Freedom Festival 2026: What You Need to Know

The Freedom Festival is back this July 4, and we're answering the questions we've been hearing from the community. In this episode, Katie and Steve cover everything you need to know before heading out, including the event schedule, parking and RABA shuttles, lawn seating, bridge closures, food vendors, fireworks safety, and a few important reminders to help you have a safe and enjoyable evening.

Whether you're a first-time attendee or a Freedom Festival regular, this quick guide will help you arrive prepared and ready to celebrate.

More information can be found at cityofredding.gov/freedomfestival

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:06

I'm Katie.

SPEAKER_00 0:07

And I'm Steve, and this is the City of Reading Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Today we're talking about one of Reading's biggest community traditions, the Freedom Festival Fireworks Celebration, happening Saturday, July 4th.

SPEAKER_00 0:17

There's been some questions about how recent decisions involving the Reading Civic Auditorium impact the celebration. So let's clear that up right away.

SPEAKER_01 0:23

The Freedom Festival is still happening just like usual. This event is hosted by the City of Reading with fireworks generously paid for by the McConnell Foundation. And yes, the firework show is taking place at the Reading Civic Auditorium Grounds, just like usual. The event is not hosted by the Civic, so recent decisions regarding the building do not affect this year's Freedom Festival and shouldn't affect it in years to come.

SPEAKER_00 0:44

We've also heard some confusion between the Freedom Festival and the new drone show being hosted by the City of Shasta Lake. These are two separate events. Reading's Freedom Festival will feature the traditional fireworks show our community knows and loves. The good news is that the Shasta Lake Drone Show is occurring on Friday, July 3rd, so by all means, enjoy both of them.

SPEAKER_01 1:00

The Freedom Festival is a full evening of activities, so let's talk about what people can expect. Concessions open at 5 p.m., giving attendees plenty of time to grab food and settle in before the entertainment begins.

SPEAKER_00 1:10

Live music starts at 7 p.m. with the Serena Caris band. There'll be a short intermission around 8 p.m. and the band will continue through the evening.

SPEAKER_01 1:17

As we get closer to the fireworks show, concessions and live entertainment will conclude at 9.30 p.m. This allows staff, vendors, and event crews to transition safely into the fireworks portion of the evening.

SPEAKER_00 1:28

The countdown will begin at 9.59 p.m. and the fireworks show begins promptly at 10 p.m.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

Because of the summer heat, we encourage everyone to plan their visit accordingly. You don't need to arrive early and spend the entire day outside. Consider coming later in the afternoon. Bring water and prepare for the weather.

SPEAKER_00 1:43

But since we know people like to come early to secure a good spot, let's talk about the process. Saving or reserving spots on the lawn is not allowed. Please don't use stakes, tape, or other items to hold a space. Any items used to reserve spots will be removed by staff. However, you are free to come early, set up, and hang out. As long as you're occupying the space, it's yours to have.

SPEAKER_01 2:01

Pop-up tents are allowed, but they must come down when the sun sets. This helps protect everyone's view of the fireworks and maintains clear sightlines throughout the event.

SPEAKER_00 2:09

Now let's talk about some important event reminders to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable evening. This is a family event, so no alcohol is left.

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Pets are also not allowed at the event. That includes dogs, cats, snakes, and other pets. Service animals are allowed, but we do want to share a reminder from our event staff. Every year there are situations where a service animal becomes frightened by the fireworks and loud sounds and runs away, creating a stressful situation for the attendee, the animal, and the staff helping to respond. Fireworks are extremely loud and can be upsetting for many animals. If you have a service animal, please consider whether attending a large fireworks event is the best environment for them.

SPEAKER_00 2:45

Parking is always one of the biggest questions. One great option is using Raba Shuttle Service. Raba will provide free shuttle transportation with designated pickup and drop-off locations before and after the event.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

The Park Marina 44 Overpass Bridge will close once parking lots reach capacity. The estimated closure time is about 7.30 p.m., but timing may vary depending on attendance. The bridge will remain closed until police provide the all-clear and after RABA has completed its initial shuttle runs. The goal is to clear as many pedestrians as possible before the flow of traffic out of the event begins.

SPEAKER_00 3:16

A reminder that RVs are not allowed in the parking lots, even in the parking lots in the very back of the event. This helps preserve parking availability for event attendees and supports the safety requirements around the fireworks perimeter.

SPEAKER_01 3:27

Now let's talk food. There will be approved food vendors at the event located in the designated vendor area. Approved vendors will have designated badges, identify them as part of the event. The city does not endorse or approve vendors outside of the designated vendor area.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

A few other important reminders. The Sundial Bridge will close at 9 p.m. on July 4th and will reopen after the event when it's safe to do so. If you plan to cross the Sundial Bridge before the event, please make sure you do it before it closes.

SPEAKER_01 3:51

And after the fireworks show, you may hear additional shells being fired. This is a normal safety procedure as crews release any live shells that did not go off during the scheduled fireworks show. Every year people are alarmed when extra fireworks go off, but this is completely normal.

SPEAKER_00 4:05

The Freedom Festival is a community tradition, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable night.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

So please plan ahead, bring what you need, follow event guidelines, and be patient with traffic and crowds. Thousands of people come together each year to celebrate, and a little preparation helps everyone have a better experience.

SPEAKER_00 4:20

For more information, including parking, shuttle details, and event updates, please visit the City of Reading's Freedom Festival webpage at cityofreading.gov slash Freedom Festival.

SPEAKER_01 4:29

And one last important reminder before the celebration. So sit back, enjoy the evening, and let the professionals handle the show.

SPEAKER_00 4:59

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you there on July 4th.