Fireworks light up Sin City in grand Fourth of July festivities, contrasting with subdued celebrations in liberal enclaves.
**Top Cities to Celebrate the Fourth of July in 2025**
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, WalletHub's 2025 analysis of 100 major U.S. cities has revealed the best and worst destinations for celebrations. The study considered factors such as fireworks shows, food and hotel affordability, walkability, weather, activities, and safety.
**Best Cities for Fourth of July Celebrations**
Las Vegas, Nevada takes the top spot overall, praised for its exciting entertainment options, spectacular fireworks shows, and vibrant atmosphere. New York City ranks at or near the top for attractions and activities, with exceptional walkability, public transit, restaurant access, and top-tier parks. California cities are strongly represented in the top 10, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento. These cities scored high for attractions, safety, and overall fun.
*Note: There is some discrepancy in reporting about whether Los Angeles or Las Vegas is ranked #1 for 2025 due to different sourcing. However, the most widely cited WalletHub result lists Las Vegas as the top city, with Los Angeles also featuring prominently in the top rankings.*
**Worst Cities for Fourth of July Celebrations**
At the other end of the spectrum, Newark, New Jersey comes in last at #100, scoring poorly for overall celebration quality and affordability and ranking near the bottom for attractions and activities. Jersey City, New Jersey also ranks very low at #99, with similarly poor scores for celebrations and affordability. Other cities at the bottom include several from the South and Texas: Laredo, Texas (#98), Garland, Texas (#97), Corpus Christi, Texas (#96), Baton Rouge, Louisiana (#95), and Birmingham, Alabama (#94).
**Key Factors for Rankings** - **Best Cities:** High scores in attractions, activities, fireworks, affordability, and weather. - **Worst Cities:** Poor scores in affordability, attractions, activities, and overall celebration experience.
In addition to Las Vegas's 15-minute long fireworks show, the city is known for its affordable restaurants with at least 4.5 stars and safety, with a low share of fatal crashes due to intoxicated driving. New York City is known for its affordable eats and high-quality parks, entertainment, and recreational facilities.
As the Fourth of July holiday in 2025 is being celebrated across the United States, these rankings provide valuable insights for those planning their celebrations. Whether you're looking for a lively party atmosphere or a more affordable and family-friendly experience, these cities offer a range of options to suit every taste.
- For those interested in social media updates on the Fourth of July celebrations, following the hashtags #Vegas4th and #NYC4th will provide an abundance of images and commentary from these top cities.
- If you're a fan of movies and TV, Los Angeles, one of the top cities for Fourth of July celebrations, is also famous for its Hollywood Walk of Fame and various studios offering tours.
- Mixed martial arts enthusiasts can pair their Fourth of July celebrations with visits to UFC gyms in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, among several other attractions in both cities.
- For pop-culture aficionados, New York City and Los Angeles offer a wealth of museums dedicated to music, art, and fashion, in addition to their premier Fourth of July celebrations.
- Sports lovers planning their Fourth of July holidays can also look forward to basketball, baseball, and football seasons, as both NBA, MLB, and NFL teams have a strong presence in the top cities for Fourth of July celebrations.
- Golf enthusiasts can visit the Pacific and Torrey Pines golf courses in San Diego and Los Angeles, respectively, during their Fourth of July celebrations.
- Racing fans can catch the Monaco Grand Prix, the Masters golf tournament, or the Kentucky Derby before or after their Fourth of July holiday, as these events typically occur around the same time.
- In addition to the Fourth of July fireworks shows, weather forecasting enthusiasts might find Las Vegas's McCarran International Airport, known for its automated meteorological data, fascinating to visit.
- For sports betting enthusiasts, attending events in cities such as Las Vegas, New York City, or Los Angeles offers numerous opportunities to place bets on their favorite sports, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAAs, and more.
- Baseball fans can catch games at iconic ballparks like Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles or Yankee Stadium in New York City before or after finding the perfect spot for Fourth of July fireworks.
- Those seeking a unique Fourth of July experience can explore the horse racing culture in cities such as Lexington, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby, or Saratoga Springs, New York, famous for its racetrack.
- Regardless of your tastes, you can use sports analysis platforms to stay updated on the performance of your favorite teams and athletes during the Fourth of July weekend, particularly those competing in top leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA.
- In addition to fireworks shows, Fourth of July celebrations in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco also feature various parades, concerts, and family-friendly activities.
- As Fourth of July celebrations continue to unfold across the country, keeping an eye on the weather forecasts is essential for planning a safe and enjoyable holiday.
- Alternatively, if you prefer a more laid-back Fourth of July experience, you may find solace in some quieter cities, like some of the worst-ranked cities for celebrations, where you can peacefully enjoy the holiday without the hustle and bustle of larger cities.
