USA 250: Guide to Ridgewood’s 116th Fourth of July Celebration, Free Parking, & Fireworks
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The 250th anniversary of the United States—officially known as the Semiquincentennial—marks a historic 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This generational milestone is a unique opportunity for Americans to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead.
To honor this landmark occasion, the Village of Ridgewood is pulling out all the stops for USA 250: America’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 4th! Our 116th annual celebration features an all-day lineup of events stretching from sunrise to spectacular night skies.
Spend your Saturday shopping, dining, and celebrating Independence Day right here in downtown Ridgewood. Here is your complete guide to the schedule, ticketing, road closures, and crucial free parking information.
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
📅 Full Schedule of Events: Saturday, July 4th
Ridgewood’s celebration officially kicks off at 9:00 AM and wraps up late into the evening.
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9:00 AM – Welcome & Flag Raising: Join your neighbors at Wilsey Square to start the holiday.
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10:00 AM – The Annual Parade: The parade begins moving from the corner of Monroe Street and Godwin Avenue.
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6:00 PM – Gates Open at Veterans Field: Enjoy an evening of live music, delicious local food trucks, and a lively beer garden.
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9:15 PM – Fireworks by Grucci: Experience a world-class, jaw-dropping fireworks display at Veterans Field.
Want more details? Be sure to check out the official Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee website for real-time updates.
🚗 Morning Parade Information & Road Closures
Planning to catch the morning parade? Make sure you arrive early, as local traffic will be significantly impacted by closures.
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
Parade Road Closures
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7:30 AM: The area between Godwin Avenue and West Ridgewood Avenue (stretching from the Train Station to Monroe Street) will close.
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8:30 AM: Major thoroughfares including Godwin Avenue, Broad Street, East Ridgewood Avenue, Maple Avenue, and Linwood Avenue will close.
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Reopening Time: All streets are expected to reopen at approximately 12:00 PM.
Handicap Parking for the Parade
The first floor of the Hudson Street Parking Garage is strictly reserved for handicap parking and Access Ridgewood event parking.
🎆 Evening Fireworks Information & Tickets
The entertainment and fireworks program at Veterans Field is a ticketed event. Make sure to secure your admission early!
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
Where to Buy Fireworks Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online or in person at these local favorites:
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Backyard Living
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Bookends
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The Daily Treat
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Goffle Brook Farm
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The Wine Seller
Fireworks Road Closures & Restrictions
Traffic will be heavy in the evening. Plan your route around these essential restrictions:
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3:00 PM: Linwood Avenue will close between Maple Avenue and Northern Parkway.
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4:30 PM: Maple Avenue will close completely.
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Reopening Time: Streets will reopen around 10:00 PM. Expect heavy delays immediately following the fireworks.
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Hudson Street Parking Garage Note: The fourth floor of the garage will be completely closed to both vehicles and spectators after the morning parade. It cannot be used for fireworks viewing.
Handicap Parking for Fireworks
Handicap parking for the evening program will be located in the Graydon South Lot on a first-come, first-served basis. If the lot reaches capacity, passengers may be dropped off at the footbridge entrance while drivers locate street parking nearby.
🅿️ Insider Tip: Free Parking in Ridgewood!
Here is some great news for holiday shoppers and diners: Parking is completely free in Ridgewood on federal holidays!
You won’t need to feed the meters while enjoying downtown downtown this Saturday. As a reminder, Ridgewood offers free parking on the following federal holidays throughout the year:
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New Year’s Day
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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Presidents’ Day
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Memorial Day
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Juneteenth
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Independence Day (Saturday, July 4)
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Labor Day
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Columbus Day
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Veterans Day
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Thanksgiving Day
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Christmas Day
📚 Continue the Celebration: Public Reading on July 8th
The Semiquincentennial celebration doesn’t stop over the weekend! As part of the Village’s ongoing America250 Celebration, the Ridgewood Public Library will host a community-wide public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
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When: Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 PM
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Who: Residents of all ages are invited to attend this special, reflective event commemorating our nation’s founding.
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Ridgewood NJ Fourth of July Local Events America250 Free Parking Fireworks Schedule Road Closures Bergen County Events
