Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1974, Boston has celebrated Independence Day at the Charles River Esplanade with a concert that finishes with the "1812 Overture" accompanied by howitzer cannons, church bells and fireworks. In 1984, PBS first televised the event in its entirety nationwide, showing it as the "Live at the Esplanade" episode of EVENING AT POPS. In 1987, PBS then aired "A Boston Pops Fourth with John Williams and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra," again as part of its EVENING AT POPS series, featuring Johnny Cash performing the world premiere of "The Spirit of '76." Every year from 1991 through 2012, the event was shown live nationwide -- first as POPS GOES THE FOURTH! on A&E from 1991 through 2002 and then as BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR on CBS from 2003 through 2012. When CBS declined the national broadcast rights for 2013, the event reverted back to local television on CBS Boston's WBZ-TV, which broadcast the event live in 2014 and 2015 before BOSTON POPS returned to a national audience on CBS in 2016 and then on Bloomberg beginning in 2017. The event was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned in 2021 on Bloomberg. Past featured performers have included: Kelli O'Hara, The Mavericks, Darlene Love (2024); En Vogue (2023); Chaka Khan, Javier Colon & Heather Headley (2022); Jon Batiste & Mavis Staples (2021); Michael Cavanaugh, Melinda Doolittle, Sons of Serendip, Boston Crusaders, and Michelle Brooks-Thompson (2015); The Beach Boys, Megan Hilty, and Julia Udine, and Ben Jacoby (2014); Susan Tedeschi, Ellis Hall, Howie Day, and Ayla Brown (2013); Jennifer Hudson (2012); Martina McBride (2011); Toby Keith (2010); Neil Diamond (2009); Rascal Flatts (2008); John Mellencamp (2007); Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (2006); Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy (2005); David Lee Roth (2004); LeAnn Rimes (2003); Barry Manilow (2002); Cyndi Lauper (2001); Don McLean (2000); Trisha Yearwood (1999); The Pointer Sisters (1995); and Johnny Cash (1987).
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Hosted by Romaine Bostick and Carol Massar, Bloomberg TV broadcast the 2024 BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR live on Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 8-11pm ET (live), with Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops and an exciting lineup of guest performers headlined by Tony Award-winning actress Kelli O'Hara. The event also features performances by The Mavericks, Darlene Love, and the Singing Sergeants from the United States Air Force Band. The 2024 Fireworks Spectacular includes the Pops playing patriotic favorites, closing with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, followed by a fireworks display over the Charles River, beginning at 10:30pm ET.