Franklin on the Fourth 2027

What it is

Independence Day downtown: craft and food booths, music, antique cars, a patriotic pet parade and a children’s bike-and-wagon parade on the Square. At night the crowd moves to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm for live music, food trucks and the city’s fireworks.

When it runs

In 2026 the downtown festival ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the pet parade at 10:30 and the children’s parade at 5. Harlinsdale’s gates opened at 5 p.m. for music before the fireworks at about 9; the city’s annual-events page still gives 6.

Where to park

The city's two downtown garages, on 2nd Avenue (257 spaces) and 4th Avenue (333), are the nearest public parking, and the city's counter shows the open spaces in each, level by level.

What it costs

Free downtown and at Harlinsdale, and the parades are free to enter. Food and craft booths sell downtown; at Harlinsdale there are food trucks, and beer and wine for those 21 and over, with the proceeds going to Friends of Franklin Parks. No outside alcohol in city parks.

The history

The Franklin Lions Club runs the downtown festival; it was canceled in 2020 for COVID-19 and returned in 2021. The fireworks are the city’s show, sponsored with WAKM AM-950, and the evening at Harlinsdale is hosted by Friends of Franklin Parks. No source gives the first year.

Open spaces in the garages, now →