Your Guide to Independence Day Celebrations

Posted on June 15, 2018

It's always interesting to see how holidays happen to fall on the calendar. Sometimes we get three-or-four-day weekends. And, sometimes a holiday falls dead center in the middle of the week. The latter happens to be the case for the 4th of July this year. You know what that means? More time to celebrate! When a holiday falls in the middle of the week, we get to celebrate the weekend before, the day of, and the weekend after!

Here's your guide to Independence Day celebrations:

The Weekend Before:  

After a full day of fun in the sun at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, stick around for Friday Night Fireworks on Friday, June 29. Head to the Thanksgiving section for the best views! Savor every sip of southern Indiana wine on Saturday, June 30. Pepper's Ridge Winery will have live music from 2:00 – 5:00 pm CT. Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery will also have live music on the patio from 4:00 – 7:00 pm CT. On Sunday, July 1, spend some time exploring the area, and getting a few souvenirs to take home. The Visitor's Center, trails, and Living Historical Farm inside Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial tell the story of Abe's time in Indiana. It's free to visit, and the bookstore sells adorable Lincoln-themed gifts, book, and souvenirs. Stop at the Santa Claus Christmas Store before leaving town to visit the jolly man himself! In addition to visits with Santa, the store has thousands of ornaments to browse, and sells sweets treats as well.

July 4th:

Coming to town a day or two early? Catch a summer blockbuster at the Holiday Drive-In, open nightly. This old-school theater has been in operation since 1955. It's just as popular now as it was back then! Every night is a double feature making it a unique and inexpensive experience. Happy Independence Day! Celebrate by riding the Liberty Launch, Eagles Flight, and the Star Spangled Carousel in the 4th of July section inside Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. If you're feeling extra festive, snack on blue soft serve from Udderly Blue Ice Cream, also located in the 4th of July section. Stay until closing for the 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza.     There are also plenty of other ways to spend your day! Hit the greens at Christmas Lake Golf Course. Visit one of several historical sites dedicated to Abe's time in Indiana. Or, take in the scenic trails while horseback riding at Santa's Stables. If you're looking for a way to cool off, take a dip in Lake Lincoln inside Lincoln State Park. One sip of a cold, sweet, and delicious frozen hot chocolate from Santa's Candy Castle and you'll forget all about the summer heat. You can also get ice cream at Frosty's Fun Center. With an arcade plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, you can count on this restaurant to satisfy the whole family. Browse the full list of things to do to find what suits your family's needs and wants.

The Weekend After: 

If you're used to hitting up a movie theater on Friday nights, you'll love this twist on the traditional movie night. Spend the evening at Lincoln Amphitheatre for "Young Abe Lincoln - An Encore Presentation." There's only one place to see the story of Abe's Indiana life unfold while sitting in the very woods where he lived and learned. From the first monologue to the grand finale, it's a truly special experience. On Saturday, July 7, head to the 2018 Abraham Lincoln Freedom Festival in Rockport. The festival is an all-day affair, and it's free and family friendly! During the day enjoy the car show, vendor booths, and food vendors. At sunset, sit back and prepare to be amazed by the firework show. Whether you're visiting on the actual 4th of July, the weekend before, or the weekend after, there are plenty of Independence Day celebrations to take part in! Make sure you're lodging reservations are set – they go pretty fast this time of the year! All lodging options are listed on our website here.