4th of July goes global

Hot dogs? Check. Fireworks? Check. Big Ben? Wait a minute…

There may not be international landmarks at your neighbor’s Fourth of July barbecue, but for Americans living abroad, they’re the perfect backdrop when celebrating independence.

To global Yanks, it’s just as important — if not more so — to throw an Independence Day party that feels just like home.

From Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Rome, Italy, Fourth of July soirees are happening on Saturday in nearly every corner of the world. So if your globetrotting lands you in one of these cities over the weekend, consider squeezing an Independence Day celebration into your itinerary.

July Fourth, eh?

Canada Day occurs a mere three days before the Fourth, and our neighbor to the north lights up the sky for both.

Held on the shores of Lake Ontario at the amusement park Ontario Place in Toronto, the Grand Finale for the Canada Dry Festival of Fire is an extensive fireworks display that draws between 15,000 and 20,000 people each year.

Choreographed to a surprise playlist, “the fireworks actually detonate to the beat of the songs, which are voted on by the listeners of [local radio station] CHFI,” said Ontario Place spokesman Nick Kondrat.

Tickets include an all-day pass to the park, so be sure not to miss the eclectic entertainment, like “Salsa at Ontario Place,” featuring live salsa music, dance competitions and lessons.

Fireworks begin at 10:30 p.m. Visit the park’s Web site for tickets.

Americans in London Town

Time Out London lists this event as a “must-do” for Independence Day. Standing out from a slew of holiday gatherings, the 7th annual Fourth of July picnic, hosted by the American expatriate community, begins at 2 p.m. at London, England’s, Battersea Park.

To keep the kids happy, there will be red, white and blue bouncy castles as well as balloons and face-painting, according to the group’s Web site.

For the adults, plenty of barbecue will be available for purchase in addition to two fully stocked cash bars. Between softball games and paddleboat rentals at the nearby lake, there’s plenty to do for the whole family. For a grand finale, a laser fireworks display starts at 9:45 p.m.

Even better: Admission is free all day.