Scenes from the Esplanade: Boston celebrates the Fourth
Fireworks capped off the festivities, which featured performances by Leslie Odom Jr., LeAnn Rimes, and Bell Biv DeVoe alongside the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under conductor Keith Lockhart.
Members of the US Army watch the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth over the Charles River. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)
Patriotic fervor was on full view Friday, as crowds headed to the Esplanade and its environs for the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
Beginning at noon, attendees set up their umbrellas, chairs and other accompaniments for the evening’s festivities.
Check out scenes from the celebration below, which will be updated throughout the night.
Christina Hogue enjoys the beautiful weather while she runs around with a mini-American flag she received at the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River. Hogue, from Michigan, is visiting Boston for the first time to celebrate July Fourth. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)Hundreds gather along the Charles River by the Hatch Shell to enjoy the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth. The river is also a popular location for people to celebrate the holiday from boats, kayaks, and paddle boards. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)The gates opened at noon at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River, welcoming in thousands of attendees to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July Fourth. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)The gates opened at noon at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River, welcoming in thousands of attendees to the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July Fourth. Attendees rush down the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path to secure a spot by the Hatch Shell for the concert and fireworks planned for later in the evening. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)Families relax on blankets while waiting for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular to begin on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. Concertgoers arrive early to claim spots on the lawn near the Hatch Shell for the popular July Fourth celebration that draws an estimated 300,000 people annually. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)From left, Lynne Whittier, Claire Sanderson, and Julia Sanderson play Speed while waiting for festivities on the Hatch Shell lawn during July Fourth celebrations on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. Crowds arrive early to secure spots for the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)Cousins Christina Hogue, 6, left, and Saphira Hogue, 7, spin each other around while waiting for festivities to begin on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston during July Fourth celebrations. Families gather early on the lawn near the Hatch Shell for the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)American singer and actor, Leslie Odom Jr., performs along the Charles River at the Hatch Shell for the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)Attendees wave American flags while watching the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. The free concert featured performances by Leslie Odom Jr., LeAnn Rimes and Bell Biv DeVoe alongside the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)An attendee records the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on her phone on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. The annual July Fourth celebration featured performances by Leslie Odom Jr., LeAnn Rimes and Bell Biv DeVoe alongside the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)TC Jones IV stands and is honored as a U.S. Army Veteran during the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth at the Hatch Shell. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe) – Heather Diehl for the Boston GloConfetti explodes out of the Hatch Shell stage after the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)Members of the United States Armed Forces show their patriotism and are honored with music at the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular on July Fourth. (Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe)LeAnn Rimes performs during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. The country music star was among the featured guests at the annual July Fourth celebration alongside Leslie Odom Jr. and Bell Biv DeVoe, with Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops in his 30th year with the orchestra. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Bell Biv DeVoe performs during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. The R&B group wore Boston Red Sox jerseys while performing at the annual July Fourth celebration alongside Leslie Odom Jr. and LeAnn Rimes, with Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops in his 30th year with the orchestra. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)Keith Lockhart conducts the Boston Pops in his 30th year with the orchestra. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)Andrea Dacosta dances with her son Jeremias during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)Fireworks explode over the Charles River during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston on Friday, July 4, 2025. The Mugar Family Fireworks display capped off the annual July Fourth celebration that featured performances by Leslie Odom Jr., LeAnn Rimes and Bell Biv DeVoe alongside the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under conductor Keith Lockhart. (Erin Clark/Globe Staff)Fireworks explode over the Charles River during the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4, 2025. (Ben Pennington for the Boston Globe)Fireworks explode over the Charles River during the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4, 2025. (Ben Pennington for the Boston Globe)Fireworks explode over the Charles River during the 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4, 2025. (Ben Pennington for the Boston Globe)
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com