It’s the Fourth of July weekend in Orlando and Central Florida offers 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 its 27th 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 The Intracoastals, Voodoo Moonshine, Blue Stone Circle, No Lonely Hearts and Relic. Drones, large coolers or coolers on wheels, glass containers, alcohol, grilling and pets are prohibited. There is a beer garden at the event with food and drinks available for purchase. The free event begins at 5 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 David J with opener Emily Henline and a 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 (at 8 a.m.), 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
Celebration hosts its annual Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. July 4 with a route beginning at Celebration Town Hall and ending at Lakeside Park. Later in the day, Celebration’s Independence Day Spectacular, beginning at 5 p.m., features a DJ and live music, followed by a fireworks spectacular at 9:20 p.m. July 4 over Celebration Town Center. More information: celebration.fl.us
Clermont’s Red, White & Boom provides a Fourth of July celebration with food trucks, family activities and a fireworks spectacular above Lake Minneola for guests gathered at Waterfront Park. Enjoy festivities 5-9:30 p.m. July 4 at 100 3rd St. in Clermont. More information: clermontfl.gov
Daytona Lagoon’s “Splash Bash” is a way to cool off while celebrating Independence Day. Discounted attractions are available in the park, including mini-golf and laser tag. The first 200 guests receive a color-changing cup and free soda all day. 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 family-friendly activities, vendors, food, live entertainment and a fireworks display and laser light show 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
Fun Spot celebrates the Fourth of July with thrilling rides and classic American treats, plus a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The park opens at 10 a.m. on July 4 at 5700 Fun Spot Way in Orlando. More information: fun-spot.com
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: allevents.in
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 7 p.m. July 4 at 201 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee. More information: kissimmee.gov
Leesburg’s 4th of July Celebration offers a waterski show, children’s activities, carnival rides, live music and the “largest fireworks display in Lake County” at 9 p.m. with great viewing from all around Venetian Cove. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. July 4 at 201 E. Dixie Ave. in Leesburg. More information: leesburgpartnership.com
Legoland Florida brings back its Red, White and Boom Fourth of July Extravaganza with a giant Lego brick American flag build activity, plus a DJ dance party, themed snacks and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Find the festivities during park opening hours, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4 at 1 Legoland Way in Winter Haven. More information: legoland.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
Ocoee’s Fourth of July Block Party and Car Show features the city’s new Ocoee Community Market, a classic car show, live music, food trucks and games at Bill Breeze Park. The event is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 4 at 125 N. Lakeshore Drive in Ocoee. More information: ocoee.org
Old Town Kissimmee helps celebrate the “Red, White and Blue” with live entertainment and fireworks at 9:30 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 47th annual Fireworks at the Fountain invites 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, picnic blankets 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: epicpaddleadventures.com
Promenade at Sunset Walk celebrates Independence Day with a family-friendly party featuring live music, DJs, street performers, a car show and fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4. Find the festivities from 3-11:30 p.m. July 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, games and a kids bike parade, 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 Groove Slayers, vendors, food trucks, a kid’s 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
The AdventHealth July 4th Watermelon 5K celebrates the day with a family-friendly morning celebration featuring “ice cold watermelon” and “American pride.” After the 5K run, there is a watermelon eating contest and a free kids’ run. Registration is $39 before race day or $44 on race day. The run begins at 7:30 a.m. July 4 at 251 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park. More information: trackshack.com
Winter Garden’s Fourth of July festivities begin with an all-American kids parade kicking off at 10 a.m. and a pancake breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. July 4. The route makes its way around downtown’s West Plant Street. A Party in the Park begins at 6 p.m. July 4 with music from Ranahan 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 free cookies, mini pies and water (while supplies last), plus a kids zone, a bicycle parade and a live musical performance by the School of Rock Winter Park and the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir in Central Park. The Morse Museum will be open with free admission from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4. Explore the celebration 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 entertainment and a “world-class” fireworks display in Central Winds Park. Sparklers, pets, alcohol and glass items are among the 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 Fourth of July events in Central Florida? Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
