Thunder on the Mountain lights up Red Mountain at Vulcan Park each July 4, about 9 p.m. The 2027 details are not out; this page shows the 2026 show.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Updated each year. The 2027 details have not been announced, so this page describes the July 4, 2026, show from the Vulcan Park Foundation’s announcement. We will update it when the 2027 plan is published.

Birmingham’s Fourth of July fireworks are Thunder on the Mountain, fired from Vulcan Park on Red Mountain and seen across the city and Homewood. The Vulcan Park Foundation calls it Alabama’s largest Fourth of July fireworks show. It is free to watch from wherever you can see the mountain.

Who to call

  • Vulcan Park and Museum: 205-933-1409, 1701 Valley View Drive (visitvulcan.com)
  • Police non-emergency, including fireworks complaints: Birmingham Police Department, 205-328-9311; in an emergency, 911
  • Road closures: ALGO Traffic for the interstates

How the 2026 show worked

  • When: Saturday, July 4, 2026. At about 9 p.m., Pyro Shows of Alabama fired the first of more than 2,500 shells and effects in a 20-minute show set to a patriotic soundtrack.
  • Where: from Vulcan Park on Red Mountain. The show marked the nation’s 250th birthday.
  • Soundtrack: on iHeartMedia Birmingham stations, including 102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Beat, 103.7 The Q, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC and La Jefa 98.3.
  • On TV: WBRC 6 News aired the show after its Major League Baseball coverage, around 10 p.m.

The show is organized by the Vulcan Park Foundation, presented by UAB Medicine, with support from the City of Birmingham, the City of Homewood and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Closures and where to watch

In 2026, Vulcan Park and Museum closed to the public at 3 p.m. on July 4 for setup, and Valley View Drive and the streets around the park were closed during the show, the foundation said. Do not plan to watch from the park.

Organizers say the fireworks can be seen from many places across downtown Birmingham, Homewood (about five miles south) and the areas around them, because the show is fired from the top of the ridge. Pick a spot with a clear view of the Vulcan statue, arrive early and expect heavy traffic leaving after the finale.

Fireworks at home

On July 4, 2025, the Birmingham Police Department’s Special Operations Bureau seized “a significant quantity of illegal fireworks in violation of city ordinances” in the Downtown Switch District around Railroad Park, the department said in a news release. Check the city’s rules with the police department before you set off your own, and leave the big show to the professionals on Red Mountain.

What this means for you

  • Watch from downtown, Southside or Homewood with a line of sight to Vulcan.
  • Do not drive up Valley View Drive on the night; it is closed.
  • Tune to an iHeartMedia station for the synchronized music.

Related: parks and trails, getting around Birmingham and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When are the Birmingham fireworks on the Fourth of July?

Thunder on the Mountain is fired from Vulcan Park on Red Mountain on July 4. In 2026 the first shells went up at about 9 p.m. for a 20-minute show. The 2027 time has not been announced.

Where is the best place to watch Thunder on the Mountain?

Vulcan Park itself is closed for the show. Organizers say it can be seen from many places across downtown Birmingham, Homewood and the surrounding area.

Can I watch Thunder on the Mountain on TV?

Yes. In 2026 WBRC 6 News carried it after its baseball coverage, around 10 p.m., and iHeartMedia Birmingham stations played the soundtrack.

Is Vulcan Park open on July 4?

In 2026 Vulcan Park and Museum closed to the public at 3 p.m. on July 4 for setup, and Valley View Drive and nearby streets were closed during the show.