The City of Kennesaw is hosting Salute to America on July 3 in Historic Downtown Kennesaw, with free admission, live music, street entertainment, food vendors, sponsor booths, kids’ activities, and a fireworks finale at 9:30 pm. The fireworks will be visible from Depot Park and along Main Street.
The festival opens at 4 pm, with the National Anthem, “God Bless America,” and Presentation of the Colors at 5 pm. Live music will take place at the United Bankshares Amphitheater at Depot Park.
Tripp’n, a teen rock cover band from Atlanta, opens the evening at 5:15 pm. The band’s influences include southern rock, classic rock, alternative, and metal.
The Happy Hour follows at 6:30 p.m. The Atlanta-based trio features Francisco Vidal, Harlee Pope, and Zoe Vaughan, with a multi-genre sound rooted in rock and roll with a modern edge. The group has performed at venues across the Southeast, including Eddie’s Attic, Oysterfest, Rock n Taco, Smith’s Olde Bar, MadLife Stage & Studios, and Southern Ground Amphitheatre.
Rupert’s Orchestra headlines at 8 pm. The 12-piece band is known for an upbeat, wide-ranging set that can range from Top 40 and Motown to R&B, classic rock, and big band swing. With horns, multiple vocalists, and a reputation built during its long residency at Rupert’s Nightclub in Atlanta, the band features a polished party-band format built for a fireworks night.
Food vendors will offer entrees, cold beverages, and snacks throughout the event. Guests may bring picnic baskets and coolers, though barbecue grills are prohibited.
Most seating is general admission, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs. Reserved seating is available for $75 per chair on the second-tier turf lawn, with chairs reserved on a first-come, first-served basis through preregistration.
2026 Schedule:
4:00 pm: Festival Opens
5:00 pm: National Anthem, “God Bless America,” and Presentation of the Colors
5:15 pm: Tripp’n (teen rock cover band)
6:30 pm: The Happy Hour (rock and roll with a modern edge)
8:00 pm: Rupert’s Orchestra (Top 40 and Motown to R&B, classic rock, and big band swing)
9:30 pm: Fireworks
10:00 pm: Festival Ends
Date:
Friday July 3, 2026
Time:
4 pm to 10 pm
Admission:
Free, no ticket is required
Parking:
Public parking will not be available at Depot Park for Salute to America. Free public parking will be available at Adams Park and along Lewis Street between North Main Street and Dallas Street. Accessible parking will be available at the lot near North Main Street and Moon Station Road, with limited accessible parking also available at Depot Park.
Location:
Historic Downtown Kennesaw and United Bankshares Amphitheater at Depot Park
2828 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw GA 30144
Phone:
(770) 422-9714
Road Closures:
Several downtown roads are scheduled to close from 1 pm to midnight on July 3, including Main Street from Lewis Street to Summers Street, Cherokee Street from Big Shanty Drive to Main Street, J.O. Stephenson Avenue from Main Street to Dallas Street, and Watts Drive from Main Street to Dallas Street. Shirley Drive will close from Cherokee Street to Carruth Street from 3 pm to 10:30 pm for fireworks. The parking lots at Tunnel Plaza and Main Street Eats will be closed from 11 am to midnight, City Hall parking will close at 5 pm on July 3, and the Depot Park parking lot will close at 6 am July 2.
Rain Info / Updates:
For more information about the pre-Independence Day Salute to America celebration, please call the Kennesaw Parks & Recreation Department at (770) 422-9714 or visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/KennesawParksRecreation.
Also starting July 3, 2026 at 4 pm:
Dogs are allowed, if leashed
Can we sit at the church in kennesaw by the depot and see the fireworks?
No your not suppose to park your cars there because they have an event for their members but your welcome to the event. Nice church and nice people.
Are dogs allowed at this event
I (DJ Ray’s Entertainment) Love entertaining the street crowd at the intersection of Cherokee and Main! The last two years we have had a full block of dancing going on. Truly the best live performances and fireworks in North GA!
I would love to be a face painter vendor for your Salute to America in Kennesaw. Please send a link for an application
Is the fireworks still on? It has been raining off and on all day.
Really wish you’d do these shows on the fourth so I didn’t have to miss it every year. Lets celebrate Christmas on the 24th this year, right?
How will we know if this event is cancelled?
Do you provide any handicapped parking?
There isn’t any specifically, there are vendor parking nearby that have handicap. I would prepare for either an early arrival or coordinate with law enforcement to see if they can help. First Baptist Church always has people around for the even also, and our parking is close.
Always enjoyed the fireworks but won’t go anymore because your not allowed to have alcohol anymore. I will just go to Marietta or somewhere else. Sad day as this really had one of the best celebrations around. I’m just sick and tired of these righteous people regulating what responsible people should be able to do. If I was a sponsor I would be raising stink about this rule. Marietta holds concerts every month during the summer and they can handle it. When will Kennesaw ever get out of regulating their righteous views. Oh well there loss Marietta’s gain!
There are so many places where people can choose to go and “celebrate” with alcohol, etc. Thank goodness there is a remaining place where some (who prefer to celebrate without alcohol) may gather together and enjoy a holiday. By the way, the correct spelling is “their” in that context (their loss). Of course, it depends on one’s perspective. Many additional families will choose Kennesaw because the event is alcohol free.
boooo
It’s a family event, not a bar.
Anyone know if the fireworks can be viewed from Swift-Cantrell park?
Are people allowed to bring their dogs (on a leash)?
I would not recommend bringing dogs to a fireworks event. It stresses dogs.
THE best fireworks in the area. Great job, again, Kennesaw. We saw them for the first time last year and decided Kennesaw puts on the very best show around. It was the only show we went to this year.