Every July 4, Oregon Coast main streets are lined with paradegoers, fireworks displays light up the night sky, and in between folks enjoy the holiday together on the Coast’s trails, downtowns, and beaches.
Whether you want to watch a parade or be in the parade; enjoy a fireworks display or a cutting-edge drone show; cheer for wiener dog races or a cardboard boat regatta – the Oregon Coast has something for you this Fourth of July.
Here’s how to visit the Coast for the Fourth, while supporting local communities and caring for our delicate coastal environment.
North Coast
- Astoria: listen to a free North Coast Symphonic Band concert on Thursday, July 3, then watch fireworks over the Columbia River on July 4.
- Warrenton: enjoy the annual 4th of July Parade alongside a community BBQ and classic car show.
- Seaside: attend a parade, social, and fireworks celebration.
- Cannon Beach: experience a fireworks-free Fourth including a parade.
- Manzanita: watch the parade or even enter to march along.
- Rockaway Beach: take in the Firecracker Wiener Nationals wiener dog races and enjoy the parade and fireworks.
- Cloverdale: experience the Clover’s Day Celebration on Saturday, July 5.
- Neskowin: enjoy fireworks at Proposal Rock.
Central Coast
- Lincoln City: enjoy live music in the Taft District, followed by an innovative drone show when the sun goes down.
- Newport: experience fireworks over Yaquina Bay.
- Waldport: come see the fireworks on Thursday, July 3.
- Yachats: find out what the annual La De Da Parade is all about and stay for fireworks over the Yachats River.
- Florence: experience an old-fashioned Fourth of July with a bike parade, pie and watermelon eating contests, and fireworks over the Siuslaw River.
South Coast
- Winchester Bay: try something new at the Winchester Bay Adventure Expo.
- Lakeside: enjoy an Independence Day beach party and fireworks over Tenmile Lake.
- Coos Bay: come for two nights of fireworks July 3 and 4, the Firecracker Run, and family fun in Mingus Park.
- Bandon: experience the 4th of July Celebration Parade and fireworks over the Coquille River, plus the Cardboard Boat Regatta, Crab Derby, Boardwalk Art Show, and more.
- Port Orford: come for the Port Orford Jubilee, a full weekend of events from a parade and fireworks, to a quilt show, pet show, paddle parade, art contest, and more.
- Gold Beach: experience Go 4th on the Rogue River including live music, a classic car show, and fireworks.
- Brookings-Harbor: try your hand at the Slam N Salmon Ocean Derby and enjoy the Sky High Fourth of July with vendors, music, family fun, and fireworks at the Port of Brookings Harbor.
Fourth Like a Local
Be aware of fireworks restrictions
The use of any fireworks, legal or illegal, is prohibited in Oregon State Parks, on Oregon beaches, and on state and federal forest lands in Oregon. They are also prohibited in certain municipalities, like the cities of Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. Check for local restrictions and know before you go.
Fireworks impact sensitive habitats for species like Western snowy plovers, black oystercatchers, and harbor seals. The debris left behind from fireworks is also a hazard to wildlife. Please respect fireworks restrictions on the Oregon Coast – there are lots of other ways to celebrate.
Enjoy campfires safely
Check fire restrictions for the area you’re visiting if you’re planning to have a campfire. Oregon State Parks, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Siuslaw National Forest offer helpful information.
Keep campfires small and at least five feet away from any flammable material, including overhanging tree limbs, driftwood, and dune grass, and never leave a campfire unattended.
When you’re finished, douse your campfire with water and stir the embers; ensure any burning material is cold to the touch before leaving the area. Don’t bury your campfire in sand – unsuspecting beachgoers could be burned by still-hot coals.
Practice beach safety and responsible recreation
Our small coastal communities rely on volunteer first responders, and we rely on you to be safe and responsible while recreating in our beautiful natural areas. The Oregon Coast is unpredictable and can be dangerous. Even on relatively calm days, ocean patterns, waves and currents can quickly change, so it’s important to stay alert.
Pack out all trash and food scraps and dispose of waste properly in designated bins to protect wildlife and marine habitats. Visit our Coast Like a Local page to learn how to think and act like a local when visiting the Oregon Coast.
Pitch in and enjoy the Afterglow
We welcome you to enjoy the Fourth on the Coast – and we’d love your help to clean up afterward. Local communities and nonprofits like SOLVE host beach and town cleanups on July 5 and 6 to make sure our celebrations leave no trace.
- Astoria and Warrenton: Help clean up debris along the Astoria Riverwalk, Warrenton parade route, Hammond Marina, Sunset Beach, and more.
- Seaside: Join the monthly Treasure the Beach cleanup.
- Rockaway Beach: Help clean up at the Tillamook North Jetty.
- Netarts and Oceanside: Pick up beach debris with Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS.
- Lincoln City: Help clean up the Roads End beach and neighborhood or the NW 26th Street Beach.
- Don’t see a cleanup happening where you are? Sign up with SOLVE to lead your own.
Learn more about how to keep the Oregon Coast beautiful when you visit for the Fourth of July or year-round.
– By Karen Olson
Top photo: Steve Dimrock