Fourth of July in Orlando: Fireworks, events to enjoy Independence Day around Central Florida

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
·6 min read

It’s the Fourth of July weekend in Orlando, and as family and friends gather, Central Florida is offering a number of extravagant fireworks displays and other ways to celebrate the holiday.

Independence Day marks a special time of celebration as people gather for cookouts, live music, parties and community events. From Altamonte Springs’ popular event, Red Hot & Boom, to Sanford and Kissimmee, there is no shortage of festivities in Central Florida for July Fourth.

Here are ideas for enjoying the holiday weekend.




July 3

  • Cars & Coffee Central Florida is stopping at DriveShack for a car show with exotics, sports cars and luxury vehicles. The event will raise money for Nemours Children’s Hospital. Spectators can enter for $10 beginning at 9:30 a.m. July 3 at 7285 Corner Drive in Orlando. More information: carsandcoffeecfl.autoshowsonline.com

  • Mount Dora’s Freedom on the Waterfront hosts the community for live music, food trucks and fireworks on the shores of Lake Dora. Bailey Callahan and Red Mint will entertain the crowd. A fireworks show will dazzle the crowd at 9:15 p.m. on July 3, the eve of the holiday itself. Find the festivities beginning at 4 p.m. July 3 at 100 N. Donnelly St. and 310 S. Tremain St. in Mount Dora. More information: ci.mount-dora.fl.us

  • Red Hot & Boom in Altamonte Springs celebrates 25 years as the city’s larger-than-life fireworks display comes back to Cranes Roost Park. In addition to the display at 9:30 p.m., guests can enjoy live music, food and family-friendly activities. The music lineup includes Em Beihold, Sofia Carson, The Walters, JVKE and Nicky Youre. Drones, large coolers or coolers on wheels, glass containers, alcohol, grilling and pets are prohibited. The free event begins at 4 p.m. July 3 at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. in Altamonte Springs. More information: altamonte.org

July 4

  • Apopka’s July 4th Celebration takes place at the Apopka Amphitheater with a family-friendly concert from C’Nergy Band and fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. The event includes food, children’s activities and festivities for all ages beginning at 6 p.m. July 4 at 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway in Apopka. More information: apopka.net

  • Avalon Park’s 4th of July Celebration hosts an apple pie baking contest, a bike parade, bounce park, vendors, community performances and live music for the public. In addition, there will be a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Enjoy festivities 5-9 p.m. July 4 in downtown Avalon Park. More information: avalonparkorlando.com

  • Clermont’s Red, White & Boom provides a Fourth of July celebration with food trucks, a live band, a pie-eating contest, a “most patriotic” dressed contest and a fireworks show above Lake Minneola at 9:15 p.m. for guests gathered at Waterfront Park. Enjoy festivities 7-10 p.m. July 4 at 300 3rd St. in Clermont. More information: clermontfl.gov

  • Daytona Lagoon’s “Splash Bash” is an inaugural event for the Volusia County attraction to celebrate Independence Day. Discounted attractions are available in the park including mini-golf, laser tag and a special beach barbecue menu. In addition, the family-friendly event features a red, white and blue beach ball drop at 4 p.m. The celebration runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 4 and is included with each water park ticket. More information: daytonalagoon.com

  • DeBary’s Freedom Fest brings the public together for a celebration at Gemini Springs Park with a kids zone, vendors, food, live entertainment and a synchronized fireworks display to end the evening. Find the free event 4-11 p.m. July 4 at 37 Dirksen Drive in DeBary. More information: debary.org

  • The Geneva Independence Day Parade and Festival will celebrate the holiday weekend with family activities, vendors, vintage plane flyovers and a parade beginning at 10 a.m. July 4. Enjoy the community festivities from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 4 at 101 E. Main St. in Geneva. More information: facebook.com

  • Kissimmee’s Monumental 4th of July provides live music by Sister Hazel and Soul Switch, a kids zone, food vendors and a fireworks show at for friends and family to enjoy at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The free event starts at 5 p.m. July 4 at 201 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee. More information: facebook.com/CityofKissimmee

  • Old Town Kissimmee helps to kick off “Red, White and Blue weekend” with live entertainment and fireworks at 9 p.m. July 4. Live music starts noon July 4 at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. More information: myoldtownusa.com

  • Orlando’s 45th annual Fireworks at the Fountain will bring together the community for live entertainment and a vibrant fireworks display right above the Lake Eola fountain. Family and friends can gather for a patriotic performance by the Orlando Concert Band and see Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer before the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Outside alcohol and fireworks are not allowed. Coolers, umbrellas, chairs and well-behaved pets are allowed. Find the free festivities from 4-10 p.m. July 4 at 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando. More information: orlando.gov.

  • Star Spangled Sanford brings music, food, a kids zone and drinks to the RiverWalk and Fort Melon Park with a fireworks show over Lake Monroe. Personal fireworks, alcohol, glass containers, pets and golf carts are prohibited within the event. Find the celebration 7-10 p.m. July 4 at 600 E. 1st St. in Sanford. More information: sanfordfl.gov

  • St. Cloud’s annual Fourth of July Celebration includes live music, food trucks, a beer garden and a kid’s zone, plus a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. July 4 at 1104 Lakeshore Blvd. in St. Cloud. More information: eventbrite.com

  • Winter Park’s Annual 4th of July Celebration brings families free cookies, mini pies and Kona Ice, plus a kids zone and a live musical performance by the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir. In addition, there will be a bike parade. Explore the festivities from 9-noon July 4 at 255 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. More information: cityofwinterpark.org

  • Winter Springs Celebration of Freedom brings together a variety of vendors along with live music and a “fireworks spectacular” display beginning in Central Winds Park. Sparklers, pets, alcohol and glass items are among items prohibited in the park for this celebration. Explore offerings from 5-9:30 p.m. July 4 at 1000 Central Winds Drive in Winter Springs. More information: winterspringsfl.org

Know of other July Fourth events in Central Florida? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.