Where to find Fourth of July 2024 fireworks and events around Bradenton and Sarasota
Bradenton and Sarasota will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday in 2024 with several days of festive events.
The family fun includes fireworks shows, concerts, a beach parade and more.
Here’s a guide to Independence Day weekend fun near you.
Bradenton Marauders Independence Celebration
The Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders baseball team will celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, July 3 at LECOM Park.
The team will face off against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. The first 1,500 guests will receive free T-shirts, and the team’s special edition patriotic jerseys will be auctioned off.
A fireworks show over the stadium will follow the game.
Details: Gates at 5:30 p.m.; game begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. $11 to $15.
Info: (941) 747-3031. MILB.com/bradenton
Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park
Nathan Benderson Park will get the Independence Day fun started a day early with Fireworks on the Lake on Wednesday, July 3. The event includes live music, a kids’ zone, food and drink and other family fun. A fireworks display will top off the evening.
The event is free to attend, but there is a fee to park in nearby lots. WWSB ABC 7 will broadcast a recording of the fireworks show at 9 p.m. July 4.
Details: Wednesday, July 3. Gates open at 5 p.m.; fireworks launch around 9 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Admission is free. Parking is $35 per car on Regatta Island and $25 in the park’s south lot ($55 for recreational vehicles).
Info: NathanBendersonPark.org
AMI Privateers parade
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will hold their annual Independence Day parade on Thursday, July 4. On top of the patriotic fun, the parade offers a cool down from the summer heat with a “water fight” between floats full of pirates and spectators.
Organizers ask guests to bring “safe water toys” only — water balloons, high-powered water devices and spray nozzles are not allowed. A no-splash zone will be designated near the end of the parade route for spectators who don’t want to get wet.
The parade will depart from the north entrance of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach at 10 a.m. and make its way north to City Pier Park in Anna Maria, ending around noon.
Details: 10 a.m. Monday, July 4. Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island.
Palmetto Fourth Fest
Palmetto is making a big change for its 13th annual Fourth Fest, which will move to a new location at Riverside Park.
Other parts of the festival will be familiar, including live music, food trucks and vendors, a beer garden and a kid’s zone.
Performing this year are One Night Rodeo (country) Scarlet Drive (Pop, rock and dance) and Beatdown Band (R&B).
The festival is free to attend.
Know before you go:
There’s no reserved seating, so bring lawn chairs or a blanket and stake out a spot.
No coolers, tents or outside alcohol are allowed.
Mayors’ Feed the Hungry will collect non-perishable food items (pull-top cans only; no bulk-sized items).
A fireworks show over the Manatee River will follow the live music.
Details: Fourth Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m. Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, Palmetto. Free.
Bradenton Alive Independence Day Celebration
This year, Bradenton will have its own downtown party on the Fourth of July.
Bradenton Alive’s Independence Day Celebration will bring live music, food vendors, merchants and a Jeep meet to the Bradenton Riverwalk.
Live music performances by Emmit Stevens Jr. (country) and 22N (rock and pop) will be staged at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion.
The Manatee River fireworks show will wrap up the festivities.
Details: 3 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Free.
Manatee River fireworks show
Palmetto and Bradenton share the love on the Fourth of July with a fireworks display that is visible on both sides of the Manatee River. So grab a spot on the Bradenton Riverwalk, Riverside Drive, a waterfront restaurant or a boat deck to enjoy the show.
Zambelli Fireworks will light the night around 9 p.m. with a pyrotechnics show lasting approximately 25 minutes.
Details: Fireworks are set to begin around 9 p.m. July 4 over the Manatee River, launching from the Green Bridge Fishing Pier.
‘Red, White & Boom’ at The Bishop
“Red, White & Boom” at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is another way to enjoy this year’s Manatee River fireworks show. Entry guarantees a good view of the pyrotechnics from the museum’s Riverside Plaza. Bring a chair or blanket and get comfy.
A variety of food trucks will offer dinner and a bar will sell beer, wine and soft drinks. Add a laser light show in The Bishop’s Planetarium for an extra $5.
Details: Doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m. General admission: $25. Kids 4-10: $20. VIP: $35 per guest includes early entry at 6 p.m., a reserved table and a free laser light show.
Info: BishopScience.org
Bradenton restaurants host fireworks parties
Oak and Stone in downtown Bradenton is hosting a fireworks viewing party on its rooftop deck with prime views of the Manatee River. A $100 ticket includes a $50 food and drink credit and reserved seats for the fireworks. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Details: Check-in at 6 p.m. Thursday. Oak and Stone, 102 Old Main St., Bradenton. $100 per person.
Info: OakandStone.com
Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille on the Bradenton Riverwalk will be open for Fourth of July dining with views of the fireworks and live music.
Details: Opens 11 a.m. Thursday. 101 Riverfront Blvd. #120, Bradenton. Reservations recommended.
Info: Mattisons.com
Pier 22 will host an Independence Day party with fireworks viewing from the restaurant’s terrace on the Manatee River. A ticket includes valet parking, an all-you-can-eat buffet and a reserved table for the evening.
Details: Check-in at 6:30 p.m. 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton. Ages 10 and up: $120. Under 10: $50.
Info: Pier22.com
Siesta Key fireworks
If you want a front-row seat to fireworks near the beach, Siesta Key’s annual fireworks show may be the one for you. The show launches around dusk from near Siesta Key Public Beach and is free to the public.
Details: Fireworks set to launch around 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 at Siesta Key Public Beach.
Info: My.SiestaKeyChamber.com
Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show
The Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show will light up downtown Sarasota and Sarasota Bay.
The fireworks show is sponsored each year by Suncoast Charities for Children in partnership with the Marina Jack restaurant. Award-winning fireworks company Pyrotecnico produces the show.
Organizers say that future fireworks shows are in jeopardy due to the increasing cost of staging the event. Suncoast Charities for Children recently launched a fundraising campaign seeking $50,000 to keep the fireworks going.
Details: Fireworks to launch around 9 p.m. Monday, July 4 from near Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota.
All-American Cookout at Selby Botanical Gardens
The All-American Cookout at Selby Botanical Gardens is another fun way to enjoy the Fourth of July. The celebration includes access to the gardens, family-friendly games and activities and cookout favorites available for purchase. Guests get a scenic view of the fireworks display over Sarasota Bay.
Details: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Ages 18 and up: $35 (member price is $25). Ages 5 to 17: $10. Kids 4 and under: Free.
Info: Selby.org
Fourth of July weekend fun
Local options for fun will continue over the Fourth of July weekend. Here are some highlights:
Village of the Arts Art Walk: The creative folks of the Village of the Arts in Bradenton will open their more than 20 businesses on the first weekend of July for a display of crafts, goods, healing arts and more.
Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, records or quilting, Village of the Arts has something to offer most tastes.
There will also be pop-up vendors, live music and food offerings.
July’s Art Walk will have a mermaid theme, including themed art, a photo scavenger hunt and a live mermaid in the Village on Saturday.
Details: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 5 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.
Info: VillageOfTheArts.com
Saturdays in Old Manatee: Businesses in the budding Old Manatee district of downtown Bradenton are inviting locals to come explore the neighborhood and see what’s new on Saturdays.
Over 25 businesses call the area home, including thrift and vintage shops, a comic book store, restaurants and cafes. The Manatee Village Historical Park is another fun destination in the area.
Info: OldManatee.com
