Milwaukee will once again light up the night on July 3 with the return of the annual lakefront fireworks show. 

The 45-minute fireworks extravaganza will color the evening sky around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, with fireworks fans invited once again to gather at Veterans Park, Bradford Beach, Lake Park or their particular favorite viewing locale. 

The show will mark the first July 3rd lakefront fireworks display since 2019. The 2020 show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while last year's edition fizzled out due to struggles with staffing and resources. Even before then, the traditional fireworks show was at risk of extinguishing after losing U.S. Bank as its major sponsor after 2018 – but several backers stepped in and saved the 2019 show. 

This year's July 3rd fireworks display is presented by American Family Insurance, Milwaukee County Parks, the Kelben Foundation and Town Bank.

“The popular July 3rd fireworks have certainly been missed the last two years, and American Family Insurance is pleased to return as a co-presenting sponsor of this event,” said Ranell Washington, American Family Insurance partnership development advisor, in a press release. “American Family, along with the other event sponsors, are all looking forward to having the community come together again at Milwaukee’s lakefront for an amazing summer celebration.”

“With the great support from our partners, I am excited for us to bring back this long-standing tradition to the lakefront,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, in the release. “We’re looking forward to a fun and safe atmosphere for all choose to join the festivities.”

For more information on this year's lakefront fireworks show – including parking tips and how to volunteer to help clean up before and after the event – click here. And for more warm weather fun coming this season, be sure to check out our Milwaukee summer festival guide.