Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during Macy's 4th of July fireworks show on July 4, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, a new analysis from personal finance website WalletHub ranks the nation's top cities for enjoying the Fourth of July, balancing affordability, entertainment and holiday festivities.
The Fourth of July remains one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, with Americans gathering for parades, fireworks displays, barbecues and community events. According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. households are expected to spend a combined $9.4 billion on food for Fourth of July celebrations this year alone.
Best cities for 4th of July
Dig deeper:
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas ranked as the top city in the nation for Fourth of July celebrations, driven largely by its extensive entertainment and recreation offerings. WalletHub found the city ranks first for entertainment and recreational facilities and has the fifth-highest number of party supply stores per capita, providing residents and visitors with plenty of options for holiday festivities.
The city also scored well for affordability, particularly when it comes to dining. Las Vegas is among the best cities for affordable restaurants with ratings of at least 4.5 stars. In addition, the city has one of the lowest rates of fatal crashes involving intoxicated drivers, contributing to its strong overall ranking.
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New York
New York City secured the No. 2 spot in WalletHub's rankings and remains one of the most popular destinations for Fourth of July travelers. The city leads the nation in the availability of affordable, highly rated restaurants, offering visitors a wide range of dining options during the holiday.
Beyond its food scene, New York boasts some of the country's highest-quality parks and a wealth of entertainment and recreational attractions. The city also stands out for accessibility, ranking among the nation's most walkable cities while offering the best public transportation system in the country.
Orlando, Fla.
Orlando placed third overall, aided by its strong holiday spirit and abundance of resources for Fourth of July celebrations. The city has the highest number of party supply stores per capita, making it easy for residents to prepare for holiday gatherings and events.
WalletHub also found that Orlando residents show a high level of interest in Independence Day celebrations, with online searches related to the holiday exceeding those in most other major cities. The city's popularity as a Fourth of July destination, combined with Florida's consumer-friendly fireworks laws and numerous recreational attractions, helped earn Orlando a place among the nation's best cities to celebrate Independence Day.
Methodology:
WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities to identify the best and worst destinations for celebrating Independence Day. The rankings were based on five major categories: Fourth of July Celebrations, Affordability, Attractions & Activities, Safety & Accessibility, and Fourth of July Weather Forecast.
The study examined 18 individual metrics across those categories, including factors related to entertainment options, costs, public safety and holiday weather conditions. Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating more favorable conditions for Fourth of July celebrations.
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For certain population-based metrics, WalletHub used the square root of a city's population to minimize the impact of small population differences and create a more balanced comparison among cities.
Researchers then calculated a weighted average score for each city based on all metrics. The final rankings were determined by those overall scores. WalletHub noted that the analysis focused solely on each city's official boundaries and did not include surrounding metropolitan areas.
What they're saying:
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the best cities offer a combination of affordability, favorable weather and memorable entertainment.
"The 4th of July is one of the most beloved holidays in America, allowing many of us to not only celebrate our independence but also get a day off of work and gather together with family and friends. The best cities for the holiday help you make the most of your day, with affordable food options, good weather, fun recreation choices and long, spectacular fireworks shows."
The Source: The information in this story comes from a WalletHub analysis comparing the 100 largest U.S. cities on factors related to Fourth of July celebrations, including affordability, attractions, safety, accessibility and weather. This story was reported from Los Angeles.