Thousands of spectators were forced to leave the Charles River waterfront just before the Boston Pops fireworks show began as severe storms moved across Massachusetts Saturday night, but that didn’t stop the show from eventually going on – just a little late.
This year’s Boston Pops fireworks display, originally scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. at the Hatch Shell, was expected to be bigger than ever as part of the ongoing celebration of America’s 250th birthday, with performances by Laney Wilson, Chance The Rapper, Trombone Shorty and Megan Hilty, and emceed by Jane Lynch.
With less than an hour left before the show began, shortly before 6:30 p.m., officials asked spectators to take shelter due to the possibility of thunderstorms. To pass the time, the crowd sang the national anthem.
“We went in and out of the tunnel and everything seemed fine,” one man said. “People sing and make the most of it.”
At this time, officials are asking anyone attending the Boston Pops fireworks display to take shelter due to the approaching weather.
If you are on the oval, follow the instructions of the staff.
Thank you. Further updates will follow as they become available.
— Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (@EOPSS) July 4, 2026
But not everyone who was forced to leave had it easy.
“I’m really upset because I came from Chelsea and it took me two hours to get from TD Garden to my seat here on the lawn. So, I’m really upset, but is this what’s true?,” said one woman, who said she probably wouldn’t return, instead opting to go home and watch the fireworks from her rooftop.
“We came here especially for this anniversary. I can’t walk from here to the underground garage, so what should I do? I think I’m going to get caught by lightning,” Claire Flannery said about her mobility issues.
One of the difficulties of the emergency evacuation was that the Boston Ambulance Service had to bring stretchers to help people in need of assistance leave the premises as quickly as possible.
“It was a very fast moving storm,” said a state police colonel. “Those with mobility issues were our top priority, but we had the resources to ensure we could help them, and that’s exactly what you saw.”
The Esplanade was deemed safe to reopen just after 7.15pm and everyone was asked to follow directions from event staff upon their return. Returning spectators were cleared by security and officials thanked everyone for their cooperation and patience in making the event a safe and successful event.
We have confirmed to meteorological officials that it is safe for the Esplanade to reopen. Please continue to follow the instructions of event staff upon your return.
Everyone will be screened and we appreciate your cooperation and patience to make this event safe and…
— Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (@EOPSS) July 4, 2026
Everyone who returned made the most of it as participants looked forward to celebrating America’s 250th birthday in Boston.
“It’s been 250 years. I mean, this is a once in a lifetime event and we’re happy to be here and close by,” one woman shared.
“There couldn’t be a better place than Boston. It’s like the greatest city in America,” one man said. “If you want to come to a city in America, come to Boston.”
“I’ve lived in this country all my life and we are a land of opportunity and we have a responsibility to make things better for the next generation we hope so we can continue to be good stewards of the earth and our neighbors,” another man said.
People celebrating the event were held up near the Charles River waterfront for the rest of the day this year due to the extreme heat our region is experiencing. Gates opened to the public at 4:00 p.m. Previously it was scheduled for 12:00.
Temperatures were expected to reach the mid-90s, with heat indices hovering around 100-105 for Saturday’s show, and public health officials stressed the importance of celebrating safely, drinking water and staying in the shade.
Sidney Welch has details on the storms that will move through New England to end the Fourth of July.
The free event, which marks a multi-year statewide celebration of Massachusetts’ 250th anniversary, concluded with fireworks illuminating the Charles River and music by the Boston Pops starting at 9:15 p.m.
“Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, and on July 4th, we proudly welcome people from across the state and country to celebrate 250 years of our nation’s history right here in Boston,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement before the event. “With an incredible lineup of artists including the Boston Pops and fireworks over the Charles River, this year’s Spectacular will pay tribute to our past while celebrating the energy, creativity and diversity that define Massachusetts today. We are excited to share this special moment with millions of people here in Boston and watching around the world.”
“This year’s Boston Pops fireworks will be an unforgettable celebration for our residents and visitors from around the world, celebrating Boston’s revolutionary history, the courage of our communities and the traditions that unite us,” added Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston’s 4th of July celebrations are a treasured opportunity for friends and family to come together in celebration. We are proud to host this iconic event and provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
The blistering heat wave that hit the Boston area didn’t stop people from heading out for the July 4th holiday weekend, and the recent sewage spill in Haverhill didn’t stop people from hitting the beaches on the North Shore, most of which had just reopened for swimming.
Boston also hosted a number of events on Saturday, July 4th, including the 9 a.m. Independence Day Parade starting at Copley Square, the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the balcony of the Old State House at 10:15 a.m., and the Independence Day speech at Faneuil Hall at 11 a.m., with special guests including Nathaniel Shadley, President and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces; award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates; and Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston.