Summer has officially begun in Madison, and nothing says summer like the Fourth of July.
Local festivities are kicking off this week:
Firework Watch Party | Saturday, June 29 | 6 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St. | Cost of purchase | Get a rooftop view of the fireworks blasting off at Breese Stevens Field.
Festival Foods Fireworks Lights the Isthmus | Saturday, June 29 | 6-10 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St. | $13-$95 | Depending on which of the three ticket packages yu choose, you could snag a rooftop spot, or access to the (air-conditioned) Forward Club.
Monona Community Festival | Tuesday, July 2-Thursday, July 4 | Times vary | Winnequah Park, 1055 Nichols Rd., Monona | Free | In addition to a carnival, the Wife Carrying Championship, and live music, the fireworks will take place on the final day of the festival at dusk.
Have your fill of food, fireworks, and fun at the Monona Community Festival. | Photo by Monona Community Festival
Madison Mallards Postgame | Wednesday, July 3 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave. | Cost of Mallards tickets | Stick around after the game for a 20-minute fireworks show. Pro tip: If you can’t make the game, the fireworks will be visible from the public park surrounding the field.
Shorewood Hills Independence Day Festivities | Wednesday, July 3- Thursday, July 4 | Times vary | Free | Geared toward families with children, this two-day affair will be full of water balloon fights, casual sporting events, a parade, and of course, fireworks.
Fourth Fest | Thursday, July 4 | 2-8 p.m. | Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Pl. | Free | Natty Nation and the People Brothers Band will perform live at this lakeside festival between Mad City Water Ski shows on Lake Mendota.
WaunaBoom | Thursday, July 4 | 2-10:30 p.m. | Ripp Park, 213 Dorn Dr., Waunakee | Free | Enjoy food carts, an F-35 flyover, and live music before the fireworks display, which will be synced with music.