JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Independence Day is a time for food, fun, fanfare -- and, of course, fireworks.
Not sure where to find a fireworks display near you this week? We’ve got you covered.
As we do every year, News4JAX will televise and stream Jacksonville’s fireworks spectacular as well as others around Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville
Fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m. Thursday for Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration from the following locations:
- Downtown Jacksonville
- Highlands - Ray Greene Park (the park will be closed for the launch)
- The Avenues Mall
- Trinity Baptist Church
- Ed Austin Regional Park
Fireworks can be viewed from the North and South banks along the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville, and from surrounding areas at the additional launch locations.
For more information about the City of Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration and other events, click here.
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach’s free fireworks display lights up the coastline starting at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier at 503 North 1st St.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a performance by the Navy Band at the Seawalk Pavilion from 8-8:45 p.m., then catch the fireworks show that starts at 9 p.m.!
Jacksonville Beach Police ask the public to keep in mind the below:
- Be prepared for heavy traffic and delays.
- Paid parking will be applicable on July 4th in designated areas.
- Please stay off the dunes, we are trying to protect the sea oats.
- Please be patient if you call the police, as we will respond according to the priority of call for service.
- Please keep a close eye on your children during the event or visiting the beach. We want everyone to have fun and stay safe.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Please if you see something out of place/character say something so police can respond and handle.
Blu By U Farm
The Let Freedom Ring July 4th Celebration at Blue By U Farm is from 2 p.m.-dark Thursday at 5571 Long Branch Rd, Jacksonville.
Food: Fresh hamburgers and hotdogs. Homemade pulled chicken and pork sandwiches. Boiled peanuts.
Activities: Water Slide, Fishing, Petting Zoo, Country Store
Live Fireworks Show from the blueberry field at Dark!
St. Augustine
The city of St. Augustine’s annual Independence Day celebration returns Thursday, starting at 6 p.m. with The All-Star Orchestra performing a two-hour concert.
Here’s the schedule:
6 p.m.: The All-Star Orchestra will provide two hours of Big Band music with a patriotic flair in the Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo, in the heart of downtown.
9:30 p.m.: Fireworks Over the Matanzas, a stunning 20-minute fireworks display with a stirring soundtrack. See it all from the downtown Bayfront, the Bridge of Lions, Vilano Beach, and more!
Remember: Alcohol is prohibited on public property, including parks, streets, and sidewalks. Possession of fireworks that explode or leave the ground is illegal.
Click here for information on parking, shuttles, restrooms, street closures and more.
Orange Park
Moosehaven invites the entire community to the “American Pride 4th of July” fireworks celebration.
The free community event is held annually on the banks of the St. Johns River and features:
- Kids Zone with wet & dry fun!
- Live music
- Food trucks
- Fireworks
- Fun for the whole family
Chairs and blankets are welcome but please no pets, coolers, or firearms.
Here’s the schedule for Thursday night:
5 p.m.: Gates open; food trucks open 6 p.m. Live entertainment by Bold City Classics begins 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks at dusk
Free parking is available at Moosehaven. Please enter through the “Old Main Gate” off Park Avenue.
Click here for more information.
Green Cove Springs
The annual Food Trucks & Fireworks event at Russell Baptist Church kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, so bring some chairs or blankets and a few bucks for the delicious local food trucks! Fireworks launch around 9 p.m. or dark. The church is at 2299 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs.
Keystone Heights
Keystone Heights features fun for the whole family at its 56th annual Independence Day celebration!
Sounds of Freedom Event Lineup
8 a.m.: Keystone Heights Freedom 5K
Walk or jog through the winding streets and neighborhoods of downtown Keystone Heights starting at 8 a.m. for the annual Freedom 5K. This event helps raise funds for scholarships for Keystone Heights High School seniors through the Jordan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund.
To register for the 5K Run/Walk, click here.
11 a.m.: Sounds of Freedom Parade (presented by Lake Region Kiwanis)
One of the most popular annual festivities, you’ll want to be along the Lawrence Blvd. parade route an hour early to snag the best seats in town. The annual parade is proudly the largest in Clay County, and among the biggest in the region, featuring a variety of patriotic floats, hometown organizations, and military vehicles.
To register your float, click here.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Vendors, Food Trucks, and Events at City Hall
Before and following the parade, the city hosts multiple events on the grounds at and around City Hall. Below are the events, times, and additional details.
- 9 a.m.: Food Trucks and Vendors open (located north and south of City Hall) 20+ local vendors
- 12 p.m.: Pie & Cobbler Contest presented by the KH Heritage Commission (located at 555 S. Lawrence Blvd.) It’s time to show off your favorite family recipe for a chance to have bragging rights for a whole year.
- 12:30-4 p.m.: Dunk Tank presented by Melissa Pellerito (located south of City Hall) Dunk a local elected officials or community leader to help raise money for our annual fireworks celebration! Tickets are $1 for two throws.
- 12-4 p.m.: Shadow Riders and Wild West Gunslingers Wild West Show across from City Hall.
- 2 p.m.: Gatorland Water Ski Show at Keystone Beach.
- 5-10 p.m.: Concert & Fireworks at Keystone Beach -- Live music begins at 5 p.m. down at Keystone Beach featuring the “Paul Wane Experience.”
If attending with children, the city strongly recommends arriving by 8 p.m. to guarantee a spot. Fireworks at Keystone Beach Park start at 9:30 p.m., weather and burn ban permitting. Fireworks will be accompanied by patriotic music. The event will also have Food Trucks in the Keystone Beach parking lot.
Entry into the park will require each spectator to have an armband. They will cost $1 and can be bought at City Hall prior to the 4th of July or $2 at the gate.
Nassau County
The towns of Hilliard and Callahan, Nassau County Bicentennial and the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds present the Independence Day Fireworks Display on July 4th.
Come hungry because there will be several local food trucks ready to serve you.
Bring your chairs or blankets to enjoy the patriotic show on the midway, starting at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds.
Click here for more information.
Fernandina Beach
Prepare for patriotism at the annual Hometown 4th of July celebration in Fernandina Beach. This year’s event in Downtown Fernandina will feature a DJ, food trucks, and commercial vendors.
Fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. on Centre Street in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach.
Bring the family, bring a chair and enjoy the show!
Palatka
The Riverfront Park festivities include food trucks, a kid zone, music and more. The free event is from 5-9:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park at 102 N 1st St. in Palatka.
People are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for seating, as well as umbrellas in case of rain. Please note that tents, alcohol, and amplified music are not permitted at the event.
Click here for more information.
Flagler County
Flagler County Government and the cities of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Bunnell invite all Flagler County residents and visitors to the United Flagler 4th Community Celebration on Thursday.
The day’s festivities begin with the cherished Stars and Stripes parade in the morning, proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. The parade will follow its traditional route from North 6th Street to South 6th Street along A1A in Flagler Beach.
Following the parade, residents and visitors can enjoy the beach while indulging in the music and entertainment at Veterans Park in Flagler Beach.
The highlight of the day will be the awe-inspiring Fireworks Over the Runways, hosted at the Flagler Executive Airport off Fin Way. The entire community is welcome to attend, with gates opening at 5 p.m. The dazzling fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Glen St. Mary
The Souls Harbor Church is hosting a Freedom Celebration, starting at 7:30 p.m. at 7955 US-90, Glen St. Mary, Florida.
The event includes live music, free prizes, free food and drinks, games and a “fireworks supershow.”
Starke
Starke Golf & Country Club is hosting a free Fourth of July Celebration, including games, water slights, live music and “the best fireworks show around.”
The event is from 3-9:45 p.m. at 15501 NE 14th Ave, Starke.
Starke is also hosting its free Splash Bash from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday at the fairgrounds at 2300 N Temple Ave, Starke.
The event includes food, live music, water entertainment for the kids, professional wrestling, square dancing, vendors and, of course, fireworks!
Brunswick
This Fourth of July, happy kids and adults come together for Brunswick’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July complete with free old-fashioned games, watermelon, food trucks, live music and of course fireworks at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in the heart of Historic Downtown Brunswick.
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. THursday with a puppy parade at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, registration for the parade is from 5 -5:20 p.m.
There will also be live music from the local band, Hot Banana Coffee, and Brunswick’s fireworks over the waters of the East River and Oglethorpe Bay kick off at dark around 9 p.m. and last 30 minutes.
Visit discoverbrunswick.com for more information or reach out to the Downtown Development Authority at 912-265-4032.
Jekyll Island
Join your friends and family for a July 4th celebration on Jekyll Island.
Whether spending the day at the beach, by the pool, or at Summer Waves Water Park, there is always a way to stay cool and enjoy July 4th on Jekyll Island.
Fireworks will take place after sunset at 8:45 p.m. Thursday (depending on lighting and weather conditions).
Arrive early to get your spot in the sand. Fireworks are best viewed from Great Dunes Beach Park and Oceanview Beach Park.
Please be aware the Jekyll Island parking fee will be increased by $4 to all daily and weekly passes on July 4th only.
St. Simons Island
The annual St. Simons Island Sunshine Festival held in the Pier Village on St. Simons has been an island tradition for over 60 years.
With St. Simons Island fireworks, a 5K and 1-mile fun run, and more, this is the perfect family-friendly event this season.
Festival Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday.
Bring picnic blankets, beach chairs, your friends and family to watch the beautiful fireworks show along the water at Neptune Park. Free admission and free parking.
St. Simons Island’s fireworks will begin at sundown on July 4th, around 9 p.m. Please be aware the fishing pier and southernmost end of Mallery Street will be closed to cars and pedestrian traffic beginning the morning of July 4. A section of Neptune Park will be fenced off and officials ask that all tents be taken down by 7 p.m. as a precaution against igniting from sparks.
During the day, lifeguards and law enforcement will patrol St. Simons Island beaches. Boats will be in the water to help keep swimmers safe, especially during high tides. Roads will be closed to traffic east of Mallery Street and Butler Avenue, and at 12th Street and Beachview Drive for emergency access. Lost and Found and medical services will be in Room 114 of the Casino Building. If a child or parent is lost, report to Casino Room 108.
Officers will direct traffic at major intersections beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Sea Island
For guests and residents of Sea Island, The Cloister and Beach Club have many activities scheduled each year during the 4th of July weekend.
July 4th usually begins with a flag-raising ceremony and ends the day of family fun and celebration with a Fireworks Spectacular at the Beach Club around 9 p.m.
St. Marys
The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys Independence Day Festival celebration offers hometown charm plus a parade and fireworks over the St. Marys River.
Other activities include a 5K and 10K Run, arts & crafts vendors, and entertainment throughout the day at the St. Marys Waterfront Park.
The day’s highlight will be the fireworks display over the St. Marys River in downtown St. Marys.
Here’s Thursday’s schedule:
7 a.m.: 5K and 10K Runs Start & Finish - St. Marys Methodist Church
8 a.m.: Kids Fun Run Start - St. Marys Methodist Church (Race Registration Link)
9 a.m.-10:10 a.m.: Camden County Community Band - Osborne St./Conyers St.
9 a.m.-10 p.m.: Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors + Kids Fun Zone
10 a.m.: Parade - Starts at Meeting Street & heads up Osborne Street
11:15 a.m.-Noon: Lisa Allen Dance Works - Waterfront Pavilion Stage
Noon-1 p.m.: Grimsley’s Fighting Arts - Waterfront Pavilion Stage
Noon-2 p.m.: Eve’s Garden - St. Marys Waterfront Park Amphitheater
1-1:45 p.m.: The Heirs- Waterfront Pavilion Stage
2-3 p.m.: Watermelon Eating & Seed Spitting Contests - Waterfront Park
5-6 p.m.: SMFD Hydrants & Hounds Cornhole Tournament - Waterfront Park
6-8:30 p.m.: Jay bone & Friends Concert - Waterfront Park
7:30-10 p.m.: Independence Day River Cruise (sold out)
9:15- 9:40ish p.m.: Fireworks Display Over St. Marys River (approximate start)