Plans Announced for City of Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration, Produced in Partnership with BOPA and in Collaboration with Waterfront Partnership & Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Baltimore, MD — June 13, 2024 — The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA), in collaboration with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, announces details of the City of Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from 3:00–10:00 p.m. This is the third consecutive year of a collaboration between BOPA, BSO, and Waterfront Partnership to create special civic celebrations for Baltimore residents and visitors alike in partnership with the Mayor’s Office.

“Each year at our annual Fourth of July celebration, Baltimore welcomes thousands downtown to the Waterfront Promenade for the best fireworks and drone show in the country and a joyous family-friendly event,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I am so excited to welcome all Baltimoreans from across the city to come enjoy the spectacular show and everything that our downtown has to offer this year. As always, thank you to all of the organizations and community partners from across Baltimore who spend months working to make this can’t-miss summer event a reality.”

Following the dazzling debut of drones at the 2023 New Year’s Eve Spectacular, BOPA has renewed its partnership with Image Engineering (IE), renowned global event company specializing in laser entertainment, headquartered in Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood. BOPA is working with IE to design a drone show that pairs with the time-honored Fourth of July fireworks display. Similar to New Year’s Eve, fireworks will launch from a single barge, donated by Vane Brothers, in the Inner Harbor. The drone fleet will take off from Pier Six Pavilion, and include 250 drones, compared to the 150 drones used for the New Year’s Eve show.

“The Fourth of July provides a unique opportunity for the City of Baltimore — an integral player in this nation’s quest for Independence — to pause and reflect on what is both a brilliant and complicated past and the diverse contributions of Baltimoreans in that quest,” says Rachel D. Graham, BOPA’s CEO. “BOPA looks forward to contributing a stunning display across the night sky that pays homage to that history while honoring the memory of those who, in the same spirit of this country’s founders, came to this city to make a better life for themselves and their families.”

Under the baton of conductor Nicholas Hersh, the BSO’s Star-Spangled Celebration concert, presented by PNC Bank, will feature a diverse selection of patriotic music live from Rash Field leading up to the fireworks. The program includes works by Leonard Bernstein, Paul Simon, Jessie Montgomery, and Tchaikovsky, along with a performance by award- winning hip hop and spoken word artist Wordsmith.

So that as many people as possible can experience a vibrant, multimedia light show accompanied live by the music of the BSO, the Fourth of July Celebration will be amplified around the entire promenade, from Harborplace to Federal Hill.

“This year’s Fourth of July Celebration is a testament of music’s power in bringing our community together,” says Mark Hanson, BSO’s President and CEO. “We are excited to once again offer a free, vibrant musical experience for all residents and visitors to enjoy at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The Star-Spangled Celebration underscores our commitment to making high-quality orchestral music accessible to everyone and celebrating the unity and joy it brings to our city. We are thankful for the ongoing support from the City of Baltimore and our dedicated partners at BOPA and the Waterfront Partnership.”

Laurie Schwartz, President of the Waterfront Partnership, affirms, “The Fourth of July fireworks and daylong celebration are a tradition that we are so proud to host at Baltimore’s waterfront. We love to see the joy and energy locals and visitors bring while they enjoy the festivities and make memories at the Inner Harbor.”

Schedule of Events

On Thursday, July 4, Waterfront Partnership kicks off the day’s programming at 3:00 p.m. with a picnic at West Shore Park that lasts until 9:00 p.m. There will be a variety of local food trucks and vendors with tempting treats to try.

The celebration amps up at 6:00 p.m. when returning crowd favorite DJ C. James starts playing family-friendly jams at the Amphitheater. Avenue 66, a 10-piece variety cover band, takes the stage from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Around 7:15 p.m., Mayor Brandon M. Scott will make his customary arrival by kayak to deliver remarks at Rash Field Park.

At approximately 8:00 p.m. the BSO concert will begin at Rash Field. The fireworks and drones show will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will last approximately 15 minutes with accompaniment by the BSO.

Stay up to date on the 2024 Fourth of July festivities by following BOPA on social media (@promoandarts) or visiting promotionandarts.org.

BOPA is deeply grateful to the City of Baltimore and event partners, BSO and Waterfront Partnership, the City of Baltimore, Image Engineering, and Vane Brothers. In addition to the support of presenting sponsor PNC, the BSO is grateful for the major support of Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker, and proud to also recognize this special concert as a Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker Community Performance.

For media inquiries, contact Amy Burke Friedman or Molly Molloy at PROFILES, BOPA@profilespr.com, or BOPA’s Communications Manager, Barbara Hauck, bhauck@promotionandarts.org.

About the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which serves as Baltimore City’s arts council, events center, and film office. By providing funding and support to artists and arts organizations, as well as producing cultural events across the city, BOPA’s goal is to make Baltimore a more vibrant and creative place to live and work.

About the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore

Waterfront Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and promoting the waterfront district’s parks and public spaces. The organization creates welcoming programs, events and recreational experiences while working toward a healthy harbor and is committed to fostering connections among diverse communities to ensure equitable access to our blue and green spaces. For more information, visit waterfrontpartnership.org.