Check Out The July 2021 Orlando Calendar

Nothing is quite what it seems at the mesmerizing Museum of Illusions Orlando, in ICON Park. Courtesy of Museum of Illusions Orlando.

4TH OF JULY HAPPENINGS

INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO

July 2, 3, 4: The night sky will light up with fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a one-of-a-kind, patriotic finale to SeaWorld’s end-of-day spectacle. Included in park admission. seaworldparks.com

CELEBRATION INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

July 3: The Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day Parade starts at Celebration Town Hall and follows a route along Celebration Avenue to Market Street, to conclude at Lakeside Park. 9 a.m. 407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us

ORLANDO BIG BAND—A PATRIOTIC SALUTE TO AMERICA

July 3: Sing along to the patriotic music of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and more, including Kate Smith’s memorable performance of “God Bless America” as it originally aired. 7:30 p.m. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com

RED, WHITE AND BREW BLOCK PARTY

July 3: Main Street is party central for Daytona’s Rock the Block Street Party and Pub Crawl. Enjoy live music, drink specials and food trucks, followed by fireworks over the ocean at the boardwalk. 6-midnight. 386-255-0415. daytonabeach.com

RED, WHITE & BOOM

July 3-4: Help build LEGOLAND Florida’s American flag during the day and stay for fireworks of exploding LEGO bricks at night. Included with park admission. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346. legoland.com

AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY

July 4: Celebrate America’s birthday with an apple pie bake-off, bike parade, wet/dry bounce park, food and beverage vendors, community performances, music and more. Downtown Avalon Park, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd. 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 407-658-6565. avalonpark.com

BBQ & SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS

July 4: Gather along the Indian River for Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s annual 4th of July pops concert and the City of Cocoa’s fireworks show at Riverfront Park. A BSO fundraising barbecue dinner beforehand, catered by Charlie and Jake’s Brewery, is $75 advance sale only. 6-10 p.m. 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa. 321-242-2024 for tickets. brevardsymphony.com

CLERMONT’S 4TH OF JULY RED, WHITE & BOOM!

July 4: Bring a blanket and watch the show at Waterfront Park. The party includes a fireworks spectacular over Lake Minneola, food trucks, DJs, an aerialist and more. 7-10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 300 3rd St., Clermont. 352-708-5975. clermontfl.gov/events

FIRE WORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN

July 4: The fireworks show at Lake Eola Park is back after taking last year off because of the pandemic. With the Orlando skyline as backdrop, locals and visitors are invited to gather around the lake for family fun that includes live music, kids’ activities and food & beverage vendors. 5-10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. WKMG News 6 will broadcast and livestream the celebration, starting at 8 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando. orlando.gov

LEESBURG’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: Lake County’s largest fireworks show takes place lakefront at Venetian Gardens. Enjoy a full day of family fun with a water-ski show, stilt walker, photo booth, kids’ play zone, festive foods, live music, a Leesburg Lightning baseball game and more. 6 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg. 352-365-0053. leesburgpartnership.com

MELBOOM! 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

July 4: The City of Melbourne hosts an Independence Day celebration at Front Street Park that can be viewed from the beach about 2 miles away and boats on the Indian River as well as from the park. 9 p.m. 2205 Front St., Melbourne. 321-608-7400. melbourneflorida.org

STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD

July 4: The City of Sanford is hosting a scaled-down celebration this year, but look to the sky for spectacular fireworks over Lake Monroe.
The party is from 7-10 p.m., with fireworks set for 9:15 p.m. Fort Mellon Park, 60 E. First St. 407-688-5000. sanfordfl.gov

TAVARES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: America’s Seaplane City celebrates Independence Day at Wooten Park on Lake Dora with a water-ski show, food trucks, live entertainment and more. All day. 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares. 352-742-6209. tavares.org

WINTER GARDEN PARTY IN THE PARK

July 4: This year’s event will feature fireworks only, scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. Free.
Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden. 407-656-4155. wintergardenpost.com

WINTER PARK 4TH OF JULY

July 5: Winter Park’s “Fourth on the Fifth” features patriotic music by Dr. John Sinclair and the Bach Festival Society Choir and Brass Ensemble, a performance by student Elvis Avetis and country/rock/Americana by Sean Holcomb, and a kids’ zone with carnival games. Free. 9 a.m.-noon. Central Park, 150 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. 407-599-3463. cityofwinterpark.org

SPECIAL EVENTS

SHEN YUN 2021

Through July 4: Experience a lost culture through the art of classical Chinese dance as legends come to life through stunning costumes, high-tech backdrops and orchestral music. Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014.
drphillipscenter.org

TASTE OF EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

Through July 5: Take in enchanting topiaries and gather gardening tips while sampling seasonal foods from the outdoor kitchens throughout the World Showcase. Enjoy live music while picking up outdoor-living advice that you can use at home. Included with regular admission. disneyworld.disney.go.com

ENCHANTED FAIRY DOORS

Through Sept. 5: This Central Florida tradition is back for the summer featuring 20 one-of-a-kind, whimsical fairy doors scattered throughout Leu Gardens’ 50 acres to inspire children’s imaginations. $10 adults, $5 for children 4-17 years. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

SUMMER F.U.N. CONVENTION

July 8-10: Florida United Numismatists hosts this annual event for buying, selling and appraising coins, paper currency, tokens, medals and similar items. Free. Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, Hall WE1, 9800 International Drive, Orlando. funtopics.com

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

July 15-Nov. 20: Take a taste tour around the world at marketplaces featuring authentic global cuisine and beverages while enjoying the sights and sounds at entertainment spots located throughout the World Showcase. disneyworld.disney.go.com

FLORIDA WEDDING EXPO

July 18: Explore more than 120 vendor exhibits with the chance to win one of more than 150 giveaways. The first 250 general admission brides receive gift certificates for wedding bands from JVL Jewelers and a $200 photo gift from Symbolize It. Noon-5 p.m. Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive, Orlando. floridaweddingexpo.com