When is the 4th of July?
Independence Day is always July 4. The next one is Sunday, July 4, 2027, marking 251 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted. It is a federal holiday: when July 4 falls on a Saturday, federal employees get Friday, July 3, off, and when it falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday, July 5.
4th of July dates for the next eight years
| Year | Independence Day | Federal holiday observed |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday, July 4, 2027 | Mon, Jul 5 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, July 4, 2028 | Tue, Jul 4 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, July 4, 2029 | Wed, Jul 4 |
| 2030 | Thursday, July 4, 2030 | Thu, Jul 4 |
| 2031 | Friday, July 4, 2031 | Fri, Jul 4 |
| 2032 | Sunday, July 4, 2032 | Mon, Jul 5 |
| 2033 | Monday, July 4, 2033 | Mon, Jul 4 |
| 2034 | Tuesday, July 4, 2034 | Tue, Jul 4 |
Why July 4?
The Second Continental Congress actually voted for independence from Britain on July 2, 1776, when it approved the Lee Resolution. Two days later, on July 4, it adopted the final text of the Declaration of Independence, drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson, and that is the date printed on the document. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 would be celebrated "with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations," but July 4 became the date Americans remembered.
Philadelphia marked the first anniversary in 1777 with fireworks and a gun salute, and celebrations spread in the years that followed. Congress made Independence Day a federal holiday in 1870. In a famous coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary, and James Monroe died on July 4, 1831. Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on the Fourth of July. The 250th anniversary, the semiquincentennial, was celebrated on July 4, 2026.
How the 4th of July is celebrated
Fireworks are the signature tradition, from small-town shows to the Macy's display in New York and the Boston Pops concert on the Charles River. Parades, cookouts, baseball games, flags and red, white and blue decorations fill the day, and Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island has become a televised annual event. For many families the holiday is also the center of summer vacation.
Planning with the countdown
- Book travel early. The days around July 4 are among the busiest of the summer for flights and highways, particularly when the holiday creates a three- or four-day weekend.
- Check fireworks laws. Rules for consumer fireworks vary widely by state and even by city, and dry weather can trigger local bans. Look up your local rules before buying.
- Protect pets. Fireworks frighten many dogs and cats. Keep pets indoors in the evening and make sure their ID tags and microchip details are current.
- Plan for heat. Outdoor events in July call for water, shade and sunscreen, and food left out for cookouts should go back in the cooler within a couple of hours.
Frequently asked questions
What day of the week is July 4, 2027?
July 4, 2027 falls on a Sunday. The federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5, 2027.
What happens when July 4 falls on a weekend?
Federal employees get the nearest weekday off: Friday, July 3, when the Fourth is a Saturday, and Monday, July 5, when it is a Sunday. Many employers follow the same rule.
Why is Independence Day on July 4 and not July 2?
Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776, but adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, and that date appears on the document.
When did the 4th of July become a federal holiday?
Congress made Independence Day a federal holiday in 1870, along with New Year’s Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Is the 4th of July the same as Independence Day?
Yes. "The Fourth of July" and "Independence Day" are two names for the same federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Last updated: October 8, 2026