As America's 248th birthday approaches, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the rest of South Florida are ready to celebrate the Fourth of July in an explosive way.
Throughout the region, Independence Day celebrations will feature impressive fireworks displays and drone shows that promise to light up the sky. From roller discos and flyovers to beer gardens and classical music, here are the best fireworks displays across South Florida.
Coconut Grove
If there's any place that could turn a day at the park into a ritzy affair, it's the Grove. The Miami Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at Peaco*ck Park for its annual Independence Day celebration. Patriotic anthems the likes of Frank Von Suppé's "Light Cavalry Overture" and John Philip Sousa's iconic "The Stars and Stripes Forever" are sure to sweep you off your feet as a themed drone show soars above you. You're encouraged to bring your own picnic blanket or lawn chair. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Peaco*ck Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove; themiso.org; Admission is free.
Coral Gables
The historic Biltmore Hotel will open its golf course grounds for its signature Fourth of July celebration in partnership with the City of Coral Gables. A pre-show headlined by the Navy Band Southeast starts at 5 p.m. before the Greater Miami Symphonic Band joins at 7 p.m. for a pre-fireworks concert. By 9 p.m., you can count on a lit-up Coral Gables sky. 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables; coralgables.com; Admission is free.
Cutler Bay
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a U.S. Air Force flyover happening only at Cutler Bay's 55th annual Fourth of July Celebration! Head over to Whispering Pines Park for an impressive aerobatic show coupled with a golf cart parade, cookout, music, inflatables, and more. As no American holiday is complete without blowing stuff up, feel free to follow the festivities up with one of the multiple evening fireworks shows listed in this guide. 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 4, at Whispering Pines Park, 8800 Ridgeland Dr., Cutler Bay; cutlerbay-fl.gov. Admission is free.
Doral
For residents of Little Venezuela — sorry, Doral — enjoy an exclusive, 20-minute firework display from Trump National Doral. Admission is ticket-based and limited, but if you miss the window, hop on the city's Facebook and YouTube livestream of the display at 9 p.m. If a home barbecue and rusty lawn chair are calling your name, Doral Glades Park will host a separate fireworks show at 9:20 p.m. that can be enjoyed from several miles — and backyards — away. 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Trump National Doral, 4400 NW 87th Ave., Doral; cityofdoral.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.
Downtown Miami
The City of Miami and the Miami Downtown Development Authority will present the patriotic festivities at Bayfront Park downtown. The afternoon starts with a hot-dog-eating contest at 4:30 p.m., where the winner can take home a $200 cash prize. The party continues until sundown with food vendors and live performances, including the U.S. Navy Band. At sundown, expect the sky above Biscayne Bay with dazzling colors. 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-358-7550; bayfrontparkmiami.com. Admission is free.
Fort Lauderdale
If you're looking to make more than just an evening out of your holiday, look no further than Fort Lauderdale's 4th of July Spectacular. The nine-hour event has an enviable itinerary that kicks off at noon with family activities like water slides and face painting and a lineup of live music covering virtually every genre from country to pop chart-toppers. Iconic R&B girl group En Vogue will build up to the 23-minute fireworks finale with hits like "Free Your Mind" and "Whatta Man," priming you to drop it low under the pyrotechnic glow. Noon to 9:15 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; parks.fortlauderdale.gov. Admission is free.
Hialeah
"Si tu pasas por mi casa." Feel free to join the more than 18,000 locals who flock to Hialeah Park's Independence Day Celebration each year. The event's sizeable attendance comes as no surprise, considering it's won multiple awards from the Florida Festivals & Events Association. Cuban mainstays Lenier, Ricky Valido, and Marlon Fernandez will headline the event, and DJs Yus and A10 will keep the party going while attendees munch on local food trucks. A 30-minute fireworks display and laser show are scheduled to end the night with a bang — literally. 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Milander Park, 4800 Palm Ave., Hialeah; hialeahfl.gov. Admission is free.
Hollywood
Waste away your holiday weekend at Margaritaville Hollywood Resort for the Star-Spangled Spectacular Celebration at the Hollywood Beach Theater. A live DJ will kick the event off at the beach's bandshell at 6 p.m. before the Viva Band takes the resort stage at 7:30 p.m. Be ready to kick off your flip flops at 9 p.m. sharp for offshore fireworks that'll illuminate the 2.5-mile boardwalk. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Hollywood Beach Theater, 200 Johnson St., Hollywood; hollywoodfl.org. Admission is free.
Homestead
Speed over to Race to the 4th! Independence Day Celebration at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Live music performances start the night off at 6 p.m., followed by kid-friendly rides and food trucks offering treats ranging from savory to sweet. Like something out of an '80s coming-of-age classic, fireworks will go off at sunset while synchronized with pop hits and patriotic tunes. Buy a beer, bring a broad, and you've got yourself a quintessentially American evening. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd., Homestead; homesteadfl.gov. Admission is free.
Little Havana
Get a head start on the patriotic festivities with the Miami Marlins' two-day-long celebration spanning July 3 and 4. The Fish will take on the Boston Red Sox at LoanDepot Park on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. before a post-game fireworks display closes the night out and sets the stage for the holiday. Seniors and military personnel (active and retired) will want to make it out to the July 4 fireworks show and game against the Sox for more than just America’s favorite pastime. A "Military Appreciation Day" ticket will include special pricing, access to a pre-game parade on the warning track, and an honorary challenge coin, while senior citizens can expect to receive two complimentary tickets to select home games in light of "Marlins Senior Day." Nothing says Independence Day like baseball and free stuff if you ask us. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at LoanDepot Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami; mlb.com/marlins. Tickets cost $10 to $120 via mlb.tickets.com.
Miami Beach
Starting off our list is Miami Beach's two-fold celebrations at either end of the island. Visit North Beach's annual Fire on the Fourth, where the fun kicks off at 3 p.m. with family fun zones and food trucks, followed by live music and DJ sets at 5 p.m. Then, sneak off to the Miami Beach Bandshell, where you can tear up the dance floor alongside Sweat Records' Lolo and DJ Hottpants at the July Fourth Roller Disco. South Beach will be classing it up with performances by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Orchestra at its Independence Day Fireworks Patriotic and Patriotic Concert. Catch patriotic tunes like Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and the Armed Forces Salute before Ocean Drive lights up at 9 p.m. for its fireworks display. 3 to 9 p.m. at Altos del Mar Park, 7601 Atlantic Way, Miami Beach; and 8:30 p.m. at Lummus Park, 12th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; miamibeachfl.gov. Admission is free.
Sunrise
Sunrise has plenty on the horizon for families this Fourth of July. An "Under the Sea" parade featuring a kids' splash zone, rock wall, and snow cones launches the event from 9 a.m. to noon. Take a breather before heading to the Panthers' stomping grounds, Amerant Bank Arena, at 6 p.m. for a fireworks display set to an '80s freestyle concert featuring DJ Johnny Quest, the Cover Girls, and Lisa Lisa. Admission and parking is free. What more could you want? 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 4, at City Park, 6600 Sunset Strip, Sunrise; and 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise; sunrisefl.gov. Admission is free.
Westchester
Though Tropical Park will be ringing in Independence Day and National Parks Month with its Fourth of July Kickoff Celebration, we think it's the bash to end all bashes. The four-hour event will cram a cycling class, Zumba session, aquatic performance, and drone show in its pre-fireworks itinerary. The pyrotechnic finale is set to start at 8:30 p.m., and lawn space is limited, so plan on arriving early. 5 to 9 p.m. at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami; miamidade.gov. Admission is free.
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