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

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

Independence Day is a special celebration time as people gather for cookouts, live music, parties and community events. From Altamonte Springs’ popular event, Red Hot & Boom, to Sanford and Kissimmee, there are plenty of festivities in Central Florida for July Fourth.

Here are ideas for enjoying the holiday weekend.

July 3

Mount Dora’s Freedom on the Waterfront hosts the community for live music, food trucks and fireworks on the shores of Lake Dora. 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 5 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 brings the city’s larger-than-life fireworks display to Cranes Roost Park for the 26th year. In addition to the display at 9:30 p.m., guests can enjoy live music, food and family-friendly activities. The music lineup includes Olivia Lunny, No Lonely Hearts, Benson Boone, Mckenna Grace, JP Saxe and 408. 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 My Generation 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, a bounce park, a 5K run, vendors, community performances and 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, Americana activities and a fireworks spectacular above Lake Minneola at 9:15 p.m. for guests gathered at Waterfront Park. Enjoy festivities 7-10 p.m. July 4 at 100 3rd St. in Clermont. More information: clermontfl.gov

Daytona Lagoon’s “Splash Bash” is a way for the Volusia County destination 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 at 9:15 p.m. Find the free event 6-10:30 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, a kids zone, food trucks and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. for friends and family to enjoy at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The free event starts at 3 p.m. July 4 at 201 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee. More information: kissimmee.gov

Leesburg’s 4th of July Celebration brings the community vendors, children’s activities, bounce houses, entertainers and the “largest fireworks display in Lake County” at 9:15 p.m. with great viewing from all around Venetian Cove. The festivities kick off at 3 p.m. July 4 at 201 E. Dixie Ave. in Leesburg. More information: leesburgpartnership.com

Mount Dora’s Independence Day Parade brings a festive patriotic tribute parade to Lake County. The parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 at the corner of Donnelly and 7th Avenue and runs to Charles Avenue. More information: mountdora.com

Old Town Kissimmee helps to kick off “Red, White and Blue weekend” with live entertainment and fireworks at 9 p.m. July 4. The festivities start at 3 p.m. July 4 at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. More information: myoldtownusa.com

Orlando’s 46th annual Fireworks at the Fountainwill 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 9:10 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

A Fourth of July Sunset and Fireworks Paddle invites people to watch the City of Orlando’s fireworks display from Lake Ivanhoe. Join Epic Paddle Adventures on a paddleboard or kayak to watch the spectacle unfold from the water. Tickets for rental paddleboards and kayaks start at $53. The paddle starts at 7 p.m. July 4 from 344 Northeast Ivanhoe Blvd. in Orlando. More information: eventbrite.com

Promenade at Sunset Walk celebrates Independence Day with a four-day, family-friendly party featuring live music, DJs, street performers, a car show and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. on July 4. Find the festivities July 1-4 at 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee. More information: sunsetwalk.com

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 at 9:15 p.m. 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, an all-American car show, food trucks, a beer garden and a kid’s zone, plus a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. July 4 at 1104 Lakeshore Blvd. in St. Cloud. More information: stcloudfl.gov

The City of Tavares July 4th Celebration features a parade, fireworks, live music by The Rundown, vendors, food trucks, a family fun zone and more. The parade begins at 5 p.m. on Main Street, kicked off by a seaplane flyover. Fireworks are at 9 p.m. July 4 at 100 E. Ruby St. in Tavares. More information: tavares.org

Winter Garden’s Red, White and Blue Americana features patriotic decor, an all-American kids parade and breakfast, a party in the park and fireworks. The full day of festivities starts with the pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and parade at 10 a.m. July 4. The route makes its way around downtown’s West Plant Street. Park activities and live music begin at 6 p.m. July 4 followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at 29 W. Garden Ave. in Winter Garden. More information: cwgdn.com

Winter Park’s Annual 4th of July Celebration brings families cookies, mini pies and Kona Ice, plus a kids zone and a live musical performance by the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir in Central Park. Explore the festivities from 9-11 a.m. July 4 at 150 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. More information: cityofwinterpark.org

Winter Springs Celebration of Freedom brings together a variety of vendors along with live music and a “world-class” fireworks display 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.