(Updated for 2020)
From the thrill and excitement of catching candy at the local parade, to the sticky sweetness of delicious homemade ice-cream in the hot summer sun, July 4th is jam packed with memories just waiting to be made!
These 4th of July events near Johnson City, Bristol, Kingsport, and the surrounding counties have everything you need for a fun and memorable holiday, including live music, games, kids’ activities, food vendors, fireworks, and more!
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What to Bring
- Bring camp chairs or a picnic blanket for sitting.
- Carry some cash, because some vendors still don’t accept cards.
- Don’t forget child-sized ear protection for the babies in your life
- If allowed by the venue, bring some extra bottled water, because it’s gonna be hot y’all!
- Bring a canopy for shade, but don’t forget to take it down before the main event, so everyone can enjoy the view.
What Not to Bring
- Please leave your dogs at home. Many dogs get scared, run off, and get lost or hit by cars during firework events each year.
For your convenience, Washington and Sullivan Counties are listed first with the remaining counties following in alphabetical order.
As always, you can click any blue event name to verify the information provided or get additional details.
2020 July 4th Events Near Johnson City
Due to COVID, please be sure to check the status of these events before you go. Please check even on the morning of the event to make sure it hasn’t been canceled.
Jonesborough Days Block Party
- Location: Downtown Jonesborough, TN
- Date: July 4, 2020
- Cost: FREE
Local restaurants and vendors will stay open late for a fun night of shopping and dining with special sales and offers. Enjoy a fantastic parade, food and craft vendors, live music, games, kids’ activities, and fireworks!
July 4th Celeration
- Location: Downtown Kingsport & Eastman Road (2 locations)
- Date: July 4, 2020 at 9:45 PM
- Cost: FREE
Drive in fireworks only. Viewers must remain in thier cars. This Independence Day festival boasts like music, food vendors, fireworks, and more!
July 4th Celebration
- Location: Kinser Park, Greeneville, TN
- Date: July 4, 2020 at 3 PM
- Cost: FREE
A car show and parade will be held during the day. Fireworks will be held at dark.
Cancelled 4th of July Events Near Johnson City
Independence Day Celebration
- Location: Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, TN
- Date: cancelled
- Cost: FREE
Ring in July 4th right with games, music, fireworks, food vendors, and more!
Bristol, Kingsport, & Sullivan County
Star Spangled July 4th Border Bash
- Location: Cumberland Square Park, Bristol, VA
- Date: no July 4th date this year, regular concerts still scheduled
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy fabulous parade, live music, food vendors, games, and fireworks!
Red White and Boom 4 Mile Race
- Location: 100 E Church Circle, Kingsport, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: $25 per entry
Start your July 4th off right with a little healthy competition. The race will finish at Broad Street United Methodist Church, where runners and their families will receive a free pancake breakfast.
An Old Fashioned July 4th
- Location: Rock Mount State Historic Site, Piney Flats, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: $10/per person
Additional details have not yet been released.
Carter County
Independence Day Celebration
- Location: Covered Bridge Park, Elizabethton, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy a bike parade, kids’ zone, music, dancers, food vendors and more!
Independence on the Frontier
- Location: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, 1651 West Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, TN
- Date: June 27, 2020
- Cost: FREE
This fun living history event depicts what life was like at Fort Watauga in the 18th century. The event includes a special reading of the declaration of Independence.
Watauga Lake Boat Parade & Fireworks
- Location: Watauga Lakeshore Resort and Marina, Hampton, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy an exciting boat parade in the afternoon with tons of boats decorated for 4th of July. At night enjoy a stunning fireworks display and music.
Cove Ridge Marina Fireworks
- Location: Cove Ridge Marina
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
Fireworks, music, and fun!
Greene County
Hawkins County
Independence Day Festival and Parade
- Location: Downtown Rogersville, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
This festival boasts one of the largest firework displays in the southeast. There will also be a parade, games, food vendors, and a headlining country music act, all for FREE! (Past headliners have included Brad Paisley and Tracy Byrd)
Johnson County
July 4th Celebration in the Park
- Location: 210 Old South Church St, Mountain City, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy a parade, games, live music, food vendors, fireworks, and more! The parade will end at Ralph Stout Park, where the rest of the festivities will take place.
Unicoi County
Veterans Parade
- Location: Main Street, Erwin, TN
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
A fun and traditional July 4th parade.
Freedom Fest
- Location: Unicoi County Fire Association
- Date: canceled
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy live music, food vendors, games, and an amazing fireworks show!
Books to Share
Help boost your kids’ brain power with a little family read aloud leading up to the 4th of July.
- The Night Before the 4th of July – This is a fun and quirky revamp of the night before Christmas.
- The Fourth of July story – The kid-friendly true story of how America became America and why we celebrate the 4th of July.
- And Then Comes Summer – Let the nostalgia set in and you and your kids remember all the best parts of summer, including July 4th.