Louisville Orchestra partners with Waterfront Park for Fourth of July celebration

This year’s Fourth of July event will hit all the right notes.

Crowd of people in front of a stage.

The partnership will mark the first return of the orchestra to the celebration since 2021.

Photo by Frankie Steele

Since 1998, Waterfront Park has drawn hundreds of thousands of Louisvillians to the park for its free Fourth of July celebration — and this year, it’s adding a few strings and woodwinds.

After a brief hiatus, the Louisville Orchestra will return to help ring in Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4. The Louisville Orchestra concert — curated by Teddy Abrams — will feature the orchestra’s Rap School, The Real Young Prodigys, and the world premiere of “In Memory’s Safe” by Tyler Taylor, one of Louisville Orchestra’s Creators Corps members.

The community tradition will also feature fireworks and family-friendly activities like dance lessons, boat building, and juggling contests.

Plus, leading up to the big Fourth of July celebration, Waterfront Park will host a free movie night on Monday, July 3 on the Great Lawn with a showing of “The Sandlot” — which turns 30 this year.