(Photo of SeaWorld fireworks from SeaWorld.com)
As the Fourth of July weekend arrives, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday with fireworks and events in Central Florida and Tampa Bay.
Independence Day will be quite the spectacle this year compared to the pandemic-filled year in 2020. Events, parties and large gatherings will finally return as people celebrate the holiday.
We have gathered just a few celebrations throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay below to help you get your celebrations going.
Central Florida:
-In what may be the most popular event in Central Florida on the Fourth of July, the 44th annual Fireworks at the Fountain makes a return to Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. There will be a block party with live entertainment starting at noon and a firework display over the lake at 9:15 p.m. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will be in attendance for the event and to watch the Orlando Concert Band as they perform live. For more information, visit Orlando.gov/Events.
Enjoy three nights of fireworks this Fourth of July weekend! Bring your family and friends for festivities beginning at 10 p.m. July 2 and July 3, and 10:30 p.m. July 4, weather permitting. All nights will feature our fireworks spectacular “Ignite” followed by a patriotic fireworks finale that SeaWorld guests have known to love for years. The fireworks performances can be viewed from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including the Orca Encounter Pathway, The Waterfront or Bayside Stadium. For more information or to get SeaWorld tickets, visit SeaWorld.com/Orlando/Events/4th-of-July.
-Winter Park will celebrate the annual holiday on July 5 in Central Park from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be live music, free watermelon, individual pies and water, carnival games and more. The outdoor activities will run from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information such as the time and location, visit CityofWinterPark.org.
-On July 3, “Red, White and Blue Weekend” will begin with a daytime classic car show in Old Town Kissimmee. There will be live entertainment and a car cruise at 8:30 p.m. followed by a firework display at 9 p.m. There will be another car show the following day on July 4 at Old Town. For more information, visit myoldtownusa.com.
-Winter Garden will be hosting its “Red, White and Blue Americana” event in downtown Winter Garden on July 3 where the Farmers Market will have a family game zone, a patriotic booth contest and live music. The following day at 10 a.m. there will be a parade with fireworks set to end the event at 9:15 p.m. For more information, visit downtownwg.com.
-“Star Spangled Sanford July 4th on The Riverwalk” is bringing a firework display over Lake Monroe after sunset. There will also be live music, food and drinks available at Fort Melon Park from 7-10 p.m. For more information such as the time and location, visit SanfordFL.gov.
Tampa Bay:
– In a popular tourist spot in Tampa, Busch Gardens will be debuting its nighttime event called “Spark.” The colorful firework display is set to be even bigger and will feature an “extra patriotic finale.” The event will occur all days of the Fourth of July weekend — Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights starting at 9:15 p.m. For more information, visit BuschGardens.com.
– For boat owners and enthusiasts, the city of Tampa will be holding its July 4 Boat Parade event at the Tampa Riverwalk where people decorate their boat with everything red, white and blue. Prizes will be awarded to the best small/motorboat, large/sailboat and most patriotic. It is $50 for boat registration and free for spectators. For more information, visit TheTampaRiverwalk.com.
– Tampa’s popular “Boom by the Bay 2021” is set to host thousands of tourists and locals for its fireworks and live music performances. There are tons of family events as well as drinks for the older crowd. The event begins around 5 p.m. on July 4 near the Tampa Riverwalk. For more information, visit Tampa.gov.
– The American Victory Ship and Museum in Tampa will host “Freedom Fest” from July 4-6 at 9:15 p.m. aboard a WWII ship. To celebrate “America’s birthday” the ship will have food and drinks as well as a firework display courtesy of the nearby “Boom by the Bay” event. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children age 4 to 12, $11 for military, veterans and first responders and free for children age 3 and under. For more information, go to the event’s Eventbrite.com page.
-The Fourth of July holiday is being celebrated by the City of St. Petersburg with three days in a row packed with activities including a silent disco, a fun run at the pier and a beer garden. At St. Pete Pier, there will also be a pie-eating contest, live music, food trucks, firework displays, a screening of the film “Independence Day” and much more. For more information and list of all the events taking place, visit StPete.org/TheFourth.
Sarasota:
-The city of Sarasota will be having its Fireworks on the Lake event July 3 where families can gather in the park to watch the spectacle. There will also be live music performances by Black Honkeys and Derek Lersch Band. Tickets are $15-$40. For more information, visit FireworksOnTheLake.com.
-Suncoast Summer Fest is making its way back to Sarasota for a two-day event in J.D. Hamel Park that will feature live music from several bands and artists. The event runs from July 3 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and July 4 3-7 p.m. and is free to the public. For more information and a full list of events, visit SuncoastSummerfest.org.
-Siesta Key is celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with its 30th annual Community Fireworks event at the Siesta Public Beach July 4 from 6-9:30 p.m. It will feature a firework display at dusk on their world-famous, white sand beaches. For more information, visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.
