Festivities marking the nation's 245th birthday will be held around the Berkshires. Planning a trip to Boston? See MassDOT's traffic information.
 
Pittsfield
 
Indepen-Dance with Boxxa Vine
Friday, July 1, 5-8 p.m., Persip Park
 
Pittsfield kicks off its 4th of July festivities on Friday at 5 p.m. with a dance in Persip Park, located at 175 North St. 
 
Pittsfield-based drag queen and costume creator Boxxa Vine will be DJing the event which will include giveaways, performances, music, and more.
 
More information here. 
 
Pittsfield Parade Car Show
Sunday, July 3, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
McKay Street Parking Lot 
 
Antique cars, hot rods, and some newer vehicles, some of which will also be participating in the parade, will be on display on McKay Street.
 
There will be 50/50 raffle and food concession. All proceeds of this event will go toward Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee. 
 
There will be parking available in the McKay Street garage located behind the Beacon Cinema.  
 
Pittsfield Parade Mummers Concert
Sunday, July 3, 6 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
 
The Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee is hosting a Mummers Concert featuring a live performance by Greater Kensington String Band this Sunday at First United Methodist Church, located at 55 Fenn St. 
 
Admission is $10, which will benefit the Pittsfield Pride Committee. 
 
Pittsfield's Fourth of July Parade
Monday, July 4, at 10 a.m.
 
The annual Pittsfield 4th of July parade will start at 10 a.m. at the intersection of South and Housatonic Streets and will head north up South Street on the southbound lane and will end at Wahconah Park.
 
No parking will be allowed at Wahconah Park but there is parking available at the Fenn Street/First Street lot, Eagle Street lot, McKay Street lot/garage, and the Summer Street lot.
 
Restricted parking signs will be in place throughout the route and staging areas on July 3 and enforced on July 4 starting at 6 a.m. 
 
The staging area includes West Housatonic Street from Center Street to South Street, South Street, Wendell Avenue, Bartlett Avenue, Broad Street, Taconic Street, Pomeroy Avenue north of Broad Street, East Housatonic Street and the included area. The parade route includes South Street, Bank Row, Park Place, North Street, and Wahconah Street.
 
Pittsfield Community Television is offering several ways to watch: web streams at PittsfieldTV.org, PittsfieldParade.com, and via Facebook Live at Facebook.com/PittsfieldTV, and also radio coverage broadcasting at 89.7 FM and streaming at WTBRFM.com.  
 
Three Pittsfield Suns Home Games
 
The Pittsfield Suns will be facing off against the Westfield Starfires, Brockton Rox, and the Vermont Lake Monsters this weekend. 
 
On Friday, July 1, at 6:35 p.m. first responders get a chance to watch the game against the Westfield Starfires for free when they show their ID.
 

On Sunday, July 3, at 4:05 p.m. children and their families can watch the game against Brockton Rox, and following the game, kids will be able to run the bases.
 
On Monday, July 4, the Suns will conclude their home games by facing off against the Vermont Lake Monsters at 6:35 p.m. There will be a laser light show following the game. 
 
Lenox
 
James Taylor is returning to Tanglewood for July 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. A fireworks display over Stockbridge Bowl follows the concert on July 4.
 
More information here. 
 
North Adams
 
The SteepleCats will face off at 6:30 p.m. against the Valley Blue Sox at Joe Wolfe Field, followed by the annual fireworks display at around 9:30 p.m.
 
Williamstown
 
Williamstown will be hosting events throughout the day on the 4th of July. 
 
The parade begins at 11 a.m. from Southworth Street and marches to Spring Street, where there will be a cookout with free hot dogs and cookies on the the Williams Inn lawn.
 
The day also features concerts, film festivals, family activities, and more. 
 
Sand Springs Pool will be open from 1 until 4 p.m. Other events and information can be found here. Fireworks start around 9 p.m. at Taconic Golf Course. 
 
More information here.
 
Boston
 
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular 
 
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is happening this Monday for the 4th of July at 8 p.m. after a three year hiatus due to the pandemic.
 
This will be Keith Lockhart's 27th Fourth of July program as Boston Pops conductor and will take place from the stage of the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade Shed. 
 
It will feature a special moment in memory of David Mugar, whose support of Boston's event starting in 1974 transformed into one of the most recognized Independence Day celebrations.
 
The concern and fireworks will be broadcast live on Bloomberg TV and radio and locally in Boston on WHDH-TV Channel 7, from 8 to 11 p.m.
 
This year, the July 3rd rehearsal will be closed to the public to focus on the return of the Fourth of July holiday celebration.
 
Want to be included? Send your July 4 celebration information to info@iberkshires.com.
 
MassDOT Travel Safety Tips
 
MassDOT recently launched the new travel time dashboard to find the best times to leave over the weekend or for normal weekday commutes. Drivers can dial 511 before heading out onto the roadways and select a route to hear real-time conditions, go to the Mass511 website or use the GoTime app.
 
MassDOT will also be posting regular updates on road and traffic conditions on Twitter.
 
The Registry of Motor Vehicles is closed and all subway, bus, and The RIDE services will operate on a Saturday schedule on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3. The MBTA will be operating except for routes that do not typically run on weekends. All bus, Silver Line, and The RIDE services will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, July 4.
 
More information here.