Florida explodes with celebrations every 4th of July. From barbecues on the beach to live music under the stars, the Sunshine State has plenty of ways to commemorate America’s Independence Day. For many, the best part of any 4th of July is the fireworks. Cities all across the state from the Panhandle to the Keys light up the night sky with amazing pyrotechnics. From cityscapes to beaches, Florida has a 4th of July fireworks display waiting to make your Independence Day unforgettable.
Our Ultimate Guide to 4th of July Fireworks in Florida is your one-stop shop for navigating the best fireworks displays across the state where you can set up your lawn chair or spread out a blanket and watch it all unfold. And, trust us, once you see the first explosion of colors in the sky, the “oohs and ahhs” are sure to follow.
Northwest Florida
Featuring spectacular fireworks displays that light up the Gulf Coast’s night sky, families gather on the beaches and in parks in Northwest Florida to enjoy America’s birthday celebration.
Apalachicola
Apalachicola celebrates Independence Day a day early at their Independence Eve Celebration at Riverfront Park. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a special ice cream social, kids activities, and a veterans’ tribute, honoring those who served. As night falls, a fireworks display is launched from a barge on the river. Admission is free, and don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Pensacola/Pensacola Beach
Pensacola offers a double dose of fireworks on the 4th of July. Head downtown to watch the show launched from Pensacola Bayfront, or travel to Pensacola Beach where the fireworks light up the sky over the Santa Rosa Sound. With synchronized patriotic music broadcast on a local FM radio station, it is sure to be a one-of-a-kind fireworks experience.
Panama City
The July 4th Salute to Freedom Festival at the Destination Panama City Visitors Center promises to be a memorable experience for all ages. This free, family-friendly event has a full day of activities, including live music, a dedicated Family Fun Zone, food and drink vendors, and local vendors where you can shop crafts, jewelry, and other treats.
The grand finale arrives at dusk with a fireworks display. While general admission is free, a limited number of VIP tickets are available if you prefer a more exclusive experience. Don’t miss out! Join the local community for a day of patriotic fun, family activities, and great fireworks.
North Central Florida
Fourth of July fireworks create quite a display in North Central Florida over expansive rural landscapes and small towns, bringing together communities from all over the region.
Tallahassee
Live music fills the air, while food trucks fill the park at the Celebrate America at Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee. Enjoy a variety of foods or, if you prefer, you can bring your own picnic baskets for a classic outdoor meal. Family fun is on hand with activities designed to keep the younger crowd entertained. The main attraction, of course, is the fireworks display that kicks off just before 10PM.
Gainesville
Held on July 3rd at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Fanfares and Fireworks kicks off in the early evening with live music and food trucks. The fireworks typically begin around 9:30 pm, painting the night sky with every color of the rainbow. For your safety, no pets, sparklers, drones, or alcohol are allowed at the event. You may bring a cooler, but you must show its contents before entry.
Northeast Florida
Blending modern celebrations with the area’s rich heritage, people gather along the St Johns River and other coastal spots in Northeast Florida to enjoy bursts of color against the backdrop of historic landmarks and natural beauty.
Jacksonville
Enjoy America’s pastime on the 4th of July with a vintage-style baseball game at Klutho Park in Jacksonville. Then afterwards, party on the USS Orleck, a historic naval warship turned museum, where you can enjoy the fireworks, live music, and a full bar. If a boat’s not your thing, you can head downtown to watch the fireworks. Other places to watch include The Avenues Mall, Trinity Baptist Church, Ed Austin Regional Park, or Jacksonville Beach Pier.
St Augustine
Get ready for Fireworks Over the Matanzas, a star-spangled celebration kicking off at 6:00 pm in the Plaza de la Constitución, right in the heart of St Augustine‘s historic district. There, you’ll enjoy a two-hour live music concert to get you in the festive spirit. At 9:30 pm, the night sky explodes with a fireworks display considered one of the best on the East Coast! It’s an unforgettable fireworks display that paints the historic Bayfront and the Castillo de San Marcos with bursts of color.
Central Florida
In Central Florida, Fourth of July fireworks illuminate the skies over theme parks and cityscapes. Crowds flock to downtown areas and lakesides to witness the dazzling displays.
Orlando
You’re invited to the annual Fireworks at the Fountain on July 4th in Orlando. Head down to Lake Eola Park for a day of fun – we’re talking live entertainment, family activities, and plenty of food and drinks to keep everyone happy. The party starts in the later afternoon and keeps rolling until about 10 pm, culminating in a fireworks display that lights up the night sky around 9 pm. Can’t make it in person? No worries! Catch the festivities live on TV starting at 8 pm, or stream it online for a front-row seat to the fireworks fun from the comfort of your couch.
DeLand
DeLand’s biggest event of the year attracting up to 15,00 attendees, the Firecracker Festival is on Fourth of July Eve. It’s the perfect place to celebrate freedom with your crew while enjoying food trucks, a dedicated kids zone, and live music. But wait, there’s more! The fireworks display starts at dusk. Be sure to bring your lawn chair or blanket to claim your spot in front of the amphitheater.
Mount Dora
Independence Day is calling, and Mount Dora‘s got the answer: Freedom on the Waterfront on July 3rd from 5 pm to 10 pm at Elizabeth Evans Park and the lakefront where you can enjoy food trucks, and family fun activities, games, face painting, and a whole lot more! Top it all off with a fireworks display over the lake, and free shuttles from 4 locations that makes parking a breeze. Bring your blankets, chairs, and patriotic spirit – Mount Dora’s ready to celebrate freedom under the stars with you!
Crystal River
Celebrate America’s birthday with a traditional hometown festival in Crystal River! Head to Kings Bay Park for a night of live music, delicious food and drinks from local vendors, and fun activities for the whole family. The highlight of the evening, of course, is a spectacular fireworks display launched over Kings Bay around 9 pm. While you can watch the fireworks from various waterfront areas, Kings Bay Park has the best vantage point on land.
Tampa Bay
The Fourth of July fireworks cast reflections over the waters of Tampa Bay, where watchers often gather along waterfronts and on boats, to enjoy the festivities amidst the city lights.
Tampa
Dust off your dancing shoes and fire up the family fun because Tampa’s throwing a 4th of July bash you won’t want to miss! It’s all happening at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park for Boom by the Bay, a star-spangled celebration for everyone. The party starts at 4 pm and keeps the good times rolling until the fireworks light up the night sky. Get your fill of delicious eats from local food trucks and vendors, catch some live music, and cheer on the legendary Apple Pie Throwdown!
Feel free to bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a cooler stocked with your favorite drinks and snacks. But remember, no outside alcohol or grills are allowed.
St. Petersburg
Ignite your patriotism and celebrate America’s birthday under the night sky in St. Petersburg! The downtown waterfront transforms into a stage for the annual Independence Day celebration.
While you wait for the fireworks, the St. Pete Pier comes alive with a day-long party. Sip on local craft beers, grab delicious bites from food trucks, and listen to live music. There are even roaming entertainers to keep the energy high!
When night falls and it’s time for fireworks, find your perfect spot along Bayshore Dr. or North Shore Dr. NE, Albert Whitted Park, North or South Straub Park, North Shore Park, Elva Rouse Park or Flora Wylie Park. In other words, pick your park to watch the fireworks.
Clearwater
Coachman Park is the place to be on July 4th for Clearwater Celebrates America, a day filled with red, white, and blue fun. Take a trip down memory lane at the classic car show, browse local vendors and farmers markets, and enjoy live music. As dusk settles, Clearwater’s biggest fireworks display ever lights up the night sky. After the fiery finale, a unique silent disco party kicks off. Just remember to snag your free concert tickets beforehand to secure your spot for this epic Independence Day celebration!
Dunedin
Gas up your golf cart and get ready for a quintessential Hometown USA Celebration! The “Dunedin Goes Carting” parade kicks things off with a patriotic twist, transforming golf carts into rolling displays of American spirit. Cheer on the creative entries as they wind through the downtown streets before ending at TD Ballpark. Here, live music sets the mood while everyone is entertained with classic Americana fun like games like face painting, games, and an outdoor movie. Top it all off with a fireworks display and you have an Independence Day celebration that captures the true spirit of America!
Largo
Largo celebrates Independence Day in Largo Central Park starting in the early evening with food vendors and live music along with fun activities for the whole family, and culminating with a fireworks display. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, and remember, it’s a BYOB (bring your own blanket) event with limited on-site parking. Free parking is available at Largo Middle and Largo High Schools (with a fee at the high school). No alcohol, coolers, pets, or personal fireworks are allowed, so come celebrate America’s birthday!
Southwest Florida
Celebrating with beachside bonfires and events, Southwest Florida’s Fourth of July fireworks create a pyrotechnic show over the coastal waters and mangrove-lined shores.
Naples
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets – it’s Naples’ 4th of July celebration at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex! This free, rain-or-shine event kicks off at 6 pm, with live music taking center stage at 7 pm. But the real star of the show arrives at 9 pm – a fireworks display lighting up the night sky.
Come hungry, because food and drinks are available for purchase. While you can bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to claim your perfect spot in the stadium, The Great Lawn & The Cove offer additional seating. Remember, outside food, drinks, pets, and grills are a no-go, so keep it picnic-style and focus on the fun!
Fort Myers
Soak up the sunshine and celebrate freedom all day at Fort Myers Beach’s epic July 4th celebration! Events, games, and vendors keep the party going strong until the night sky explodes with a fireworks display around 9 pm. Set up your beach chair or spread out your blanket, grab a refreshing drink, and prepare to be wowed. Just a heads-up: parking is paid only around the event area, and the Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 8:30 to 11 pm. So plan your arrival accordingly.
Cape Coral
The Red, White, & Boom celebration is one of the biggest fireworks shows in Florida, and it’s all happening for free at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge. Get ready for a day packed with live music, delicious eats from vendors, and enough red, white, and blue to make your head spin.
The party starts at 5 pm and keeps the good times rolling until the fireworks take center stage at about 9:30 pm. Just remember to leave your furry friends, personal fireworks, and outside alcohol at home. This is a family-friendly celebration focused on fun for all.
Southeast Florida
Beach parties and waterfront festivals are preludes for the fireworks that light up the urban skylines in Southeast Florida.
Fort Lauderdale
It’s an all-day Independence Day celebration at Las Olas Oceanside Park and Fort Lauderdale Beach at the annual Fourth of July Spectacular! The festivities get started at noon with bands, a kids zone with inflatable water slides, face painting, and lots of beach games.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the party heats up with live music and entertainment. But the real showstopper arrives as darkness falls with a nearly 30-minute fireworks display that illuminates the night sky over Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Miami
Miami’s Bayfront Park transforms into a star-spangled playground for the Fourth of July! The Bayfront Park 4th of July Celebration is free and open to all starting in the late afternoon with a hot dog eating contest. Live music takes center stage, featuring a lineup of iconic sounds from the U.S. Navy Band to the energy of local Latin acts.
Enjoy delicious eats from local food vendors and a dedicated kids’ zone loaded with games and activities. As twilight paints the sky, anticipation builds for the main event: a 30-minute fireworks display that erupts over Biscayne Bay.
Palm Beach
Boynton Beach’s Red, White & Blue with a Waterfront View is a family-friendly event full of fun starting mid-afternoon on July 4th. Have you ever seen a hydroflight show? You can watch amazing flyboard performances of aerial stunts and acrobatics as they skim across the water while you munch on delicious treats from a lineup of food trucks. We’re talking classic American fare like hot dogs, burgers, refreshing shaved ice, and maybe even some pierogies. As dusk settles, spread out your blankets and chairs for a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky, making it an Independence Day you won’t forget!
The Florida Keys
The laid-back island vibe combined with island-themed parties and gatherings at waterfront bars, make watching 4th of July fireworks a one-of-a-kind experience in the Florida Keys.
Key West
Start your day with the Rotary Club’s Patriotic Party at Indigenous Park, where food (think burgers and hot dogs) fuels the fun and live music sets the mood. Are you an early riser? You can participate in the 4th of July 5k Walk/Run starting at the Edward B. Knight Pier.
As night falls, a fireworks display erupts over the Atlantic Ocean, launched from the White Street Pier. Claim your spot early for the best view, or spread out a blanket on Smathers or Higgs Beach. And for a truly unforgettable touch, the Key West Mermaid Festival even has a “Red, White, and Blue and Mermaids, Too” event, adding a whimsical touch to America’s birthday celebration.
Key Largo
Key Largo’s 4th of July promises a full day of patriotic fun starting with the “Celebrating Freedom” parade in the morning. Starting at mile marker 98.2, the parade winds its way through town to Laguna Avenue near Key Largo Community Park.
Later in the afternoon, the festivities shift to Rowell’s Waterfront Park (mile marker 104.5 bayside). Live music, family games and activities, and plenty of food and beverages for purchase, make it quite a party atmosphere. The annual Blackwater Sound fireworks display erupts around 9 pm.
For a more exclusive experience, consider purchasing tickets to the adults-only VIP tent. Free parking with shuttle service is available at Key Largo School (mile marker 104.8 oceanside), or you can bring your own chairs and blankets and claim your spot at the park.
Big Pines & the Lower Keys
Are you ready to celebrate America’s birthday a day early with the Lower Keys Rotary Club? It all happens at Big Pine Community Park (mile marker 31) on July 3rd for a star-spangled bash starting late in the afternoon. This free event is packed with family fun. You can browse booths from local vendors, grab a bite to eat and a drink, and enjoy games and activities for all ages.
Live entertainment keeps the energy high as you wait for the main attraction – a fireworks display around 9 pm. Just remember, coolers, pets, and personal fireworks are a no-go to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable celebration.
Islamorada & Upper Keys
The Upper Keys celebrates America’s birthday in Founders Park (mile marker 87) at the Independence Day Celebration co-hosted by the Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Village of Islamorada on July 4th for an evening of festive fun from 6 pm to 10 pm. Food trucks, live music, face painting, and more are on tap at this annual Independence Day celebration.
Don’t miss the Patriotic People and Puppy Parade which is your chance to showcase yours and your furry friend’s red, white, and blue spirit followed by a fireworks display.
Admission is free, but a $10 donation for parking is encouraged. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a comfortable spot to enjoy the festivities.
Marathon
Marathon’s 4th of July is a double dose of patriotic fun! Kick off your Independence Day with a parade starting in the late morning. The route takes you from Marathon High School all the way down to Sombrero Beach, where the party continues with delicious food and exciting games. It’s the perfect way to soak up the festive atmosphere with your family and friends. Let the kids loose at the games, while you grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the spirit of the day.
At dusk, the main event takes center stage with a fireworks display. Boaters are welcome to enjoy the show from the water, while beachgoers can relax and take it all in from the beach. Admission is free, making it a great way to celebrate America’s birthday with the whole community.
All Fired Up: Let Freedom Ring and Fireworks Sing
Well, there you have it! The ultimate guide to the best firework displays in Florida. Did we miss any? With so many celebrations across the state, Florida has an unforgettable way to celebrate America’s birthday. From classic parades and live music to local foods and amazing fireworks displays, there’s something for everyone. So, grab your loved ones, pack your beach chairs and blankets for a firework-filled magical experience of a Florida Fourth of July!
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Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or hom*ophobia while visiting Florida and beyond, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or hom*ophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.
Events are subject to change. Please check the events webpage for updates and schedules.
