Top 4th of July fireworks, parades and other events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Charlotte
July 4 is nearly here, and if you haven't been keeping track of the local events calendar, you may be looking last-minute for a way to celebrate the holiday. If that's the case, luckily for you, there's no shortage of Fourth of July festivities locally.
You'll find fireworks displays, parades and other events across Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island, Palmetto, North Port, Longboat Key and Punta Gorda. There are even events taking place the day before, for those who aren't free on July 4 proper, or just want to celebrate the holiday early. Listed in roughly chronological order, here are the notable Fourth of July events taking place in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties this year.
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Bradenton Marauders Independence Day Celebration
Minor League Baseball teams the Bradenton Marauders and Clearwater Threshers square off in this game featuring post-game fireworks and a T-shirt giveaway for the first 1,500 fans. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. first pitch July 3; LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; $10-$14; milb.com/bradenton
Fireworks on the Lake
The annual Fourth of July pre-party features live music, family fun, food and drinks and, of course, fireworks. A new VIP viewing experience includes an elevated view of the fireworks display, exclusive access to the finish tower, free American-inspired food, an open bar with beer and wine and premium parking. 5 p.m. gates, 5:30 p.m. live music starts, 9 p.m. fireworks July 3; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; $20-$50 parking per carload (general admission), $75 per person (VIP); fireworksonthelake.com
Anna Maria Island Independence Day Parade
The Anna Maria Island Privateers' annual Independence Day parade spans Coquina Beach to Anna Maria's City Pier Park. 8 a.m. staging, 10 a.m. parade step off July 4; Anna Maria Island; no participation fee, though donations are appreciated; amiprivateers.wildapricot.org
Freedom Fest
The annual Longboat Key celebration features a parade, kids' games, a butterfly release, food and a "Hot Diggity Dog!" dog parade and contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, with prizes awarded for most patriotic, most creative dog costume, and best owner and dog combination. 9 a.m. July 4; Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Myakka River Kayak Festival
Myakka River spot Snook Haven hosts this Fourth of July event with live music 1-4 p.m. by Gator Creek, canoes and kayaks available to rent with launch opening at 9 a.m., and a menu of smokehouse dishes and more than 30 craft and domestic beers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4; Snook Haven, 5000 E. Venice Ave., Venice; free; 941-485-7221; snookhaven.com
Fourth of July Family Fun Festival
The full day of family-friendly activities includes Huey cockpit tours, flight simulator, virtual reality, remote control tanks obstacle course, laser range, storytelling with veterans, MASH tent experience, live music and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4; Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; $14, $12 veterans, $5 kids up to age 14; 941-575-9002; militaryheritagemuseum.org
Fourth of July Celebration, Fireworks Display and Freedom Swim
Fishermen's Village on Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda celebrates the Fourth of July with live music starting at noon, the annual Freedom Swim starting at 2:30 p.m. and a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m., with the best viewing area at the Dry Beach. Noon-9 p.m. July 4; Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
‘American Fanfare’
A Sarasota tradition continues, but for the last time, as Choral Artists of Sarasota presents its annual Independence Day concert “American Fanfare,” featuring the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble. The program will include patriotic favorites, World War II-era hits including “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “I’ll Be Seeing You,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” (with the audience providing the sounds of cannons), and excerpts from David Chase and Judith Clurman’s “Washington Women.” Next year, Choral Artists will switch to a Memorial Day program. 4:30 p.m. July 4; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $5-$50; 941-387-4900; choralartistssarasota.org
Freedom Festival
The City of North Port's annual festival will feature a children's activity section, food vendors (in addition to CoolToday Park's concessions), live music by Tim Charron Band and a fireworks show starting at 9 p.m., with seating available inside the stadium or outside on the lawn. 5-9:30 p.m. July 4; CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port; free; cityofnorthport.com/freedomfestival
Red, White, and Boom!
The Bishop hosts this family-friendly option for viewing the fireworks over the Manatee River, with activities to keep kids entertained, as well as local food truck Willy-Yums, Kona Ice and a cash/card bar. 5-10 p.m. July 4; The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton; $25, free ages 4 and under; 941-746-4131; bishopscience.org
Fireworks, Views and Brews
Craft beer and pizza restaurant Oak & Stone's eighth-floor rooftop bar in downtown Bradenton hosts this event offering prime viewing of the fireworks over Manatee River, with the ticket's cost including a $50 credit toward food and drink purchases. 5-10 p.m. July 4; The Deck at Oak & Stone, 102 Old Main St., Bradenton; $100 plus gratuity and tax (currently sold out); 941-357-4306; oakandstone.com
Fourth of July All-American Cookout
Selby Gardens hosts this event with all-American favorites available for purchase from the Michael's on East Grill, Uncle Dave’s Popcorn, The Purple Belle Ice Cream Truck and Kona Ice; family-friendly activities and games; and a view of the fireworks over Sarasota Bay. All-inclusive passes include onsite self-parking, buffet dinner, open bar inside the air-conditioned event center and prime fireworks show viewing. 5:30-9:30 p.m. July 4; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota; $35, $25 members, $10 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and under (general admission, currently sold out), $200, $50 ages 5-17 (all-inclusive); 941-366-5731; selby.org
Fourth Fest
The 12th annual festival features live music by headliners Great White, known for their song "Rock Me" and their cover of "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," and opener Darryl Worley, along with food trucks, vendors and family fun. 6 p.m. July 4; Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto; free; facebook.com/palmettocra
Fourth of July Fireworks and Independence Day Buffet
Pier 22 in downtown Bradenton on the Manatee River offers an all-you-can-eat buffet and soft drinks (alcoholic drinks may be purchased separately) and view of fireworks over Manatee River on its waterside terrace. 6:30 p.m. check-in, 7-10 p.m. buffet, 9:30 p.m. fireworks show July 4; Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton; $100 plus tax/service charge, $39.99 plus tax/service charge children under age 10 (currently sold out); 941-748-8087; pier22.com
Fourth of July at Riverhouse
The Palmetto waterfront restaurant will host a Fourth of July event with a prix fixe menu and front row seat to fireworks. 6:30-8 p.m. reservations available, 9:30 p.m. fireworks start July 4; Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant, 995 Riverside Drive, Palmetto; $75, $40 ages 10 and under; 941-729-0616; riverhousefl.com
Mila's on the Manatee Fourth of July Celebration
Also in Palmetto, the restaurant offers a view of fireworks over the Manatee River, live music by Chuck Davis and the Funky Munky Band, and a buffet with both land and sea options. 7-9:30 p.m. July 4; Mila’s on the Manatee, 955 Riverside Drive, Palmetto; $60 per person buffet, $80 buffet/open bar, $30 buffet kids ages 12 and under, plus tax not including gratuity; 941-212-6006; milasonthemanatee.com
Siesta Key Community Fireworks
The annual fireworks display on the world-famous Siesta Beach launches at dusk. 8-9:30 p.m. July 4; Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota; 941-349-3800; siestakeychamber.com
Bayfront Fireworks
The fireworks display over Sarasota Bay is organized by Suncoast Charities for Children in partnership with Marina Jack and produced by Pyrotecnico, with the best viewing from Bayfront Park near Marina Jack. 9 p.m. July 4; Downtown Sarasota; 941-365-4232; suncoastsummerfest.org
Venice Fourth of July Fireworks Show
Fireworks will be shot from the South Jetty shortly after 9 p.m., with the free show lasting an estimated 30 minutes. The fireworks may be viewed on area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis, as well as other locations around Venice, but the South Jetty and Jetty Jack's concessions will be closed for safety. 9-9:30 p.m. July 4; Humphris Park (South Jetty), 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice; free; venicegov.com
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best 4th of July fireworks, events Sarasota Bradenton Charlotte 2023
