ORLANDO, Fla. – The Fourth of July is approaching, and plenty of spots in Central Florida will play host to an age-old holiday tradition: fireworks.
Here are some local places to enjoy a show:
- Fireworks at the Fountain
Lake Eola Park
101 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando
The fireworks event in downtown Orlando is scheduled to feature entertainment on two stages, as well as two beer and wine gardens and activities for children.
Festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the fireworks display beginning at 9:10 p.m.
For information about vendors and road closures, visit the city of Orlando's website. - 4th of July Celebration at Avalon Park
13001 Founder's Square Drive, Orlando
Those who find themselves on the east side of Orange County can take part in an apple pie bake-off or hot dog eating contest before watching the fireworks over Avalon Park in Orlando. The event is scheduled to last from 5-9 p.m. and will also include a bike parade, wet/dry bounce park and community performances.
For information visit Avalon Park's events website. - Red Hot & Boom
Cranes Roost Park
275 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs' Cranes Roost Park is scheduled to host its holiday festivities on July 3, from 4-11 p.m.
This year marks the city's 18th annual celebration, which is planned to feature performances by the Jonas Brothers, MKTO, Chris Wallace, Melissa Gorga, Stefano and Nikki Williams.
The event will also feature vendor booths, food, drinks and children's activities, and will culminate in a 25-minute fireworks display, synchronized to a mix of patriotic music and contemporary hits simulcast on radio station XL106.7.
Organizers said no coolers, pets, personal fireworks or glass containers will be allowed at the event.
The event will be rain or shine.
For information, visit Altamonte Springs' events website. - Winter Park Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature live patriotic music performed by the Bach Festival Brass Band and the Bach Festival Choir, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. Children's activities will include the annual bicycle parade at 9 a.m. from City Hall to Central Park. Free hot dogs, watermelon and water will be available while supplies last. Chips, snacks and sodas will be available for purchase. In addition, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will present their Independence Day Open House. - Winter Springs Celebration of Freedom
Central Winds Park
State Road 434, Winter Springs
Winter Springs' festivities for the Fourth begin at 5 p.m., when competition begins for local talent show Winter Springs' Got Talent.
Children's activities and live music will continue throughout the day, with fireworks choreographed to music beginning at 9:10 p.m.
Concession vendors will serve food and beverages during the event.
For information, visit Winter Springs' website. - City of Oviedo Independence Day Celebration
Oviedo Mall
1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
There will be food, fun, fireworks and the 1000 person American Human Flag Project. Participants will also enjoy live entertainment from Jake and Elwood Blues Revue, Motown Madness and Da Boys. Other highlights include inflatable games, carnival games, food trucks and craft vendors.
Thousands are expected to gather and execute a giant Living Flag. The first 1,000 to show up will be given a red, white or blue shirt courtesy of Popular Community Bank. Participants will be coordinated into the proper formation and official photos will be taken. Registration is at 5:30pm near Chamberlin's at the MIX 105.1 and 102 JAMZ tents. You can visit the MIX 105.1 or 102 JAMZ tents throughout the day for additional information. - New Smyrna Beach 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration
Riverside Park
105 N. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach
Independence Day festivities at Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach begin early with a family fishing tournament at 9 a.m.
Food trucks and a concert series are scheduled throughout the day, culminating in a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
For information, visit New Smyrna Beach's event page. - Ormond Beach Independence Day celebration
City Hall Plaza, Fortunato Park, Rockefeller Gardens
Ormond Beach locals and visitors can take in a variety of entertainment at various spots in Ormond Beach. The City Hall plaza and Rockefeller Park will feature music from 6-9:15 p.m., children can visit the Patriotic Kids Corner at Fortunato Park throughout the day and each park will feature vendors providing food, such as ice cream, funnel cakes, barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers, seafood and cheese steaks.
Piers and boat docks will close at 7 p.m.
Fireworks over the Halifax River are scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
For information, visit Ormond Beach's website.
- July 4th at SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando
As part of SeaWorld Orlando's Summer Nights, a special Fourth of July Reflections show will feature an expanded fireworks show timed to patriotic music.
The park will be open until 10 p.m. all summer long, and will feature special nightly events such as Shamu Rocks, a high-energy rock-n-roll show featuring Shamu, Sea Lions Tonight and Reflections, a celebration of dancing fountains and spectacular fireworks.
For more information, visit SeaWorld Summer Nights. - Red, Brick & Boom
LEGOLAND Florida
One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven FL 33884
With special 3D glasses that turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks, this July 4th celebration is sure to dazzle and delight.
The park will have extended hours with four nights of fireworks starting at 9 p.m.
Red, Brick and Boom is included with park admission.
Activities include building your own star to add to LEGOLAND Florida's first LEGO American Flag at the Fun Town Plaza and backyard games on the Mansion Lawn.
For more information, visit LEGOLAND Special Events. - Independence Day at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando
The show begins at 9 p.m.
The celebration is included in regular park admission to Universal Studios Florida.
Adults $82, children ages 3-9 $74, children ages 2 and under free.
Guests can enjoy a special version of the popular Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular, a cinematic adventure that combines cutting-edge projection technology with lasers and pyrotechnics to bring movies to life like you've never seen before. - Baldwin Park Independence Day Bash
Harbor Park at Baldwin Park
4990 New Broad St., Orlando
Admission is free.
On July 5, the 4th Annual Independence Day Bash at Baldwin Park will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The celebration will include food, fun, music and a fireworks show.
For more information, visit VisitOrlando. - A Sci-Fi 4th of July
Celebration Town Center
610 Sycamore Street, Celebration
Celebration Town Center joins forces with MegaCon to celebrate America's independence day with a sci-fi themed event.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m.
The celebration will include performances, a costume contest and fireworks.
For more information, visit Experience Kissimmee. - Independence Day at Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
4600 N. World Drive, Orlando
All of the Fourth of July celebrations are included in the regular admission price.
"Disney's Celebrate America! - A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky" at Magic Kingdom will start at 9 p.m.
The holiday-inspired "IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth" at Epcot will start at 10 p.m.
A special July 4th fireworks presentation at Disney's Hollywood Studios will start at 10 p.m.
A variety of special events for Fourth of July are scheduled at all four of the major theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. There will be patriotic parades, live music and fireworks shows.
A street party with live entertainment and fireworks is also planned for Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney.
For more and information and to buy tickets, visit Walt Disney World Resort Tickets.
To see other events in Central Florida, visit Local 6's Community Calendar.