Communities along the First Coast will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with vibrant Fourth of July events, featuring fireworks, music, parades and family fun.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fireworks, parades and more are in store this Fourth of July, as communities across the First Coast are set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.

Here’s a list of several events happening in the area.


City of Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration

The City of Jacksonville is set to host its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration downtown. The city said the fireworks show will be city’s largest ever.

The celebration will feature live music, family activities, local art displays, food and drink vendors and, of course, fireworks.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the fireworks show starting at 9 p.m. along the riverfront.

Here’s the event schedule:

4 p.m. – Event starts at Riverfront Plaza4:30 p.m. – Sal Gonzalez performs5:15 p.m. – Tobacco Rd Band performs7:10 p.m. – Bold City Classics performs8:45 p.m. – Mayor Deegan, Wounded Warrior Project CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walter E. Piatt and City Council President Nick Howland deliver remarks8:55 p.m. – Lane Pittman sings the national anthem9 p.m. – Fireworks begin9:30 p.m. – Event ends


Parking information

Both public and private parking options will be available for those attending the celebration. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

On-street meter parking is free on weekends.

Here are options for parking on the Northbank:

Water Street Garage – 541 Water St.Annex Garage – 21 E Bay St.Jax Center Garage – 1 W. Bay St.Yates Garage – 200 E Adams St.VyStar Forsyth Garage – 26 W. Forsyth St.Chamber Lot Parking – 59 E. Bay St.

Here are options for parking on the Southbank:

DCPS Parking Lot – 1701 Prudential Dr.Kings Ave Station – 1301 King Ave.


Road closures

Independent Drive and Laura Street

7 a.m. – 11 p.m. – W. Independent Dr. from Hogan St. to Laura St. to be closed

9 a.m. – 10 p.m. – Northbound emergency lane and sidewalk to be closed8:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. -All northbound lanes and sidewalk to be closed

2 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. – Northbound and southbound exterior lanes and adjacent sidewalks to be closed8:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. – Full closure of bridge, including sidewalks


City of St. Augustine’s Fireworks Over the Matanzas 

According to the city, this year’s fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than years past. The 20-minute show will light up the sky above Matanzas Bay and be synced with music broadcast along the bayfront.

Before the show starts, The All-Star Orchestra will perform a free two-hour concert featuring patriotic favorites and popular music at the Plaza de la Constitución, beginning at 6 p.m.


Parking information

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, as parking will be limited downtown.

Parking in city-owned lots and in on-street spaces is free on July 4, as it is on all federal holidays. Drivers should ensure they are parked in a city-owned lot and not a private lot where towing may be enforced.

If parking in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, located at 1 Cordova St. next to the Visitor Information Center, drivers will be charged $20 per vehicle. County residents with the ParkStAug St. Johns County resident discount will be charged $3.

The Castillo de San Marcos parking lot will be closed to all vehicles. Any vehicles left in the lot overnight from July 3 to July 4 will be towed, city officials said.


Road closures

Downtown road closures will begin at 7:30 p.m., and remain in place until approximately 11 p.m., according to officials.

Bridge of LionsAvenida MenendezS. Castillo DrivePicolata Road between U.S. 1 and San Marco AvenueSan Carlos Avenue between U.S. 1 and San Marco AvenueN. Cordova Street from Orange Street to the entrance of the Historic Downtown Parking FacilityW. Castillo Drive eastbound from U.S. 1 to North Cordova Street

Additionally, city officials say King Street, west of MLK Boulevard, will have two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane from 7-11:30 p.m., and King Street, east of MLK Boulevard to Avenida Menendez, will have one lane in each direction.

Cathedral Place may close as early as 6 p.m.

Roads are expected to reopen between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., but times may change depending on vehicle and pedestrian traffic.


Restrooms

In addition to public restrooms at the Visitor Information Center, St. Augustine Municipal Marina and other locations, the city will be providing multiple locations of portable bathrooms, including:

Water StreetCastillo de San MarcosAvenida Menendez on the BayfrontKing StreetMultiple locations along St. George Street


Exiting downtown after the fireworks

All traffic flowing from Lincolnville, westbound on King Street and through Malaga Street, will be directed south only on U.S. 1. No right-hand turns will be allowed onto U.S. 1, according to officials.

All traffic flowing from the parking garage, westbound on W. Castillo Drive, and westbound through the Downtown Historic District, will be directed north only on U.S. 1. No left-hand turns will be allowed onto U.S. 1.

Once Avenida Menendez and the Bridge of Lions are opened to vehicle traffic, all traffic flowing south on Avenida Menendez and from Lincolnville east of Cordova Street, will be directed east only across the Bridge of Lions. No westbound traffic will be allowed around the Plaza de la Constitución.


Jacksonville Beach fireworks

Fireworks will be launched over the ocean from the Jacksonville Beach Pier between 9-9:20 p.m.

Starting Wednesday, the pier parking lot will have partial closures as crews build out the fireworks site. On the Fourth of July, the parking lot will be closed starting at 4 a.m. Drivers who leave their vehicle in the parking lot must remove it no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, according to the police department. Any vehicles that remain in the lot may be subject to towing. 

With heavy traffic expected, officials encourage attendees to walk, bike, rideshare or carpool.

Glass and alcohol is not allowed on the beach. Personal fireworks are also not allowed, however, sparklers are acceptable as long as they are not used on the beach.


Town of Callahan & Hilliard’s Fireworks Celebration

At the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds, enjoy an evening filled with family-friendly fun, including food trucks, live music, face painting, a watermelon eating contest and a spectacular fireworks finale!

Gates to the fairgrounds will open at 5 p.m., and fireworks will begin lighting up the night sky at dark.


City of Palatka’s Annual 4th of July Celebration

The City of Palatka’s Annual 4th of July Celebration returns to the Palatka riverfront with an evening full of free, family-friendly entertainment beginning at 4 p.m.

Attendees can expect live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, face painting, and puppet shows by the Pilot Club of Palatka.

At 8:40 p.m., the city’s annual boat parade kicks off. Then at 9:30 p.m., fireworks will light up over the waterfront.


Interlachen’s July 4th All American Blast in a Small Town

The Town of Interlachen continues its July 4th All American Blast in a Small Town tradition with a full day of activities, beginning with a bike race at 8 a.m.

Festivities happening throughout the day include a fishing tournament at Lake Lagonda Pier, a veterans ceremony at Town Hall, and a community parade on Commonwealth Avenue. Nighttime activities include sack races, tug-of-war, street dancing and more.

Fireworks will begin at dark, according to a flyer posted by the city.

See the full lineup of activities here.


Baker County’s Independence Day Celebration

The county invites families for an evening of hometown pride, family fun and a spectacular fireworks show.

Bring your lawn chairs, invite your family and friends, and enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, local vendors and a fireworks show by Phantom Fireworks at Macclenny Memorial Park.

The event will be held from 6-10 p.m.


Brunswick’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July

The community is invited to an evening of family fun at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, starting at 6 p.m.

Throughout the evening, there will be live music by band Live Call, crafts and games, food trucks and fireworks capping off the event at 9 p.m.


City of Waycross’ 4th of July Fireworks Celebration

Bring your family, friends, lawn chairs and patriotic spirit to downtown Waycross as the city will hold its 4th of July Fireworks Celebration.

The event will feature a full day of family fun, food and arts & crafts vendors, live music and fireworks!

Festivities will begin at noon. Fireworks will be set off at dusk on Pendleton Street.


Glynn County’s 4th of July Celebration

Glynn County will host a daylong Fourth of July celebration, starting at 1 p.m. at Neptune Park on St. Simons Island.

Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m., with live entertainment continuing following the show, according to the county.

Festivities include live music in multiple areas, family-friendly games and activities, crafts from Marshes of Glynn Libraries, family-friendly movie showings, DJ entertainment and fireworks over the water.


Welaka’s Annual Golf Cart Parade

The Town of Welaka will host its annual Golf Cart Parade at noon.

The parade will start at Lazy Days RV Resort at 1074 Front St.

Only golf carts will be allowed to participate in the parade.


Springfield’s Fourth of July Throwback Baseball Game

The Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council’s annual throwback baseball game returns to Klutho Park in Jacksonville at 11 a.m. Pre-game family activities will begin at 10 a.m.

Watch the Eastside Reds take on the Westside Giants in this free vintage baseball game complete with turn-of-the-century uniforms and a live announcer.