- July 15, 2025
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Runs from 5-10 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Fireworks on the Lake returns with Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio providing the live entertainment; a Kids Zone, sponsored by Mote Marine; plenty of other family-friendly activities; and food and beverage trucks. The fireworks show begins approximately 9 p.m. VIP Viewing Experience tickets from the finish tower are available at $105 per adult and $65 per child for ages 12 and under. The ticket includes complimentary food and beverages, an open bar with beer and wine, and access to the air conditioned finish tower. Prices per carload are $40 at Regatta Island, $30 in the South Parking Lot and the Special Event Parking Lot next to Homewood Suites, and $60 for RVs in the South Parking Lot. Visit FireworksOnTheLake.com.
9 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive. Free. Suntex Marinas and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens partner to continue the Fourth of July tradition of fireworks over Sarasota Bay.
The Siesta Key Community Fireworks show draws families and friends to Siesta Key’s white-sand beaches for an evening of fun. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosts the community event from 8-9:30 p.m. on Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. Fireworks start at dusk. Viewing is free, but the event has sponsorships available that provide free parking, free beverages and snacks, as well as preferred seating at the hospitality area for the best view. Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.
There are few better ideas than traveling down Tamiami Trail to catch the impressive fireworks show launch from North Brohard Beach around 9 p.m. The free 20- to 25-minute show can be checked out at several area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis. Humphris Park and South Jetty will be closed to the public. Visit VeniceGov.com.
The city of Palmetto’s Fourth Fest features live music from 5-10 p.m. by Eric Von and Royale Music Group, as well as performances from Imagine Circus, food and drinks, and a kids zone. The event will be held at Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, Palmetto. Fireworks over the Manatee River, sponsored by the cities of Palmetto and Bradenton, begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. from the Green Bridge Pier. Admission and parking are free. Visit PalmettoFL.org.
Bradenton Alive hosts a free event from 5-9:30 p.m. at Rossi Park, 444 Third Aven W., Bradenton. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a kids zone and merchant vendors. All-inclusive VIP tickets are available. Fireworks, sponsored by the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, over the Manatee River begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. from the Green Bridge Pier. Visit Bradenton-Alive.com.
The city of North Port’s annual Fourth of July celebration begins at 6 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port. There will be local food and merchandise vendors, as well as free kids activities including bounce houses and lawn games. A low-sensory area will also be available. New this year are carnival games, for purchase. Live music will be provided by American Made Band. The fireworks show will be at approximately 9 p.m. Visit NorthPortFL.gov.
The Bradenton Marauders host the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in a Florida State League contest at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton that begins at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first 1,500 fans receive a free Marauders T-shirt. Fireworks follow immediately after the game. Visit MILB.com/bradenton for ticket information.
Start your Fourth of July holiday weekend with a tailgate party at The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. From 4-9 p.m., enjoy more than 20 food trucks, trailers and pop-up vendors, as well as a view of the fireworks at Nathan Benderson Park. The event is in Parking Lot 4, on the east side of the mall. Parking and entry are free. Visit MallAtUTC.com.
Begins at 6 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The free Sights + Sounds concert series continues to Waterside Place with the Sarasota Concert Band. The concert, featuring the 40-piece Symphonic Band, will be a patriotic extravaganza. Vocal soloist Kathryn Parks also will perform with the band. Limited seating will be available, so bring a lawn chair. Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with the “shortest parade in America,” by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. The parade along Bay Isles Road begins at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road. Enjoy the parade, then head into the park for the annual celebration, featuring a parade, a butterfly release, entertainment by Chucko the Clown, music, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is also holding its "Hot Diggity Dog!" competition after the butterfly release at 10 a.m. Prizes are awarded for the most patriotic, most creative dog costume and for the best owner-dog combination. Admission is free. Kids are welcome to decorate their bikes, wagons and themselves and march in the parade. The best float or group will with a $500 prize. Visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers host the biggest event on Anna Maria Island, with a parade and water fight starting at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, and ending at Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, with a picnic celebration. Parade entry is $25 per Jeep. Attendance is free. Visit AMIPrivateers.org.
5:30-9:30 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' downtown campus, 1534 Mound St. If you prefer a more natural venue for your Fourth of July merriment, check out Selby Gardens' All-American Cookout. The event will have barbecue favorites and desserts for purchase and a number of activities and games before the fireworks. General admission is $25 for members, $35 for adults, $10 for ages 5-17 and free for children 4 and younger. All-inclusive tickets are also available with on-site parking, a buffet, an open bar and prime fireworks seating. Visit Selby.org.
Runs from 6-9:30 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. A show by Circus Arts Conservatory at 8 p.m. and a drone show at 9 p.m. are the highlights of a special, free holiday event at Waterside Place. The event will include a carnival-inspired experience with circus acts, games, vendor booths, food and family-friendly fun that includes a Kids' Zone. A DJ will provide the musical entertainment. All parking is free, and a trolly will run continuously between Waterside Place and lots at The Out-of-Door Academy and Grace Community Church from 5:30-10 p.m. Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
If you’re wanting some civic engagement to follow your Fourth of July festivities, try the Keep Sarasota County Beautiful’s annual cleanup event. Liberty Litter Cleanup has hundreds of volunteers picking up trash and refuse at 16 locations including Longboat's Bayfront Park, Lido Beach, Ted Sperling Park, Siesta Beach and North Jetty Park. The cleanup starts at 7 a.m. sharp and wraps by 9 a.m. Registration is required. Visit SCGov.net.
Runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Celebrate the holiday with more than 40 food trucks, trailers and pop-up vendors. The event is on the east side of the mall. Parking and entry are free. Visit MallAtUTC.com.
Feeling patriotic but looking for a laugh? Florida Studio Theatre Improv explores "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Laughter" in this comedy musical with a promise to share an untold story of the American Revolution. A second performance is July 12. Begins at 7:30 p.m. at FST's Bowne's Lab, 1265 First St. Tickets $15-$18. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
