2023 New Britain 4th of July Fireworks, “Great American Boom,” Planned
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2023 New Britain 4th of July Fireworks, “Great American Boom,” Planned

New Britain’s widely attended July 4th “Great American Boom” fireworks display, celebrating Independence Day, is planned for the 2023 celebration.

The 2023 Great American Boom fireworks event has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The event is to feature food trucks, DJ entertainment and, of course, fireworks.

The administration of Mayor Erin Stewart says that the 2023 fireworks will be held again in Willow Brook Park, with $10 per car admission charged and pre-registration required. “A parking pass is REQUIRED for entry,” the city says, adding, “NO PARKING PASS, NO ENTRY, NO REFUNDS.”

“All event placards must be purchased in advance,” the city adds. “There will be no onsite purchasing at that time of the event.

New Britain’s Willow Brook Park

Tickets were available on the Parks and Recreation website at nbparksnrec.org, but are no longer available on that website as of July 4th. The city said that, “Parking passes can be picked up at the New Britain Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (27 West Main Street, Room 302, New Britain, CT, 06051), 8:15am-3:45pm starting from Friday, June 9th until Monday, July 3rd.”

The city adds, that there are purchase and parking pass pickup hours:

  • Saturday, July 1st, 1:00pm – 7:00pm at Willow Brook Pool at 80 Mill Street
  • Sunday, July 2nd, 1:00pm – 7:00pm at Willow Brook Pool at 80 Mill Street
  • Tuesday, July 4th, 9:00am – 2:00pm at New Britain Stadium at 230 John Karbonic Way
Great American Boom, July 4th at Willow Brook Park.

Parks and Recreation says that,

For the safety of our spectators and staff, all must adhere to the following rules:
1) A parking pass is required for entry, please place the parking pass on your rear view mirror.
2) Parking lots open at 7:00pm.
3) Parking lot entry will close at 9:00pm.
4) The fireworks show will take place at approximately 9:15pm-9:30pm.
5) Per Sec. 17-46 of the City’s ordinances, alcoholic beverages shall not be consumed in parks.
6) No pets allowed.

New Britain Police issued a statement on the event on July 4th, saying,

The annual display is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. The rain date is scheduled for Wednesday, July 5th, 2023. The following parking and traffic restrictions are necessary for the safe movement of both pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic at the event site and will be enforced the night of the event. Anyone traveling to the event should anticipate delays and plan accordingly.

Lots open for the event at 7:oop.m and close at 9:oop.m. Please do not wait until the last minute to arrive as this may cause traffic congestion and delay or prohibit your entry into the park. The lot at Willow Brook Park will be used first. Cone patterns and signs will be set up on South Main Street directing attendees towards the event parking.


Please have your Event Placard out and visible hanging from your vehicle’s rear view mirror upon arrival at the event site


There will be food trucks setup inside the Willow Brook Park lot as well as the west lot of New Britain High School. Guests are expected to remain in the lot they are directed to upon arrival.

The public should anticipate a delay in the movement of traffic through the areas surrounding Willow Brook Park. The New Britain Police Department will have uniformed Police Officers posted at various intersections to assist with any traffic concerns. The New Britain Public Works Department, Berlin Police Department and the Connecticut State Police will also be assisting to facilitate the safe and expeditious flow of traffic throughout the area. Please keep in mind the safety of pedestrians and other motorists. Your cooperation will be necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday celebration for everyone.

Side streets north of Mill Street up to Monroe/Ellis will close to local traffic prior to the event. Signs will indicate where only local traffic is allowed until the event begins.


The New Britain Police Department will be enforcing existing “No Parking” areas.

On Street Parking:


Kensington Avenue and Mill Street will be marked with no parking on both sides of the street. Parking will be allowed on the streets surrounding the general area of Willow Brook Park, on the North and East sides of the street only.


Any motor vehicles parked in violation of the temporary “No Parking-Tow Zone” signs, obstructing driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, and crosswalks, double parked or parked in a hazardous manner will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.


No parking will he allowed on South Main Street at any time during the event hours for public safety reasons

Traffic Restrictions:

  • Mill Street will be closed unless utilized for placarded vehicles intended for the west lot of the High School. Brook Street will be closed between South Main Street and Pond Street.
  • Southbound traffic from on Glen Street and Logan Street will be restricted to local traffic only at approximately 5:oop.m.
  • South Main Street will remain clear until the conclusion of the event and traffic congestion is cleared.
  • At the conclusion of the fireworks display the following traffic patterns and routes will be in effect:
  1. Traffic exiting John Karbonic Way onto South Main Street will be directed northbound towards Veterans Drive continuing east onto South Street. Traffic may go southbound from the event towards Berlin or the highway.
  2. There will be no southbound traffic on Veterans Drive.
  3. All traffic in the area north of Mill Street will be directed northbound on either Bassett Street, Glen Street or Greenwood Street.
  4. Those Traveling north on Bassett Street may travel east or west upon reaching Whiting Street.
  5. Those traveling north on Glen Street are encouraged to travel to Main Street to avoid major traffic congestion.
  6. Those traveling north on Greenwood Street may travel westbound once reaching Monroe Street and can continue west or travel north on Arch Street.
  7. Those leaving the east and west lots of the high school on Mill Street will be directed to Pond Street. From Pond Street you will be directed onto Buell Street towards Kensington Avenue.
  8. Any traffic being directed onto Kensington Avenue will have the option to go north or southbound on Kensington Avenue.
  9. Those traveling from Kensington Avenue to Shuttle Meadow Avenue will be expected to continue westbound until reaching Brooklawn Street.

    Event Guidelines:

    The following are strictly prohibited from the festival area: mopeds, bicycle riding, skate boarding, roller-skating, roller-blading, dogs and alcoholic beverages.

    Any questions regarding this event may be directed to Lieutenant Donald Anderson at (86o) 826-3070. Additional information can be located on the City Of New Britain’s web site or the New Britain Police Department’s Facebook page.

An estimated 40,000 people have gathered in New Britain on July 4th in past years to view New Britain’s traditionally spectacular Independence Day fireworks display.

While thousands have gathered at the park where the event is held, thousands more have gathered in numerous locations throughout a large swath of the city.

The rain date for the event is July 5, 2023.

The Parks and Recreation office phone number is 860-826-3360. Parks and Recreation often posts updates about events, including weather-related, on its Facebook page.

Editor’s note: This article may be updated if additional information becomes available.

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