Celebrate America fills Historic Downtown Manassas from 3 to 10 p.m. July 4, with fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. best seen from the Manassas Museum lawn.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 details are not out yet, so it describes the July 4, 2026, celebration as published by Historic Manassas Inc. and the City of Manassas. We will refresh it when the city and Historic Manassas Inc. announce next year’s plans.

Manassas celebrates the Fourth of July with Celebrate America, an all-day festival in Historic Downtown Manassas that ends with one of the largest fireworks shows in Northern Virginia. In 2026, the city’s America 250 year, it ran from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, with the fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. The festival is run by Historic Manassas Inc. (HMI) with the city. Questions about the event: HMI, historicmanassas.org. Fireworks safety and rules: the Manassas City Fire Marshal’s Office, 703-257-8458.

What this means for you

  • Where to watch: HMI says the best viewing is near the Manassas Museum lawn, 9101 Prince William St. Bring chairs and blankets.
  • Parking: free downtown lots, but the parking garage closes for the day.
  • Weather: the festival is rain or shine; only the fireworks may be rescheduled.
  • Home fireworks: the city’s fire department urges residents to go to the public show instead. See the safety tips below.

What happened in 2026

According to the Celebrate America page, the 2026 festival had:

  • Food and craft vendors across the downtown streets from 3 p.m.
  • Children’s activities in the Water Tower lot and the train station lot: face painting, balloon artists, hula hoops, bubbles and sidewalk chalk. The inflatables planned for the Water Tower lot were canceled because of the heat.
  • Live music at several downtown restaurants and the brewery before the show. Check with each business.
  • Fireworks at about 9:15 p.m., weather permitting.

Sponsors listed by HMI included Micron, UVA Health, PW Home Improvement and OneLife Fitness.

The same afternoon, the city’s historic Annaburg House at 9201 Maple St. held a free summer open house from 2 to 4 p.m., listed on the HMI calendar.

Parking, restrooms and first aid

From the 2026 event information:

What Where
Free parking Prince William Street commuter lot, Old Towne Inn lot, City Hall lot
Accessible parking Main Street (Triangle) lot, Harris Pavilion lot, Church Street lot by 7-Eleven
Parking garage Closed all day for safety
First aid, lost children First Aid Tent, corner of Prince William and Liberty streets (medical staff and CERT)
Lost and found Train Station and Visitor Center
Restrooms Portable units along Prince William Street, near Baldwin Elementary, by the Harris Pavilion gazebo, the Old Towne Inn lot and Metz Middle School

The Harris Pavilion restrooms were open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the train depot waiting room was closed for the day. Several downtown streets close at set times through the evening; HMI posts the closure map on the event page. For everyday downtown parking rules see our getting around guide.

What to bring

  • Chairs and blankets for the museum lawn. Keep walkways clear.
  • Small coolers and snacks are allowed. Outside alcohol is not.
  • Dogs are allowed, but HMI recommends leaving pets at home because of the crowds and the noise.

Fireworks safety at home

The Manassas City Fire and Rescue Department’s 2026 fireworks advisory encourages residents to watch a professional show. Anyone who uses consumer fireworks should buy approved products from permitted vendors and follow these points from the department’s top 10 list:

  • Only adults should light fireworks.
  • Use them outdoors in open areas, away from buildings, vehicles and anything that burns.
  • Keep spectators at least 25 feet away and a bucket of water nearby.
  • Never aim or throw fireworks at a person, and never relight a dud.
  • Soak used fireworks and sparklers in water before you throw them away, and never store them in a garage or building.
  • Keep pets indoors.

The department also asks residents to follow local noise rules and to think about veterans, young children, people with sensory sensitivities and pets nearby. For which fireworks are approved in the city, call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 703-257-8458 or see the fire and rescue pages. To report illegal fireworks, call the police non-emergency line, 703-257-8000; in an emergency, call 911.

More in Manassas

Frequently asked questions

What time are the Manassas fireworks on the Fourth of July?

The fireworks at Celebrate America in Historic Downtown Manassas begin at about 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. The festival itself runs from 3 to 10 p.m.

Where is the best place to watch the Manassas fireworks?

Historic Manassas Inc. says the best viewing area is the Manassas Museum lawn at 9101 Prince William St. Bring chairs and blankets.

Where do I park for the Manassas Fourth of July celebration?

In 2026 free parking was offered in the Prince William Street commuter lot, the Old Towne Inn lot and the City Hall lot. The downtown parking garage was closed for the day.

Can I bring a cooler to Celebrate America in Manassas?

Yes. Small coolers and snacks are allowed, but outside alcohol is not. Dogs are allowed, though organizers suggest leaving pets at home because of crowds and noise.

What happens to the Manassas fireworks if it rains?

The festival is rain or shine. In severe weather, the fireworks are the only part that may be rescheduled, with updates from the sound booth and the city and Historic Manassas Inc. websites and social media.