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Fourth of July in the Nisswa & Brainerd Lakes Area | 2025 Guide

  • Writer: Camp Nisswa
    Camp Nisswa
  • 6 days ago
  • 4 min read

Updated: 10 hours ago

4th of July | Freedom Days | Nisswa | Fireworks Brainerd | Minnesota
4th Of July | Nisswa Lakes Area

The Fourth of July in the Nisswa and Brainerd Lakes Area is peak summer. Parades. Fireworks. 5Ks. Turtle races. Bean bag tournaments. The lakes are buzzing, and there's something happening in every corner of the region. Whether you're on a pontoon or pulling up a lawn chair downtown, this guide will help you plan a Fourth to remember.


Looking for more summer happenings? Check out our Weekend Roll Call and Live Music Guide for even more to do around the lakes area. From Crosslake to Brainerd, Pine River to Lake Shore, Camp Nisswa is your go-to for all things summer in the Northwoods.


We’ll keep adding to this guide as more events are announced, so be sure to check back.



Nisswa Freedom Days Celebration

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Downtown Nisswa

Start the celebration a day early with a full day of Nisswa traditions. Turtle races, live music, a Main Street parade, and fireworks make Freedom Days a must-do.

Schedule:

  • 1:00 PM – Turtle Race Registration

  • 2:00 PM – Turtle Races (Cost: $5 per racer, turtle provided)

  • 3:00–7:00 PM – Live Music: Centerville All Stars

  • 7:00 PM – Freedom Days Parade

  • 8:00 PM–Midnight – Live Music: Austin Healy at The Pickle Factory

  • 10:15 PM (Dusk) – Fireworks near the Nisswa Community Center

Parade entry is free for Chamber members; $150 for non-members.

Stars & Stripes Days – Pequot Lakes

Thursday, July 3 – Friday, July 4, 2025

Trailside Park and Downtown Pequot Lakes

Pequot Lakes throws a classic small-town Fourth celebration with two days of family fun, food vendors, games, music, and fireworks.

July 3 Highlights:

  • 5:00 PM – Vendors, Kids Activities, Bean Bag Tournament Registration

  • 6:00 PM – Bean Bag Tournament (Youth and Adult brackets with cash prizes)

  • 7:30 PM – Loon Calling Contest

  • 8:00 PM – Live Music: Sawyer’s Dream

  • Dusk – Fireworks (Pequot Lakes High School)

July 4 Highlights:

  • 7:00–11:00 AM – Pancake Breakfast (Fire Hall on Main Street)

  • 9:00 AM – Craft Fair, Food Vendors, and Kids Activities

  • 9:30 AM – Kiddie Parade

  • 10:00 AM – Ice Cream Eating Contest

  • 11:00 AM–4:00 PM – Beer Garden (American Legion)

  • 12:00 PM – Main Parade (starting at Pequot Lakes School)

Fireworks over East Gull Lake

Friday, July 4, 2025 | 10:30 PM

Visible from Madden’s, Cragun’s, or the East Gull Lake Airport

Each year, Madden’s and Cragun’s Resorts team up for one of the most beautiful fireworks displays in the area. Watch from shore, your cabin deck, or the boat.

The American Celebration – Brainerd

Friday, July 4, 2025

Lyman P. White Park and Don Adamson Field

Brainerd goes big. This is where community pride meets patriotic tradition, with a full night of festivities capped off by fireworks over the high school stadium.

Schedule:

  • 6:00 PM – Parade (route available online)

  • 8:00 PM – Live Music at the Amphitheater

  • 8:00 PM – Family Relays at Don Adamson Field

  • 10:15 PM – Fireworks at Don Adamson Field

Hosted by Brainerd Community Action and supported by local businesses and residents. Details available here

Fireworks Cruise – Gull Lake

Friday, July 4, 2025 | 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Cragun’s Resort

Celebrate aboard Cragun’s Fireworks Cruise. Watch the fireworks from the water, enjoy gourmet hot dogs and brats, and grab a festive Red, White & Blue Mojito.

Tickets:

  • Adults: $85

  • Kids (5–12): $45

  • Kids under 4: Free

  • Boarding begins at 8:00 PM. Cruise departs at 8:30 PM and returns after the fireworks finale.

Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye – Crosslake

Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Crosslake Community Center

28 years strong and still reelin’ them in. This annual run supports local fish habitat conservation through WAPOA and is a community favorite.

Schedule:

  • 8:15 AM – 10K Run

  • 8:30 AM – 5K Run/Walk (strollers and dogs welcome)

  • 9:45 AM – Kids Sunfish Dash (ages 10 and under)

Registration:

  • $30 before June 24 | $35 after

  • Kids Dash: $10Includes race shirt and swag bag with early registration

Packet pick-up available July 4 (4–6 PM) and July 5 (7–8 AM)

Celebrate America Fireworks – Crosslake

Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 10:00 PM (Dusk)

Sand Island, Crosslake

Now in its 55th year, this fireworks display is a Crosslake tradition. Launching from Sand Island, the show is best viewed by boat or shoreline.

Tune in to Skeeter 101.5 FM for synchronized music during the show.

Nisswa Firecracker Run

Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 8:00 AM

Nisswa, MN

Back for another year—this classic summer race brings runners from all over to celebrate the holiday weekend in style.

What’s Included:

  • Free poly/cotton blend race shirt

  • Complimentary beer

  • Crawfish boil after the run

Start Times:

  • 10K: 8:00 AM

  • 5K: Waves begin at 8:03 AM (walkers in final wave)

Packet Pick-Up:

Journey Church (across from A&W)

  • Thursday, July 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Friday, July 4: 8:00 AM – Noon

  • No race day registration

7th Annual Cruisin’ Night at A&W Nisswa

Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 5:00 PM

5446 Lakers Lane, Nisswa, MN

Classic cars, good food, and a slice of summer nostalgia—Cruisin’ Night at A&W is back for its seventh year. This family-friendly event invites anyone with a cool car, truck, bike, or hot rod to show off their ride. Enjoy prize giveaways, food deals, and exclusive event t-shirts while checking out some seriously cool wheels. Parking is available for all show vehicles.

More Resources from Camp Nisswa

Stay Connected

To stay up-to-date on all the 4th of July festivities and beyond, follow along on:

From boats to backyards, street parades to stargazing under firework-filled skies—this is the Fourth of July in the Nisswa Lakes Area. See you out there.

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