Unless you love bonding over a curbside cleanup, it’s nice to let someone else handle the Independence Day spectacle. Plus, local orgs are pros at showing off some incredible displays.

Consider us your one-stop firework shop. Read on for public firework displays, your favorite vantages to watch the lights, and tips to DIY. Bonus: If your pup is sensitive to sound, we’ve got some spots for you, too.

Public firework displays

Rancho Cordova 4th of July, Hagan Community Park
Enjoy carnival rides, a concert, fireworks + a parade preceded by a 1-mile run down Coloma Rd.

Salute to the Red, White, and Blue, Elk Grove Regional Park
Join in the Let Freedom Ride Bike Parade + rock out to live music before a fireworks show set to the tunes of 93.7 The River.

Fourth on the Field, Sutter Health Park
Take the field, dine at a plethora of different food trucks while the kids play on the splash pad + enter into a potato sack race or water balloon toss.

Roseville 4th of July Celebration, @the Grounds
Be sure to grab a good spot to see the parade as it runs down Vernon Street before heading to Royer Park for foods, games + music before the day culminates in a fireworks display just after 9:15 p.m.

Where to watch

You may be asking, what’s better than seeing one display? Seeing all of them. Carpenter Hill in Folsom is Sacramento County’s highest point at 831 ft above sea level, providing a view of the festivities anywhere you look. It’s also a nondescript, residential spot that’s easily accessed from Exit 27 of Hwy 50.

Fireworks safety

Did you know that larger fireworks explode at a diameter of 800+ ft (that’s more than the length of the Tower Bridge)? Pretty incredible — until they go off on your lawn. Luckily, there are rules in place so you can contribute to the spectacle safely.

Certain fireworks are legal in Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer counties — with the exception of Granite Bay and Davis, where they are all illegal. If you decide to DIY, follow these guidelines.

Celebrate some peace + quiet

Before you spend the night trying to lure your four-legged friend out from under the bed, you may want to get as far from the commotion as possible.

Your best option is a nearby state park, like Auburn State Recreation Area or Lake Berryessa — be sure to check if reservations are available , though some sites are first-come first-serve. Pack food and water and go stargazing, or even camping.