July Fourth Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Info

More than half a million people are expected to crowd along the Charles River in anticipation of the 39th annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Shell Wednesday night.

The fireworks are scheduled to start at 10:35 p.m. but roads around the Charles, including Memorial and Storrow Drives, will be closed long before that. For more information on road closures, see here.

There are a number of locations from which to view the fireworks show other than the Hatch Shell. Sound towers will broadcast the concert from a number locations along both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the Charles between the Mass. Ave. bridge and the Longfellow. (See this map for specific locations.) And Boston.com has some great suggestions for alternative spots from which to catch the show.

According to WCVB, some scattered thunderstorms are expected late Wednesday afternoon but officials say there is little chance the show would be cancelled.

"In nobody's memory that I've spoken to have we cancelled the show," said S.J. Port, with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. "If we do cancel the show, the show is not rescheduled but the fireworks would be rescheduled to tomorrow."

WCVB also has an hour-by-hour storm forecast to help you plan your day.

Event Schedule, Wednesday, July 4

9:00 a.m. Oval opens

12:00 p.m. Recorded music begins in Boston

6:00 p.m. Recorded music begins in Cambridge

8:00 p.m. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular broadcast begins on WBZ-TV Boston

8:20 p.m. Boston Pops concert begins with the National Anthem and flyover (The concert will include performances by the Dropkick Murphys, Jennifer Hudson, songs from Mamma Mia! and more.)

9:30 p.m. "1812 Overture" is played

10:35 p.m. Fireworks begin

11:00 p.m. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular ends

If you're looking to get a spot on the oval (the restricted lawn area in front of the Hatch Shell) you must obtain a wristband. Wristbands are distributed at the entrance. Officials say they typically run out by around 2 p.m. on the Fourth. Once you have a wristband you will be permitted to exit and re-enter the oval until 6 p.m., when access is restricted.

For more information on show and watching from the oval, check out the FAQs here.