Parking, where to watch, street closures: Your guide to the 2026 Ford Fireworks

2026 Ford Fireworks on Monday, June 22

Samantha Sayles, Digital Content Producer

Published: June 22, 2026 at 1:19 PM

DETROIT – The Ford Fireworks will be held on Monday, June 22, in Downtown Detroit.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Coverage of the 2026 Ford Fireworks will begin at 8 p.m. with pre-show events.

Where to watch

Here are public viewing sites for the Ford Fireworks:

Hart Plaza
Spirit Plaza
Erma Henderson Park (new this year)
Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge is not permitted)

Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza and Erma Henderson Park

All three locations will open to the public at 2 p.m. on June 22 and will remain open until capacity is reached. Erma Henderson Park has a capacity of 1,500 people. Admission to all three sites is free.

All three locations are weapon-free zones.

The following are not permitted at these locations:

Tents, alcohol, drones, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.)
Flames, fires or cooking of any kind
Personal or consumer fireworks
Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group

Belle Isle

Belle Isle will be closed on June 22 until 2 p.m., when the island will open for vehicular and pedestrian access.

Park officials will allow up to 3,000 vehicles until the traffic capacity is reached. Pedestrians and bicyclists will continue to have access after the vehicle capacity is reached. To receive updates on when the island is full, text GEM to 80888.

Drivers will need the Recreation Passport affixed to your vehicle to enter the island. The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $15. The passport is $12 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day. Entry is free for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Belle Isle Park officials issued these reminders:

Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island
No tents and canopies are allowed on Sunset Point
From 2 - 4 p.m., all vehicles will be directed to the paddock area except those with valid ADA placards
RV parking will be located on the paddock area near the Casino
Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

Watch from home

The fireworks show will be broadcast live on Local 4 and Local 4+, which is available for free, even outside the Detroit area.

Watch the 68th annual Ford Fireworks live when it begins here with pre-show coverage at 8 p.m. and the fireworks show at 10 p.m.

We’re offering viewers a chance to watch the fireworks from four different angles at once with our Fireworks Cam Zone.

Click here to try it out!

Parking

Metered parking

Detroit will not enforce parking meters across the city after 5 p.m. on June 22. However, drivers are advised to check parking restrictions.

Motorists will be ticketed for:

Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet from crosswalk; within 15 feet from an intersection; within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant)
Parking in front of fire hydrants and bus stops, or blocking driveways and alleys
Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lanes, no parking zones or no standing zones

Parking garages

The following city-owned garages will be available to the public:

Ford Underground Garage, 30 E. Jefferson Ave, from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; cost is $10
Eastern Market Garage, 2727 Riopelle Street, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; cost is $5

The city is prohibiting tailgating and fireworks viewing from any parking facility.

Street, freeway closures

The following traffic changes will go into effect at approximately 6 p.m. on June 22:

No northbound or southbound traffic will be allowed on Woodward Avenue beginning at Park and Witherell. Motorists may cross Woodward at John R/Clifford, Grand River, and State/Gratiot
All streets south of Fort and west of Woodward will be closed
All streets south of Congress and east of Woodward will be closed
Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways may begin to close

Public Transit

DDOT bus

From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 22, the following routes will end at the Bricktown People Mover Station on Beaubien between Lafayette and Congress.

#5 Van Dyke/Lafayette
#6 Gratiot
#9 Jefferson
#40 Russell
#52 Chene
#67 Cadillac/Harper

DDOT personnel will assist passengers at the Bricktown and Times Square stations to assist passengers beginning at 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., the Woodward (#4) and Dexter (#16) routes will end at the Rosa Parks Transit Center. For full reroute information, visit this DDOT page or call (313) 933-1300.

Detroit People Mover

The Detroit People Mover will operate from 6:30 a.m. until 12 a.m.

Due to early closures at Huntington Place, Millender Center and Renaissance Center, trains will not stop at these stations after 2 p.m.; all other stations remain open. Rides are always free. DDOT transfers from the Rosa Parks Transit Center should board at Times Square Station or the Bricktown Station for east-side layovers. For more information, visit thepeoplemover.com or call (313) 224-2160.

Q-Line

The Q-Line will have a shortened route on June 22. Beginning at 6 p.m., trains will only stop at Woodward Avenue and State Street.