Independence Day means fireworks, cookouts, and giant jackpots

The fireworks won't be the only things lighting up the sky this Fourth of July weekend. Mega Millions, Powerball, and several state jackpot games are rolling into the holiday with massive prizes. Despite the celebrations this weekend, the drawings are all expected to go on as scheduled.

Are lottery drawings taking place on the Fourth of July?

This is always a popular question, especially when drawings land on holidays. Yes, some states do shut down lottery games for Christmas Day.

However, it looks like all state lottery games will be running as scheduled this July 4. Your multi-state games, like Powerball and Millionaire for Life, will also be holding their regularly scheduled drawings on Saturday night.

One thing to remember is that most state lottery offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, for the holiday. Because of this, if you happen to get a big winner over the holiday weekend, you will have to wait until Monday, July 6, 2026, to claim your winnings.

Almost $1B in jackpots available

The fireworks aren't the only thing that could be going off this weekend. We could hear a lot of celebrations if anyone matches all of the winning numbers drawn for either the Mega Millions or Powerball multistate draw games.

The next Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated $542 million, with a cash option of $242 million. The drawing will take place on Friday, July 3, at 11 p.m. ET. That is, by far, the biggest jackpot up for grabs this weekend for lottery players.

However, the Powerball jackpot isn't too far behind. That jackpot currently sits at an estimated $396 million, with a cash value of $177.7 million. The next drawing will take place on Saturday, July 4, so let freedom ring for someone with a huge Powerball win.

Other jackpots are making history

While the focus always seems to be on Mega Millions and Powerball, especially when their jackpots total almost $1B. However, some other draw games could make history this weekend if any tickets match all of the winning numbers drawn. Those games are:

• Lotto America: Estimated jackpot of $31.49 million, cash value of $14.12 million. The next drawing takes place on Saturday, July 4. This jackpot currently sits as the third-largest in the game's history.
• Megabucks: Estimated jackpot of $22.25 million, cash value of $14.87 million. The next drawing takes place on Saturday, July 4. This is the largest jackpot ever in the history of this Massachusetts in-state draw game.
• SuperLotto Plus: Estimated jackpot of $34 million. The next drawing takes place on Saturday, July 4. No records for this California Lottery in-state draw game, but it is currently the third-largest jackpot in the country.
• Hoosier Lotto: Estimated jackpot of $27.6 million. The next drawing takes place on Saturday, July 4. Again, no records are being broken here, but it is the fifth-largest jackpot in the nation.

Whether it's a big jackpot or a small one, the draw is always the same: with a little hope and a few dollars, you could have a story to tell at the next family dinner. With the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots totaling almost $1B, letting your freedom ring with a jackpot win could be the perfect thing to do this holiday weekend.

Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.