Spectacular fireworks over Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee
Central Florida is a great place to be year-round; holidays are even better with Independence Day no exception. There is so much to do, including:
Activities with no fireworks:
- Red, White and Zoo- July 3rd and 4th at the Central FL Zoo with music, face painting, kids crafts, magic, and animal zoo encounters.
- Independence Day Open House at Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park – free admission on the 3rd and 4th of July.
- Red, Rock, and Blue concert in the park at Lake Mary City Hall on July 3rd. Bring your blankets, chairs and picnics and enjoy a free concert from 6-9pm.
- Olde Fashioned July 4th celebration in Downtown Winter Park– traditional hot dog eating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, games, and more.
Don’t forget – Capone’s Dinner & Show is a BLAST…without the loud fireworks…AND they are giving away a free gift to every guest on July 4th!!
FREE fireworks displays:
- Star Spangled Sanford– Food and fun from 5-10pm on the Riverwalk featuring fireworks over Lake Monroe.
- A Flashback 4th of July at Celebration Town Center – All American Sock hop events start at 5:30 with fireworks at 9:30pm.
- The Avalon Park celebration features activities, bike parade, rides and more! Starting at 5:00pm and fireworks at 9pm.
- Festivities start at 4:00pm for Altamonte’s annual Red, Hot, and Boom on July 3rd. Live music, food, drinks, live broadcast from XL106.7FM, with a 25-minute fireworks display set to music.
- Orlando’s Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola features live entertainment, along with a special kids area. Festivities begin at 4pm, with the fireworks show at 9:30.
- St. Cloud is presenting an all-day celebration at the Lakefront beginning at noon with local bands, arts and crafts, contests, etc. Fireworks will begin at 9:30.
- The Centennial Independence Day celebration in Mount Dora will feature food, live music, parades, and fireworks at dusk.
- A July 4th celebration at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park from 5 to 9pm will feature a free concert before the fireworks.
Then there are the MASTER PYROTECHNICS at our area theme parks, the granddaddies of them all! ALL of the major theme parks have a special July 4th lineup, in addition to their already spectacular summer shows:
SeaWorld AfterDark showcases a nighttime rock n’ roll extravaganza featuring live DJs, a hilarious Sea Lions Tonite, special evening shows, and a high-energy Shamu Rocks. And on the 4th, a special tribute performance by the13th Army Band, Florida National Guard who will be performing at the Bayside Stadium prior to the dazzling fireworks finale.
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular is a high-tech lagoon show at Universal Studios Florida featuring famous scenes from more than 100 Universal Pictures films. The show uses four-story-tall, 360-degree projection “cinespheres,” original music, outdoor speakers, lasers and pyrotechnic effects to place guests in the center of their favorite films. The Fourth of July Cinesphere show will also feature a special, high-tech, patriotic finale, complete with a dazzling fireworks display and live music from the O’Jays. The show begins at 10 p.m. and is included with Universal Studios park admission.
Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom’s Celebrate America Fireworks will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests can also enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s SpectroMagic Parade of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement Fantasmac! (This will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
At Epcot, the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth show becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The show features colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, dazzling special effects, and fiery torches; all choreographed to a musical score. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (In my experience, animals generally do not like fireworks; mine will all be hiding under my bed. )
Have a safe & festive Independence Day!
Last Updated on December 15, 2014
