Bangor, Maine Fourth of July: Parade, Fireworks and Family Fun

If you're looking for a classic Fourth of July celebration, Bangor has you covered.

The city's annual Independence Day festivities return on July 4 with a full day of patriotic fun, beginning with the Walter Hunt Fourth of July 3K Road Race at 9:45 a.m. The race follows part of the parade route and gets the morning started before the main event rolls through town.

Bangor's Fourth of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m., beginning on Acme Road in Brewer before crossing the Chamberlain Bridge into downtown Bangor. The parade travels along Main Street and wraps up near Exchange Street, with some of the best viewing and announcements taking place around the intersection of Main and State streets.

Once the parade wraps up, the celebration shifts to the Bangor Waterfront, where visitors can enjoy live music, food trucks, local vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family throughout the afternoon and evening.

Read More: 5 Must-Visit Maine Summer Fairs Happening This July

The day concludes with one of the region's most anticipated fireworks displays. Around 9:30 p.m., the skies above the Penobscot River will light up in a spectacular show that's visible from both Bangor and Brewer.

This year's celebration also carries a special honor.

Longtime Maine broadcaster George Hale has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Bangor Fourth of July Parade. Hale has spent more than seven decades on Maine radio and television, becoming one of the state's most recognizable voices through his work covering local sports, hosting talk shows, and entertaining generations of listeners.

It's a fitting tribute to a broadcasting icon whose career has become part of Maine's history.

Congratulations to George Hale—and happy birthday, America!

Bangor is going big for the Fourth as America celebrates 250 years 🇺🇸🎆
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Bangor celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a full day of Fourth of July fun