2024 Portland Waterfront Fireworks Show

Photo by rovenimages.com

The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival is once again celebrating the 4th of July with a fireworks show over the Portland waterfront. You don’t have to buy tickets to enjoy the show. Instead, view the Portland waterfront fireworks show from various vantage points throughout the city!

Here’s some more information about the show and where to watch fireworks in Portland. If you’re looking for more events, check out my list of 4th of July fireworks and celebrations in and around Portland.

Where to Watch the Portland Waterfront Fireworks Show

The Waterfront Blues Festival is back at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. The fireworks display is launched from a barge on the Willamette River, making it viewable from either side of the river. The show is set to a soundtrack of classic blues, soul and funk.

What time does the Portland fireworks show start?

The Portland Waterfront Fireworks Show starts at dusk, around 10 p.m., on July 4, 2024.

Here are some great places to view the show, both downtown and from viewpoints throughout the city.

Also, there is free parking at these locations in downtown Portland on July 4. 

Hawthorne Bridge

The Waterfront Blues Festival takes place south of the Hawthorne bridge, between Madison and Clay streets. This makes the pedestrian walkway on the Hawthorne bridge an ideal place to take in the show.

Other great options for bridge viewing are Tillikum Crossing and the Morrison bridge.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Outside of the festival, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is open to the public. Head anywhere north of the Hawthorne bridge, find a place to stand along the pathway or bring a blanket and sit on the grass. The park stretches along Naito Parkway between SW Harrison Street and NW Glisan Street. It is open till midnight

Another park option is the South Waterfront Park at S River Dr. and S Montgomery St. The park is also open till midnight.

Eastbank Esplanade

The pedestrian and bicycle path along the east shore of the Willamette River gives you a front row seat to the show. At 1.5 miles long, the esplanade extends north from the Hawthorne bridge to the Steel bridge. The path is located at SE Water Avenue and Hawthorne Blvd.

Mount Tabor Park

The west side of Mount Tabor Park has great views of the city, making it a wonderful vantage point for the fireworks show. The park is open until midnight for bicycle and foot traffic, but car parking closes at 10 p.m. Plan on parking in the neighborhoods near Mount Tabor or taking transit to the park at SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street.

There are countless other locations in Portland where you can catch a view of the fireworks. Head downtown and find your ideal spot. 

For more information about the fireworks show, visit the Waterfront Blues Festival website.

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