[Photo from bostonusa.com]

[Photo from bostonusa.com]

July 3

Boston POPS Rehearsal Concert

At 7:30 pm Conductor Keith Lockhart directs the Boston POPS Orchestra at the Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade, performing the identical concert which will be played on July 4 minus the fireworks display. Seating for this free event is on a first come basis, it will be crowded but not so much as on the 4th.

Children's Day part of Boston Harborfest

Children's Day gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate the nation's birthday with a wide variety of entertaining and educational activities. Join organizations like The USS Constitution Museum, Historic New England and the New England Aquarium to learn something new and exciting about Boston and its history.

July 4

Flag Raising Ceremony & Parade

At 9 am there is a flag raising ceremony on City Hall Plaza followed by a parade to the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths will be laid on the graves of the patriots and then the parade continues on to the Old State House.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence

At 10am the Declaration of Independence is read from the balcony of the Old State House just as it was read to the citizens of Boston on July 18, 1776.

USS Constitution Turn-around

At 9:30 am the USS Constitution leaves her berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and sails out into Boston Harbor for her turn-around and fires a 21-gun salute just off Castle Island at noon. The best viewing sites are at the end of Long Wharf in Boston, Piers Park in East Boston and Castle Island in South Boston.

These boat companies afford great viewing sites as well:

Boston Harbor Cruises 877-SEE-WHALE, Massachusetts Bay Line 617-542-8000, Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships 617-742-0333, Classic Harbor Line 617-951-2460, Entertainment Cruises 866-933-9928,

Charles River Boat Company 617-621-3001, Boston's Best Cruises 617-7700040, Princess Yacht Charters 617-951-2460, Full Moon Yacht Charters 866-65-YACHT, Constitution Yacht Charters

617-242-9640 Bay State Cruises 617-748-1428 .

Boston POPS Goes the Fourth & Fireworks

At 7:30 pm Conductor Keith Lockhart directs the Boston POPS Orchestra at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, the seating for this free event is on a first come basis {area opens to the public at 9am}. This televised program is followed by a spectacular 23-minute fireworks display over the Charles River. The best place for viewing the fireworks display is along Memorial Drive on the Cambridge side of the Charles River. Bring along a radio so that you can hear the concert. For more information visit july4th.org

The Top of the Hub restaurant, located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower at 800 Boylston Street, pipes the concert into the restaurant and offers spectacular viewing of the fireworks display while enjoying dinner and/or cocktails, call 617-536-1775 for reservations.

The Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower offers spectacular viewing of the fireworks display for $25 per person, for reservations call 617-859-0648.

The Lenox Hotel offers a rooftop party which includes overnight accommodations, dinner at City Table and spectacular views of the fireworks under the stars on their roof 800-225-7676.