“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” —John Adams, to his wife, Abigail, July 1776

Adams got his wish, and 250 years later, we still celebrate the document he and his colleagues signed in Philadelphia as the official birth of the nation.

Newton will have an all-day celebration on Saturday, with activities for kids at the Newton Centre Bowl in the morning and a carnival and festival at Albemarle Field all afternoon, followed by a fireworks display.

Temperatures are expected to be above 90 degrees every day through Sunday, so use caution and stay hydrated.

Here are four things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, July 3

At 3:10 p.m. and 7:20 p.m., West Newton Cinema will screen “Time and Water,” an Icelandic film by poet and author Andri Snær Magnason showing the melting of the glaciers in his homeland.

Saturday, July 4

From 10 a.m. to noon, The Independence Day celebration kicks off with a 4th of July Kids Morning featuring a pet parade, games and crafts, plus free ice cream courtesy of Cabot’s, at the Newton Centre Bowl (the open green space below the hut off Tyler Terrace next to the Newton Centre playground).

From 1 to 10 p.m., Enjoy carnival rides, music and food at Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex in celebration of Independence Day. At 6 p.m., there will be live music from the Bo & Bill Winiker Band, and at dusk, fireworks.

Sunday, July 5

From 6 to 7:30 p.m., Performances in the Park will present Class6, playing rock music from the ’60s to the 2000s at the Newton Centre Bowl, near 69 Tyler Terrace.

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You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.