Florida loves fireworks and the Fourth of July so the nation’s 250th anniversary is an invitation to celebrate America’s independence in a big way. Here’s a look at events planned for around Tallahassee and the Big Bend area.
Where to celebrate in Tallahassee and the North Florida’s Big Bend?
If you want fireworks over pine forests, salt marshes and quiet Gulf water instead of theme-park crowds, the Big Bend is a solid bet this year. You’ll find everything from Tallahassee’s big “Celebrate America” blowout at Tom Brown Park to small–town riverfront shows in Apalachicola and beach displays in Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.
Franklin and Gulf counties lean into the holiday all along the Forgotten Coast, with a July 3 waterfront celebration in Apalachicola and nighttime fireworks on St. George Island, Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. Inland, Wakulla County keeps things classic with Sopchoppy’s parade-and-festival setup by the river at Myron B. Hodge City Park.
Most of these are free to attend, but you’ll want to arrive early with chairs and blankets, especially in Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach, where the best waterfront viewing spots go fast. Below is a working calendar built from what’s already confirmed or follows long-running annual patterns; always double-check times closer to July 4 as cities firm up 2026 details.
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LEON COUNTY (Tallahassee)
City of Tallahassee ‘Celebrate America’ at Tom Brown Park
Details: 6-10 p.m. July 4, Tom Brown Park, Capital Circle SE; talgov.com
Tallahassee’s signature Fourth of July party is back at Tom Brown Park with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra as the headliner, multiple bands, kids’ activities, food trucks and one of the biggest fireworks shows in the Big Bend. The 2026 event is slated for the evening of Saturday, July 4, with festivities running roughly 6–10 p.m. and fireworks after dark at Tom Brown Park on Capital Circle Southeast. Expect free admission, with food and drinks sold on site; bring lawn chairs or blankets and leave personal fireworks, grills, tents and pets at home. Visit talgov.com.
Fourth of July fireworks at the Golf Club at Summerbrooke
Details: Fireworks around 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4; Golf Club at Summerbrooke, 7505 Preservation Road; theclubatsummerbrooke.com
If you’d rather pair your fireworks with a pool day and cookout, the Golf Club at Summerbrooke usually hosts a full-day July 4 celebration with guest passes, food on the grill and fireworks over the course after dark. In recent years the cookout has run from midday into late afternoon, with fireworks around 9:20 p.m. at the Golf Club at Summerbrooke, 7505 Preservation Road in northeast Tallahassee. Nonmembers can typically pay a day fee that includes pool access, with separate pricing for kids and adults; check for 2026 specifics and any reservation requirements as the date approaches.
Southwood 4th of July
Details: 5 p.m. until after fireworks at dark, Saturday, July 4, Southwood Neighborhood, Grove Park Drive; facebook.com
Southwood typically has a Fourth of July parade around 5:30 p.m., flag ceremony and special musical performances, followed by and fireworks over Central Park Lake around 9 p.m., weather permitting. There is parking in SouthWood Town Center as well as the Southwood Golf Club, then a quick walk to the event site in the park behind the SouthWood Community Center. food trucks, games, and activities are planned. Check for 2026 specifics and any reservation requirements as the date approaches.
Celebration with Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra on July 3
Details: 4 p.m. Friday, July 3; Challenger Learning Center IMAX and Kleman Plaza; facebook.com
A Star-Spangled Celebration with a free evening of movies, music, food, and community festivities begins at 4 p.m. Friday, July 3, with a free screening of “National Treasure” in the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee IMAX Theater, 200 S. Duval St. No tickets are required — seating is first come, first served. Then head outside as local food and beverage vendors begin serving at 6 p.m., offering hot dogs, BBQ, frozen treats, and more available for purchase.
At 7 p.m., enjoy a lively outdoor concert featuring a Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra brass quintet performing patriotic favorites, with vocalist Alexander Williams leading a sing-along of beloved American classics. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and gather with family and friends for a summer evening filled with great music, delicious food, and patriotic fun under the stars. It’s sponsored by Ron Sachs and Smart Bank.
43rd Annual Firecracker 5K
Details: 7-10:30 a.m. Friday, July 4, Cascades Park. Visit TallyFirecracker5k.com.
One of Tallahassee’s longest-running Fourth of July traditions returns to Cascades Park from 7-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, as the 43rd Annual Firecracker 5K and 1-Mile Sparkler Run brings together competitive runners, families, and the community for a morning of patriotism, fitness, and celebration.
This year’s event will feature a special America 250 veteran recognition ceremony honoring participants who have served in the United States Armed Forces, presented in partnership with the Florida Veterans Foundation.The Firecracker 5K is part of the Gulf Winds Track Club Grand Prix series, attracting competitive runners from across North Florida while also welcoming walkers, families, and children participating in the family-friendly 5k or 1-Mile Sparkler Run. Last year’s participants ranged in age from just 3 years old to 91 years old. In addition to the races, attendees can enjoy free family activities, entertainment, and patriotic festivities at Cascades Park.
Proceeds from the event support Kiwanis service projects and youth leadership programs throughout the Tallahassee area, with a strong emphasis on supporting Title 1 Schools. Registration is $35 for the Sparkler Run and $40 for the Firecracker 5K. Visit TallyFirecracker5k.com.
FRANKLIN COUNTY (Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle)
Apalachicola Waterfront July 3rd Celebration
Details: starting at noon, Friday, July 3, Apalachicola; apalachicolabay.org
Apalachicola turns its riverfront into a patriotic block party the night before the Fourth, with food trucks, nonprofit food booths, live music and a big fireworks show over the Apalachicola River. For 2026, the Apalachicola Waterfront July 3rd Celebration is scheduled to begin around noon at Riverfront Park downtown, with music into the evening and fireworks “at dark” on Friday, July 3. It’s free to attend; just bring chairs or a blanket and plan to buy food and drinks from vendors lining the park.
Eastpoint Freedom Festival
Details: Dark-thirty, Wednesday, July 1, Eastpoint
Come enjoy fireworks over the Bay at the Annual Eastpoint Freedom Festival, hosted by the Eastpoint Civic Association. Fireworks will begin at dark-thirty on Wednesday, July 1.
Carrabelle Fireworks
Details: Dark-thirty; Thursday, July 2, Carrabelle Waterfront; floridasforgottencoast.com
Carrabelle will host its annual fireworks extravaganza on Thursday, July 2, along the Carrabelle Waterfront at dark-thirty.
St. George Island Independence Day fireworks
Details: Saturday, July 4, in front of Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe, blueparrotsgi.com
St. George Island caps Franklin County’s holiday stretch with fireworks over the Gulf, launched from near the Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café in the island’s commercial district. The show traditionally starts at dark on July 4, with great viewing from the beach in front of the restaurant and along the central stretch of the island. You don’t need a ticket to watch, but island parking and restaurant seating fill quickly, so plan to be parked and settled well before sunset.
WAKULLA COUNTY (Sopchoppy and surrounding area)
Sopchoppy Fourth of July Celebration
Details: 4 p.m.-dark, Saturday, July 4, Myron B. Hodge City Park, Sopchoppy; facebook.com/events
Sopchoppy does Independence Day the old-fashioned way, with a parade downtown followed by a festival and nighttime fireworks on the Sopchoppy River. To beat the midday heat and give volunteers time with their families, Sopchoppy has shifted festivities to the cooler part of the day.
Shell Point
Details: Afternoon and evening, July 4, Shell Point Beach; visitwakulla.com
Shell Point hosts its community 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The event features the area’s beloved annual fireworks display, which will illuminate the skies directly over the Gulf waters at dark.The community of Shell Point is located in Wakulla County, about 30 miles south of Tallahassee.
GULF COUNTY (Port St. Joe & Cape San Blas area)
Port St. Joe Fourth of July fireworks over St. Joseph Bay
Details: Saturday, July 4; George Core Park and waterfront.
Port St. Joe keeps its Fourth of July celebration focused on the bay, with a community gathering downtown and a big nighttime fireworks display launched near George Core Park. Recent years have seen fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4, with spectators spread between the historic downtown streets and the waterfront walkways at the park overlooking St. Joseph Bay. The event is free to attend, so just grab a spot early along the water, pack bug spray and plan to walk a bit after the show as traffic clears out. Check for 2026 specifics as the date approaches.
BAY/GULF (Mexico Beach)
‘Best Blast on the Beach’ fireworks in Mexico Beach
Details: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, Canal Parkway, Mexico Beach; mexicobeach.com
If your ideal Fourth of July is toes in the sand with fireworks reflecting off the Gulf, Mexico Beach’s “Best Blast on the Beach” is worth the drive from anywhere in the Big Bend. This free show is typically staged from the jetty at the end of Canal Parkway at 8:30 p.m. Central on July 4, with clear views up and down the shoreline for anyone who claims a stretch of beach. Parking near the canal closes early for setup, so plan to arrive well before dusk, walk in with your chairs or blanket and settle along the sand for the display.
Have an 4th of July event planned? Email details to news@tallahassee.com.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here’s a guide to 4th of July fireworks in Tallahassee and Big Bend
Reporting by Staff report, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Staff report, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
