State Police Reopen Security Checkpoints Ahead Of Boston Pops Show

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BOSTON — Update 5 p.m., July 4: State police are reopening all security checkpoints on the Esplanade and will resume the screening process ahead of Tuesday night’s fireworks.

Officials said all visitors will be able to watch the concert and fireworks, which will begin as scheduled at 10:30 p.m.

UPDATE: We will re-open the security checks at the Esplanade at 5pm. The screening process will resume; visitors will be able to watch the concert and fireworks, which will begin as scheduled. We thank the public for their patience during this temporary restriction. https://t.co/E3NrpZWdE3

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 4, 2023

Update 2:30 p.m., July 4: Due to expected heavy rain and the possibility of lightning until 5 p.m., Massachusetts State Police will temporarily suspend entry to the Esplanade at security checkpoints.

This is being done because if the premises need to be evacuated in the event of lightning, fewer visitors will need to be evacuated, MSP says.

URGENT: Due to the expected heavy rain and the possibility of lightning until 17:00, we will temporarily suspend entry to the Esplanade at security checkpoints. This is being done because, if we have to evacuate the premises in the event of lightning, fewer visitors will need to be evacuated.

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) July 4, 2023

Boston Pops director Keith Lockhart says he was confident the weather wouldn’t be a show for many of the die-hard fans. “If it just rains lightly like this, we’ll have a wet but happy crowd,” Lockhart said.

Robert Goulston: People brave the rain ahead of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular tonight

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The Fourth of July is here, which means the Boston Pops’ annual fireworks extravaganza will return to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade on Tuesday.

HOW TO LOOK

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular can be seen on Bloomberg TV and heard on Bloomberg Radio from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

LOCKHART RETURNS

Keith Lockhart will once again lead the Boston Pops with performances including patriotic favorites and the perennial musical finale, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, followed by a thrilling fireworks display over the Charles River beginning at 10:30 p.m.

In a statement, Lockhart said, “We couldn’t be more excited about our plans for this year’s Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Performing our annual July 4th concert on the Charles River Esplanade is always a tremendous thrill and a great honor for us, and the fantastic musical talent we have assembled will make 2023 a year to remember, and not to be missed.

ALIGNMENT OF GUESTS WITH STARS

This year’s Spectacular will feature an impressive lineup of guest artists, including award-winning R&B group En Vogue as headliners.

En Vogue has sold 20 million records worldwide and won seven MTV Video Music Awards, three Soul Train Awards and two American Music Awards, as well as earning seven Grammy nominations.

En Vogue is known for hits like “Hold On”, “Free Your Mind”, “Never Gonna Get It”, “Giving Him Something He Can Feel”, “Don’t Let Go” and “Whatta Man”.

Other guests scheduled to take the Esplanade stage:

Broadway star Mandy GonzalezCountry duo LOCASHThree cast members from the Pops’ recent showcase concert of “Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert” — Alton Fitzgerald White, Elizabeth Stanley and Andrea Jones-Sojola Several selections with the Field Band of the US Army and Soldiers’ Heart

BLOOMBERG ON AIR TALENT

Bloomberg Television’s Carol Massur and Romaine Bostick will co-host the 2023 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular and the radio and television broadcasts.

PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION AND SITE RESTRICTIONS

The rehearsals on July 2 and 3 are closed to the public. The doors will open to the public at 12:00 on July 4. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are prohibited on the Esplanade, according to the DCR rule for masses.

Details on when Storrow Drive will be closed to vehicles will be provided by state officials closer to the day of the show.