North Shore beaches close as heat wave grips Swampscott's July 4th weekend

**Friday, July 3** — Swampscott's Fourth of July weekend arrives in the 250th year of American independence, with area residents eyeing both local and regional celebrations. Swampscott Patch's "Fireworks Near Me: July 4th Events Around Swampscott For 2026" rounds up Independence Day activities in and around town, noting that this year's semiquincentennial milestone could add extra sparkle to the occasion, per Swampscott Patch. https://patch.com/massachusetts/swampscott/fireworks-near-me-july-4th-events-around-swampscott-2026

**Friday, July 3** — Beachgoers should check conditions before heading out this holiday weekend. Swampscott Patch's "More North Shore Beaches Close Amid Scorching Heat Wave" reports that a stretch of scorching temperatures has prompted additional beach closures along the North Shore, with some beaches that had previously shut due to Merrimack River–related concerns only recently having reopened, per Swampscott Patch. https://patch.com/massachusetts/swampscott/more-north-shore-beaches-close-amid-scorching-heat-wave