Fourth of July Happenings

AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: Celebrate America’s birthday with an apple pie bake-off, a 5K race, bike parade, wet/dry 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 Town Park. Downtown Avalon Park, 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando. 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 407-658-6565. avalonparkorlando.com

CLERMONT’S RED, WHITE AND BOOM!

July 4: Join family, friends and neighbors at Waterfront Park and vie for first place in contests that celebrate Americana, including pie eating and a competition for most-patriotically dressed. Enjoy live music and goodies from local food trucks and end the evening with fireworks over Lake Minneola. 5-9:30 p.m. 330 3rd St. 352-708-5989. clermontfl.gov

FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN

July 4: Gather around Lake Eola for this 47th annual event. From 4-10 p.m., there’s family fun with live music, kids’ activities and food and beverage vendors. At 9:10 p.m., a fireworks show set to patriotic music is performed live by the Orlando Concert Band. WKMG News 6 will broadcast and livestream the celebration, starting at 8 p.m. Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St. orlando.gov/Events/Fireworks-at-the-Fountain-2024

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 immerse the kids in family-fun activities. 4-9 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave. 863-421-3700. hainescity.com

INDEPENDENCE DAY IN CELEBRATION

July 4: A whole day of celebration, beginning with the Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m., followed by the Independence Day Spectacular with a DJ, live music from Audio Exchange, fun activities and specialty foods and beverages for purchase at Celebration Town Center from 5-9:15 p.m. Fireworks at 9:20 p.m. 407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us

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. 4-9:30 p.m. 201 E. Dixie Ave. 352-728-9786. leesburgflorida.gov

Fireworks at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Photo courtesy of Legoland.

LEGOLAND RED, WHITE & BOOM!

July 4: Get patriotic during the day with special food and beverage selections and look up in the evening for one of the most unusual fireworks shows in Central Florida. Special viewing glasses magically turn the fireworks into 3D LEGO bricks. Included with park admission. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven. 877-350-5346.
legoland.com

MOUNT DORA JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS

July 3-4: Freedom on the Waterfront on Wednesday is a community get together that ends in a fireworks display over Lake Dora. Fireworks begin when the sun goes down. 5-10 p.m. Keep that patriotic fire burning for the Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. Thursday, starting at the corner of Donnelly Street and Seventh Avenue. Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St. 352-735-7183. mountdora.com

MELBOOM 2024 FIREWORKS 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 from the riverfront park itself. 9 p.m. 2205 Front St., Melbourne. 321-608-7400. melbourneflorida.org

oviedo’s independence day FIREWORKS July 6: Oviedo’s free fireworks display is at the Oviedo Mall. 9 p.m. 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. 407-971-5590. cityofoviedo.net

SEAWORLD JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

July 4: SeaWorld’s Fourth of July celebration features a huge fireworks display over its central lake that is synched with patriotic music and can be viewed all over the park. Included with admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

STAR-SPANGLED SANFORD

July 4: Historic Downtown Sanford hosts one of Central Florida’s largest Independence Day celebrations, with food and beverage vendors, Kids Play Zone, entertainment, live music and a pyrotechnics show with thousands of colorful shells exploding to patriotic music. The party is at the Sanford Riverwalk and Fort Mellon Park from 7-10 p.m., with fireworks over Lake Monroe set for 9:15 p.m. East Seminole Boulevard. 407-243-8494. historicdowntownsanford.com

SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS IN COCOA

July 4: Gather along the Indian River Lagoon for Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s annual free Fourth of July pops concert and city of Cocoa fireworks show. Bring a blanket or chairs. A VIP experience includes the BSO’s Red Hot & Boomin’ BBQ before the concert. The concert begins at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa. 321-242-2024. brevardsymphony.com

TAVARES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: America’s Seaplane City celebrates Independence Day at Wooton Park on Lake Dora with a parade, fireworks, food trucks, a family fun zone, live entertainment and more. 5 p.m. Wooton Park,100 E. Ruby St. 352-742-6338. tavares.org

WINTER GARDEN 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: The celebration starts with a free kids pancake breakfast before the 20th Annual All American Kids Parade at 10 a.m. Come back at 6 p.m. for Party in the Park, a free get-together featuring live music, family activities and more. The evening ends with the fireworks show 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 29th annual 4th of July Celebration features the sights, sounds and flavors of summer with music by the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir (at 10 a.m.) and School of Rock Orlando. Enjoy free cookies, mini pies and water as well as itinerary fans and red, white and blue beaded necklaces. Explore the free kids’ zone with carnival games, bounce houses, a balloon artist and more in the West Meadow. 9-11 a.m. Central Park, 11 S. Park Ave. 407-599-3342. cityofwinterpark.org

GREAT AMERICAN BIG BAND PATRIOTIC CONCERT

July 13: Wear your red, white and blue and sing along to patriotic music, including iconic songs by Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway and Gene Krupa. 7:30 p.m. The Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. ritztheatersanford.com

Special Events

BUSCH GARDENS SUMMER NIGHTS

Through Aug. 11: Party zones with exclusive summer food and drink menus take the theme park experience to the next level. Join in the dance parties and stay for the Fireworks Spectacular on select nights. Included with admission. Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386. buschgardens.com

LEGOLAND SUMMER BRICK PARTY

Through Aug. 11: It’s like a block party, get it? With bricks! Celebrate summer with all-new shows, favorite costumed characters and seasonal foods and beverages at the theme park made for kids. Included with park admission. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346. legoland.com

Photo courtesy of Leu Gardens.

FAIRY DOORS AT LEU GARDENS

Through Aug. 25: Enter the enchanting world of fairies as you explore the 20 whimsical entryways designed for each fairy’s personality. Search for the doors among the garden’s 50 acres. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m., last admission 5 p.m. Included with regular admission. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

“Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T,” the newest nighttime entertainment at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla, officially made its debut on May 24, 2024, in the skies above Disney Springs. Guests watch as 800 drones magically form various Disney characters in the sky, including Baymax from Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” Some of the fan-favorite characters measure nearly 400 feet. The limited-time show runs until Aug. 2, 2024. (Olga Thompson, photographer)

DISNEY DREAMS THAT SOAR

Through Sept. 2: This specular features 800 drones dancing through the night sky above Lake Buena Vista, set to iconic Disney music and creating images of favorite Disney characters from “Toy Story,” “Peter Pan,” “Up,” the “Star Wars” saga and “Big Hero 6.” Viewing areas are on the West Side of Disney Springs, along the waterfront between the Cirque du Soleil Theatre and Aerophile—The World Leader in Balloon Flight. Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-5277. disneysprings.com

SEAWORLD BANDS, BREWS & BBQ

July 6-Aug. 25: 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

The Mecum Florida Summer Special auction (p. 112) takes place in Kissimmee July 10-13. Above, a 2005 Ford GT sold for $456,500 in 2023. Photo Courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

MECUM FLORIDA SUMMER SPECIAL 2024

July 10-13: Mecum Auctions roars into town with 1,500 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, exotics, hot rods and customs. That should cover all the categories for the gearheads in the family. Register to bid and consign at mecum.com. 8 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com

THE 3RD ANNUAL VAUDEVILLE SPECTACULAR

July 13: The LCO Chamber Pops Orchestra and Big Band has found a niche with its vaudeville variety show and brings back vocalist Shelley Keelor with a new performance. Other artists include Flamenco del Sol, violinist Lisa Ferrigno, guitarist Jason Aylward and aerialist Toni Chandler. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

MARCO LUQUE EM DILATADOS

July 14: The actor and comedian takes the stage with sidekicks Mustafary, an ironic and controversial vegetarian, and the Jackson Faive, Brazil’s famous motorcycle courier, in a show that transcends comedy to take on human stewardship of Earth. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603.
drphillipscenter.org

FAIRY NIGHTS AT LEU GARDENS

July 19 & Aug. 16: For those who love and celebrate the enchanting world of fairies, Leu Gardens has even more fun in store at this separately priced after-hours event. Dress in fairy-inspired attire and explore the 20 unique fairy doors placed throughout the gardens, meet “real” fairies, indulge in magical activities and make whimsical art. Foxtail Coffee & Café and Peak Season Pops will have food available for purchase. Call for start times. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

THE FREEDOM PROJECT—INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN FLORIDIANS

July 29: Members of Orlando’s professional theater community present classic works by historic artists such as Zora Neale Hurston, James Weldon Johnson, John Rosamund Johnson and Augusta Savage. 7 p.m. The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261.
abbeyorlando.com