Homewood watches Vulcan Park's Thunder on the Mountain from downtown, with a July 4 Festival on 18th Street South. The 2026 show began about 9 p.m.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year. The details below are from the 2026 event; dates and times for 2027 have not been announced. Sources: Vulcan Park and Museum and Homewood Parks and Recreation.
Homewood’s Fourth of July fireworks are Thunder on the Mountain, launched from Vulcan Park and Museum on Red Mountain in Birmingham and billed as Alabama’s largest Fourth of July show. Homewood Parks says downtown Homewood has a great view of it, and Homewood Parks and Recreation turns the evening into a street festival on 18th Street South. The City of Homewood is one of the show’s supporters.
Who to call
- Homewood July 4 Festival: Homewood Parks and Recreation, 205-332-6700, festival page
- The fireworks: Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Thunder on the Mountain
- Traffic or safety on the night: Homewood Police non-emergency, 205-332-6200; 911 for emergencies
The 2026 show
| Detail | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, July 4 |
| Start | About 9 p.m. |
| Length | About 20 minutes, more than 2,500 shells and effects |
| Fired by | Pyro Shows of Alabama |
| On radio | 102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Beat, 103.7 The Q, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC, La Jefa 98.3 |
| On TV | WBRC 6 News, after its baseball coverage, about 10 p.m. |
The 2026 show marked the nation’s 250th birthday and was presented by UAB Medicine and organized by the Vulcan Park Foundation, Vulcan Park and Museum said. The park closed to the public at 3 p.m. on July 4 for setup, and Vulcan Park, Valley View Drive and the surrounding streets were closed to the public during the show. Do not plan to watch from the park itself.
The Homewood July 4 Festival
Homewood Parks and Recreation closes two blocks of 18th Street South and one block of 29th Avenue South to traffic for the festival, with rides, inflatables and a DJ.
- Entry: free.
- Rides and inflatables: a $10 unlimited-attractions wristband, sold near the corner of 18th Street South and 29th Avenue South.
- Fireworks: the festival winds down when the fireworks start, and downtown Homewood is one of the best places to see them.
Homewood Parks posts the year’s festival hours on its festival page before the holiday.
Other places to watch
Vulcan Park and Museum says the show can be seen from many places across downtown Birmingham, Homewood and the surrounding area. If you watch from home, tune a radio to one of the stations above to hear the soundtrack in time with the shells.
Getting there and parking
Expect the downtown festival blocks of 18th Street South and 29th Avenue South to be closed to cars. See our getting around guide for the city’s public parking downtown.
In 2026, Homewood also dressed up
For the city’s centennial and the nation’s 250th, residents and businesses joined Star Spangled Homewood, a patriotic decorating contest and fundraiser for the Homewood Police Foundation, the Homewood Fire Foundation and the Homewood Patriot Band, judged July 1-3.
For what is happening this month, see things to do in Homewood.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch fireworks in Homewood on the Fourth of July?
Downtown Homewood looks straight at Vulcan Park’s Thunder on the Mountain show on Red Mountain. Homewood Parks holds a July 4 Festival on 18th Street South, and festival activities end when the fireworks begin.
What time are the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks?
In 2026 the show began at about 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and lasted about 20 minutes, Vulcan Park and Museum said.
How much is the Homewood July 4 Festival?
Entry is free. An unlimited-attractions wristband for the rides and inflatables is $10, sold near 18th Street South and 29th Avenue South.
What radio station plays the Thunder on the Mountain music?
In 2026 the soundtrack aired on iHeartMedia Birmingham stations including 102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Beat, 103.7 The Q, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC and La Jefa 98.3.
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