This event coincides with other 4th of July activities. Our spaces are right along the beach of Clear Lake. There is a carnival to the north of our craft area and a huge parade on the day of the 4th with fireworks over the lake. There is absolutely no access to electricity. Experience the ultimate July 4th Celebration in Clear Lake! This summer festival includes a midway, amusement rides, bingo, huge open-air vendor market by the lake, live music nightly in the bandshell, a traditional Independence Day parade down Main Avenue, and the area’s biggest and best fireworks display over the lake on July 4 th. Clear Lake’s premier summer festival includes a midway, amusement rides, bingo, huge open-air vendor market by the lake, live music nightly in the bandshell, a traditional Independence Day parade down Main Avenue, and the area’s biggest and best fireworks display over the lake on the evening of the 4th! Wednesday, July 3 Lakeside Vendor Market 5 – 9 p.m. Evans United Shows Carnival opens From July 2nd to July 6th, 2025, Clear Lake is the place to be for a full five days of festive fun, thrilling activities, delicious treats and holiday memories. Kickoff on Wednesday, July 2nd: Our Clear Lake July 4th Celebration kicks off on Wednesday evening with the Lakeside Vendor Market. Our celebration kicks off with the Evans United Shows Carnival, a Clear Lake tradition since 1973. Dozens of lighted and musical carnival rides, concessions, and games surround City Park in downtown, with breathtaking views of the lake. Similar to other Iowa cities and towns, Clear Lake holds a multi-day (July 2-6) festival to celebrate the Fourth of July. There will be a carnival and parade, live music, Freedom 5K, vendor market, BINGO, fireworks over Clear Lake, and a Family Feud Game Show, just to name a few! Click here for an hourly breakdown of each day’s activities. Dozens of lighted and musical carnival rides, concessions, and games surround City Park in downtown, with breathtaking views of the lake. Enjoy popular rides like the Ferris Wheel, Genesis, and the Carousel, or grab a bite from food stands offering corn dogs, tenderloins, freshly squeezed lemonade, caramel apples, and funnel cakes. Clear Lake’s premier summer festival includes a midway, amusement rides, bingo, huge open-air vendor market by the lake, live music nightly in the bandshell, a traditional Independence Day parade down Main Avenue, and the area’s biggest and best fireworks display over the lake on the evening of the 4th! Experience the ultimate July 4th Celebration in Clear Lake! This summer festival includes a midway, amusement rides, bingo, huge open-air vendor market by the lake, live music nightly in the bandshell, a traditional Independence Day parade down Main Avenue, and the area’s biggest and best fireworks display over the lake on July 4th. Clear Lake Municipal Band from 8:30 – 10 p.m. (Presented by Larson’s Mercantile) Flashing Thunder Fireworks over Clear Lake at 10 p.m. (Musical Tribute on 106.1FM, AM1490, & AM1300) Lakeside Vendor Market 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Evans United Shows Carnival opens at noon (Wristband Day – $25 from noon-5 p.m.) Chamber BINGO Tent opens at noon. Clear Lake will have their annual Clear Lake July Fourth celebration from July 3 to 7. It will be a full five days of fun, activities and treats. CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — The Clear Lake Police Department is reminding residents attending the city's annual Fourth of July parade about the Parade & Special Events Spot Saving Ordinance. It is illegal to reserve or claim a space on public property before 5 a.m. on the day of the parade. A new twist entered the lineup in 1950. Miss Arlene Prestholt was chosen as Miss Clear Lake and then competed in the Miss Iowa pageant, held later in Clear Lake on Governors Day weekend. Gradually the 4th of July in Clear Lake grew to include our parade, a carnival and one of the best (probably THE BEST) fireworks displays around. Experience the ultimate July 4th Celebration in Clear Lake! This summer festival includes a midway, amusement rides, bingo, huge open-air vendor market by the lake, live music nightly in the bandshell, a traditional Independence Day parade down Main Avenue, and the area’s biggest and best fireworks display over the lake on July 4th. There’s no place like Clear Lake for the Fourth of July! Our celebration kicks off with the Evans United Shows Carnival, a Clear Lake tradition since 1973. Dozens of lighted and musical carnival rides, concessions, and games surround City Park in downtown, with breathtaking views of the lake. Enjoy popular rides like the Ferris Wheel, Genesis, and the Carousel, or grab a bite from food There’s no place like Clear Lake for the Fourth of July! Our celebration kicks off with the Evans United Shows Carnival, a Clear Lake tradition since 1973. Dozens of lighted and musical carnival rides, concessions, and games surround City Park in downtown, with breathtaking views of the lake. In Clear Lake, Iowa, residents got the Fourth of July celebrations started a day early. The city of Clear Lake in Iowa is kicking off 4th Of July celebrations early starting on Wednesday, July 2nd. Clear Lake's 4th of July celebration has the hottest live music lineup. From country to rock and roll - even an 80s tribute band! Clear Lake has the longest consecutive running July 4th Celebration in the State of Iowa. Each year, we host over 50,000 visitors to our festival, which is known throughout the midwest.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |