TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 The City of Tampa is kicking off America\u2019s 250th Anniversary with a bang this July 4.<\/p>\n
Downtown Tampa will be alight with fireworks displays, a boat parade and other entertainment to mark the semi-quincentennial.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what to know about this year\u2019s \u2018Liberty by the Bay<\/a>\u2018 event:<\/p>\n Where to watch fireworks<\/p>\n There are two fireworks displays in downtown Tampa this year.<\/p>\n Fireworks will light up the skies over the Tampa Convention Center and Julian B. Lane Park at around 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Festivities at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park<\/p>\n The City of Tampa is offering various free activities and entertainment at Julian B. Lane Park from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n 4:00 p.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.\u00a0DJ<\/p>\n 4:00 p.m. \u2013 8:30 p.m.\u00a0Kids Zone<\/p>\n 4:00 p.m. \u2013 8:30 p.m.\u00a0Food Trucks<\/p>\n 4:00 p.m. \u2013 8:30 p.m.\u00a0Beer Garden<\/p>\n 4:30 p.m. \u2013 5:15 p.m.\u00a0Live band performance<\/p>\n 5:15 p.m. \u2013 5:30 p.m.\u00a0DJ<\/p>\n 5:15 p.m. \u2013 5:45 p.m.\u00a0Patriotic Pet Show (hosted by Humane Society of Tampa Bay)<\/p>\n 5:30 p.m. \u2013 6:15 p.m.\u00a0Live band performance<\/p>\n 6:15 p.m. \u2013 7:00 p.m.\u00a0Water ski show (hosted by Friends of the Riverwalk)\u00a0\/ DJ<\/p>\n 6:45 p.m. \u2013 7:15 p.m.\u00a0Kids Liberty Procession (hosted by Glazer Children\u2019s Museum)<\/p>\n 7:00 p.m. \u2013 7:45 p.m.\u00a0Live band performance<\/p>\n 7:45 p.m. \u2013 8:00 p.m.\u00a0DJ<\/p>\n 8:00 p.m. \u2013 8:45 p.m.\u00a0Live band performance<\/p>\n 8:45 p.m. \u2013 9:00 p.m.\u00a0Closing remarks, National anthem, Mayor\u2019s proclamation<\/p>\n 9:00 p.m. \u2013 9:30 p.m.\u00a0Drone show (250 drones) followed by fireworks display<\/p>\n Friends of the Riverwalk boat parade<\/p>\n For the sixth year, boaters will cruise down the Hillsborough River with their vessels decked out in red, white and blue, to show off their patriotic pride and compete for various prizes.<\/p>\n The parade starts at 6:15 p.m. and can be viewed from various downtown locations along the river. It concludes with the Blessing of the Fleet, a centuries-old maritime tradition that offers prayers for the safety and prosperity of all who sail the waters.<\/p>\n To register your boat for the parade, or to find a place to watch, visit the Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Where to park<\/p>\n On-site parking available at Julian B. Lane Park (limited)<\/p>\n Parking available at the Bob Buckhorn River Center<\/p>\n Multiple City of Tampa parking garages available throughout downtown<\/p>\n For a full list of downtown parking locations, visit the City of Tampa website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The city encourages visitors to utilize rideshare services, or park in Ybor City and ride the free TECO streetcar into downtown to avoid the parking hassle.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n