RED, WHITE & BOOM: 2026 FOURTH OF JULY GUIDE
The Fourth lands on a Saturday this year (and it's America's 250th) so the whole bay is going bigger than usual. Here's where to catch fireworks and festivities around St. Pete and the beaches. Nearly every show goes up around 9 p.m., so you can realistically do dinner somewhere and still make it to a launch.
Before you go
Most shows fire around 9 p.m. (Clearwater 9:15, Dunedin ~9:30). Bring chairs or a towel, get there early for parking, leave the pets at home, and keep an eye on the sky. We're in wet season, so a couple of these may become game-time calls. If I find out about any changes, I’ll update the guide here.
Happy 250th, St. Pete. 🎆
DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
The Fourth at the St. Pete Pier — Sat, July 4, 4–10 p.m. | Spa Beach Park
The big one. The city's America 250 celebration runs all afternoon and evening, and the city says the fireworks will be the biggest they've ever done. They’ll be launched at 9 p.m. from two barges flanking the Pier and visible up and down the downtown waterfront. The lineup: water-ski performers from Sarasota's Ski-A-Rees on the bay, live music from The Actual Bank Robbers on the main stage, food trucks and vendors throughout the Pier District, and DJs between sets. The main event is free; reserved waterfront seats (with a commemorative America 250 light-up bracelet) are available here.
St. Pete Pier Run — July 4, waves at 6:15 & 7:45 a.m. A 4-mile America250-themed walk/run capped with old-fashioned touches like a pie-eating contest, ice cream, and popsicles. Registration is sold out, but you can go cheer on the runners and check out the expo. Details
Red, White & Views — July 4–5 at Spa Beach Park. A two-day waterfront festival of music, art, food, and entertainment leading right into the fireworks.
4th of July Pops Spectacular — July 4, 6–8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater
St. Pete Opera plays patriotic classics for the 250th. End the night by walking over to the Pier for the fireworks. Details
Stars & Stripes Block Party — July 4, 12–5 p.m. | Grand Central, Central Ave & 23rd St N
An official America 250 family-friendly block party with local vendors, entertainment, and patriotic activities in one of the city's most vibrant districts. Details
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Lexington SC — July 4, 6 p.m. | Al Lang Stadium
Soccer on the waterfront with $1 hot dogs and $3 soda/cold beer, a short walk from the Pier fireworks. Tickets
THE BEACHES
St. Pete Beach — Red, White & BBQ Party + Fireworks — July 4, 5–9 p.m. | Horan Park
A BBQ competition, inflatable obstacle course, dunk tank, games, and a watermelon-eating contest, with fireworks over the water at 9 p.m. Details.
TradeWinds Resort 4th of July Bash — July 4, 12–8 p.m. | 5500 Gulf Blvd
Beach parties, DJs, games, a beachfront cookout, and a 21+ "Red, White & Boozy" party for the grown-ups. Details.
Treasure Island 4th of July Fireworks — July 4, 9 p.m. | Gulf Front Park
Shot straight off the beach — bring a chair or towel and watch them reflect over the Gulf. Details.
Madeira Beach — Red, White & Blue on the Bay — July 4, 5–9 p.m. | ROC Park
Free, family-friendly night along Boca Ciega Bay with live music, food vendors, and a fireworks show over the bay at 9 p.m. Details.
Tierra Verde — Parade + Billy's Stone Crab Weekend — July 3–5 | 1 Collany Rd
The Tierra Verde Parade starts at 9:00 and ends at 10:30 a.m., and Billy's Stone Crab opens early with holiday specials and live music all weekend. Details.
SkyBeach Resort — "Summer Is Calling" Music Festival — July 4–5 | 6800 Sunshine Skyway Ln S
A 48-hour resort takeover with 20+ hours of house music, waterfront views, and wellness programming if you want a different kind of Fourth. Details + tickets.
GULFPORT
Gulfport 4th of July Celebration + Community Parade — July 4, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Tomlinson Park
The day opens with the Spirit of '76 time-capsule ceremony (9 a.m.) and Family Fun Day (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), the beloved Community Parade rolls at 11 a.m., and fireworks launch from Williams Pier at 9 p.m. Details.
A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD
Clearwater Celebrates America — July 3 & 4 from 5-10pm. Coachman Park; laser show July 3 at 9:15 p.m., fireworks July 4 at 9:15 p.m. Details.
Tampa — Liberty by the Bay — July 4, 4–9:30 p.m., Julian B. Lane Park; a 250-drone light show and fireworks over the Hillsborough River. Details.
Largo — July 4, 6–9 p.m., Largo Central Park. Details.
Dunedin — Hometown USA — July 4, golf-cart parade + fireworks ~9:30 p.m. at TD Ballpark. Details.
Lealman — July 4, 6–9 p.m., Raymond H. Neri Park, with free burgers and dogs and a fireworks finale. Details.
