Independence Day Happenings
Photo sourced from altamonte.org
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS RED HOT & BOOM
July 3: The city of Altamonte Springs is celebrating the 28th year of this popular gathering, known for its live music, culinary specialties and huge lakeside fireworks show. Free admission. The fun is from 5-10 p.m., with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. 407-571-8863. altamonte.org
AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4: Celebrate America’s birthday with an apple pie bake-off, 5K race, bike parade, bounce park, food trucks, community performances, live music and more. Start the day with the Firecracker 5K at 8 a.m. and run, walk, stroll or roll through the park. Downtown Avalon Park, 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando. 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 407-658-6565. avalonparkorlando.com
CELEBRATION’S STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR
July 4: A day of celebration in Celebration, with an Independence Day Spectacular featuring DJ City Beat, live music from Audio Exchange, fun activities and specialty foods and beverages for purchase. 5-10 p.m. Fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Celebration Town Center, 610 Sycamore St. 407-566-1200. celebrationtowncenter.com
CLERMONT’S RED, WHITE AND BOOM!
July 4: Join family, friends and neighbors and vie for first place in contests that celebrate Americana, including pie eating and most-patriotically dressed. Enjoy live music and goodies from local food trucks. Fireworks fly at 9 p.m. over Lake Minneola. 5-9:30 p.m. Waterfront Park, 330 3rd St. 352-708-5989. clermontfl.gov
Photo by Roberto Gonzalez.
FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN
July 4: This is the 48th year of Fireworks at the Fountain, one of Orlando’s premier public events. Gather around Lake Eola from 4-10 p.m. for family fun with live music, kids’ activities and food and beverage vendors. At 9:10 p.m., the night lights up with a fireworks show set to patriotic music performed live by the Orlando Concert Band. Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St. orlando.gov
HAINES CITY THUNDER ON THE RIDGE
July 4: Artists take to the stage each year for a full day of live music, followed by the largest fireworks display in Polk County. Stroll the arts and crafts and food vendors, stop by the beer garden and enjoy family activities. 4-9 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave. 863-421-3700. hainescity.com
LEESBURG’S STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR
July 4: Lake County’s largest fireworks show takes place over Lake Harris in Venetian Gardens, capping off a full day of patriotic family fun with a kids’ play zone, festive foods, live music and more. Party starts at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Ski Beach Park, 201 E. Dixie Ave. 352-728-9786. leesburgflorida.gov
LEGOLAND RED, WHITE & BOOM!
July 4: Get patriotic during the day with a DJ dance party and specialty foods and beverages. Look up in the evening for one of the most unusual fireworks shows in Central Florida with special glasses that magically turn the fireworks into 3D LEGO bricks in the sky. Included with park admission. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven. 877-350-5346. legoland.com
MELBOOM 2025 IN MELBOURNE
July 4: This city east of Orlando hosts an Independence Day celebration at Claude Edge Front Street Park that can be viewed from the beach about 2 miles away and on boats in the Indian River Lagoon as well as at the riverfront park itself. Food trucks and Kid Zone 4 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m. 2205 Front St., Melbourne. 321-608-7400. melbourneflorida.org
MOUNT DORA JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS
July 3-4: Come to Mount Dora’s Freedom on the Waterfront on Thursday for a party that ends in a fireworks display over Lake Dora. The fun starts at 5 p.m., fireworks begin when the sun goes down. Keep that patriotic fire burning for the Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. Friday, starting at Donnelly Street and Seventh Avenue. Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St. 352-735-7183. mountdora.com, ci.mount-dora.fl.us
OVIEDO’S FESTIVAL 2025
July 5: The city and Oviedo Mall are teaming up for the annual Independence Day celebration with family entertainment, including a live band, balloon artists, face painting and street performers. Food court and bar options inside the mall. The fun starts at 5 p.m., with fireworks promptly at 9 p.m. Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. 407-971-5590. cityofoviedo.net
STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD
July 4: Sanford hosts one of Central Florida’s largest Independence Day celebrations, with food and beverage vendors (open at 6 p.m.), Kids Play Zone, street performers, live music and a pyrotechnics show with thousands of colorful shells exploding to a soundtrack of patriotic music. 7-10 p.m., with fireworks over Lake Monroe at 9:15 p.m. Sanford Riverwalk and Fort Mellon Park, 600 E. 1st St. 407-688-5120. sanfordfl.gov/fireworks
Photo sourced from brevardsymphony.com
SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS IN COCOA
July 4: Relax along the Indian River Lagoon with Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s free annual Fourth of July pops concert and city of Cocoa fireworks show. Concert 8 p.m., fireworks 9:15 p.m. Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd. 321-242-2219. brevardsymphony.com
TAVARES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4: America’s Seaplane City celebrates Independence Day with a parade, food trucks, family fun zone, live entertainment and more. 5 p.m. Fireworks over Lake Dora at 9 p.m. Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. 352-742-6319. tavaresfl.gov
WINTER GARDEN 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4: The celebration starts with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by the 21st Annual All-American Kids Parade at 10 a.m. Come back at 6 p.m. for Party in the Park, a free get-together with live music, food vendors, family activities, kids crafts and more. The evening ends with fireworks over Lake Apopka at 9:15 p.m. Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave. 407-656-4111. wgfl.gov
WINTER PARK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4: The city’s 30th annual 4th of July Celebration features the sights, sounds and flavors of summer with a children’s bike parade, music by the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir and School of Rock Winter Park. Snack on free cookies, mini-pies and water while enjoying the kid’s zone’s carnival games, bounce slide, face painting, crafts and more. 8:30-11 a.m. Central Park, 11 S. Park Ave. 407-599-3342. cityofwinterpark.org
Special Events
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN takes the folded object and transforms it into colossal metal sculpture that evokes wonder and imagination. Photo sourced from leugardens.org
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN
Through Sept. 3: Origami is the intricate Japanese art of folding paper into beautiful objects and Leu Gardens presents an exhibit celebrating this understated art form. More than 20 pieces, from the original folded papers to colossal metal sculptures, find a home among the acres of gardens. Included with admission. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org
The annual “Bands, Brew & BBQ” is one of SeaWorld’s signature summer events. It runs from July 5-Aug. 24. Don’t forget the sunscreen! ©Seaworld Orlando
SEAWORLD BANDS, BREWS & BBQ
July 5-Aug. 24: Weekends get hot and tasty with this festive, family-friendly celebration featuring live concerts, barbecue and specialty beers. Included with admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com
MECUM FLORIDA SUMMER SPECIAL
July 9-12: Mecum Auctions roars into town with 1,500 American muscle cars, classics, trucks, exotics, hot rods and customs. That should cover all the categories for the gearheads in the family. 8 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. mecum.com
DUDE PERFECT
July 17: A small empire of good-natured sports one-upmanship grew from a simple declaration from one friend to another: “If I make this shot, you owe me lunch.” And thus was born YouTube’s Dude Perfect, five friends from Texas who travel the world making seemingly impossible trick shots blended with comedy and good vibes. 7 p.m. Kia Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando. 407-440-7900. kiacenter.com
IRISE EXPO 2025
July 19: Through more than 100 vendors, speakers, live music and activities, iRISE Expo aims to empower individuals and families to achieve personal and professional growth, creating a positive impact on the community. Noon. Osceola Heritage Park Events Center, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com
THE 4TH ANNUAL VAUDEVILLE VARIETY SHOW SPECTACULAR
July 26: The LCO: Orlando’s Premier Chamber Pops Orchestra and Big Band invite the curious to another romping extravaganza featuring everything from a Hungarian jazz clarinetist to a tap-dancing duo. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org
UCF’S FLYING HORSE EDITIONS ANNUAL BENEFIT SALE AND OPEN STUDIO
July 26: This once-a-year event gives visitors an opportunity to purchase deeply discounted artworks from the University of Central Florida’s Flying Horse Editions, which collaborates with internationally acclaimed artists to publish limited-edition, collectible artworks. There will also be studio tours and traditional printmaking demos. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 380 W. Amelia St., Orlando. 407-235-3619.