Independence Day festivities return to the North State with fireworks at Anderson Explodes! on July 3 and at the Redding Freedom Festival on July 4.
Planners say this year’s festivals will be doozies, with new bands playing free concerts. Both events also host vendor fairs and food trucks, and fireworks are launched to soundtracks broadcast on a Redding radio station.
Here’s when to come, where to watch and what’s happening at these two Shasta County Fourth of July festivals.
What’s new at Anderson Explodes! on July 3
Keeping up a North State tradition, Anderson hosts its fireworks and annual celebration Anderson Explodes on July 3, the evening before Independence Day. This year’s theme is “Light Up Anderson.”
“We’ve got about 24 minutes of fireworks,” said Jeff Kiser, president of Community for Anderson Explodes! and Anderson’s retired city manager.
Festivities start with food trucks and arts and crafts booths at 5 p.m. at the Shasta District Fairgrounds (1890 Briggs St.) in Anderson.
New this year, Lynsay’s Prime Country performs the annual free concert at 7:30 p.m.
The fireworks follow the concert at 10 p.m. Best views are from the fairgrounds, according to event planners.
Anderson’s fireworks show soundtrack plays on radio station Q97, so tune your radio to 97.3 FM or stream from the radio station’s website at q97country.com.
Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets, but no outside food or beverages, and no pets are allowed, according to Kiser.
Admission is free. Parking in the fairgrounds lot costs $5, half of which funds Anderson High School’ Future Farmers of America club, Kiser said.
For more information, go to the Anderson Explodes! website at andersonexplodes.org.
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What’s new at Redding’s Freedom Festival
Redding’s Fourth of July festivities kicks off at 6 p.m. on July 4 at the Redding Civic Auditorium grounds (700 Auditorium Drive).
New this year, mixed-genre cover band, the Neon Playboys, perform the city’s free concert. This year, the concert happens in a different place on the Civic Auditorium lawn than in past years. Attendees who want to sit near the stage should go to the west side of the lawn, across from Viking Skate Country, said Redding Recreation Supervisor Christina Massey in a statement released on Tuesday, June 24.
After the concert, they’ll need to turn their lawn chairs around to face the Sundial Bridge for the fireworks, Massey said in the press release.
Food and vendor booths stay open until 9:55 p.m., several minutes before the fireworks display starts at 10 p.m.
Funded by the McConnell Foundation, Redding’s fireworks show is one of the largest in California, setting off more than 1,700 shells each year, according to Redding’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The soundtrack accompanying the fireworks plays on radio station Q97. Listeners can tune their radios to 97.3 FM or stream from the radio station’s website at q97country.com.
Where to sit at Redding’s fireworks display
Some of the best views of the fireworks are from the Civic Auditorium lawn, nearby spots along the Sacramento River near the Sundial Bridge and on the bluff along north Hilltop Drive.
No RVs, alcohol, smoking, drugs or drones are allowed at the Civic. Also no pets are allowed with the exception of service animals, but even they have panicked from the loud sounds and scent of fireworks smoke at past Freedom Festivals, city staff said.
When Redding Civic Auditorium access roads close
Redding’s Sundial Bridge will close at 9 p.m. sharp, so come before then if you plan to cross the bridge to the festival from the Sacramento River Trail, Massey said.
Other closures include:
For more information go to cityofredding.gov.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding July 4th fireworks and festival, Anderson Explodes! are here: What’s new for 2025
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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