Take a short drive to celebrate Independence Day at these fireworks shows near Kansas City
The 4th of July holiday is one of the busiest travel seasons in the United States, as more than 70 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles or more during the week, according to projections from the American Automobile Association.
While many have their plans figured out, others in the Kansas City area are still looking for something to do.
If you want to get out of town for the day, surrounding cities are hosting fireworks displays for the public to enjoy. Check out these free shows away from the Kansas City city limits during Fourth of July celebration week.
Branson
There are several fireworks shows in Branson, which is just three hours south of Kansas City:
Treasure Lake Firework Display, 1 Treasure Lake Drive: 9-10 p.m. July 1. The show is expected to start around 9 p.m.
Branson Landing’s Liberty Light Up Celebration, 100 Branson Landing Boulevard: 5:30-10:30 p.m. July 3. The fireworks start at 9:20 p.m.
Patriotic Picnic at Big Cedar Lodge, 190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale: 5:30-9 p.m. July 4. The fireworks start at dusk.
More fireworks shows around Branson can be found online.
Table Rock Lake
The 30-year tradition of Fireburst Fireworks continues on July 2 over Table Rock Lake, a 3-and-a-half-hour drive south of Kansas City. The show takes place near the Kimberling City bridge, and can be seen from land or boat. Don’t forget you can’t drink and operate a boat in Missouri before heading over to watch.
The show starts at dusk.
Topeka
The Spirit of Kansas Festival takes place on Independence Day from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Lake Shawnee Reynolds Lodge in Topeka, around an hour west of Kansas City. The fireworks show starts at 10 p.m., and you can sync the fire to radio station Majic 107.7.
The day before the fireworks show includes a car show, the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, food, and crafts.
Wamego
Wamego, a town of 5,000 people in Kansas, will become Boomtown as it hosts over 50,000 for their Independence Day festival.
Chris Hupe, a member of the Pyro Crew, said visitors can expect to see 12,000 pounds of fireworks, 2,051 electronically triggered events, 800 hand-lit shells and 25 “dragons” that throw columns of flames 30 feet in the air across the 225,000-square-foot site at Wamego Recreation Complex.
Before the fireworks show at 10 p.m. , the parade goes through downtown Wamego at 6 p.m. A carnival, tractor show and car show take place in the morning and afternoon leading up to the parade.
Wamego is 109 miles west of Kansas City.
This story was originally published June 26, 2024 at 4:55 PM.
