FRI 7/4: Happy B-Day, USA

8:30pm to 11pm
Boston Pops Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE

Honestly, I like being low-key on the 4th of July. A cookout with friends is perfect. A cookout with strangers is okay too; I would look for a building with a roof deck... I do recommend going down to the Charles and see the fireworks in person at least once in your life. It was the most impressive fireworks show you'll ever see.

I doubt that I will ever try to get a spot in front of the Hatch Shell. People get really gung-ho and make the mad dash at 9am to get the same spot as last year; I can only imagine that there are more people every year. So you got the spot -- now what? Someone has to watch that spot until the concert starts at 8:30pm... The fireworks start at 10:30pm... I like host Craig Ferguson, but do I need to see musical guest Rascal Flatts? I'm not interested in being tied to a 5' x 7' spot for more than 14 hours. Yes, blanket size is just one of the restrictions. (Keep in mind that a cell at Guantanamo Bay is 6' x 10'...)

With the Longfellow bridge closed to spectators this year (maybe next year too), your best bet might be the area along Memorial Dr, from Wadsworth St to Mass Ave.

I was going to list all of the nearby (and sorta nearby) cities with fireworks shows, but there's already a list available that I'm not going to improve before Friday.

You can always try hitting the Boston Pops concert-only show on Thursday from 8:30pm to 10pm for a little picnic music. It might still be crowded, but nothing like Friday. (The "Oval" in front of Hatch Shell opens at 4pm.)