Where to See Fireworks in and Around Philly This Summer

It’s that time of the year again to hear a lot of boom in the sky. Fireworks season is in high gear, and we compiled some Philly-area hints as to where to catch some fabulous displays. Of course, there are some tips and strategies that are universal, no matter where you see a show:

• Get there early: Sometimes, the best seating gets taken long before the show starts. Bring some food (or, if it’s allowed, something to drink) and enjoy an evening under the sun before the display starts.
• Take public transportation: Parking can get extremely tight at these events, and, well, if you’ve ever tried to leave a crowded fireworks show at night, you know what kind of a nightmare it can be. If you must park, try to get out of the facility as quickly as possible after the show ends.
• Bring water: This may sound silly, but even though the sun has set, it’s still hot outside. Plus, with your mouth all agape, wowed at what you’re seeing in the sky, it’s bound to get dry in there. Don’t take the chance of getting dehydrated. Bring a bottle or two of water and stay quenched.

Without further ado, the fireworks:

Wawa Welcome America/Party on the Parkway

If huge crowds don't bother you, there's the epic July 4th fireworks showdown on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway which has become the definitive event of the holiday. Wawa Welcome America's fireworks show is pretty epic, and there are a wide variety of locations throughout the city where you can watch.

Citizens Bank Park

The home of the Phillies offers some spectacular fireworks shows several times throughout the season. What's great is you can catch a game and see the display right from your seat, so there's no need to scramble to find parking or get your butt wet by sitting in the grass of a park.

The Camden Riversharks

You don't have to wait until July 4th to see a fireworks show: Every Saturday evening game that the Camden Riversharks play at Campbell's Field is followed by a spectacular fireworks display. It's a great way to take your family out for affordable all-night entertainment, and you don't even have to fight for a seat to see the show.

Fireworks Outside of the Philly Area

This nifty website, operated simply as a hobby by a woman named Meg Geddes, serves as a one-stop location for fireworks shows across the state of Pennsylvania. Although it is clearly not a totally comprehensive list, the site is a very handy guide to fireworks displays, listed by city or county, and includes some other helpful tips about local shows.

Fireworks in South Jersey

The folks at Best of NJ have compiled a county-specific list of fireworks shows throughout the Southern New Jersey region. Updates for the 2015 season should be completed soon, and includes Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. The bloggers here provide the best advice: "Get there early and park so that you can get out easily."