2025 New Britain 4th of July Fireworks, “Great American Boom” Planned

New Britain’s widely attended July 4th “Great American Boom” fireworks display, celebrating Independence Day, is planned for the 2025 celebration.

The 2025 Great American Boom fireworks event has been scheduled for Friday, July 4, 2025 in Willow Brook Park. The city says event is to feature, “a DJ dance party capped off by one of Connecticut’s most spectacular fireworks displays”.

An estimated 40,000 people have gathered in New Britain on July 4th in past years to view New Britain’s traditionally spectacular Independence Day fireworks display.

While thousands have gathered at the park where the event is held, thousands more have historically gathered in numerous locations throughout a large swath of the city.

The city says that the event is from 6:00pm to 10:30pm.

In the past, the fireworks, themselves, have begun approximately 9:30pm.

The administration of Mayor Erin Stewart says that entry is, “$10 per car,” adding,

A parking pass is REQUIRED for entry. Parking passes can be picked up at the New Britain Recreation and Community Services Department (27 West Main Street, Room 302, New Britain, CT, 06051), 8:15am-3:45pm starting from Tuesday, June 17th until Thursday, July 3rd.

Tickets are available on the New Britain Recreation website, which adds that,

Additional purchase and parking pass pickup hours:
-Tuesday, July 1st 12:00pm – 8:00pm at New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way
-Wednesday, July 2nd 12:00pm – 8:00pm at New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way
-Thursday, July 3rd 12:00pm – 8:00pm at New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way
-Friday, July 4th 9:00am – 4:00pm at New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way.

The New Britain Police Department says that.

Lots open for the event at 6:oop.m and close at 9:oop.m. Please do not wait until the last minute to arrive as this may cause traffic congestion and delay or prohibit your entry into the park. The lot at Willow Brook Park will be used first. Cone patterns and signs will be set up on South Main Street directing attendees towards the event parking. **Please have your Event Placard out and visible on your vehicle’s dashboard upon arrival at the event site.

The city police add that, “Side streets north of Mill Street up to Monroe/Ellis will close to local traffic prior to the event. Signs will indicate where only local traffic is allowed until the event begins,” and that, “No parking will he allowed on South Main Street at any time during the event hours for public safety reasons.” The police add,

On Street Parking:

Kensington Avenue and Mill Street will be marked with no parking on both sides of the street. Parking will be allowed on the streets surrounding the general area of Willow Brook Park, an the North and East sides of the street only.

Any motor vehicles parked in violation of the temporary No Parking-Tow Zone” signs, obstructing driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, and crosswalks, double parked or parked in a hazardous manner will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

In addition, the Police have announced traffic restrictions, including:

-Once the Mill Street parking lots are full, Mill Street will be closed. Brook Street will be closed between South Main Street and Pond Street.

-Southbound traffic on Glen Street and Logan Street will be restricted to local traffic only at approximately 5:00p.m.

-South Main Street will remain clear until the conclusion of the event and traffic congestion is cleared.

-At the conclusion of the fireworks display the following traffic patterns and routes will be in effect:

1. Traffic exiting John Karbonic Way onto South Main Street will be directed southbound towards Berlin or the available highways until pedestrian traffic is clear.

2. There will be no southbound traffic on Veterans Drive.

3. All traffic in the area north of Mill Street will be directed northbound on either Bassett Street, Glen Street or Greenwood Street.

4. Those Traveling north on Bassett Street may travel east upon reaching Ellis Street and continue east towards Rt. 9 or turn north onto South Main Street.

5. Those traveling north on Glen Street are encouraged to travel to Main Street to avoid major traffic congestion.

6. Those traveling north on Greenwood Street may travel westbound once reaching Monroe Street and can continue west or travel north on Arch Street.

7. Those leaving the east and west lots of the high school on Mill Street will be directed to Pond Street. From Pond Street you will be directed onto Buell Street towards Kensington Avenue.

8. Any traffic being directed onto Kensington Avenue will have the option to go north or southbound on Kensington Avenue.

9. Those traveling from Kensington Avenue to Shuttle Meadow Avenue will be expected to continue westbound until reaching Brooldawn Street.

“The following are strictly prohibited from the festival area: mopeds, bicycle riding, skate boarding, roller-skating, roller-blading„ dogs and alcoholic beverages,” city Police say.

The Parks and Recreation office phone number is 860-826-3360. Parks and Recreation often posts updates about events, including weather-related, on its Facebook page.

The rain date for the event is July 5, 2024.

Editor’s note: This article may be updated if additional information becomes available.