Ok, you want to plan the best Fourth of July party your neighborhood has ever seen, but you're not sure where to start. As firework experts, we think it's pretty safe to say we know how to have fun and throw a great party. From decor and food to a fireworks show that will end your night with a bang, we're sharing some of the best Fourth of July party ideas so you can throw a party your guests will talk about for years.
1. Add Patriotic Party Decor
Decorations take a Fourth of July party from just another get-together to the best party of the summer. Show your American pride by adding these stunning, fun and easy decor items to your Independence Day setup.
Use Flags
What's a Fourth of July party without American flags? Pretty bland, if you ask us. If you don't have a flagpole, don't worry! There are tons of other ways to incorporate flags into your party decor.
You can hang flags from a garage, shed or awning. You should also be able to find American flag decorations at most major stores, especially in the time leading up to the Fourth.
If you want a subtle patriotic touch, add mini flags to a bouquet for a beautiful centerpiece. Want to embrace the holiday spirit and go loud instead? Look for small flags with poles that you can sink into the ground to line your driveway or sidewalk.
Incorporate Patriotic Candles and Lights
A good Fourth of July party will last well into the night, so you'll need extra lighting. Of course, you'll want to keep them in theme with the rest of the party.
One simple option is to paint mason jars red, white or blue. Place a candle — real or battery-operated — inside to make the jars proudly glow in the national colors. If you want to get extra creative, paint the jars with the stars and stripes design. If you have kids, this can be a fun way to get them involved and excited for the holiday.
You can also hang string lights to brighten up the area. Buy red, white and blue string lights to hang around your space or go all out and find star-shaped string lights to elevate your decor.
2. Serve Themed Food and Drinks
An all-day celebration is going to require some refreshments. Sure, you could set out typical party snacks, but where's the fun in that? Make your party extra special and wow your guests with themed food and drinks.
Food
July is a great time for fresh, in-season fruit. Use this to your advantage and make a selection of healthy, beautiful dishes such as:
- Red, white and blue fruit tray
- Shortcake topped with whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries
- Trifle dessert with angel food cake, vanilla custard, blueberries and strawberries
- Red, white and blue chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Fruit kebabs with fruits in various shades of red, white and blue
Drinks
A warm summer day is definitely going to need some drinks. Stock up on water to help your guests stay hydrated, but don't be afraid to try out some fun options too:
- Punch: Blue and red punches are easy to make and stay in theme with the holiday. Add in some booze for extra adult fun.
- Snow cones: Syrup and shaved ice give you a great way to stay cool and immerse yourself in the summer spirit. Along with regular flavors for kids or guests who prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can prepare alcoholic flavor options for those who want a little kick.
3. Include Games and Entertainment
Kids and adults alike enjoy participating in fun activities. Games are a great way to bring people together and get people mingling. Add some of the following to your party plan:
- Cornhole: If you can, find a fun USA-themed edition or purchase red and blue bags to add some holiday spirit to your current boards.
- Uncle Sam hat competition: Set up a table with plain hats and craft supplies like glue, ribbons, glitter, scissors and stickers. Have each guest create their own hat to wear throughout the party. You're sure to get some funny styles that will get guests laughing and talking to one another.
- Giant Jenga: Buy a patriotic game set or paint the pieces yourself and enjoy watching your guests get competitive over this life-sized version of a beloved, classic game.
If you're hosting a fairly large party, try getting everyone involved with a tournament of games. You can include the games above and other classic summer games like a water balloon toss. Split guests into teams and give each group a fun patriotic name like The Eagles, Uncle Sam's Hat or The Stars. Make things extra fun with props for each team that match their name.
4. Don't Forget the Fireworks and Sparklers!
If we're being honest, all the ideas above are really just to keep your guests occupied until the best part of any Fourth of July party — the firework show. No matter their age, when people see fireworks, they stop to watch. If you're looking to impress your guests this year, you'll want to get these show-stopping sparklers and fireworks.
The Essentials
Sparklers are a staple for any Independence Day party. Kids love them and your adult guests will be asking for one too. Watch as kids draw in the sky or pretend they're a wizard casting spells. Make things even more exciting when you hand out sparklers that burn in different colors like red, green and neon yellow.
Moving on to fireworks, aerial cake fireworks are a classic and popular option for all types of celebrations, especially the Fourth of July. You only need to light this group of fireworks one time. Then, you can sit back and enjoy all your successful party planning efforts as the fireworks and special effects entertain your guests.
Patriotic Pizzaz
Add some American pride to your fireworks show when you launch Triumph® American Glory Canister Shells. These extra, extra large six-inch canister shells explode into different designs like palms, dandelions and willows. Of course, all the fireworks are in the patriotic red, white and blue color scheme with shimmering gold and silver touches.
The Big Finish
We know nailing the firework show finale is crucial, and we've got you covered. The fireworks experts at Red Apple® have spent years studying and perfecting their fireworks. Don't stress about creating the perfect finale — let the experts do it for you.
The Thank You For Your Service finale box set comes with 72 shots with a whopping 150 seconds of performance time. Light this bad boy up and enjoy a stunning grand finale that will leave you in awe from start to finish.
Shop 4th of July Fireworks Online
At Red Apple®, we pride ourselves on creating high-quality fireworks that allow others to experience the joy of an amazing firework show. Shop online or stop in to find your new favorite firework.
Still have questions? Lucky for you, we love talking about fireworks! Just shoot us a message, and one of our Pyrosquad members will be eager to help.
