Gaithersburg SummerFest at Bohrer Park

Gaithersburg SummerFest at Bohrer Park

If you want a fireworks night without the National Mall crowds, Gaithersburg's SummerFest is a good bet. It's Saturday, June 27 from 6 to 11pm at Bohrer Park, and it's free to get in. There's live music, food trucks, local breweries for the grown-ups, and enough open space for kids to run between the stage and the food line. The fireworks go off around 9:20pm and launch up to 500 feet, so you can see them from most of the park.

After the fireworks, stick around for the SummerGlo After Party, where LED performers, hoop artists, jugglers, and stilt walkers come out in glow-in-the-dark gear. Younger kids tend to love that part as much as the fireworks. Note that this is the area's big celebration closest to July 4th, since Gaithersburg doesn't do a separate Fourth of July fireworks show.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Stake out a spot by 8pm: The lawn fills in before dark. Bring a blanket or low chairs and claim space early so you're settled before the fireworks start.
• ✓Park in Olde Towne and walk: The free lots and garage a quarter-mile away are easier to get out of afterward than fighting for the limited onsite spots.
• ✓Bring ear protection for little ones: Fireworks launching 500 feet up are loud. Toddler ear muffs make a real difference if your kid is sensitive to noise.
• ✓Eat before the fireworks rush: Food truck lines get long around 8pm. Grab dinner earlier so you're not stuck in line when the show starts.
• ✓Plan the after-party for older kids: The SummerGlo party runs past most toddler bedtimes, but glow performers are a hit with kids who can stay up later.
• ✓Pack a small flashlight: Walking back to the car in the dark with kids is easier with a light, and it helps you keep track of everyone.