By Chris Kuhn
We’ve listed everything by county and within each county, alphabetically by city, so our readers can find the neighborhoods they’re looking for easily. If you are affiliated with a venue that has Independence Day-themed activities taking place between Monday, July 1 and the weekend of July 6-7 and it isn’t already listed here, drop us a line. While we cannot guarantee that your event will be listed, we will do our best to add as many of these events suitable for our readers. Send all event details to editor@destinationtampabay.com.
Tampa Bay… be safe this Fourth of July, friends! And please remember to call a cab, an Uber, a Lyft, but whatever your choice, don’t drink and drive. Enjoy the holidays!
PINELLAS
Clearwater:
The 2019 Clearwater 4th of July Run
Thursday, July 4 – check in at 8 a.m., races start at 9 a.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Clearwater
Whether you’re jogging or just taking a brisk walk, join others in kicking off the day with an invigorating race through flat, paved paths in Clearwater then wrap up the morning with a post-race party. Participants can sign up for a family-friendly 5K run or walk with medals awarded across various categories. For more information, click here.
Clearwater Celebrates America
Thursday, July 4 –gates open at 6 p.m., fireworks after 9 p.m. at Coachman Park
Come out for this fun, family-friendly celebration in downtown Clearwater and see what’s been hailed as the largest fireworks show in the Bay area. Night offers music, food, drinks, local vendors and more. Admission is free. For more information, click here.
Dunedin
Light Up the Park
Wednesday, July 3 – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Highlander Park
Enjoy a night under the stars at beautiful Highlander Park, courtesy of this event presented by Dunedin Parks & Recreation. Pack a blanket or lawn chairs and listen to live music until it’s time for a spectacular laser light show in honor of Independence Day. Admission is free, with concessions available for purchase. For more information, click here.
Gulfport
City of Gulfport 4th of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Downtown Waterfront District
Experience Independence Day all across Gulfport with a full day of activities for all ages. In the morning, bring the kids by Yakes Recreation Complex for the Gulfport Marina Fishing Derby from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Later that morning, beachgoers can take part in a Free Family Sand Sculpture Contest at 10 a.m. on Gulfport Municipal Beach. Find a good spot to watch the City of Gulfport Independence Day Parade at 6 p.m. to be followed by a beautiful fireworks display at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.
Kenneth City
Kenneth City’s Annual 4th of July Parade
Thursday, July 4 – starts at 10 a.m. Starts from 62nd St. through town to the Community Hall
Set up comfortable seats along 54th Avenue and gather with neighbors for a fun and patriotic celebration as the parade of floats travels through town. To register a float, car or other vehicle, parade participants must sign up by 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29. For more information, click here.
Largo
City of Largo’s Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Largo Central Park
Get ready for a fun night of food, entertainment and fireworks at this celebration for all ages at Largo Central Park. Event features a pie-eating contest, T-shirt decorating, inflatables and games for all ages. Please note that dogs, alcohol, personal coolers or personal fireworks are prohibited. Admission is free. For more information, click here.
Madeira Beach
City of Madeira Beach’s 4th of July Fireworks
Thursday, July 4 – 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. at ROC Park
Check out Madeira Beach’s largest fireworks show ever as to be launched from the campus at Madeira Beach Fundamental School, providing great views of the fireworks display from anywhere on the island. Designated viewing sites include ROC Park, Causeway Park and Holiday Isle (formerly Holten Property), where parking will be free though limited. Residents may want to consider alternative means to get there such as walking, biking and ridesharing. For more information, click here.
Safety Harbor
City of Safety Harbor 4th of July Parade
Thursday, July 4 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Along Main Street
Come out for a parade downtown along Safety Harbor’s Main Street. Meet up with friends and family, and pick your spot along the route to get a good view of the floats and groups marching in this year’s parade. For more information, click here.
City of Safety Harbor 4th of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Safety Harbor Marina
Take the kids to the Marina for a fun evening to celebrate America’s birthday. The night will offer kids’ activities, live entertainment and food vendors. Cap off the evening with a dazzling fireworks display over the water at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.
St. Petersburg
City of St. Pete’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Thursday, July 4 – starts at 9:15 p.m. Views from Bayshore Drive
Check out the City’s annual Independence Day fireworks celebration with a new available feature – viewers will be able to access synchronized music through a free phone app compatible with both Android and iPhone platforms. Fireworks generally begin at 9 p.m. but may start earlier or later due to weather conditions. Admission is free. For more information, click here.
St. Pete Beach
Rock the Beach
Thursday, July 4 – 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Upham Beach
Get ready for hours of free live music courtesy of the Brian Caudill Band and headliner Stormbringer at Upham Beach, located at 6850 Beach Plaza in St. Pete Beach. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to stay all day with fireworks scheduled to launch over the Gulf waters at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.
Tarpon Springs
City of Tarpon Springs 4th of July Picnic
Thursday, July 4 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Craig Park
Spend time with family and friends and celebrate the 4th with a morning filled with food and music at Craig Park. Admission is free. For more information, click here.
City of Tarpon Springs Fireworks Display
Thursday, July 4 – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fred Howard Park
Finish off your Independence Day fun by heading to Fred Howard Park and settling in for a mesmerizing fireworks display. Event is free. For more information, click here.
Treasure Island
City of Treasure Island’s 4th of July Fireworks
Thursday, July 4 – 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Gulf Front Park
Enjoy a day off at the beaches of Treasure Island with all day parking available at Treasure Island Park from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. for $15 per car ($25 for RVs). Stay for a front row seat to this year’s fireworks display scheduled to launch at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.
PASCO
Land O’ Lakes
4th of July Concert for a Cause
Thursday, July 4 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Game On Park in Bexley community parks
Come out for a special night of music to celebrate the U.S.A. and benefit Feeding Tampa Bay. Evening will feature food trucks, a kids decorated bike parade at 5:15 p.m., live music from the band Chasing Amy at 6 p.m., and dazzling fireworks to end the festivities at 9 p.m. Bring non-perishable food items to drop off for the event’s beneficiary or make a cash donation. For more information, click here.
Wesley Chapel
2019 Avalon Park West Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Avalon Park West Amenity Center
Get fired up for this year’s July 4 at this festive night of fun activities from a Patriotic Bake-Off to a Bike Parade and Bounce Houses for the kids, plus plenty of live performances, food trucks and other vendors on hand to check out. Evening wraps with a fireworks showcase at 9 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
Red, White & Brew Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – Sunday, July 7 – all day at Epperson Lagoon
Spend the holiday weekend exploring the Bay area’s first ever crystal lagoon with water recreational vehicles available for rental and plenty of clear water and soft sands to soak up the holiday. The celebration offer activities and games to keep kids and family busy with music, food trucks and Sand Bar drink specials all weekend long. Lagoon admission is $30 per person (non-resident) during the special 4-day holiday event. For more information, click here.
HILLSBOROUGH
Brandon
Brandon Fourth of July Parade
Thursday, July 4 –10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Streets of Brandon, FL to Buckingham Place
Check out one of the oldest and largest Independence Day Parades in the state as The Community Roundtable presents this Brandon tradition celebrating 60 years. Bring along your sunglasses, sunscreen and water, because you’re going to be sitting a while with a 2-mile long parade route and usually 100 entries each year. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Lumsden Rd. and Parsons Av., traveling north on Robertson and turning west toward Buckingham Place. For more information, click here.
Plant City
Cheval’s Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 –4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Plant City Stadium
Stop by the Cheval Community and join in a fun, family-friendly celebration open to the public. Kids can enjoy water slides, bounce houses, face painting, games and more with food and drink tickets available for purchase, and a live band hitting the stage at 6 p.m. Night is capped off by a huge fireworks show at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.
Plant City July 4th Celebration
Thursday, July 4 –6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Plant City Stadium
Bring the whole family to this event for all ages. Admission is free (only $5 per car for parking) with plenty of fun activities like face painting, rock wall climbing, corn hole, balloon art, inflatables and more. Take part in 50-50 drawings and check out the evening’s entertainment while stopping by local food vendors for nibbles. End the night with a bang and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza at 9 p.m. high above the stadium. For more information, click here.
Tampa
Fish of July Celebration at The Florida Aquarium
Wednesday, July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Florida Aquarium
Explore the Florida Aquarium throughout the day then stay late with special extended hours and check out the fireworks outside on the Outdoor Plaza at the end of the night Special VIP Extended Hours admission is also available and offers rooftop access and food service, such as an All-American Hot Dog Bar with DIY gourmet topping and favorite sides and desserts, as well as specialty drinks. For more information, click here.
$5 for the 4th –Independence Day at the History Center
Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tampa Bay History Center
Visitors can take advantage of reduced admission and spend the day at the museum, catching costumed guests reenacting history in the halls of the museum. After a fun day of sailing through history, step outside on the Riverwalk and take in the various sights and sounds of this year’s downtown Tampa Independence Day activities. For more information, click here.
Busch Gardens® 4th of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
This may be Tampa Bay’s winner for most thrilling of Independence Days offerings. Where else can you go locally and enjoy the fastest, tallest roller coasters, soak up the sun on water rides, indulge yourself in scrumptious Summer Nights fare like Funnel Cake Fries and wander from one exciting ride or attraction to another? Finish off the day with a breathtaking fireworks finale. Fourth of July festivities are included with park admission. For more information, click here.
Tampa Red, White & Blue Festival
Thursday, July 4 – 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Channelside – Grand Central at Kennedy
Don’t your own ‘red, white and blue’ for this patriotic celebration bringing friends and family together. Enjoy music, art and food at what has been dubbed the ultimate outdoor Fourth of July BBQ. For more information, click here.
Mayor Jane Castor’s Boom By the Bay
Thursday, July 4 – 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Across 4 Locations in the downtown Tampa area
Tampa Bay has a new Mayor, Mayor Jane Castor, and this Fourth of July she and the City of Tampa are launching something extra spectacular this Independence Day – how about FOUR fireworks displays to span across 2.5 miles of downtown Tampa’s waterfront? Spectators can get an up-close view of not only the fireworks display at their chosen venue but check out other nearby fireworks displays, too, from the same seat. Settle in at one of these sites: Waterworks Park/Armature Works; Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park; The Tampa Convention Center/The Sail; and Sparkman Wharf. For more information, click here.
Inaugural Heights Fourth of July Festival
Thursday, July 4 – 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Armature Works
This new event is part of the exciting kickoff of Mayor Jane Castor’s Boom by the Bay Independence Day celebration across downtown Tampa (see earlier listing). At this event, Armature Works hosts a series of fun activities, from a Hot Dog Eating Contest and YMCA Family Fun Zone to opening the Yuengling Riverfront Stage to a variety of talented performers, including The Applebutter Express and Damon Fowler. Night ends with a fireworks display, one of four along the Tampa Riverwalk. For more information, click here.
Fish of July Florida Aquarium Fireworks Cruise
Thursday, July 4, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Wharf at The Florida Aquarium
For those who want a more up-close look at the fireworks display, stop by The Wharf at The Florida Aquarium and board the Bay Spirit II for a cruise throughout the Bay, lights apps and cocktails and a view of the fireworks that is out of this world. Boarding starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
Fourth of July Fireworks Cruises
Thursday, July 4 – 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. Tampa Riverwalk and Clearwater
You can also hop another cruise presented by Water Street Tampa in the harbor in front of the Tampa Convention Center which travels throughout downtown Tampa and along the Tampa Riverwalk route, as well as offers Clearwater cruises through the inland waters with its sister ships through Yacht Starship across the Bay, as well. Dinner cruises include a buffet of American cuisine, DJ entertainment with a healthy dose of some patriotic tunes in the lineup and an unbelievable view of the fireworks. For more information, click here.
Temple Terrace
Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade
Thursday, July 4 – starts at 10 a.m. From Whiteway and Gillette to the Temple Terrace Little League Fields
Settle in for a longtime Temple Terrace tradition as local groups and schools hit the streets for a parade and walk through the community. This year’s grand marshals will be the Temple Terrace Community Arts Council. For more information, click here.
44th Annual Temple Terrace Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1st Fairway of Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club
Catch up with friends and neighbors at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club and check out local food vendors while listening to music. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 p.m. For more information, click here.
Photos courtesy of Visit St Pete-Clearwater and Pasco and Hillsborough Counties