Storm forces brief evacuation at Boston Pops July 4 fireworks event

Massachusetts State Police ordered the evacuation of the Charles River Esplanade just before 6:30 p.m. as a storm moved across Boston, temporarily clearing thousands of spectators gathered for the annual Boston Pops July 4 concert and fireworks. The evacuation lasted roughly 40 minutes, during which heavy rain fell, after which attendees were permitted to resume their seats near the Hatch Memorial Shell.

An emergency alert announced that both the concert, scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and the fireworks, set for 9:15 p.m., would be delayed. The warning was sent to phones and displayed on signage beside the shell while actress Jane Lynch spoke with reporters alongside Governor Maura Healey and Pops conductor Keith Lockhart.

Organizers had already postponed the opening of the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell from noon to 4 p.m. due to heat concerns, and the venue later filled quickly with fans. Lockhart remarked, "It's always an amazing sea of America out there in front of me, it has been for all these years," and expressed optimism that crowds would continue to gather along both sides of the river.

The program featured guest performances by Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson and Trombone Shorty, as well as a Revolutionary-themed drone display during the 1812 Overture and fireworks choreographed to live music, including pieces by John Williams and a world premiere commission titled "Spirit of America."

Public access to the lawn opened at 4 p.m., with concessions available on the Esplanade. The MBTA provided free bus, subway and ferry service after 8:30 p.m. and scheduled additional trains for holiday travel, noting that final commuter rail departures would occur as planned, with possible extensions of up to 30 minutes if the fireworks were further delayed. The LEGO Group contributed a giant American flag assembled from blocks pre-made at four local libraries.