Fourth of July 2024: Here's where to celebrate across Brevard
As summer sizzles and the calendar flips to July, towns across Brevard are gearing up for their annual Independence Day celebrations. From fireworks to parades to patriotic concerts, this year's festivities will illuminate both skies and spirits.
To make the most of your Fourth of July, consider these tips: Arrive early to secure the best viewing spots and pack plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray. Traffic can be heavy, so plan your route in advance and consider carpooling with friends.
Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events, and please note that these events do not all take place on July 4.
Cape Canaveral
Fireworks at Port Canaveral: A fireworks celebration will take place at Port Canaveral from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 5. Fireworks will start after dark. Public viewing will be available in The Cove District and on the lawn of Exploration Tower, 670 Dave Nisbet Drive. Parking in The Cove parking lot will be available at no charge for restaurant patrons until the lot reaches capacity. Additional designated parking areas at Port Canaveral will be available for $15 per vehicle. There will be food trucks, a touch-a-truck zone and entertainment by Michael Van Nes. Bring chairs and blankets. Visit portcanaveral.com.
Cocoa
'Symphony Under the Stars': Brevard Symphony Orchestra will give a free concert at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa, at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Fireworks over the Indian River will follow the concert at 9:15 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is free, but VIP tickets that include a BBQ dinner and reserved seating are available for $60 for Brevard Symphony Orchestra subscribers, $75 for non-subscribers. Call 321-639-3500 or visit brevardsymphony.com or cocoafl.gov.
Cocoa Beach
‘Celebrate America’ concert: The Space Coast Symphony Winds and Chorus will perform at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 3400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, on Sunday, June 30 at 3:30 p.m. The program, “Celebrate America,” will feature favorite patriotic classics including, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the “Star Spangled Banner,” marches from John Phillip Sousa, plus many more. A free ticket is required to attend. Visit riversidepresbyterianchurch.org.
Eau Gallie
Firecracker 5K: The 5K run will start at 7 a.m. Thursday, July 4 in the Eau Gallie Arts District. It begins on Highland Ave. at Eau Gallie Square, travels east over the Eau Gallie Causeway and returns to Eau Gallie Square. There will be red, white and blue popsicles for all finishers, as well as finisher medals, a light breakfast and free beer for ages 21 and older. The cost is $35 for adults or $20 for participants 12 and younger. Visit runsignup.com.
Indialantic
'Salute to America' concert: The community can enjoy a free patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 4, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Drive, Indialantic. Melbourne Municipal Band and Festival Chorus will come together for “Salute to America,” a celebration of our nation’s heritage through song. Held inside the air-conditioned sanctuary of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, the popular event will feature ice cream served before and after the concert. The music will be simulcast in the Fellowship Hall for latecomers. Attendees are invited to remain on the grounds after the concert to view the MelBOOM fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Visit epcfl.org or call 321-723-8371.
Melbourne
‘Celebrate America’ concert: Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will give a concert of patriotic music at the Scott Center for the Performing Arts, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne, on Saturday, June 29 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call 321-252-7276 or visit spacecoastsymphony.org.
Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Melbourne: There will be a Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4 at 10 a.m. starting at the Liberty Bell Museum, 1601 Oak Street. It will travel south on Hickory Street crossing Strawbridge Ave., east on New Haven Ave., and end at Municipal Lane. Side streets that intersect with the parade route will be closed and portions of these streets will be available to local traffic only. Visit melbourneflorida.org.
‘Lifting Up God & Country’: Jesus Is the Key Church hosts this community celebration at Wickham Park Amphitheater, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Activities will include a parade of state flags, jump castles, raffles, hot dogs, ice cones and more. Admission is free. Call 321-773-1489 or visit jitk.org.
MelBOOM Fireworks: The City of Melbourne hosts a fireworks celebration on Thursday, July 4 at Front Street Park, 2205 Front Street, Melbourne. Food trucks open at 4 p.m., and fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to park at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Blvd., and use a free shuttle service to Front Street Park. Three buses will run continuously from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and resume after the fireworks until 11 p.m. Canopies and tents are not allowed. In the event of rain, the fireworks display will be rescheduled to July 5. Admission is free. Call 321-608-7400 or visit melbourneflorida.org or facebook.com/events/686306320254004.
Fireworks viewing at Green Gables: Green Gables, 1501 S Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, will host fireworks viewing on Thursday, July 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. There will be hot dogs, chips and soft drinks available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair. The cost is $10 per car in advance or $15 per car at the door. Alcohol is not allowed. Visit zeffy.com or greengables.org.
Merritt Island
Independence Day parade: The Brevard County Sheriff's Office Charity, Inc. hosts the parade on July 4 at 10 a.m. It starts at Merritt Island High School, 100 Mustang Way, then turns south onto N. Courtenay Parkway and continues until reaching E. Merritt Avenue. The route then turns east, and ends at Edgewood Jr/Sr High School. Call 321-264-7755 or visit bcsocharity.org.
Palm Bay
Independence Day Celebration: The City of Palm Bay’s annual Independence Day celebration will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5, at Eastern Florida State College, 250 Community College Parkway SE, Palm Bay. The event will feature food trucks, vendors, live music with Blue Stone Circle and a kids’ zone with free inflatables, games and face painting. The night will end with fireworks at around 9:15 p.m. No coolers, pets, fireworks, sparklers, drones, or alcohol are allowed, but bring your own chairs or blankets. Call 321-952-3443 or visit palmbayflorida.org.
Port St. John
Thunder over the Indian River: The Port St. John Community Foundation hosts this annual event on Saturday, July 6 starting at 4 p.m. The gate to the event is on Kings Highway, directly across from Capron Road. A fireworks display will start at 9:15 p.m. There will also be live entertainment, bounce houses, games, prizes and more. Admission is free, but for a $10 ticket guests may purchase a wristband for the Red, Hot & BBQ contest. In the event of rain, the event will be postponed to Sunday, July 7. Visit portstjohncommunityfoundation.com.
Rockledge
Independence Day picnic: The City of Rockledge will host an Independence Day picnic at McLarty Park, 790 Barton Blvd., on Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog, chips and a drink for $1. There will also be activities, games, music and more. Call 321-221-7540 or visit cityofrockledge.org.
Suntree
‘Suntree Stars & Stripes’ concert: Melbourne Municipal Band and the Brevard Community Chorus will give a patriotic concert at Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Road, on Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Call 321-242-2585 or visit suntreeumc.org.
Titusville
Red, White and Boom over North Brevard: The City of Titusville will host a free family event in conjunction with the fireworks display on Thursday, July 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy music, food, business vendors and other family friendly activities in Chain of Lakes Park, 2300 Truman Scarborough Way, Titusville. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Admission is free. Visit members.titusville.org.
Viera
Great American Celebration: A spectacular fireworks display is the highlight of this event at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, 6091 Stadium Parkway, Viera, starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit facebook.com/events/280210241498071.
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Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: July 4th in Brevard County: Fireworks, picnics and concerts guide
