St. Augustine’s Fireworks Over the Matanzas on July 4 will feature an incredible array of fireworks – choregraphed to patriotic music – above the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument beginning at 9 p.m.
The All-Star Orchestra will precede the fireworks display from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Plaza de la Constitución. Performances will include Big Band favorites and popular tunes with a “patriotic flair.”
If you plan to go, here’s what you need to know about concerts, shows, exhibits, parking, shuttle service, traffic detours and portable bathroom locations.
Traveling Museum at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
As part of the America 250 celebration, the Florida Freedom Tour will be in the parking lot of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
The travelling museum features two repurposed 18-wheelers transformed to showcase exhibits and artifacts from the Museum of Florida History. One semi-truck tells the story of Florida’s Founding and the other showcases Florida’s rise in the 20th century.
The Florida Freedom Tour is a statewide engagement initiative, managed by the Department of State with support from the Florida Department of Transportation, designed to educate residents and guests as it travels through Florida’s 67 counties in support of the America 250 commemoration.
Best places to watch the July 4 fireworks in St. Augustine
Visitors can enjoy excellent views of the fireworks from several locations throughout historic downtown, including:
Residents and guests are also encouraged to enjoy the fireworks from many of the city’s cruises and boat excursions.
Free park and ride shuttle for July 4 fireworks
Old Town Trolley Tours will offer free shuttle service with satellite parking on Anastasia Island from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Parking locations include:
The shuttle will drop off and pick up passengers at Flagler Boulevard at Gerado Street.
Parking for July 4 fireworks
Street closures
Cathedral Place will be closed to vehicular traffic from Avenida Menendez to Cordova Street beginning at 4 p.m. on July 4. Other closures on July 4 include:
The Bridge of Lions will be closed to marine traffic immediately following the 7:30 p.m. bridge opening until 11 p.m. Vessels will be prohibited in the mooring area north of the Bridge of Lions, west and north of Channel Marker 7 to Shenandoah Street. Marine law enforcement will be patrolling the Matanzas Bay.
The St. Augustine Municipal Marina will limit dockage space for July 4. Contact the marina directly on VHF CH 16 or CH 71 for availability and docking instructions.
Portable bathrooms
In addition to public restrooms at the Visitor Information Center, St. Augustine Municipal Marina and various permanent locations, the City of St. Augustine will be providing multiple locations of portable bathrooms, including the following:
Traffic flow after the fireworks
Modifications to the road closures may be made at any time at the discretion of the St. Augustine Police Department without advance notice to ensure public safety.
Cancellation Notification
If the fireworks are canceled, the public will be notified on the following City of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Police Department digital channels: City of St. Augustine website, City of St. Augustine Facebook page, St. Augustine Police Department Facebook page, City of St. Augustine on X, St. Augustine Police Department on X.
Fireworks Over the Matanzas is produced by the City of St. Augustine with support funding from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. Complementary shuttle service is generously donated by Old Town Trolley Tours.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: How to navigate St. Augustine for the July 4 fireworks
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record | USA TODAY Network
