Where to Watch the 2023 Fourth of July Fireworks in Las Vegas

Your Sin City guide to watching the rockets' red glare this Independence Day.

Palace Station
Photo courtesy of Plaza Hotel & Casino
Photo courtesy of Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year, and while that might be an awkward mid-week celebration in other cities, Vegas is down for a party whenever duty calls. So cap off a patriotic holiday of booze, food, and other summer fun with a spectacular display of rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. The following guide to Independence Day fireworks is a comprehensive list of shows, viewing parties, and the rundown on everything else you need to know when celebrating in Las Vegas. 

Can you shoot off your own fireworks in Las Vegas?

It happens every year. Las Vegas looks like a war zone on Independence Day, with countless fireworks shot off from parks, streets, and backyards all over the valley. It's quite the spectacle, especially if you're watching from an elevated vantage point or happen to be flying into Harry Reid International Airport at the time. Is this do-it-yourself approach legal? Well, kind of. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and Laughlin, only approves the sale and use of certified "Safe and Sane" fireworks from June 28 to July 4. These are usually limited to sparklers and that kind of stuff. Booths selling "Safe and Sane" fireworks are easy to spot all over town, especially in grocery stores, gas stations, and shopping center parking lots. Their use is limited to private property.

More intense fireworks like Roman Candles, Cherry Bombs, and Bottle Rockets are legally sold outside Clark County in Pahrump (Nye County) and on Native American reservations. Many people drive to buy these items only to return and set them off in Vegas, where it's against the law to do so. It's even against the law to set them off in Pahrump, with the exception of a single fairground launch site. It's also against the law in Clark County to launch fireworks of any kind after midnight. Does that stop it from happening? Not really. So be smart, use your best judgment, and if nothing else, make sure your pets are in a safe, contained space. The Animal Foundation always reports a spike in stray dogs and cats who run away after getting spooked by firework noise.

Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau

Las Vegas fireworks shows

Las Vegas Ballpark
Sunday, July 2–Monday, July 3
Summerlin
The Las Vegas Ballpark will have fireworks two nights in a row following games between the Las Vegas Aviators and the Round Rock Express (worst name ever) from Central Texas. Both games begin at 6:05 pm, with tickets starting at $18. The fireworks should also be visible to those in or near Downtown Summerlin and the Red Rock Resort.

Night of Fire
Monday, July 3
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Bullring at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway welcomes the annual Night of Fire with NASCAR short-track racing at 5 pm, followed by a fireworks display after dark. General admission tickets are $15. Kids 12 and under get in free and enjoy raffles, big wheel racing, and other activities.

Cowabunga Vegas
Monday, July 3-Tuesday, July 4
Henderson & Southwest
Cowabunga Bay and Cowbunga Canyon, two waterparks for beating the heat in Las Vegas, are holding Red, White & Kaboom celebrations over two straight days with fireworks at 8:50 pm each night. The event also includes roaming performers, face painting, and contests to see who can eat the most pie or hot dogs. General admission is $46.99. A season pass is $99.99.

Caesars Palace
Tuesday, July 4
The Strip
Caesars Palace is hosting the only fireworks celebration on the Strip this Independence Day. Fortunately, the resort is centrally located and should be easy to view from up and down Las Vegas Boulevard. The best sightlines are from the fountains, Roman Plaza, and Spanish Steps outside the front door of the resort, as well as The LINQ promenade across the street. The fireworks are scheduled to shoot off from the rooftop of the Julius Tower at 9 pm. Giada at the Cromwell across the street is offering upgraded reservations with tables by open windows to view the show.

Photo courtesy of Green Valley Ranch

Damboree
Tuesday, July 4
Boulder City
Boulder City welcomes back Damboree, named after the town's proximity to the Hoover Dam. A full day's worth of activities gets underway at 7 am with the long-running Rotary Pancake Breakfast at Bicentennial Park, followed by a jet flyover and parade throughout downtown at 9 am. Visit food and beer vendors at Broadbent Park (beginning at 10 am), with more festivities at Veterans Memorial Park at 4 pm. Fireworks take place at 9 pm. Parking is $20 per car. It's the 75th anniversary of Damboree, so expect the celebration to be bigger than ever.

Green Valley Ranch
Tuesday, July 4
Henderson
Green Valley Ranch is shooting fireworks off the resort's rooftop at 9 pm. A viewing party begins at the Backyard pool deck, starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets ($35 for those 12 and older, $10 for kids 2 to 11 years old) are available at the hotel's two gift shops. Everybody gets a free light-up necklace. Food and snacks cost a little bit extra. Call 702-617-7744 to book a cabana at The Pond, a smaller adults-only pool.

Heritage Park
Tuesday, July 4
Henderson
Heritage Park is celebrating America's birthday with a free evening of country music. Little Texas performs at 7:30 pm, followed by a holiday fireworks show at 9 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. Look for the stage in the southwest corner of the park near Racetrack Road and Newport Drive.

Photo courtesy of The M Resort

Lake Las Vegas
Tuesday, July 4
Henderson
Watch fireworks erupt over the water at Lake Las Vegas in a spectacle designed to coincide with the show at Heritage Park. The fireworks are free to watch with the best vantage points from The Village, Westin, Hilton, and Reflection Bay Golf Club. You can even watch the extravaganza from the 320-acre lake while paddling on a kayak or sipping on a cocktail during a yacht cruise.

The M Resort
Tuesday, July 4
Henderson
The M Resort is bringing back its annual fireworks show with a 15-minute presentation at 9 pm. The best views are from the hotel's pool deck. Admission is $30 (or $10 for children 10 and under) with a live concert at 7:45 pm by Cover Lane, an acoustic duo featuring Carnell "Golden Pipes" Johnson and Lynnae Meyers, both familiar to Vegas Golden Knights fans for national anthem performances.

Petrack Park
Tuesday, July 4
Pahrump
Pahrump's annual Fireworks Spectacular gets underway at dusk at Petrack Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and stretch out on the grass. Earlier in the day, a patriotic parade takes place at 10 am at Calvada Eye Park with a watermelon eating contest and water fight with the sheriff's department.

Photo by David Becker

The Plaza
Tuesday, July 4
Downtown
The Plaza continues an annual tradition, hosting the only Fourth of July fireworks celebration in Downtown Las Vegas. The show will erupt from multiple locations on the hotel rooftop at 9 pm, with explosions high above the west end of the Fremont Street Experience. A stretch of Main Street in front of the resort will be closed to check, but hotel guests (who can book at a 20% discount online) get the best views from the pool deck with a party beginning at 7:30 pm. Daybed and cabana rentals are also available. Inquire by email. A couple of recent additions to the Plaza, Carousel Bar, and Pinkbox Doughnuts, will have holiday-themed treats for sale.

Red Rock Resort
Tuesday, July 4
Summerlin
The Red Rock Resort will shoot off fireworks from the hotel rooftop at 9 pm. General admission tickets for prime viewing from the Sandbar pool are $35 ($10 for kids 2-11) and available in the gift shop with a light-up necklace included. Doors open at 7:30 pm with drinks and pizza from Side Piece for sale. Go online to book a cabana.

Rockets Over the Red Mesa
Tuesday, July 4
Mesquite
A holiday tradition continues 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas in Mesquite. The Eureka Casino Resort hosts "Rockets Over the Red Mesa," with fireworks erupting over the mesa behind the property at 9 pm, set to a patriotic playlist broadcast over 88.1 FM. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and tailgate. An All-American Buffet will serve food at Town Square from 4 to 8 pm.

Rockets Over the River
Tuesday, July 4
Laughlin
If you need a good excuse to visit Laughlin, this is it. Located on the southern tip of Nevada by the Arizona state line, the small gaming town hosts the annual "Rockets Over the River" fireworks celebration at 9 pm. The show is seen over the Colorado River, creating a colorful reflection in the water while synchronized music plays from nearby hotels and on 104.9 KISS FM. The show is easy to see no matter where you're standing by the river.

Photo by Anthony Mair

Las Vegas fireworks viewing parties

Bottiglia
Tuesday, July 4
Green Valley Ranch
Italian restaurant Bottiglia has great seats on the outdoor patio to watch Green Valley Ranch's fireworks show at 9 pm. Enjoy specials like filet mignon with wood-grilled asparagus and marinated heirloom tomatoes for $56 and a Sparkling Freedom Fizz cocktail with Champagne, Chambord, and pineapple for $18. Joseph Soul performs 6-9 pm.

Cabo Wabo Cantina
Tuesday, July 4
Miracle Mile Shops
The tequila will flow at Cabo Wabo Cantina's Fourth of July party on the restaurant's Stripside patio. Order Mexican food, beer, and cocktails while catching sight of the fireworks. Ask for the All-American, a red, white, and blue mix of vodka, rum, coconut, cranberry, pineapple, and blue curaçao for $25.

Legacy Club
Tuesday, July 4
Downtown
One of the best rooftop bars in Las Vegas, the Legacy Club will have a patriotic party with 360-degree views from the 60th floor of the Circa resort. That means you can check out Strip and Downtown fireworks at the same time. General admission tickets are $125 with an All-American Cookout and open bar of beer, wine, champagne, and select cocktails. Email the Legacy Club to upgrade to a table or VIP seating. Special packages for groups run $700 to $1,400.

The Strat
Tuesday, July 4
The Strat
The 1,149-foot-tall Strat isn't throwing an official Independence Day party, but a ticket to the SkyPod viewing deck (beginning at $30) on the 108th floor is one of the best ways to spot fireworks throughout the valley. The Top of the World restaurant on the 107th floor has wine flights and a delicious menu of steaks and seafood. Get warmed up for the holiday with root beer BBQ beef ribs with cheddar mashed potatoes for $32 and two-for-one domestic beers at PT's Wings & Sports and View Lounge from June 30 to July 3.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than seven years. His work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. He's watching the fireworks from his backyard patio. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.