Chesterfield County's free Fourth of July Celebration returns Sunday, July 4, 2027, at the county fairgrounds. The 2026 show was canceled for heat and storms.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. Details come from Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, 804-748-1623. The 2027 date is set; times and the lineup will be added when the county posts them.
Chesterfield County’s free Fourth of July Celebration returns Sunday, July 4, 2027, at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, the county’s event page says. It is the county’s own fireworks show and the one closest to most of Midlothian, which is unincorporated and has no town show of its own. The county lists fireworks, food vendors, a kids zone, live music and other entertainment.
Who to call
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation: 804-748-1623, parksrec@chesterfield.gov
- Event-day alerts: text CFIELD4TH to 888777
- Updates on the day: the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Facebook page
What happened in 2026
The 2026 celebration, set for Saturday, July 4, was planned as a tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States. On July 1, the county moved the gate opening an hour later, to 6 p.m., and moved the fireworks about 20 minutes earlier to cut heat exposure. It added water stations on the walk from parking, three misting tents and fans in the Veterans Building.
Then, at 4:15 p.m. on July 4, the county called the event off. “Due to extreme heat and increasing potential for storms, it is unsafe to the public, staff, members of public safety, performers, and vendors to move forward,” the county said on its event page. There was no rain date.
How the event worked in 2026
The county has not posted 2027 details yet. These are the arrangements it published for 2026, and they are a guide to what to expect, not a promise for next year.
| 2026 arrangements | |
|---|---|
| Place | Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield |
| Gates | 6 p.m. (moved from 5 p.m. for the heat) |
| Fireworks | At dark |
| Cost | Free; you may leave and return |
| Kids zone | Bounce houses, a gaming truck and roaming entertainers, until 8:30 p.m. |
| Music | The KOS Band on the main stage, with a DJ between sets |
| Weather | Rain or shine; in severe weather, return to your car or shelter at L.C. Bird High School if directed |
What to bring and what to leave home
Allowed: blankets, chairs and coolers. Food and drinks are allowed.
Not allowed: alcohol, glass bottles, tents and canopies, pets (service animals are welcome), personal fireworks and illegal weapons. All people and bags are subject to search.
Parking and the walk in
In 2026, limited parking was at L.C. Bird High School, the Career and Technical Center’s Courthouse campus and O.B. Gates Elementary School. Accessible parking for vehicles with a valid placard was at L.C. Bird. When those lots fill, the county closes the roads into the fairgrounds and sends drivers to county lots along Government Complex Parkway. The county says that walk is about 0.75 to 1 mile, and the walk back is in the dark.
From Midlothian, the usual route is south on Courthouse Road or Route 288. Check our road construction page the week before for work on the way.
Fireworks at home
Chesterfield County is stricter than much of Virginia. County fire officials have told residents that all consumer fireworks are illegal in the county, sparklers included, even though some neighboring localities allow the “permissible” fireworks named in the state fire code. Personal fireworks are also banned at the county celebration. If you are unsure, call the county’s general line at 804-748-1000 and ask for the fire marshal before you buy anything.
Next year
The county’s page already names Sunday, July 4, 2027, at the fairgrounds. We will add gate times, parking and the music lineup when Parks and Recreation posts them, usually in late June. Sign up for event alerts by texting CFIELD4TH to 888777.
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Frequently asked questions
Where are the Fourth of July fireworks near Midlothian?
Chesterfield County’s own show is the Fourth of July Celebration at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield. Midlothian, which is unincorporated, has no separate county fireworks show.
When are the 2027 Chesterfield County fireworks?
Sunday, July 4, 2027, at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, according to Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation. Gate and fireworks times for 2027 had not been posted as of Oct. 19, 2026.
Were the 2026 Chesterfield fireworks canceled?
Yes. At 4:15 p.m. on July 4, 2026, the county canceled the celebration because of extreme heat and the rising chance of storms. The event had no rain date.
Is the Chesterfield Fourth of July Celebration free?
Yes. Entry and parking are free, and guests may leave and return. Chairs, blankets and coolers are allowed; alcohol, glass, tents, pets and personal fireworks are not.
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