FUN ON THE FOURTH: Here’s Where to See 4th of July Fireworks in Bangor and Eastern Maine

Fireworks are the perfect end to a fun-filled 4th of July holiday, and many Maine communities cap off their Independence Day festivities with impressive pyrotechnics shows.

After a day of picnics, parades, music, family and fun, and maybe swimming (if it's warm enough!), it's nice to throw on a sweater and gather in the town square to relax and watch the brilliant displays.

Below are the details for this year's fireworks displays in the following towns all around eastern Maine.

Bangor/Brewer

The Bangor/Brewer fireworks are some of the biggest and brightest in Maine. And you can make an entire day of it.

As in years past, the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. are preceded by a full day of activities, starting with a pancake breakfast and car show from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Jeff's Catering in Brewer.

From there, at 9:45 a.m., lace up your running shoes and gather at the (world-famous) Brewer Auditorium for the start of the Walter Hunt 4th of July 3K. It's Maine's fastest road race!

If you'd rather just observe the race (maybe your ankle hurts!), pack up the family and watch the runners finish in downtown Bangor just before the parade starts at 10 a.m.

There's other stuff -- like a waterfront car show at 12:30 p.m. and a live benefit concert at 5:30 p.m. -- to round out your day before the fireworks. You can check out the full schedule right here.

Here's a look at the 2022 display over the Penobscot River.

Bar Harbor

While fireworks over the Penobscot River are impressive, so are those over Frenchman Bay on Mount Desert Island.

In 2023, the Bar Harbor fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Like Bangor, Bar Harbor makes Independence Day a full-day celebration. 

Deer Isle-Stonington

The Deer Isle-Stonington area will kick off the 4th with their annual Stonington 6, a run/walk (both in person and virtually this year) to support the Island Community Center, at 7 AM. Their yearly 4th of July parade will start to make its way through town, led by Grand Marshal, Jimmy Cook. This year's theme is all about tropical flamingos!

Eastport

Home of one of the largest 4th of July festivals in the state, Independence Day festivities in Eastport will kick off with a community's 63rd Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at sunrise followed by a blueberry pancake breakfast starting at 7 AM at the municipal airport.

The day ahead will offer a craft fair, car show, kids activities, exhibits, the famous Rubber Ducky Race, and an Independence Day Parade followed by live music and dancing.

Eastport will start its fireworks display at dusk.

Houlton

In Houlton, the holiday lines up with their huge Houlton Agricultural Fair, which kicks off this weekend.

On Tuesday, along with the traditional things one would find at an agricultural fair, there will be Ax Women, musical performances, a lemonade chugging and pie eating contest, and a mud run.

Fireworks will be shot from Derby Hill at 9:30 PM.

Millinocket

The Millinocket Independence Day Festival kicks off Saturday and runs through the 4th.

The 4th of July will start off with a vendor fair at 9 AM in Memorial Park. The "Hometown Heroes" Parade will kick off at 10:30. And Whoopie Pie bake-off will end the day.

Millinocket will hold its fireworks display on Monday, July 3rd at dusk, with a DJ providing music after that behind Stearns High School.

Searsport

The Penobscot Marine Museum will be offering free admission for the 4th of July holiday.

The annual Independence Day Parad will make its way from Norris Street to the fire station at 11 AM.

The fireworks will be set off from a barge around 9 PM.