Fourth of July | 4th of July in the Nisswa & Brainerd Lakes Area | 2026 Guide
- Camp Nisswa
- Jun 17
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 27
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
Friday, July 3, 2026
Downtown Nisswa
Start the celebration in Nisswa with a full day of small-town traditions, family fun, food vendors, live music, Turtle Races, the Freedom Days Parade, and fireworks at dusk. Freedom Days is presented by Conductor Power and is one of those classic Nisswa summer days you do not want to miss.
Schedule:
10:00 AM–6:00 PM – Ski’s Petting Zoo at A&W
11:00 AM–3:00 PM – Babinski Foundation Adoption Event at A&W
11:00 AM–7:00 PM – Nisswa Lions World-Famous Pork on a Stick at the Turtle Track
1:00 PM – Turtle Race Registration at the Turtle Track
2:00 PM – Turtle Races Start at the Turtle Track
6:00 PM – Unicycling Unicorn Show on Main Street
7:00 PM – Freedom Days Parade on Main Street
10:15 PM – Fireworks near the Nisswa Community Center (North Star Fireworks)
Music at The Pickle Factory Stage:
1:00–2:00 PM – Switch Bound
3:00–7:00 PM – Music Junkies
8:00 PM–12:00 AM – Xpedition
The Freedom Days Parade begins at 7:00 PM, with spectators lining Main Street to enjoy floats, marching veterans’ groups, high school marching bands, area royalty, fire trucks, car clubs, and more.
Shuttles will be available from Timberwood Church to Downtown Nisswa from 4:00 PM–11:00 PM.
Important reminder: Please do not park along Hwy 371. It is a high-traffic area and parking is not allowed. Let’s help keep everyone safe and enjoy the day.
More info here
Hallett Freedom 5K Run/Walk
Friday, July 3, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Crosby, MN
The Hallett Freedom 5K Run/Walk is back in Crosby for another year. This out-and-back race takes place on a paved trail, with water available at the halfway point. Whether you run it, walk it, or make it a family outing, it’s a great way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend.
Race Details:
5K Run/Walk: 6:00 PM
Location: 470 8th Street NE, Crosby, MN
Registration ends Friday, July 3 at 5:30 PM
Stars & Stripes Days – Pequot Lakes
Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4, 2026
Trailside Park and Downtown Pequot Lakes
Celebrate America’s 250th Pequot Lakes style with two days of small-town Fourth of July fun. Stars & Stripes Days brings together food vendors, kids activities, a bean bag tournament, live music, the famous Loon Calling Contest, fireworks, a craft fair, pancake breakfast, parade, and more.
July 3 Highlights:
5:00 PM – Food Vendors open at South Trailside Park
5:00 PM – Bean Bag Tournament Registration at South Trailside Park and Main Street
5:00 PM – Kids Activities at South Trailside Park, including Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House, and Kids Climb
6:00 PM – Bean Bag Tournament begins
7:00–7:30 PM – Loon Calling Contest Sign-Up at South Trailside Park
7:30 PM – Loon Calling Contest at South Trailside Park
8:00 PM – Live Music by The Rusty Zippers at South Trailside Park
Dusk – Fireworks by North Star Fireworks at Pequot Lakes High School
July 4 Highlights:
7:00–11:00 AM – Pancake Breakfast at the Pequot Lakes Fire Hall on Main Street
9:00 AM–2:00 PM – Craft Fair and Food Vendors at South Trailside Park
9:00 AM – Kids Activities at South Trailside Park, including Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House, Kids Climb, and Water Wars
9:30 AM – Kiddie Parade by Community Action of Pequot Lakes at the Band Shelter in North Trailside Park
10:00–11:30 AM – Parade Line Up at Pequot Lakes Middle School Parking Lot
10:00 AM – Famous American Speeches on Main Street, behind Near North and across from the Pequot Lakes American Legion
10:30 AM – Ice Cream Eating Contest at The Outpost
11:15 AM – Unicycling Unicorn performs on Government Drive
12:00 PM – Stars & Stripes Day Parade begins on the east side of the Pequot Lakes School
New for 2026, Stars & Stripes Days will also feature Souvenir Blinky Button Specials. Purchase a 2026 Stars & Stripes Days Blinky Button for $5 at participating locations and enjoy special savings at local shops, restaurants, and vendors July 3–4.
Important note: The parade route has been updated for 2026 due to construction. Continue to check the official event page for any route updates before the celebration.
Crosby, MN 4th of July Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Hosted by:Â Crosby, MN Fire Department
Crosby is celebrating the Fourth with a full day of community fun, including the parade, vendors, a beer garden, live music, and fireworks at dusk. This is a classic small-town celebration and a great stop for anyone spending the holiday weekend in the Lakes Area.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 AM – Parade Staging at Ironton Legion
11:00 AM – Parade Begins
11:00 AM – Beer Garden and Vendors Open
After the Parade – Live Music featuring Zander from 1:00–4:00 PM and Samuel John Band from 5:00–8:00 PM
Dusk – Fireworks
Vendors will be available in the park following the parade, with some familiar vendor faces returning again this year.
You can also support the celebration through donations to the Crosby Fire Department or Crosby Fire Department Auxiliary. Raffle tickets will also be available from local businesses and Crosby firefighters.
4th of July Boat Parades on Pelican Lake
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Pelican Lake | Breezy Point, MN
Celebrate the Fourth of July on the water with the Pelican Lake Boat Parades. Decorated boats, pontoons, and lake-loving crews will take to the water for a festive afternoon on Pelican Lake, with parade routes planned for Breezy Point Resort Bay and Mousseau Bay.
Schedule:
12:00 PM – Breezy Point Resort Bay Boat Parade
1:00 PM – Mousseau Bay Boat Parade
At 1:00 PM, the National Anthem will kick off the Mousseau Bay parade. Boats should follow the lead pontoon marked with the Start flag.
Prize Details:
A $100 gift card, Wine & Stay offer at Latitude 46 will be awarded for the best decorated watercraft on Mousseau Bay.
A $100 gift card will be awarded to the Breezy Point Resort parade winner.
To enter the Mousseau Bay Parade prize contest, participants should register with the organizers and visibly display their voting number. Registration is not required to simply participate in the parade. More Details
Fireworks over East Gull Lake
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:30 PM
Visible from Madden’s, Cragun’s, or the East Gull Lake Airport
Madden’s and Cragun’s Resorts once again help light up the Fourth of July with one of the area’s favorite fireworks displays. The show begins at 10:30 PM and can be seen from a number of spots around East Gull Lake, including the East Gull Lake Airport.
Find a place along the shoreline, watch from the lake, or enjoy the view from one of the nearby resorts.
The American Celebration – Brainerd
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Lyman P. White Park and Don Adamson Field
The American Celebration is back for 2026 as Brainerd and Baxter celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Planned and coordinated by Brainerd Community Action, this celebration brings together the parade, live music, family relays, and fireworks for a full evening of patriotic fun in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Schedule:
6:00 PM – Parade
8:00 PM – Live Music at the Lyman P. White Park Amphitheater on East River Road
8:00 PM – Family Relays at Don Adamson Field, east of the high school football playing surface
10:15 PM – Fireworks at Don Adamson Field, near the high school football stadium
Hosted by Brainerd Community Action and supported by local businesses and residents.
Details available here
Fireworks Cruise – Gull Lake
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 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: $45
Kids under 4: Free
Boarding begins at 8:00 PM. Cruise departs at 8:30 PM and returns after the fireworks finale.
4th of July BBQ at Madden’s
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
The Pavilion at Madden’s on Gull Lake
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a festive Fourth of July BBQ at Madden’s on Gull Lake. This lakeside celebration features chef-attended carving stations, smoked favorites, classic summer sides, frozen treats, desserts, and plenty of family-friendly favorites.
Tickets:
Adults: $55 + tax
Children under 13: $15 + tax
Ages 3 and under: Free
For Madden’s guests: If you are staying at Madden’s and are not on a meal plan, but would like to attend the 4th of July BBQ, contact Madden’s Reservations at 800-642-5363 to add the BBQ to your reservation. Guests will receive wristbands at check-in, which will serve as their tickets to the event.
For the general public: Tickets can be purchased online in advance. Guests will check in at the Registration Table at the event to receive wristbands. Day-of tickets will also be available for purchase at Parfecto Pizza on July 4.
Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye – Crosslake
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Crosslake Community Center
The 29th Annual Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye returns on the morning of July 4th, the same day as the fireworks over Cross Lake. This annual 5K, 10K, and kids race supports local fish habitat conservation through the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association.
Schedule:
7:00–8:00 AM – Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-Up
8:15 AM – 10K Run
8:30 AM – 5K Run/Walk
9:30 AM – 5K and 10K Awards Ceremony
9:45 AM – Kids Sunfish Dash for ages 10 and under
Registration:
5K / 10K: $30 before June 23 | $35 June 23 through Race Day
Kids Sunfish Dash: $10
Packet pick-up available July 4 (4–6 PM) and July 5 (7–8 AM)
Participants can also pick up race packets and register from 4:00–6:00 PM on Friday, July 3 at the Crosslake Community Center.
All 5K and 10K registrants before June 23 are guaranteed their choice of a long or short-sleeved performance shirt. Kids registered for the Sunfish Dash before June 23 are guaranteed a T-shirt, and all kids race participants will receive a swag bag after the race.
Strollers and dogs on leash are welcome for the 5K and 10K.
Nisswa Firecracker Run
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Nisswa, MN
The Nisswa Firecracker Run is back for another year and the tradition continues in Lake Country. Run Up North, Run Nisswa, and kick off the Fourth of July with one of the area’s classic summer races.
What’s Included:
Free poly/cotton blend race shirt
Complimentary beer for participants 21+
Free crawfish boil after the run
Start Times:
10K: 8:00 AM
5K: 8:08 AM, with multiple waves including a walkers wave
Kids Run: After the 5K and 10K finish
Packet Pick-Up:
Journey Church (across from A&W)
Friday, July 3: 1:00–5:00 PM
No race day registration
Strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs are welcome. Please note that a short portion of the course is on maintained gravel roads.
The Nisswa Firecracker is a beneficiary of Bridges of Hope Minnesota, who help make this event happen each year.
Celebrate America Fireworks – Crosslake
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 PM (Dusk)
Sand Island, Crosslake
Celebrate America’s 250th on the Whitefish Chain with one of Crosslake’s favorite summer traditions. Now in its 56th year, the Celebrate America Fireworks Display brings families, friends, and visitors together for a beautiful show over Cross Lake.
The fireworks will launch from Sand Island at dusk and can be viewed from the shoreline or by boat on the lake.
For the full experience, tune in to Skeeter 101.5 FM to hear the fireworks display synchronized to music.
This longtime community tradition is made possible by the City of Crosslake, local sponsors, and community donations.
Patriotic Boat Parade & Fly Over Cross Lake
Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Crosslake, MN
Crosslake is adding something special to the America 250 weekend with the first-ever Patriotic Boat Parade on Cross Lake, followed by a flyover honoring America’s military heritage and the freedoms we celebrate on Independence Day.
Schedule:
12:00–12:30 PM – Boats gather in Rush Lake
12:30 PM – WaterFront Services and the Whitefish Chain Yacht Club lead the parade
Parade Route:
The parade will travel past The Wharf, continue through the Rush/Cross Channel onto Cross Lake, circle around Moonlite Bay, travel along the eastern shore of Cross Lake, and end in front of Sand Island for the flyover.
Flyover:
Following the boat parade, look to the skies as four historic military aircraft fly over Crosslake in patriotic formation, including two North American T-6 Texans and two Beechcraft T-34 Mentors.
For those not in boats, recommended viewing areas include The Wharf, Moonlite Bay, or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Campground along the eastern shore of Cross Lake.
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.