It’s time to fire up the bbq, gather family and friends, and celebrate summer this 4th of July in Florida. However you celebrate the nation’s independence, turn your eyes skywards after the sun sets and you’re sure to see fireworks light up the night sky.
In a state as big as ours, it’s hard to include all of the light in the sky shows that will take place this weekend. Here, we take a look at 25 best spots to watch fireworks on the 4th of July in Florida across the state, starting in the northwest.
JULY IN FLORIDA — NORTHWEST
Destin
On the 3rd of July, the Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival heats up in Destin. Starting with a bbq competition, the festival ends with a bang when an Independence Day firework extravaganza lights up the night sky.
Santa Rosa
The town of Milton on Florida’s pandhandle comes alive on July 4 with its Riverfest along the Riverwalk and historic downtown area. The all-day, family-friendly event on the 4th features its popular Great Mill Town Duck Race and ends with a fireworks show over the Blackwater River.
Panama City Beach
Get not one but two nights of fireworks in Panama City Beach! The Light Up the Gulf fireworks show on July 3 launches from behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort condos, and on July 4 it’s the Star Spangled Spectacular at 9 p.m. from the Russell-Fields City Pier and M.B. Miller County Pier.
Tallahassee
Florida’s capital city presents Celebrate America from 7 – 10 p.m. on July 4 at Tom Brown Park. The grand finale of the family-friendly event starts at 9:45 p.m., and the fireworks show will be accompanied by the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.
JULY IN FLORIDA — NORTHEAST
Jacksonville
Wherever you find yourself in Jacksonville, chances are that you’ll be able to see the city’s July 4th Fireworks show light up the sky. This year, fireworks will launch from spots throughout the city so you can watch from the comfort of your backyard, if you choose.
St. Augustine
“Fireworks Over the Matanzas” is the highlight of the night in St. Augustine on July 4. At 9:30 p.m., a fireworks show will light the sky over the Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine. Arrive early and enjoy a two-hour concert of big band and swing music by The All-Star Orchestra.
JULY IN FLORIDA — CENTRAL
Orlando
Downtown comes alive on the 4th of July in Orlando with the 45th annual Fireworks at the Fountain. The show in the sky begins at 9:15 p.m., and the soundtrack is provided by the Orlando Concert Band.
Plenty of more fireworks shows will light up the skies around Orlando; click here to see what’s happening.
Lakeland
It’s an all-American day in Lakeland on July 4, including a Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball game followed by live music and a fireworks spectacular at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Elsewhere in Polk County, Red, White and BOOM will take to the skies above LEGOLAND Florida; special 3-D glasses will turn the fireworks into exploding bricks.
New Smyrna Beach
The 4th of July Celebration in Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach kicks off at 4 p.m. and goes into the night when a fireworks display takes to the skies at 9:15 p.m.
Tampa
The night sky will light up in Tampa with Boom by the Bay, featuring six firework displays along Tampa’s downtown waterfront starting at 9:15 p.m.
St. Pete
The St. Pete Pier sets the scene for fireworks this 4th of July weekend. The “The Fourth” Independence Day Celebration at the pier will light up the night with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The show in the sky will be visible from most downtown St. Pete waterfront parks, including North Straub Park, Vinoy Park, Demen’s Landing, Bayshore Drive and more.
Safety Harbor
When the sun sets in Safety Harbor, find a seat at the marina or in Waterfront Park in downtown Safety Harbor for the 4th of July Celebration; at 9 p.m. turn your eyes to the night sky as watch as it comes alive with a vibrant fireworks display over Tampa Bay.
Clearwater
This year’s Clearwater Celebrates America is again being held at BayCare Ballpark instead of Clearwater’s Coachman Park — the show must go on! The choreographed fireworks display starts at 9:15 p.m.
Crystal River
The family-friendly Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration is returning to Crystal River on Monday. Fireworks will take flight over Kings Bay at 9 p.m.
JULY IN FLORIDA — SOUTHWEST
Cape Coral
Cape Coral (near Fort Myers) is ready for Red, White & Boom! this year — are you? Tune into Cat Country 107.1 to hear the soundtrack that goes along with the American Fireworks Spectacular that explodes in the Cape Coral sky at 9:30 p.m.
Naples
The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. just north of the Naples Pier in, well, Naples. Grab a seat on the beach and watch the Gulf of Mexico light up under the bursts in air.
JULY IN FLORIDA — SOUTHEAST
West Palm Beach
Make your way to the West Palm Beach Waterfront for the 4th on Flagler and wait for the fireworks to begin at 9:09 p.m. We’re not sure why that specific time — not 9 p.m. or 9:15 p.m. — but what we do know is it’s sure to be fun!
Lantana
The town of Lantana celebrates the 4th of July with an impressive fireworks show during its fun-filled Centennial Anniversary Celebration ends with fireworks that start at 9:05 p.m.
Boynton Beach
The Intracoastal will light up when Red, White & Blue With a Waterfront View blasts off at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 in Boynton Beach. Before the sky-high show, watch another dazzling display when athletes surf the sky on water-propelled jet boards!
Miami
Miami sparkles in a different way during its America’s Birthday Bash on July 4 at Bayfront Park. When the sun sets, the night sky lights up with an incredible fireworks display.
Florida Keys
Fireworks will light the sky all along the 125 miles that spans Florida Keys. Key Largo’s annual Blackwater Sound Fireworks celebration will be at Rowell’s Waterfront Park, and the fireworks that highlight the Independence Day Celebration at Islamorada’s Founders Park begin at dark.
Further south, Marathon’s Sombrero Beach is the site of the Marathon Beach Party and Fireworks Show on July 4, one of the Keys’ largest and longest fireworks displays. The show begins at about 9 p.m. on July 3 at Big Pine Community Park in the Lower Keys, which is also when the fireworks begin in Key West.
Did we miss your favorite spot to watch fireworks on 4th of July in Orlando or beyond?
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