It was 250 years in the making, beginning with a piece of paper that changed the world.
Our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and July 4, 1776, is when the colonies united. Celebrations are planned throughout the U.S., including in Southwest Florida.
And because this year is a bit more special than a usual July Fourth, we’ve compiled a guide to help you plan ahead to enjoy and celebrate.
In Lee County, that means festive events like Cape Coral’s Red, White and Boom.
And if don’t see a July Fourth event you’d like to add to this list, email dosborn@usatodayco.com with a brief description of the event as shown below.
What makes this July 4 different
Some may remember the bicentennial in 1976, when America celebrated its 200th birthday.
Events are planned locally and nationwide for America 250, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration. USA Today, the parent company of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press, for more than a year has covered the 250th history with its series USA 250, including stories online now and more to come.
While there were no Revolutionary War battles fought in Southwest Florida, the region played a key role in forging the nation through events earlier in 2026 like the Great Florida Cattle Drive.
The seven-day adventure and reenactment was aimed at driving about 300 cattle along a historic route just east of the Kissimmee River. The ride happens every five years, and this year it traced a route through 15 ranches in Okeechobee County.
Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon brought the first seven head of Andalusian stock to Florida in 1521.
As America approaches 250 years old, handling cattle has been a part of state lore for more than 500 years. And the American Revolution began north of Florida yet some may not know the state’s role in the nation’s founding.
Spain in 1763 traded Florida to Great Britain for the control of Havana, Cuba, which the British captured during the Seven Years’ War. The British then divided and consolidated the Florida provinces into East Florida and West Florida.
“Florida was tremendously important in the American Revolution, even though few people know about its role,” said Kathleen DuVal, Ph.D., a University of North Carolina history professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, told the Daily News in a 2025 story.
Neither East Florida nor West Florida sent any representatives to Philadelphia to draft the Declaration of Independence. Florida remained a Loyalist stronghold during the American Revolution.
Even so, Florida pulled British resources away from the fight against the 13 colonies, DuVal said, and that’s crucial.
“The British could not afford to lose any more of its most valuable colonies, so they decided to end the war and accept the independence of the 13 colonies.”
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Where to celebrate in Lee County
CAPE CORAL
Red, White and Boom: Annual Cape Coral event, from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, draws thousands especially for fireworks that begin at 9:30 p.m. Food, vendors and live musical acts. Free. Tickets for the VIP Boom Zone are $20-$40, including catered barbecue meal, drinks, a game area, prime viewing of the fireworks and air-conditioned restrooms. The event is in downtown Cape Coral at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge, which along with Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. Saturday to about 3 a.m. Sunday, July 5. No pets or personal fireworks allowed. capeboom.com
FORT MYERS
Downtown Fort Myers 4th of July Celebration: From 6-10 p.m., enjoy live music, deejay, capped off with fireworks at 9:45 p.m., weather permitting. Bring chairs and blankets. Saturday, July 4. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater and Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. For more on parking and other information, visit myriverdistrict.com.
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach Fourth Festivities: After a year hiatus, the Fort Myers Beach July 4 parade returns. The parade makes its way down Estero Boulevard and starts at 10 a.m. at the Bay Oaks Recreation Center, continuing down the boulevard to Times Square. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to inbound traffic from 8:30-11:30 p.m.
ESTERO
4th of July Celebration: Go back in time at this Estero Historical Society event from 9-10:30 a.m. It’s the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence with historian Jacob Winge in full period costume. The free celebration also includes fresh watermelon slices, a patriotic fire truck display with a large American flag and 250th Celebration bags from the Village of Estero. It’s at the Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. Estero. esterohistoricalsociety.com/event/annual-4th-of-july-celebration
LEHIGH ACRES
Freedom Fest: Celebrate Independence Day with the community’s sixth event, featuring fireworks live bands, food, vendors and more. 5-9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. The event is co-hosted by Victory Church and the Southwest Florida Business Alliance. Victory Town Center, 1201 Taylor Lane Extension, Lehigh Acres. More on Facebook or at swflbusinessalliance.com.
SAN CARLOS PARK
4th of July Parade: It begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Sunshine Ace Hardware plaza near Sanibel Boulevard and U.S. 41. It travels along Sanibel Boulevard to Lee Road, San Carlos Boulevard East and Three Oaks Boulevard before ending at Three Oaks Park. Parade participants can enter decorated floats, cars, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles. No registration fee. More on Facebook.
BONITA SPRINGS
Star Spangled Bonita: The annual Fourth of July festival begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 4. It includes food trucks, an ice-cream-eating contest. And like last year, the Ben Allen Band performs and the day ends with a 50-minute drone show, fireworks and laser light spectacular. In past years, Old 41 Road will be closed from 5 p.m. to about 10 p.m. from Wilson Street to Childers Street. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
Fourth of July parade: Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444 hosts the annual parade on Old 41 Road. It includes bands, fife-and-drum corps, floats, military units and more. This year’s parade theme is “Small Town Big Spirit” and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. The parade travels along Old 41 Road between Rosemary Drive and Kentucky Street in downtown Bonita Springs. The parade route will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until after the parade. For more information, call Tyler Bess at (239) 301-8402 or visit bonitaspringsparade.com.
Only here
Florida is a destination, especially for its beaches and Gulf sunsets. It’s just one attraction to Southwest Florida that draws so many to its sandy shores year-round.
And the region’s beaches are well-known nationally, often appearing on lists and guides of the best in the U.S.
Southwest Florida also offers a vibrant food scene, with restaurants up and down the coast.
And Lee County is home to many excellent restaurants, including three in Lee County recently earned prestigious MICHELIN Florida Guide honors. Food and drinks offer one way to celebrate freedom.
The county is also home to the Bubble Room on Sanibel Island, known for its tasty cakes. One Fort Myers pizza shop owner even says he’s created what he calls Florida pizza.
Plan your day
Event listed above include specific road and bridge closings and this story will be updated if information changes.
In general, arriving early is usually best for parking and access to fireworks, especially.
As for state laws regarding fireworks, they can be used “solely and exclusively during a designated holiday” by individuals 18 years of age or older, the Lee County sheriff’s website says.
July Fourth is one of the three holidays when they’re allowed in Florida, the others being New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Contact him at dosborn@usatodayco.com and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: July 4: Ultimate guide to fireworks, parades in Lee County
Reporting by Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
