Everything you need to know for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular this year

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Here are some things to know before the Boston Pops Firework Spectacular this Fourth of July, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the Esplanade.

From 7 to 10 p.m., the public can attend the free event at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade.

Compared to prior years, the enormous celebration is set to start an hour earlier this year. For those wishing to secure a space in advance, the Oval directly in front of the Hatch Shell will open to the public at noon on July 4. The fireworks will start at around 9:40 p.m., while the live performances will start at 7 p.m.

The event will include the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra, the Soldiers Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, the Boston Children’s Chorus, the trio Bell Biv DeVoe, Grammy-winning singer LeAnn Rhimes, and Grammy- and Tony-winning guitarist Leslie Odom Jr. Paula Plum, an actress, will give the presentation.

From 9:40 p.m. until 10 p.m., the fireworks display is expected to run roughly 20 minutes and be visible from the Cambridge and Boston banks of the Charles River. The Longfellow and Massachusetts Ave. bridges are closed to viewing. Boats must adhere to specific rules for those observing from the river, such as being anchored by 8:15 p.m., remaining 1,000 feet from barges, and remaining 100 feet from shore.

WHDH-TV Channel 7 will show the event live locally from 7 to 10 p.m. The CW Network will air a nationwide broadcast between 9 and 10 p.m.

Due to traffic and road closures, officials highly advise participants to walk or take public transportation to the event. Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth and Fairfield Streets, and Massachusetts Avenue all lead from Beacon Street to the Esplanade. Arlington Street on the Green Line and Charles-MGH on the Red Line are the nearest T stops. On Friday, the T will operate more often and be available in all modes after 8 p.m.

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Drones are not allowed to fly over the site during the event.Weapons, glass containers, bikes, backpacks, coolers on wheels, alcohol, and grills are all prohibited. Folding or beach chairs, blankets or tarps up to 10 square feet, tiny pop-up tents or canopies without sides, and plastic containers for liquids are all allowed.

Visit bso.org/boston-pops-fireworks-spectacular for more details.

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