4th of July: Best places for fireworks, parades, parties in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita
Ready to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang? How about a lot of bangs — all exploding in bright colors across the skies of Southwest Florida?
Fireworks will burst in the air everywhere from Fort Myers to Naples for Independence Day week. Plus there are lots of other ways to celebrate and show your patriotic pride: Parades. Drone shows. Country stars Parmalee. And much more.
Here’s our guide to the biggest events happening on Thursday, July 4, and the rest of the week in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples and elsewhere in Southwest Florida.
We’ll update this story as more 4th of July events are announced.
CAPE CORAL
South Cape Red, White & Booze Pub Crawl
Ride limo buses to four designated areas in downtown Cape Coral and visit 11 different bars and restaurants for drink and appetizer samples. Participants are encouraged to dress in patriotic attire. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, June 29. $20-30. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, under the front entry awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
Red, White & Boom on Cape Coral Parkway
Country stars Parmalee headline Cape Coral's annual Independence Day celebration, which also features fireworks at 9:30 p.m., food, vendors and more live bands (to be announced). 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The outdoor event takes place in downtown Cape Coral near the Cape Coral Bridge. The Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday. capeboom.com
Freedom 5K
Participants run or walk across the Cape Coral Bridge in this annual event. The 5K is 7-10 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and costs $20-$35 (or $15 for the Kids Fun Run, ages 12 and younger). Race starts at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge, 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. freedom5kcc.com
Farmer Joe's 4th of July customer appreciation event
The Cape Coral grocery store celebrates the holiday ― and its customers ― with games, free food and drinks (including hamburgers, Nathan’s Hot Dogs and cotton candy), face painting, a deejay, vendors, shopping deals and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office's Ice Cream Response Unit, VR Truck and Robo Dog. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The parking lot at Farmer Joe’s, 1401 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. farmerjoes.com
FORT MYERS
Downtown Fort Myers 4th of July Celebration
Downtown Fort Myers' annual Freedom Fest block party has been transformed into a concert and fireworks event saluting Southwest Florida's veterans and active military. The 17-piece Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra performs patriotic hits at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 4, followed by fireworks over the Caloosahatchee River at about 9:45 p.m. Free. VIP tickets will also be sold (details to be announced). Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. Edwards Drive will be closed for the event between Monroe and Hendry streets. explorefortmyers.com
4th of July Rooftop Bash at Davis Art Center
Watch downtown Fort Myers’ annual fireworks show from the Davis Art Center’s rooftop sculpture garden. Plus food from Big Nick's Barbecue, drinks and live music from hits cover band Flora. 7-11 p.m. Thursday, July 4. $99 admission includes unlimited beer and wine, food, "swag gifts" and entertainment. $1000 for VIP lounge sections seating six. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. sbdac.com/4th
Fireworks with The Mighty Mussels
The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels end each home baseball game with fireworks from Thursday through Saturday, July 4-6. They're describing their Thursday show as the biggest fireworks display in Hammond Stadium history. The Saturday game also features Bark in the Park; a red, white and blue hat giveaway; and the players wearing custom patriotic jerseys, which will be auctioned to support Keep Lee County Beautiful. Games start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday, July 4-6. $10-$15. Hammond Stadium in the Lee County Sports Complex, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Par, Fort Myers. 768-4210 or milb.com/fort-myers
July 4th Fireworks Dinner Cruise
Cruise the Caloosahatchee River for three hours on the paddle-wheel boat The Capt. JP. Includes dinner, dancing and a view of the fireworks in downtown Fort Myers from the open third deck. 7:30 Thursday, July 4. $100. JC Cruises, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7474 or jccruises.com
Hot Dogs For Heroes block party
City Tavern hosts their fifth-annual chili-dog-eating competition to benefit American Legion Post 38. This block party also includes a deejay, food, drinks and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks. 4-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The chili-dog contest starts at 6 p.m. City Tavern, 2206 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 226-1133 or mycitytavern.com
BONITA SPRINGS
Star Spangled Bonita
The annual Fourth of July festival features a 48-minute drone, fireworks and a laser-light show. The drone show is new this year as part of the city's ongoing 25th-anniversary celebration. Star Spangled Bonita also includes food, an ice-cream-eating contest and live country music by the Ben Allen Band. 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The drone, fireworks and laser-light show starts at dusk. Free. 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
Bonita Springs 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 "America the Beautiful." 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. No coolers or pets allowed in Riverside Park. 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. bonitaspringsparade.com
ESTERO
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
The Estero Historical Society hosts its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence with historian Jacob Winge doing the honors. The event also includes a flag raising, free flags and toys, and free watermelon after the ceremony. 9 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The Estero Historical Society cottage deck, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. esterohistoricalsociety.com/event/annual-4th-of-july-celebration
LEHIGH ACRES
4th of July Firework Show
Lehigh Acres celebrates Independence Day with its fourth-annual fireworks show, plus live bands, grill tents, food trucks, vendors, inflatables, kids activities and more. 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The event is organized by the Southwest Florida Business Alliance. Victory Town Center, 1201 Taylor Lane Extension, Lehigh Acres. 470-5611 or swflbusinessalliance.com
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach Fireworks and parade
Fort Myers Beach brings back its Independence Day fireworks and parade for the first time since Hurricane Ian. The annual festivities start at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, with the parade on Estero Boulevard. Colorful floats and other parade participants travel from Bay Oaks Recreation Center to Times Square. Estero Boulevard will be closed for the parade from 9 a.m. until noon. Later that night, fireworks will be launched at Times Square at 9 p.m. Thursday. Spectators are encouraged to bring beach chairs. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to about 11 p.m. Participants are encouraged to take the Beach Trolley to Fort Myers Beach, since parking will be limited. For more information on the trolley, visit fortmyersbeach.org/trolleyinfo. Times Square and Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
4th of July at Margaritaville
Fort Myers Beach's new Margaritaville resort holds its first Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, including a pop-up bar opening at 7:30 a.m. at the entrance of Fins Up! Beach Club before the Beach's annual 4th of July parade, deejays spinning music starting at 1 p.m. and a Fireworks Cookout at 9 p.m. on the Sunset Terrace with a view of the Beach's fireworks display. Free admission. Food prices vary. All events are open to everyone, not just resort guests. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, 251 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach. 899-4001 or margaritavilleresorts.com
SANIBEL ISLAND
Sanibel Island Independence Day Parade and 4th of July Celebration
The 31st-annual 4th of July parade starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 4, and travels Periwinkle Way from Tarpon Bay Road to Casa Ybel Road. The two-hour parade features local businesses, organizations, community members and decorated vehicles spreading patriotic cheer. It will be followed by "food and fun" at Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 San Cap Road. The 4th of July Celebration takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features hots dogs, gym games, open pools, a stilt walker, a bounce house, face painting and more. Both events are free. There won't be a fireworks display this year, according to the SanCap Chamber. Sanibel hasn't had an official fireworks show since Hurricane Iansanibelcommunityhouse.net/event/31st-annual-independence-day-parade
Sanibel Island's Fourth of July Road Rally
The nonprofit Friends of Randy of Sanibel brings back the 44th-annual scavenger hunt. Participants drive around the island and find answers to various questions. Teams are scored on the amount of time, mileage and correct answers. The rally starts at noon Thursday, July 4 at The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island. This year’s event benefits F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and Community Housing & Resources to support island families with back-to-school supplies. $50 per car to participate. Limited to 50 cars. To register, call Randy Carson at 699-8739 or email him at [email protected].
Star-Spangled Celebration at South Seas
The Captiva Island resort celebrates Independence Day with live music, games, prizes, a beach barbecue and fireworks. The celebration is only open to resort guests, members and owners, but the fireworks can be viewed from other parts of Captiva and Sanibel. 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free to resort guests. Room rates start at $725 per night. More 4th of July events are planned for guests through July 6. Sunset Beach at South Seas, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva. 888-974-0885 or southseas.com
SAN CARLOS PARK
San Carlos Park 4th of July parade
The annual parade starts at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4, at Sunshine Ace Hardware plaza at a corner of Sanibel Boulevard and U.S. 41. Then 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 “anything that walks or rolls,” including decorated floats, cars, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles. Candy will be thrown to children along the parade route. Organized by Lindsay Collins and the San Carlos Park Fire Department. No registration fee. To register or for more info, call Collins at 265-4412.
LABELLE
LaBelle 4th of July Community Celebration and fireworks
The annual Independence Day event includes fireworks, food, live music, vendors, a kids area, water slides, a raft-making contest and a parade kicking off the party at noon. The event takes place noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Fireworks start at dusk. Free. Barron Park, 1559 De Soto Ave., LaBelle. 863-675-2872 or facebook.com/swampcabbagefestival
NAPLES
Naples Fourth of July Parade
The annual parade starts at Eleventh Avenue South and Third Street South and then proceeds along Third Street South, Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South before returning to Eleventh Avenue South. 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 4. Lineup starts at 8 a.m. Fifth Avenue South will be closed off to traffic between Third Street and Eighth Street South. Downtown Naples. naplesgov.com
Fireworks at Naples Pier
Bring chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks launch Thursday, July 4, from a barge just west of Naples Pier. The fireworks show lasts about 30 minutes and can be seen from all along the Naples beach. Personal use of fireworks and sparklers is prohibited. Parking is limited, so visitors are urged to plan ahead and find parking on the street or in downtown parking garages; or to walk, take bicycles or use a ride service. Fireworks launch at about 9 p.m. Free. Naples City Pier, 12th Avenue South, Naples. fifthavenuesouth.com/event-calendar/fireworks-at-naples-pier-2
Drones in Paradise at Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Didn't have enough patriotic fun on 4th of July? Then head to Paradise Coast Sports Complex on Saturday, July 6, for a spectacular drone show featuring hundreds of small, lighted drones making colorful designs and animations in the air. The event also features bounce houses, remote-control cars, laser tag, face painting, a deejay, an outdoor screening of the movie "Night at the Museum" and more. 6-11 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Free. Drone show starts promptly at 9 p.m. No outside food and beverages allowed, but it will be sold in the complex. Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. 252-4386 or playparadisecoast.com
MARCO ISLAND
Marco Island fireworks
Fireworks will launch off the coast of Residents’ Beach at about 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The fireworks can be seen from along Collier Boulevard and Marco’s beach front. No personal fireworks permitted on the beach. Public parking is located at the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Swallow Avenue. Metered parking is $8 per car. Parking on the streets or swales in the South Beach area is prohibited. 642-0575 or cityofmarcoisland.com
EVERGLADES CITY
Everglades City Independence Day celebration
The annual event kicks off 4th of July almost a week early in Collier County. The day starts with an opening ceremony and a parade with the theme "Flying the Flag." That's followed by kiddies' contests (including “Little Miss and Mister FireCracker” for best-dressed), hot dogs, vendors, prizes for the best parade entries and then fireworks. 10 a.m. to about 10 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. McLeod Park at Copeland Avenue & Hibiscus Street West, Everglades City. visitevergladescity.com/event/parade-and-fireworks
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: July 4th fireworks in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs
