Every year, 500,000 visitors from around the globe come to watch Boston's fireworks spectacular, and with good reason. For over 30 years, the event has been evolving, mutating, and growing to become one of the nation's top Independence Day displays. Boston's July 4th combines the sounds of the famed Boston Pops with a historical atmosphere and several tons of explosives. This year, Neil Diamond will perform before the fireworks. The Boston Pops concert begins at 8:00 and fireworks commence at 10:30 p.m. For front row seats, arrive early Sunday morning and stake your claim on the Esplanade. You may also choose to view the show by boat, but reserve your tickets far in advance. Boston's 4th of July extravaganza marks the end of the Harborfest festival, a week-long celebration of the city's colonial roots.

All event locations are being held at the Esplanade, which is the area adjacent to the Charles River. This includes the oval and the Hatch Shell. During the festivities, onlookers who enter the oval are subject to a bag check where alcohol, glass containers, and sharp objects will be confiscated. Anyone who enters the oval will receive a wrist band which they must wear at all times. Once the Oval is full (around 2pm on the 4th) no additional wristbands will be given out. It will open at 4pm on Sunday the 3rd and 9am on the 4th. There will be music and events throughout the day on the 4th.