🎇
About the 4th of July countdown
How many days until the 4th of July? This page shows it live: days, hours, minutes and seconds until Independence Day, on the clock of your own device. The 4th of July 2027 is on a Sunday, so the federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5, 2027.
Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. You can count to the start of the day, or to 9 pm on July 4, when most fireworks shows begin. Fireworks burst on the board all the time, and a big burst and a fanfare come at the moment itself.
Features
- Live countdown — days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second
- Two ways to count — to the 4th of July (midnight) or to the fireworks at 9 pm
- Fireworks on the board — rockets and bursts in red, white and blue, with a bigger show at zero
- Sleeps — how many nights are left, for children who can't wait for the parade
- Six styles — Stars and stripes, Fireworks night, BBQ picnic, Liberty, Vintage poster and Minimal
- Dates for three years — the weekday of July 4 this year and the next two
- Full screen and Keep the screen on — for the backyard party, the office or a shop window
When is the 4th of July?
The 4th of July is always on July 4. When it falls on a weekend, the federal holiday moves: a Saturday holiday is observed on the Friday before, and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after. Many shops and offices follow the federal day off.
| Year | The 4th of July | Federal holiday observed |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday, July 4, 2027 | Monday, July 5, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, July 4, 2028 | Tuesday, July 4, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, July 4, 2029 | Wednesday, July 4, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, July 4, 2030 | Thursday, July 4, 2030 |
| 2031 | Friday, July 4, 2031 | Friday, July 4, 2031 |
| 2032 | Sunday, July 4, 2032 | Monday, July 5, 2032 |
2026 is a special year: July 4, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (the Semiquincentennial).
When do 4th of July fireworks start?
Most shows start when it is dark enough, usually between 9:00 and 9:30 pm. In the north and west, where the sun sets later, it can be closer to 10 pm. That is why the "fireworks" choice counts to 9 pm — check your town's own time, and come early for a good spot.
Six styles
- Stars and stripes — red and white stripes with a blue corner
- Fireworks night — a dark sky with glowing bursts
- BBQ picnic — a red gingham tablecloth
- Liberty — the green of the Statue of Liberty with gold
- Vintage poster — cream paper with bold red and blue, like an old poster
- Minimal — plain and clean, in your page's light or dark colors
Ideas for the countdown
- Backyard party — put the board on the TV with full screen and switch to the fireworks count after dinner
- Plan the cookout — buy food and drinks early; work out the shopping with the Meal Planner
- Office — show how many days are left until the long weekend
- Summer fun — use the Summer Countdown to count down to the start of summer
- Kids — count the sleeps and make paper flags and lanterns
How to use it
- Open the page — the countdown starts by itself
- Pick a style: Stars and stripes, Fireworks night, BBQ picnic, Liberty, Vintage poster or Minimal
- Under Count down to, choose the 4th of July or the fireworks (9 pm)
- Turn the fireworks and the sound on or off
- Press Full screen to show it on a big screen; press Esc to go back
Frequently asked questions
How many days until the 4th of July?
The big numbers at the top of this page show it, live, on your own clock. By default they count to midnight at the start of July 4.
What day is the 4th of July 2027?
July 4, 2027 is a Sunday. The federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5, 2027, so many people get a long weekend.
Why is the 4th of July a holiday?
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which said the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. It became a federal holiday in 1870.
When is the 4th of July holiday observed when it is on a weekend?
If July 4 is on a Saturday, federal workers get Friday, July 3 off. If it is on a Sunday, they get Monday, July 5 off. The celebrations and fireworks usually stay on July 4.
What time do 4th of July fireworks start?
Most shows start after dark, between about 9:00 and 9:30 pm local time. Choose "The fireworks (July 4, 9 pm)" to count down to 9 pm.
Is the 4th of July the same as Independence Day?
Yes. Independence Day is the official name of the holiday, and "the 4th of July" (or "the Fourth") is what most Americans call it.
Related tools
- Summer Countdown — days until the first day of summer
- Countdown to Date — count down to your town's parade or any day
- New Year Countdown — another countdown with fireworks
- Thanksgiving Countdown — days until Thanksgiving
- Halloween Countdown — days until October 31
- Meal Planner — plan the cookout menu and the shopping list
