Shasta County celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday with fireworks, festivals and concerts on Independence Day.
Planners say this year’s Anderson Explodes! on July 3 and the Redding Freedom Festival on July 4 will be fitting celebrations for the United States’ semiquincentennial.
New bands perform free concerts at the festivals which also include vendor fairs, food trucks and dazzling fireworks launched to soundtracks broadcast over the radio.
Here’s when to come, who’s performing, where to watch the fireworks, where to park and what’s new at Redding and Anderson Fourth of July festivals.
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What’s new at Anderson Explodes!
A North State tradition, Anderson hosts its fireworks and annual celebration Anderson Explodes! on July 3, the evening before Independence Day at the Shasta District Fair grounds.
This year’s theme is “The 250th Anniversary of America.”
Festivities start with food trucks and arts and crafts booths at 5 p.m.
New this year, Anderson resident and country music artist Jeremy Ryan performs with his band for the annual free concert at 7:30 p.m.
The fireworks follow the concert at 10 p.m. The fireworks and score last about 25 minutes this year, said Jeff Kiser, president of Community for Anderson Explodes!.
Best views are from the fairgrounds themselves, according to event planners. People can sit in the bleachers or on the first half of the racetrack, too, Kiser said.
Anderson’s fireworks show soundtrack plays live on Q97, so tune your radio to 97.3 FM. You can also stream from the radio station’s website at q97country.com, but you’ll likely hear a 30 seconds delay, placing the music out of sync with the show, Kiser said.
Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets, but no outside food or beverages, and no pets are allowed.
If you go to Anderson Explodes! 2026
What’s new at Redding’s Freedom Festival
The Redding Freedom Festival kicks off with food vendors and booths at 5 p.m. on July 4 at the Redding Civic Auditorium grounds.
New this year, North State country music artist Serena Karise performs with her band in the annual free concert at 7 p.m. 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. After the concert, they’ll need to turn their lawn chairs around to face the auditorium for the fireworks.
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 the Redding Parks and Recreation Department.
The soundtrack accompanying the fireworks plays on radio station Q97. Listeners can tune their radios to 97.3 FM. They can stream from the radio station’s website at q97country.com, but expect the music to be a bit out of sync with the show.
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, event planners said.
No RVs, alcohol, smoking, drugs or drones are allowed at the civic auditorium. 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.
If you go: Redding Freedom Fest 2026
When the Sundial Bridge and nearby 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.
Other closures include:
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 on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal, Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Where to watch July 4 fireworks in Redding area as US celebrates 250th
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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By Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight | USA TODAY Network
