Jones Beach July Fourth guide: Fireworks, air show

Look up! Fourth of July weekend at Jones Beach features both a professional fireworks program and the annual FourLeaf Air Show, which was moved from its traditional Memorial Day weekend slot. The three-day event, July 4 to 6, is being held in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

"This will be one of, if not, the biggest weekends we’ve ever seen at Jones Beach," George Gorman, Long Island regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, says. "We can hold over 150,000 people on each day."

When is the fireworks show at Jones Beach?

Garden State Fireworks is set to put on a 25-minute fireworks display on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The colorful illuminated visuals get backed by an array of patriotic songs. WALK 97.5 FM and KJOY-98.3 will provide a live simulcast of the show.

"The fireworks display can be seen from any location throughout the park," Gorman says. "The best viewing area is the Central Mall; fields 4 and 5 feed into that area. All the fireworks occur above the Atlantic Ocean in front of the Central Mall."

When is the FourLeaf Air Show? 

America’s semiquincentennial celebration continues with the 2026 FourLeaf Air Show on Sunday and Monday. Fans can also tune into the live Air Show broadcast on WHLI (1100 AM) and WHLI (104.7 FM) for live play-by-play coverage from Jones Beach and surrounding areas.

2026 Air Show performers and headliners

This marks the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ 11th headlining performance on Long Island and will be joined by military demonstration teams from Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows, a renowned aerial demonstration team from Britain, makes their first-ever New York appearance, and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds return to Long Island for the first time since 2018. Also joining the celebration will be the British Army Parachute Display Team — Red Devils from the United Kingdom. Additional U.S. military performers include the United States Army Golden Knights, the 106th Rescue Wing and the 105th Airlift Wing, featuring the C-17 Globemaster III.

Local teams set to perform include current reigning Air Masters Cup Series champion and Sky Grand Prix champion, Aarron Deliu; the American Airpower Museum Warbirds and the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams.

Getting to Jones Beach 

BY CAR: A $10 parking fee will be in effect throughout the weekend at Jones Beach parking lots. 

BY BUS: NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express) will run N88X buses from the Freeport Long Island Rail Road station off Sunrise Highway to Jones Beach. The first bus is at 8:32 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. After that, buses will run every half-hour from 9:39 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on those days before a last bus departs at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They will run hourly from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Riders will be dropped off and picked up at the West Bath House just west of the park’s Central Mall main viewing area. Fare is $3 (regular fare)/$3.50 (single ride) per person and can be paid in exact change (coins only), MetroCard, OMNY (pay via phone, smart device, contactless credit/debit cards, mobile wallets such as Apple and Google Pay) or using the NICE GoMobile app, nicebus.com.

Where else can you watch the Air Show?

Fans who want to steer clear of the crowds at Jones Beach can also watch the high-flying stunts and astonishing aerobatics by top flight military and civilian performers with some alternative planning.

BY BOAT: See the Jones Beach fireworks presentation aboard a 44-foot catamaran launching out of the Nautical Mile in Freeport via Freeport Water Taxi & Tours at 8 p.m. Watch the Jones Beach Air Show with a cocktail in hand as you catch a boat ride at noon on Sunday or Monday. Cost for all tours is $75, $50 ages 5-10. There will also be a cash bar and guests can bring their own food. Meet at 211 Woodcleft Ave., The Nautical Mile, Freeport. (516-521-7744, make reservations online at freeportwatertaxi.com)

Take a cruise on the 85-foot Captain Lou VII super cruiser to see the Jones Beach fireworks show on Saturday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The event includes a DJ and dancing plus a cash bar and cash galley selling snacks. Tickets are $90.

Additionally, the Captain Lou VII will be hosting Jones Beach Air Show viewing parties from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. Spectators can bring a small cooler with food and one unopened bottle of water, but other beverages need to be purchased from the boat’s cash bar. Boarding takes place at 31 Woodcleft Ave., The Nautical Mile, Freeport. Tickets are $75. (516-623-5823, must reserve in advance on captloufleet.com)

BY DINING RESERVATION: Watch the aerial action while dining at Gatsby on the Ocean restaurant on the second floor of Jones Beach’s West Bathouse, where patio tables offer a show view. Cost: $10 parking fee at Field 3; the restaurant offers a special show menu including burgers, baked clams, appetizer specials and salads. (516-785-0012, for reservations, gatsbyontheocean.com)

From which parks will the Air Show be visible? 

See the show from a different angle from the pier and long shoreline at Wantagh Park (1 King Rd., Wantagh, 516-571-7460) or at nearby Cedar Creek Park (3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford, 516-571-7470). Free for Nassau County residents with driver’s license or leisure pass, resident Leisure Pass fee is $36 with proof of Nassau County residency, $10 for nonresident.

Nassau County’s Nickerson Beach Park, located on Long Beach west of Jones Beach, also offers a view of the high-flying derring-do. Parking costs $15 for Nassau County Leisure Pass holders or $37 without a Leisure Pass. Resident Leisure Pass fee is $36 with proof of Nassau County residency, nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-0200. (880 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, 516-571-7700)