No matter where you find yourself on the Fourth of July this year, chances are there is a nearby Independence Day celebration to attend. Whether you are an international resident, out of the country on business or simply taking a vacation, the opportunity to feel right at home is there.
American clubs, expat meet-up groups, U.S. embassies and political organizations are just a few of the groups that organize Independence Day festivities around the world. Check out what’s going on in the following international cities as America’s biggest party goes global.
London
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the very country from which our founders came? Take a stroll or a bus tour through the city, and you will see monuments of America’s greatest heroes at almost every turn — Abraham Lincoln stands over Parliament Square, Martin Luther King Jr. can be found in Westminster Abbey and George Washington poses with his cane in Trafalgar Square. You can even pay a visit to the only remaining home of American founding father Benjamin Franklin where cake and champagne will be served on July 4 in honor of Independence Day.
London’s Ealing Beer Festival, which takes place at Walpole Park from July 3 to 6, is also getting into the red, white and blue spirit by dedicating July 4 to a special selection of American imported beers. If a beer festival isn’t your idea of family fun, have a picnic in London’s beautiful Battersea Park, where the American expat community has been known to put on Independence Day fireworks displays in the past.
Benjamin Franklin House event
www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org
Ealing Beer Festival
www.ealingbeerfestival.org.uk
Rome
When in Rome, join the American International Club of Rome for its annual Independence Day celebration. The party takes place on Saturday, July 6 near Piazza dei Giuochi Delfici. Visitors can enjoy a barbecue picnic, live music by both Revolution Jazz Band and DJ Franco as well as a chance to win raffle prizes ranging from a portrait painted by Dutch artist Els Vink to a treatment at Victoria Regeneration Spa. Not only will there be face-painting, craft tables, slip-n-slides and lawn games for the kids, but the U.S. Marine Color Guard will present the Colors and the Star Spangled Banner.
American International Club of Rome
www.aicrome.org
Shanghai
Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q is the place to be for Americans spending their Fourth of July in Shanghai this year. The American restaurant, which originated in Lubbock, Texas, is hosting an authentic Southern-style celebration complete with line dancing, live music and more. In addition to food promotions on all barbecue plates and sliders, happy hour is celebrated for the whole day on July 4. Live music starts at 5 p.m. and the party doesn’t end until 1:30 a.m.
Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q event
www.stubbschina.com
Singapore
If you are looking to celebrate Independence Day a little early in Singapore this year, you’re in luck. The American Association of Singapore’s annual festivities wlll place on Saturday, June 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Singapore American School. Not only is the event completely free but it includes music, food, drinks, games, formal ceremonies and a fireworks show.
For those staying in Singapore on the weekend of July 4, The American Club is hosting its biggest yet, four-day celebration that will run from Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7. On Independence Day, there will be a poolside Texas-style barbecue, live music and DJs, cake-cutting, lucky draw giveaways and face-painting. Events in the following days include the Atomic Wing Challenge, a free dessert and coffee tasting, free wine tasting, Mitolo wine dinner and finally a relaunch of the club’s Sizzling Sunday BBQ.
American Association of Singapore
www.aasingapore.com
The American Club event
www.amclub.org.sg