- July 3, 2024
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Enjoy food, music, activities and, of course, fireworks at Fireworks on the Lake, 5-10 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio will perform for the crowd, and the event also includes a Kids Zone, presented by Mote Marine, food trucks and other family-friendly activities. The fireworks, which will last approximately 15 minutes, will begin shortly after 9 p.m. Parking on Regatta Island is $35 per vehicle. The South Lot parking will cost $25 for cars and $55 for recreational vehicles. A special event lot (next to Homewood Suites) will be available for $25. A VIP Viewing Experience will be available for $100 per person (including complimentary food and beverages, premium parking, and exclusive access to the air-conditioned finish tower). Go to FireworksOnTheLake.com to purchase parking tickets in advance.
9 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive. Free. Enjoy Sarasota's fireworks show along the bay. For more than 10 years, the Bayfront Fireworks show, part of Suncoast Summer Fest, has been a tradition in the community. Visit SuncoastSummerFest.org.
8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Siesta Beach. 948 Beach Road. Free. The Siesta Key Community Fireworks show, now in its 33rd year, draws families and friends to Siesta Key’s white-sand beaches for an evening of fun. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosts the community event on Siesta Key Beach. The fireworks display is 100% funded by individuals and businesses. The fireworks are free, but the event has sponsorships available that provide free parking, free beverages and snacks, as well as preferred seating at the hospitality area for the best view. Viewing area opens at 6 p.m., and fireworks start at dusk. Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.
There are few better ideas than traveling down Tamiami Trail to catch the impressive fireworks show launch from the south jetty at Venice Beach around 9 p.m. The free 30-minute show can be checked out at several area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis. The south jetty and Jetty Jack’s Refreshment Deck will be closed to the public. Visit VeniceGov.com.
The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency’s Fourth Fest is a free event that features live music from 5-10 p.m. by One Night Rodeo, Scarlet Drive and Beatdown Band. A beer and beverage garden is offered along with food trucks and a kids zone. The event will be held at Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, in Palmetto. Fireworks over the Manatee River, sponsored by the cities of Palmetto and Bradenton, begin approximately 9 p.m. from the Green Bridge Pier. Event is free. Visit Facebook.com/PalmettoCRA.
Bradenton Alive hosts a free event that features live music by Emmit Stevens Jr. from 3-6 p.m. and 22N from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 Third Ave., Bradenton. Food and beverage vendors will be available. Fireworks, sponsored by the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, over the Manatee River begin approximately at 9 p.m.. from the Green Bridge Pier. Visit Facebook.com/Bradentonsalive.
Presented by American Irrigation, the city of North Port’s annual Fourth of July celebration will begin at 5 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port. There will be local food and merchandise vendors, as well as kids activities such as bounce houses and lawn games. Entertainment will be provided by Tobacco Rd. Band. The fireworks show will be at approximately 9-9:30 p.m. Visit NorthPortFL.gov.
The Bradenton Marauders host the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in a Florida State League contest at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton that begins at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first 1,500 fans receive a free Marauders T-shirt. Fireworks follow immediately after the game. Visit MILB.com/bradenton for ticket information.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with the “Shortest Parade in America,” by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. The parade along Bay Isles Road begins at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy the parade, then head into the park for games and crafts for the kids, a butterfly release, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, ponies and the famous “Hot Diggity Dog” pet costume contest. Sponsored by the Longboat Key Rotary Club, prizes are awarded for the most patriotic, most creative dog costume and for the best owner-dog combination. Kids are welcome to decorate their bikes, wagons and themselves and march in the parade. Free. Call 383-2466.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anna Maria Island from Coquina Beach (North Entrance) to City Pier Park in Anna Maria. Free. The Anna Maria Island Privateers will again bring swashbuckling fun to the Fourth of July with the annual public parade. The event is open to all interested parties, including local businesses, families and other salty sea dogs who are looking to live the pirate life. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Free. Visit AMIPrivateers.org.
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you prefer a more natural venue for your July Fourth merriment, check out the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ All-American Cookout. The event will have all-American food for purchase and a number of activities and games before the fireworks. General admission tickets are sold out. All-inclusive tickets are also available with valet parking, a buffet, an open bar and prime fireworks seating. Visit Selby.org.
Feeling patriotic but looking for a laugh? Florida Studio Theatre Improv explores "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Laughter" in this one-night only performance that promises to reveal the secret history of the American Revolution. Begins at 7:30 p.m. at FST's Bowne's Lab, 1265 First St. Tickets $18. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Join the fun of the Waves and Wheels with a kickoff party 6-10 p.m. at Sarasota Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Road. Try your luck at the gaming tables and dance to the sounds of DJ Chris Craze. Prizes for best outfit and best disco dancer, so be ready to boogie the night away. Tickets include $1,000 in free poker chips, light bites and two complimentary drinks. Cost is $100 for party, or $125 for party and fun run, held Saturday, June 29.For more information and to register, visit SuncoastSummerFest.org.
Registration is 9:30-10:20 a.m. at Marina Jack. Boats, cars, personal watercraft and motorcycles are welcome at this fun run even, in memory of Noel Speranza. Registration is $30 per person andincludes a meal voucher. For more information and to register, visit SuncoastSummerFest.org.
Runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota. Celebrate the holiday with more than 60 food trucks, trailers and pop-up vendors. Parking and entry are free. For more information, call 727-674-1464. Visit MallAtUTC.com.
