Celebrate Independence Day with PLAY Roanoke, Carilion Clinic, and VA250 on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 at River’s Edge North.

Freedom Festival & Fireworks is back July 3 at River’s Edge Park! 🎆✨🎇 We’ve got lots of returning favorites for you, plus a few new additions to announce. Check it out 👇

RETURNING FAVORITES:

🎪 Music & Fun Zone > Free and family-friendly, there will be inflatables, trampolines, face painting, and more! Food trucks will be set up onsite. Fun Zone is open from 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM

🎵 5PTS Outdoors @ Freedom Fest > 5 Points Music Sanctuary will be back with a great musical lineup, plus beer and wine for sale. 

As part of our commitment to the tight knit community of musicians and creative mavens within our region, this year will feature an All-Star lineup of your favorite artists from dozens of local and regional bands. Spearheading this collective collaboration will be Roanoke’s best Yacht Rock band, Empty Bottles, as they welcome to the stage special guest performances from other local musicians including members from Jared Stout Band, Lazy Man Dub Band, Gak!, Ben Trout, Dead Reckoning, Ripejive, Shorefire, Half Moon, Chupacabras, and many others. 

Coming together to create a symphonic expression of our region’s creative talent, the event will feature 4 hours of live entertainment from the musical community that have helped anchor SWVA and Roanoke as a premier destination for amazing music and live entertainment.

4:45-5:45pm: Troublesome Blues Band
6:00-7:30pm: Empty Bottles featuring a Roanoke All-Stars Jam Set 1
7:45-9:15pm: Empty Bottles featuring a Roanoke All-Stars Jam Set 2

🎇 Fireworks Display > Starting at 9:30
*This year’s show will be an extended 20 minutes!

Did you know? By hosting this event on July 3rd, the City of Roanoke is able to offer a more impressive fireworks show than would be possible on the 4th?

⚠ Updates/Alerts > Stay informed on any updates (due to weather, etc.) by texting the word “FREEDOM” to 67283. You can also follow @playroanoke on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

NEW FOR 2025:

🎆 Location: River’s Edge Park – North
This year, the festival will be located on the North side of River’s Edge Park (along Reserve Avenue and across from Carilion Riverside).
*Parking Locations and Road Closures will be announced soon.

If you don’t plan to attend the festival, you can still observe the fireworks from River’s Edge Park – South. However, the pedestrian bridge between the North and South sides of the park will be closed.

📜 Presented in partnership with VA250 > VA250 – American Revolution 250 Commission serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VA250 Mobile Museum > We are excited to host this interactive and immersive “museum on wheels!” The mobile museum is visiting schools, local events, and festivals, bringing key stories of Virginia’s rich history across the Commonwealth and beyond! More info at VA250.org.

🩺 Presented in partnership with Carilion Clinic > More details coming soon!

For details on how to find updates on fireworks in the event of severe weather, etc. – see the FAQs below.

Festival and Concert Information

Location: River’s Edge Park – North
Where can I park?
There will be 3 designated parking areas:
  1. Carilion Parking Garage at 2001 Crystal Spring Avenue⁠
  2. Gravel parking lot at 1802/1814 Jefferson St (a.k.a. The Launch at Reserve)⁠
  3. Carilion Riverside Parking Garage at 6 Riverside Circle (This is directly across Reserve Ave from the festival location). The entrance to this garage is through the northside during construction, with access from Reserve Ave or Jefferson St. ⁠
    🚫 NOTE: There is no other parking allowed on the Riverside campus. You may only park in the garage.⁠

Additionally, ADA Parking ONLY will be available on Reserve Ave (with access from Jefferson St). Please be aware that this road will be CLOSED to other traffic.

🚫 NOTE: There is NO PARKING at the Carilion Riverwalk Parking Garage, at any parking lots within River’s Edge Park, along Wiley Drive, or along Reserve Ave (except for ADA parking, see above).⁠

Road Closures:⁠

🚫 Reserve Ave will be closed to all through traffic. There will be ADA parking only along Reserve Ave (with access from Jefferson St).⁠
🚫 Wiley Drive will be closed to all vehicles.⁠

What can I bring to the concert?
  • Chairs and blankets are strongly encouraged!
  • This event is rain or shine. No tents are allowed inside the park.
  • Outside food and water is permitted, but no outside alcohol. There will be food trucks and alcohol for purchase from 5 Points Music Foundation.
Misc Concert/Festival Information
  • Food and beverages including beer will be available for sale from 5 Points Music Foundation inside the park. Everyone wanting to purchase beer must be 21+ and will be ID’d so please bring your ID.
  • Beer & Wine sales – Cash and card accepted!

Fireworks Details

Fireworks will be set off from River’s Edge Park – North
Festival attendees and fireworks watchers can watch in designated areas of River’s Edge Park: North. See additional details below.
Viewing Spots

The show will be approximately 150′ above River’s Edge Park North. 

Please select your viewing spot in a designated area at River’s Edge Park North. We recommend getting set up by about 8:30 for the best experience.

Prevent hazards and unsafe situations. You may not pull-over on major roads or park in non-designated areas during the show.

*Please note: there will be NO shuttles this year.

Road & Parking Closures

The following locations will be closed to parking:

  • Reserve Ave (after 3pm) ADA parking only along Reserve Ave
  • River’s Edge North parking lot (all day)

The following roads will be closed:

At 5 pm: 

  • Reserve Ave between the hotel and the corner of Jefferson/Reserve

At 9:00 pm

  • Jefferson from Reserve Ave to the Hospital will be closed

10:00 pm (ish): All Roads will re-open after an all clear from the fire marshal

What if it rains/How can I get updates?

If it is safe to have the show, it will happen. In the event of severe weather, the show may be cancelled or postponed to later in the evening. Updates will be shared via social media @playroanoke on Instagram and Facebook.

You can also sign up to receive automated updates for this event only. Text the word “FREEDOM” to 67283 to sign up for event notifications.

✨ Text messages are sent periodically as needed.
📱 Message frequency may vary.
🚫 Text STOP to 67283 to cancel anytime (note: canceling stops all messages).
📅 Opt-in expires automatically on 7/7.

Standard message and data rates may apply. We do not charge for this service, however your mobile phone company may charge for text messages. Please refer to your mobile phone’s service plan for more information. This service is provided per the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

For support, text INFO or HELP to 67283.