a patriotic parade along Water and Main Streets. Throughout the day, you can lounge on the beach, jam to live music, visit local shops, and explore several museums. Evening activities include a bell-ringing ceremony, patriotic concert, and an amazing firework display over the York River. Bring your flags; wear red, white, and blue; and come together to celebrate America! Visit Yorktown
Tips!
Remember, the Trolley stops running at 5 p.m. It is important to note that the walk from the Battlefield to the waterfront is approximately one mile and includes hills and uneven terrain so wear comfy shoes—that includes the kids!
Those requiring handicapped parking and special assistance are asked to report to Yorktown Middle School from 4-7 p.m. Special needs transportation will be provided for the handicapped/special needs individual and one escort for each individual. You’ll be issued a pass and must hold onto it to return on the shuttle at the end of the evening.
Drop-off will be at the Yorktown Waterfront, approximately 200 yards from the performance area. Due to limited shuttle capacity, we politely request all other individuals in the party take a separate vehicle to park at the Battlefield. The shuttle will make return runs from the Yorktown Waterfront to Yorktown Middle School between 9:45 – 10:30 p.m.
The fireworks should last anywhere from 15-18 minutes. Some of them will shoot up to 800 feet into the sky. Just to put that in perspective. The Washington Monument in D.C. is 555 feet tall!
STAY CONNECTED
As always, the festivities are contingent upon the weather. We all know how unpredictable summer weather can be. We’ll be keeping an eye on the radar and will make the call if we see any approaching storms. Remember, parking is at an historic site – the Yorktown Battlefield. If conditions are too muddy, we can’t open it up. We will post all big changes and announcements on our website (www.visityorktown.org) as well as our social media accounts. Make sure you’re following our Facebook event page. You can also follow us on Instagram or Twitter. Our hashtags are #visityorktown and #york757.
For additional event information, please visit www.visityorktown.org or call York County Parks and Recreation at 890-3500.