Independence Day is the summer’s anchoring point for a lot of us.
The weather’s hot, life slows down, and a million different traditions up and down the country make the 4th of July a weird and amazing opportunity to bring communities together.
As an event organizer, the possibilities are pretty much limitless. Being spoiled for choice can make planning your next 4th of July party a bit tricky. That’s why we’ve created this guide, and we’ve got years of experience behind event organization to back it up.
Here at Eventbrite, we love a good 4th of July bash — which is why we support event organizers all over the country (and abroad) to create and organize unique Independence Day celebrations every single year.
Read on to get 4th of July party activities for large events, family-friendly 4th of July party games, 4th of July party ideas for catering, and more.
Table of contents
4th of July activities for large events
Family-friendly 4th of July party games
4th of July party catering ideas
Why host a 4th of July party?
If you’re looking to host a holiday-themed event with a huge built-in audience, you can’t do much better than the 4th of July.
Over half of Americans say they love to celebrate Independence Day, and it’s an excellent opportunity to build your events around a sense of community and patriotism. A recent Gallup poll found that 67% of U.S adults say they’re proud to be American — and the 4th of July is the ultimate opportunity to show off that American pride.
If you’re considering throwing 4th of July party games and activities with classics like fireworks, you can’t go wrong. Last year, spending on 4th of July fireworks hit an all-time high. In fact, consumer spending on 4th of July celebrations is increasing in most verticals.
Translation: 4th of July parties are a great business opportunity with fantastic revenue potential for event organizers. You’ve just got to come up with some amazing event ideas to create a cool experience for your guests — and we’ve done that for you!
4th of July activities for large events
Most of us have been to a neighborhood BBQ or a get-together for 4th of July activities. But to accommodate bigger groups in bigger event spaces, you’ll need to think bigger than an outdoor space with a handful of guests.
Here are some of our favorite 4th of July activities for larger events, so everyone can celebrate big!
1. 4th of July of 5k
Races are always a popular summer activity, so consider organizing a 5k or half-marathon, boating, biking, or even hiking events.
Choose a fitness activity that doesn’t have much competition in your area but will still draw attendees. You can even host a hybrid event, allowing interested participants to race together or on their own time, and wrap up with an online awards ceremony.
💡Pro tip: During your planning, consider partnering with a local nonprofit and donating some of your proceeds to a charity.
2. 4th of July concert
No party is complete without music, right?
Live music creates a sense of community and brings people together at an event. A concert works for both indoor and outdoor venues, and it’s a brilliant icebreaker to get your party guests up and moving.
You can even combine live DJs with bands to create multiple musical experiences like DARRON WHEELER ENTERTAINMENT LLC has lined up for THE PINK Affair Breast Cancer Event 4th of July Weekend. It’s a great way to cater to different tastes and keep the party going after the band finishes their set.
💡Pro tip: Want to open your concert to a wider audience? Turn it into a hybrid event by livestreaming the show online.
3. Independence Day fireworks display
Put on a fireworks show after the event to stick to the Independence Day theme.
Take all the necessary safety precautions before your fireworks show. You’ll need enough outdoor space for a large group to gather at a safe distance, and your staging ground needs to be far away from any trees, buildings, or powerlines.
4. Flag football tournament
Flag football is an inclusive way to have summer fun on Independence Day. You can even set up your outdoor space with multiple fields to stage a tournament between different teams — perhaps finishing the final with a fireworks finale.
Want to see how to organize a flag football tournament the right way?
Take a look at Adreyana Bryan’s upcoming Family Flag Football Day. They’ve even got a raffle and a cash prize lined up for the winning team.
5. Patriotic costume contest
Everybody loves an excuse to dress up, and a costume contest is one of the greatest 4th of July party ideas.
You’ve got loads of choices, too. You could encourage guests to go colonial and dress up like Revolutionary War soldiers or the Founding Fathers, heroes from across American history, pop culture icons, superheroes like Captain America, and everything in between.
Make sure you use a platform like Eventbrite to email your guests. This will ensure all your guests have all the contest rules, requirements, or suggestions so they arrive at your party dressed up and ready to go.
Here’s how it’s done:
💡Pro tip: Set up your venue around a stage so your contestants have plenty of space to flaunt their costumes. That’s where Eventbrite’s reserved seating feature comes in. You can set up your venue and tables on Eventbrite so ticket holders know exactly where they’ll sit.
6. Capture the Flag tournament
Capture the Flag is a fun and simple way to get guests of all ages up and having loads of summer fun. This is a great opportunity to use the American flag and liven up the playing field with patriotic music.
For inspiration, check out The Next Fun Thing’s recent LA’s Biggest Capture The Flag Game! They opted for a more competitive tournament for over-18s. But you can easily adapt this idea to families or large groups of kids.
You’ve just got to plan. That means setting up water stations and refreshments — and potentially getting a first aid station on site.
Better safe than sorry, right?
7. Arts and crafts stations
Integrating arts and crafts into 4th of July activities is a great way to keep kids busy making patriotic artwork if you’re running a family event. But you can also take your craft workshop to the next level and get local artisans involved for more advanced adult classes.
When setting up a large event with arts and crafts, ensure you’re firm on your numbers to get adequate supplies together. That’s where Eventbrite can really help out.
Ready to start running numbers?
With real-time reporting tools, you’ll have constant eyes on your registration numbers — so there’s ample time to stock up on more supplies if your 4th of July ticket sales exceed expectations.
Here’s how it works:
8. Outdoor movie screening
A drive-in movie event allows event-goers to get outside this summer and make some incredible memories.
Showcase classic American films for all ages to keep a 4th of July event theme. Consider offering a double feature, including an early film for kids and a later one for teens and adults. That way, you can please families of all ages.
Historic Mesquite Inc.’s Drive-in Movie at the Lawrence Barn is a great example. Not only did they set up a drive-in, but organizers created a trivia game for guests to compete with one another for cool prizes.
9. Historical walking tour
Every US city has its local history to share, so use your area’s unique story as inspiration for an event around Independence Day.
Offer a walking tour of historical sites in your area or let historical re-enactors tell the tale of your town’s founding.
💡Pro tip: Host an outdoor art fair featuring present-day and historical works from local artists. Get the kids involved by hosting a patriotic art contest or crafting event.
10. 4th of July stand-up comedy show
Comedy is a great way to break down social barriers and bring people together — which is exactly your goal when hosting an event for the 4th of July.
You could have a big headliner, or collaborate with various comedians to make a stellar-themed line-up. That’s what 4th of July Committee-Eva Banuelos Co-Chair has lined up for its 4th of July Committee Presents COMEDY NIGHT!!
11. 4th of July cruise
Independence Day is the perfect time for a holiday party cruise.
This works great as an upscale event for VIPs — but you can also operate your 4th of July cruise as a festive party for families. That’s what July4th.com – America’s Party Experts are doing for its July 4th Family Fireworks Party Cruise.
This family-friendly event includes an open bar with cool drinks, a buffet, and a live DJ. There’s no better place to watch fireworks with the family than aboard a boat.
12. 4th of July arts & crafts show
Many cities have started to embrace art shows as an outdoor summer staple. Line your party venue with stalls from local artists to create a festival-like atmosphere at your 4th of July party.
This is also a great opportunity to generate additional income from vendors renting tables or event space and support your local arts scene.
Want to see an example for 4th of July party ideas?
Look no further than the Fourth in Fredericksburg Craft Show Committee’s upcoming 2024 Fourth in Fredericksburg Arts & Crafts Show. Featuring a mix of food and drink vendors, music, and fun activities, this is the perfect way to get everybody mingling outside on the 4th.
13. 4th of July beach party
July is hot — so if you’re near the sea or a lake, there’s no excuse not to host a beach party on Independence Day.
Beach parties can be relatively simple and affordable to set up. Best of all, your event space effectively doubles as your entertainment. Just invest in some fireworks for the night’s end, provide some catering options like food trucks or BBQ, and let guests splash around.
For next-level inspiration, get inspired by The Barley Beach House’s 2024 JULY 4th BEACH PARTY. Complete with a roast chicken buffet, a fireworks show, and Hawaiian fire dancers, this is a beach party done well.
Family-friendly 4th of July party games
Family events are a great way to create connections between parents, their kids, and wider communities.
Here are a few of our favorite 4th of July party ideas for a family-friendly day.
14. Sack races
This classic lawn game is a family-friendly activity for all ages, and it’s low-budget. All you need is some space, burlap sacks, and a finish line.
This activity will have everybody laughing, and it’s guaranteed to liven up your 4th of July party with some friendly competition.
💡Pro tip: Create multiple age groups and classes to keep things fair. This will level the playing field and ensure everyone has a great time.
15. Hot dog eating contest
Is there anything more American than a hot dog eating contest? They’re a US summertime staple and an opportunity to collaborate with local restaurants or food trucks.
You could even set up your 4th of July contest as a charity fundraiser. That’s what Star Sailor did for its Daddy’s Day Charity Hot Dog Eating Contest. All the proceeds of the contest went to the local LGBTQIA+ community.
Want to motivate your contestants for your next 4th of July party ideas? The current men’s record is 62 hot dogs in one sitting and 39.5 for women. Wow… that’ll induce the meat sweats!
16. Cornhole
This is another fun game that’s a total classic. It’s a super low-budget take on the bean bag toss and is inclusive for all ages and abilities.
It’s a great icebreaker game to place outside of your venue so guests can grab their drink of choice and pass the time while others arrive.
💡Pro tip: Make sure your corn hole stations are in keeping with your patriotic themes. Think blue stripes, red stripes, stars, and lots of glitter.
17. Three-legged race
Three-legged races are another fast and classic game to spice up your 4th of July party. They’re ideal for families and kids — but they’re also a fun way to capitalize on childhood nostalgia at adults-only parties.
For the perfect finishing touch, set up a balloon arch as your finish line for teams to hobble across.
Check out Elevation Health and its Playa Vista Field Day event. Not only did they integrate three-legged races, but they also included tug of war, relays, and a sack race.
18. Independence Day scavenger hunt
Capture some National Treasure vibes by creating a patriotic scavenger hunt. You can send guests around the city on an epic quest or simply hide clues around a large event space or local park to keep things more centralized.
Inject plenty of patriotic spirit into your clues, and offer prizes for the winning teams.
💡Pro tip: Try integrating technology with QR codes at each location to reveal the next clue. QR codes also allow you to monitor data post-event.
19. Water balloon fight
Keep guests cool with a classic, no-frills water balloon fight. Stock up on blue balloons, red balloons, and white balloons, split your guests into teams, and let them go to town.
This is fun for guests of all ages; it’s simple and relatively affordable entertainment to add to your festive party.
You could even add a water balloon fight onto a pool party like Mr. Reverse It has lined up for his upcoming ULTIMATE LEO EDITION Mega Splash Pool Party. With organizers planning to supply 1,000 balloons for an adults-only battle, this is definitely going to be a splash.
20. Balloon Pop
Balloon Pop is another easy 4th of July party game that all your guests will love. Simply paint a few boards in red, white, and blue colors, tack on some balloons, and let your guests toss darts at the objects for prizes.
It’s super low-budget — but you can also generate extra event income by charging your guests for attempts to pop the balloons (or raise money for charity.)
💡Pro tip: Get multiple balloon backdrops for participants to ensure your balloon pop station lasts for the entire event.
21. Limbo contest
When the weather heats up, everyone wants a little taste of the tropics — and limbo is the ultimate island game.
Limbo is simple, inclusive, and budget-friendly. You can work it into all party themes. For example, Hosted by WidebodyWren managed to work a limbo contest into its upcoming Fusion Auto Show 2024. So why not create a patriotic limbo battle?
It requires little-to-no setup, but make sure you spice things up with some great music. You could even invite hula dancers or fire eaters to turn up the heat.
4th of July party catering ideas
In your search for Independence Day program ideas, consider food and drink events centered around an all-American theme with food tables piled high with patriotic desserts, unique cocktails, a classic American flag cake, and everything in between.
Here are some delicious food-and-drink-inspired 4th of July party ideas.
22. Classic BBQ
BBQ is the great American classic. It’s synonymous with summer events, and it’s pretty easy to cook in bulk.
Pair your BBQ dishes with an alcoholic or non-alcoholic signature cocktail. For inspiration, take a look at Memphis’ 4th Annual Cigar and Whiskey BBQ Festival. Not only have they planned a mouth-watering BBQ line-up, but they’ve also got cigars and whiskeys lined up to match.
23. Food truck
Food trucks remove all the stress from catering. They’re often less expensive than hiring traditional caterers and add a festival atmosphere to a party.
Pass the ball over to food truck owners to reduce your stress and support a local business. Think taco trucks, ice cream, hot dogs, and burger vans.
💡Pro tip: Collaborate with multiple food truck vendors to give guests the gift of choice and add some buzz to your catering ideas.
24. Ice cream bar
Have we mentioned it’s hot in July? That’s why an ice cream bar is the perfect option.
Set up self-serve stations packed with red sprinkles, white sprinkles, blue sprinkles, red and blue berries, and other sweet treats to decorate their tasty creations. Encourage them to post their desserts to social media with a giveaway.
For a unique take on this one, take a look at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards and its upcoming Ice Cream & Wine Pairing. Need we say more?
25. Pig roast
A pig roast is a brilliant way to take your BBQ game to the next level. A huge pig on a spit is a cost-effective way to feed a huge group — and it also doubles as a visual centerpiece at your event.
Everybody will leave impressed and stuffed when they see a roast pig spinning over an open fire.
💡Pro tip: While many guests will think a roast pig is delicious, it’s not for everyone. Include a vegan alternative for those who don’t roast pork. Hogless roast, anyone?
26. 4th of July cocktails
Add patriotic flair to your bar with custom cocktails or American-themed drinks to match your party.
A cocktail party makes for a perfect mixer opportunity for adults. In fact, it could even double as a 4th of July networking event or dating event for singles. Just make sure to include mocktails to cater to all.
That’s the approach July4th.com – America’s Party Experts has taken for its Family-Friendly NYC July 4th Fireworks Cruise on Lucille — tasty cocktails for grown-ups and non-alcoholic drinks for younger guests.
27. Craft beer tasting
Bring together local breweries to host a craft beer tasting.
Sell tickets for multiple entry times to control the crowd. Then, you can let each brewery set up a table and distribute tasting tickets so event-goers can sample different American craft beers.
💡Pro tip: Capitalize on the online community around craft beer by teaming up with social influencers in the beer community on platforms like Instagram to promote your craft beer event to your target audience.
28. Burger grill-off
Host a burger grill-off, charging a small entry fee for every grillmaster to have their burger taste-tested by a panel of judges.
For next-level inspiration, check out Omni Outreach’s 2nd Annual King of The Grill Cookoff and Family Fun Day event. Organizers created the ultimate taste test by letting diners sample and vote for their favorite grill masters.
That’s a great way to entertain your guests while you feed them.
29. 4th of July potluck
If you’re planning an intimate 4th of July party, a potluck will remove the stress of catering. Ask guests to bring their own dishes — you could even hold a secret vote and stage a contest to see who brought the tastiest or most patriotic dish.
This is a great catering option to piggyback any party theme. For example, The Pocket created their potluck event series, allowing musicians to meet up for ham sessions.
30. Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are an amazing way to feed many mouths at little cost. But they’re also bound to create mass nostalgia for all the grown-ups in the room.
Sloppy Joes are easy to make and dish up and offer a quick catering option if you want to move your 4th of July party guests on to the next thing quickly.
💡Pro tip: Using a local restaurant? Ask for drop catering. They’ll drop off the buns and filling, and then you can plate up yourself. This should shave quite a bit off your catering budget.
Let’s start celebrating 4th of July
If you’re looking for a holiday-themed event with built-in demand and loads of potential for fun, you can’t go wrong with the 4th of July.
Just make sure you have great activities, games, and catering ideas to make your 4th of July party pop. So pick a few of the ideas we’ve covered to make sparks fly at your next event — and if you need help organizing and promoting your 4th of July party ideas, Eventbrite is here to help.
By partnering with Eventbrite, you can create custom event pages, sell different tickets to create the ultimate VIP experience, stay in constant communication with your guests, promote your Independence Day party, and everything in between.
