13 Incredible Things To Do In Orlando For The 4th Of July

Orlando is one of the best places to celebrate the fourth of July weekend with an extensive range of annual events and family-friendly fun to choose from, you’re sure to find something that makes the weekend special.

1. Fireworks At The Fountain At Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is a large public park in downtown Orlando that hosts one of the best fireworks displays in the area every Fourth of July.

Fireworks at the Fountain are an annual tradition that has been going on for over 45 years now. It’s a fun, free way to celebrate the Fourth of July in Orlando and see some spectacular fireworks.

The event is free, and guests are welcome to claim a spot in the park with beach chairs or a picnic blanket. You can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Meanwhile, additional food and drink options are available from a variety of vendors. Before the fireworks begin, enjoy entertainment from the live bands and street performers.

The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks show set to a live performance by the Orlando Concert band of patriotic music.

2. Fireworks Show At SeaWorld Orlando

Watching the fireworks after a day at SeaWorld Orlando is one of the best things to do in Orlando on the Fourth of July.

Tickets to see the fireworks are included with your admission to SeaWorld Orlando, and thankfully there’s plenty to do here including an extensive number of high-speed roller coasters and water-based thrill rides like Infinity Falls and Journey to Atlantis.

In addition to its rides and attractions, SeaWorld also offers unique animal encounters like swimming with dolphins and up-close experiences with marine life like manta rays and orca whales.

Once the sun goes down, take a seat at Bayside Stadium and get ready for a jaw-dropping fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day.

SeaWorld puts on an impressive show. You will witness colourful pyrotechnics bursting in the sky with a patriotic soundtrack playing in the background, the perfect way to close out a memorable Fourth.

3. Red Hot & Boom At Altamonte Springs

If you’re located north of Orlando, Altamonte Springs is a town that hosts a spectacular Independence Day celebration every year. This Orlando suburb has been hosting Red Hot & Boom for over 25 years now.

This annual event always draws a large crowd because of its great entertainment lineup and festivities.

Red Hot & Boom is an all-day event with free admission that features live music, food and drinks, and a fireworks show at the end of the evening.

Bring your own pop-up tent or canopy, beach chairs, or picnic blanket to stake out a spot to spend the day with your friends and family.

Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted, and there are also dozens of local vendors at the event serving up Fourth of July classics like hot dogs and barbecue.

Throughout the day, you can enjoy a great lineup of live music, before settling in for a patriotic fireworks show to end the Fourth of July with a bang.

If you’re looking for the best free things to do in the Orlando area for the Fourth of July, this is one of the hottest celebrations around.

4. Red White & Boom At Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is a large public park on Lake Minneola in Clermont, Florida.

This town east of Orlando has a great Fourth of July celebration called Red White & Boom that offers plenty of Independence Day festivities.

This free event is fun for the whole family. Bring a picnic blanket or some beach chairs and enjoy live entertainment before the fireworks begin.

The event also features local food trucks and fun activities like a Pie Eating Contest and a Most Patriotic Dressed Contest. So come hungry, and come dressed in your most over-the-top red, white, and blue costumes.

Once it gets dark, enjoy an awe-inspiring fireworks show over the lake as the perfect ending to a memorable Fourth of July.

5. Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom is one of the places in Orlando where you can enjoy fireworks every night of the year.

The nightly fireworks show over Cinderella’s Castle at this iconic theme park is a highlight of many people’s trips to Disney World.

But on the Fourth of July, Magic Kingdom commemorates Independence Day with a special patriotic fireworks show called Disney’s Celebrate America (this performance usually happens on July 3 and July 4).

The parks are also decorated in red, white, and blue in honour of the Fourth of July.

During the day, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July at Magic Kingdom.

Grab an all-American hot dog for lunch at Casey’s Corner, before strolling over to Liberty Square and catching a show inside the Hall of Presidents – this 25-minute show inside an air-conditioned theatre is one of the best ways to beat the July heat.

You can also cool down with a ride on one of Magic Kingdom’s rides like the waterfall thrill ride Splash Mountain, or the roller coaster Space Mountain (and that last one is indoors, so consider doing it when the midday sun is at its hottest.)

6. Bike Parade At Downtown Avalon Park

The Avalon Park Bike Parade is one of the best things to do in Orlando for the Fourth of July.

This unique tradition brings a parade of decorated bikes, strollers, and wagons through Avalon Park, a suburb west of Orlando. Whether you want to participate or just spectate, this parade is a lot of fun.

Participants can register with the Avalon Park YMCA in order to show off their festive red, white, and blue bikes, strollers, or wagons in the parade. Afterwards, prizes are awarded for Most Patriotic and Best Group.

The Bike Parade isn’t the only Independence Day celebration that happens in Avalon Park. Throughout the day, many events and festivities are happening that are fun for the whole family. 

The Firecracker 5K Run kicks off in the morning, while the afternoon has events and activities like an Apple Pie Bake-Off, live music performances, bounce houses, and food from local vendors.

7. Red, White & BOOM At Legoland

Legoland Florida is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Orlando. This kid-friendly theme park allows you to experience life-size attractions based on everyone’s favourite Lego toys, including fun rides, shows, and activities.

It’s also a great place to go for the Fourth of July. During the day, there are several special activities visitors can participate in, like helping to build a giant American flag out of Lego bricks or competing to win a prize by building the most imaginative patriotic-themed Lego creation you can think of.

After a day of enjoying Legoland’s attractions, the festivities continue after the sun goes down.

Show off your best moves at a DJ dance party, before donning a pair of special glasses to watch the Fourth of July fireworks show, which will look like millions of colourful Lego bricks exploding in the sky.

8. Celebration of Freedom At Central Winds Park

Central Winds Park is a public park on the waterfront of Lake Jessup in Winter Springs, Florida.

This Orlando suburb puts on a Fourth of July celebration every year, and it’s a great way to celebrate with the whole family.

Bring your own beach chairs or a picnic blanket and claim a spot in the park to enjoy food and drinks and socialise with friends, family, and neighbours before the fireworks begin.

Local food trucks will also be at the event offering all-American classics like hot dogs to enjoy.

Once it gets dark, sit back and enjoy a spectacular patriotic fireworks display over the lake in honour of Independence Day.

9. Celebrate America At Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios is one of the top theme parks in Orlando, and a great place to celebrate the Fourth of July.

However, many of the Fourth of July festivities at Universal occur at CityWalk.

Universal’s CityWalk, a massive outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex outside the entrance to the parks, is home to an epic Fourth of July celebration, including live music, patriotic performers, and other activities.

Performers on stilts roam around in star-spangled outfits, including some dressed up as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty.

Throughout the day, there’s live music and a DJ, culminating in a patriotic pyrotechnics display at Universal Music Plaza.

Inside the park, there are no specific Fourth of July decorations and shows, but it’s still a fun place to celebrate the holiday.

At Universal Orlando, you can explore themed lands like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Marvel Super Hero Island. There’s also Volcano Bay, a water park that’s perfect for beating the heat on a hot summer day like the Fourth of July.

10. See The Rockets Red Glare At St. Cloud Lakefront

Head down to the city of St. Cloud Lakefront just a few miles east of Kissimmee to experience its 4th of July Independence Day Celebration!

The entertainment here includes an extensive amount of live music, a kid zone, a beer garden and a number of incredible food trucks.

However, nothing quite compares to the amazing fireworks display which begins promptly at 9pm on the lakefront – although be sure to head down early to get a good viewing spot as we celebrate the amazing USA.

11. Oviedo’s Independence Day Celebration

Situated a few miles northeast of Orlando, the city of Oviedo celebrates independence day at the Oviedo Mall with live entertainment, carnival rides, food trucks, drinks vendors, a kids zone, and of course fireworks!

The event begins at 5pm, with the fireworks taking place at 9pm (weather permitting).

Tickets for the event are $25 and include all of the rides and attractions including bounce houses, face painting, colouring stations and more.

12. The Monumental Kissimmee Lakefront Park Independence Day Celebration

The city of Kissimmee’s Annual Monumental July 4th Celebration takes place at Kissimmee Lakefront Park and includes live performances, a kid zone, food trucks, beverage concessions, and of course the grand Fireworks display to close out the night!

The celebrations begin at 5pm and admission into the event is free. However, no fireworks, sparklers or tents are permitted – lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.

13. Great American Block Party

Boxi Park is situated adjacent to Lake Nona Town Center just a few minutes drive from Orlando International Airport.

This awesome area of central Florida is a hidden gem, and well worth visiting during any trip to Orlando.

However, the community spirit here really goes above and beyond over the 4th of July weekend with an incredible Block Party which includes an extensive range of live entertainment, carnival games, food vendors and more.