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Where to see Fourth of July fireworks across Tampa Bay

 
Fireworks explode with color over the Nature Coast Freedom Festival in Hernando County. There will be a variety of fireworks displays across the Tampa Bay area for the Fourth of July in 2017. [WILL VRAGOVIC | Times (2009)]
Fireworks explode with color over the Nature Coast Freedom Festival in Hernando County. There will be a variety of fireworks displays across the Tampa Bay area for the Fourth of July in 2017. [WILL VRAGOVIC | Times (2009)]
Published July 3, 2017

Looking for Independence Day fireworks shows in the Tampa Bay area? There are plenty of options, including the massive shows in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and New Port Richey, as well as smaller shows across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Sarasota counties.

With the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday this year, you could even take in one of the shows during the weekend preceding the holiday, and catch another fireworks display on July 4 proper. Here's where to see fireworks around Tampa Bay.

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HILLSBOROUGH

Celebrate Independence Day: Tampa's Channel District celebrates the Fourth of July with live music by Southern Train, entertainment by DJ's Xplicid and Chris Beastly, food trucks, face painting, fireworks (9 p.m.) and appearances by the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls, Thunderbug and the Tampa Bay Rays Street Team. Free. Channelside Bay Plaza, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 345-5885. 6-10 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July Family Funfest: The AmVic holiday family festival features dancing to music by DJ Ian Paul, a kids' zone, face painting, games, arts and crafts and fireworks viewing from the deck of the former WWII supply ship. Plan early. This usually sells out. $13, $7 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free, $10 military/veterans. SS American Victory, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 288-8766. 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July General Fireworks Cruise (Tampa): A two hour cruise with an upscale American buffet, open call bar, DJ dancing and fireworks viewing. $119.95, $89.95 children. Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 223-7999. 7-9:30 p.m. July 4.

Tampa Yankees: July 4 , players and coaches wear special jerseys to be auctioned to benefit Everyday Heroes. Stick around after the game for fireworks. Varies by game. George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa. (813) 673-3055. 7 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July VIP Fireworks Cruise: Celebrate the Fourth of July on the water with a three-hour cruise featuring an upscale American buffet, open premium bar, DJ dancing and a front row view of the fireworks. $139.95, $89.95 children. Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 223-7999. 6-9:30 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July at Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens celebrates July Fourth with a performance by the Actual Bank Robbers (8:30 p.m.), a dance challenge, fireworks display (9:30 p.m.) and extended hours until 10 p.m. Included with admission: $99, $79 ages 3-9, 2 and younger free. Busch Gardens, 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4 .

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Temple Terrace Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks: This year's Grand Marshals for the Temple Terrace hometown parade are the area Boy Scouts. It starts at the corner of Whiteway Drive and Gillette Avenue, moves south to Druid Hills, west to Ridgedale and south to the Temple Terrace Little League Field. Evening festivities kick-off at 6 p.m. on the first fairway of the Temple Terrace golf course with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, 6610 E Whiteway Drive, Temple Terrace. (813) 506-6400. 10 a.m.-9:15 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July at the Aquarium: The aquarium offers extended hours until 9:30 p.m. and a front row seat for the fireworks, family entertainment and all-American themed dinner options for purchase. Included with admission: $24.95, $22.95 seniors, $19.95 ages 3-12, 2 and younger free. Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 273-4000. 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. July 4 .

Plant City Fourth of July: Plant City's family style Fourth of July celebration features games, a rock climbing wall, bungee jumps, corn hole, balloon art, bounce houses, military salute, food vendors, live music by the Daniel Sprouse and the Barrel Band and a fireworks finale. Free, $5 parking. Plant City Stadium & Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1810 E Park Road, Plant City. (813) 659-4255. 6-9:15 p.m. July 4 .

Tampa Red, White and Blue Festival: Celebrate Independence Day with live music on the Riverwalk, Uncle Sam on stilts, face painting, stuffed animal rides, patriotic greyhound petting, most patriotic dressed competition, watermelon eating contest, photo booth, food court, arts and crafts exhibits and fireworks from Channelside. Free. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa. (813) 447-8538. 5-10 p.m. July 4 .

DIRK SHADD | Times (2010)

This year's Fourth of July firworks in downtown St. Petersburg are set to go off at 9 p.m.

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PINELLAS

Birchwood Fourth of July: The Canopy rooftop lounge hosts a Fourth of July party offering a stunning view of St. Petersburg's fireworks and a barbecue pig roast. Cabanas are available for rental. $30. The Birchwood, 340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 240-3534. 4 p.m. July 4 .

Clearwater Celebrates America: Fourth of July: The city's annual Independence Day celebration features children's activities, food, live music by the Coachman Park Pops Orchestra with the Wilsons and a fireworks display between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Free. Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. (727) 562-4700. 4-9:30 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July General Fireworks Cruise (Clearwater): Set sail for a 2.5-hour cruise featuring an upscale American buffet, open call bar, DJ dancing and a view of the fireworks from Coachman Park. $119.95, $89.95 children. Yacht Starship Sensation Dock, 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. (813) 223-7999. 7-10 p.m. July 4 .

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Fourth of July St. Pete Beach: The city will host its annual fireworks around 9 p.m., launched from Upham Beach. For safety reasons, parts of Upham Beach will be closed beginning at 6 p.m. Free. Upham Beach, Gulf Boulevard and 68th Street, St. Pete Beach. (727) 363-9245. 9 p.m. July 4 .

Fourth of July in Downtown St. Petersburg: This year's fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. and can be seen from most of the city's waterfront parks. Afternoon activities include live music, food trucks, children's activities, face painting and a live broadcast from Q105's Flash from 5 to 7 p.m. Weather conditions may bump the start time for fireworks up to 30 minutes or delay the start time up to one hour. Free. Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-7441. 5-9 p.m. July 4 .

Gulfport's Fourth of July: The day starts early with a kids fishing derby casting off from the sea wall adjacent to the recreation center at 8 a.m. Plan on sticking around the beach for the sand sculpting contest (10 a.m.-noon). Because the holiday falls on Tuesday this year, the Fresh Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clear the street for a parade on Beach Boulevard at 6 p.m., but stick around the area for the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Free. Gulfport, along Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. (727) 893-1118. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4 .

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Hometown USA: What a better American way to celebrate the holiday than doing it all at a baseball stadium? Cheer on the Dunedin Blue Jays as they face Daytona in this game with live music and a fireworks finale. Free. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. (727) 812-4530. 6:15 p.m. July 3 .

Largo Fourth of July Celebration: Largo gets set to "Light Up the Park" with this Independence Day celebration including a pie eating contest, T-shirt decorating ($5), inflatables ($10 wristband), food vendors and fireworks. Free, $5-$10 some activities. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. (727) 587-6740. 6-9:30 p.m. July 4 .

Madeira Beach Fourth of July: Madeira Beach celebrates Independence Day with fireworks over Boca Ciega Bay. Best viewing will be from areas around the recreation center and along adjacent sea walls. Free. Madeira Beach Recreation Complex, 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach. (727) 392-0665. 9:15 p.m. July 4 .

Tarpon Springs Fourth of July Fireworks: The fireworks will be launched from Sunset Beach, but the City of Tarpon Springs says the best viewing spot is Howard Park. They're set to go off at "dusk," which is estimated to be 8:30 p.m. Free. Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs. (727) 938-3711. 7:30-8:30 p.m. July 4 .

Clearwater Threshers: July 1 and 3 , stick around for post game fireworks honoring the Fourth of July. $6-$10. Spectrum Field (formerly Bright House Field), 601 N Old Coachman Road, Clearwater. (727) 467-4457. 6:15 p.m. July 1 and July 3 .

Dunedin Blue Jays: July 3 , wear red, white and blue or stars and stripes to the game. The Blue Jays start the holiday early with a post game concert and fireworks. Price varies by event. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. (727) 733-9302. 6:15 p.m. July 3 .

Safety Harbor Fourth of July: Find a good seat at the Marina or the back lawn of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa and enjoy a day of children's activities, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks. Free. Safety Harbor City Marina, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor. (727) 724-1545. 5-10 p.m. July 4 .

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HERNANDO

Fire Cracker Smash'em Up: Brooksville Fourth of July: Hernando County literally smashes up things for the holiday with a demolition derby (7 p.m.), live music and fireworks. $10, $5 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free (demolition derby). $5 parking. Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville, (352) 796-4552. 4 p.m. July 4 .

PASCO

Fourth of July Land O'Lakes: Celebrate Independence Day with food, music, games, bounce houses, crafts and fireworks. Free. Club Connerton, 21100 Fountain Garden Way, Land O'Lakes. (813) 996-5800. 5-9 p.m. July 1 .

Kiafest Main Street Blast: Fourth of July: Greater New Port Richey Main Street hometown Independence Day celebration with music, food, drinks, arts and crafts, classic car cruise-in, games, trolley pull and fireworks. Free. Sims Park, 5547 Main St., New Port Richey. (727) 842-8066. 5-11 p.m. June 30 , noon-11 p.m. July 1 .

Avalon Park West July Fourth Celebration: Includes food trucks, bounce houses, vendors, entertainment and concludes with a firework display at 9 p.m. Free. Avalon Park West Community Center, 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel. 5-9 p.m. July 4 .

SARASOTA

Fourth of July Extravaganza Sarasota: Sarasota celebrates early with a day of games, music and water sports culminating with a fireworks display. Free. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. (941) 487-1917. 5-9:30 p.m. July 1 .

MANATEE

Pier 22 Fourth of July Celebration: Dine directly under the fireworks at Pier 22's Fourth of July celebration with a pig roast, barbecued ribs and an optional open bar. Reservations required. $69.95, $19.95 ages 11 and younger; $30 additional open bar. Pier 22 Restaurant, 1200 First Ave. W, Bradenton. (941) 748-8087. 6-9 p.m. July 4 .

CITRUS

Patriotic Evening: Fourth of July Celebration: The old-fashioned hometown festival in Liberty Park includes live music by Come Back Alice, entertainment, food trucks and a lakeside fireworks extravaganza. Free. Liberty Park, 286 N Apopka Ave., Inverness. (352) 726-2611. 6-10 p.m. July 3 .

-- Compiled by Kelly A. Stefani, Times staff writer

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