Boston Pops Fourth of July Spectacular delayed entry due to heat

Key Points:

• Boston's annual July Fourth Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be held on Saturday, July 4, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., featuring performances by Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, Trombone Shorty, Megan Hilty, and hosted by Jane Lynch, culminating in a fireworks display over the Charles River at 9:15 p.m.
• Due to extreme heat with temperatures expected in the 90s, the gates to the Charles River Esplanade will open four hours later than usual, at 4 p.m. instead of noon, to reduce sun exposure and heat-related risks for attendees.
• Public health officials emphasize the importance of celebrating safely by staying hydrated and seeking shade during the heat, as the Esplanade offers no natural shade.
• Additional Independence Day events in Boston include a 9 a.m. parade from Copley Square, a Declaration of Independence reading at 10:15 a.m. from the Old State House Balcony, and an Independence Day Oration at 11 a.m. at Faneuil Hall featuring notable speakers.
• Security measures remain robust with checkpoints at the Esplanade and Hatch Shell, and law enforcement presence is heightened, with no credible threats reported by the FBI and Massachusetts State Police.