Where to celebrate July 4th down the shore

Plus, where to catch the fireworks

The Jersey Shore is ready for July 4th.
File Art/for PhillyVoice

Headed down the shore this Independence Day? Check out Sea Isle City, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood -- whichever shore town you like best -- for parades, concerts and tons of fireworks on July 4. 

Fourth of July Weekend Boardwalk Craft Show

Running select weekends over the summer, the craft show returns for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Fourth of July weekend. Look out for trinkets, crafts and souvenirs. 

9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
The Wildwood Boardwalk
At Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood, NJ
(609) 522-0378


Ocean City Bike Parade

This South Ocean City Improvement Association July 4th event has been held each year since 1954. As many as 800 participants will decorate bikes and parade down Central Avenue from 40th to 53rd Street and prizes will be awarded.

9 a.m. | Free registration
Our Lady of Good Counsel
40th St. and Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ


AC Daylife July 4th Pool Party

Grammy Award-nominated EDM DJs Sultan and Ned Shepard -- known as Sultan + Shepard -- are headlining this pool party at the Chelsea. Sign up for bottle service or buy a ticket to guarantee admission. 

Noon-7 p.m. | $20-30
The Chelsea Hotel
111 S. Chelsea Ave., Atlantic City, NJ
(800) 548-3030


The Story of Old Glory

Take a look at the story behind our nation's first flag. Kids can dress up in old-fashioned garb, play historic games, take home crafts and play a Patriot Spy Game.

2-3 p.m. | $10-12
Historic Cold Spring Village   
720 Route 9, Cold Spring, NJ
(609) 898-2300


Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social

Taste the Jersey Shore's best ice cream, learn how ice cream is made, milk a cow or join a popsicle stick building competition. For $8 you get eight ice cream samples, too.

3-8 p.m. | $5-8
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
120 W Main St. #1, Tuckerton, NJ
(609) 296-8868


Atlantic Pops Orchestra

The community band will play an Independence Day concert for the crowd. Stick around afterward for a fireworks display. 

7:30-9 p.m. | Free admission
Excursion Park
JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City, NJ
(609) 263-8687


POPS in Wildwood

The Philly POPS orchestra will head to Wildwood with conductor Michael Krajewski leading the crowd through a salute to the nation's traditions.

8:30 p.m. | Free admission
The Wildwood Bandshell at Fox Park
4500 Ocean Ave., Wildwood, NJ
(215) 893-1999


Fireworks down the shore

Stone Harbor, Dusk
After a day of July 4th activities, fireworks will go off at Recreation Field at 8100 Second Ave.

Beach Haven, 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks will go out over the bay in Bay Village at 9th and Bay Avenue.

Cape May, 9 p.m.
Head to Congress Hall at 251 Beach Avenue to see fireworks set off from an offshore barge.

Margate, 9 p.m.
With fireworks taking place between Granville & Huntington avenues, barbecues will be allowed on the beach for this day only. 

Sea Isle City, 9 p.m.
The display at 50th Street Beach will be visible from the promenade and most areas of the beach.

Atlantic City, 9:30 p.m.
Best viewed from the boardwalk or the marina, this display begins with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Seaside Heights, 9:30 p.m.
These fireworks are visible from virtually anywhere on the boardwalk.

Ocean City, 10 p.m.
Check out this display from the boardwalk after the 6 p.m. kite flying competition at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Wildwood, 10 p.m. 
Fireworks here originate at Pine Avenue but are visible through much of Wildwood. 

Avalon
Here, a fireworks display will go off at the 30th Street beach after a 7 p.m. outdoor concert by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony.