Look! Up in the sky!
No, it’s not Superman. It’s fireworks exploding in the air all over Southwest Florida.
Fireworks, parades and many more events are happening Friday, July 4. Here’s our guide to the biggest things to do in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs and elsewhere in Southwest Florida.
We’ll update this story as more 4th of July events are announced.
NAPLES
Naples Fourth of July Parade
The annual parade starts at the corner of Fifth Street South and Third Street South. Then it proceeds along Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South before ending in front of Naples City Hall. The parade won’t be traveling along Third Street South this year. 9 a.m. Friday, July 4. Downtown Naples. naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/city-naples-fourth-july-parade-and-fireworks
Fireworks at Naples Pier
Bring chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks launch at 9 p.m. Friday, July 4, from near Naples Pier. The fireworks show typically 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. Free. Naples City Pier, 12th Avenue South, Naples. fifthavenuesouth.com/events-calendar
MARCO ISLAND
Marco Island fireworks
Fireworks will launch from a barge off the coast between Tigertail Beach and South Beach. The fireworks can be seen from along Collier Boulevard and Marco’s beach front. No personal fireworks permitted on the beach. Fireworks start at about 9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. cityofmarcoisland.com
BONITA SPRINGS
Star Spangled Bonita
The annual Fourth of July festival features a 48-minute drone, fireworks and laser-light show. Star Spangled Bonita also includes food trucks, an ice-cream-eating contest and live country music by the Ben Allen Band. Starts at 6 p.m. Friday, 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 “Hometown Heroes." Starts at 9 a.m. Friday, 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 Frank Todd at 220-0593 or visit bonitaspringsparade.com .
EVERGLADES CITY
Everglades City traditionally offers the first Independence Day fun with an opening ceremony, parade and a drone shows. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, for festivities then drone show starts at 9 p.m. McLeod Park at Copeland Avenue & Hibiscus Street West, Everglades City. More on Facebook .
ESTERO
Estero 4th of July celebration
The Estero Historical Society hosts its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence with historian Jacob Winge doing the honors in full period costume. The celebration also includes fresh watermelon slices, a patriotic firetruck display and giveaways. 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, July 4. Free. The Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. esterohistoricalsociety.com/event/annual-4th-of-july-celebration
CAPE CORAL
Red, White & Boom on Cape Coral Parkway
Country singer George Birge headlines Cape Coral's Independence Day celebration, which also features fireworks at 9:30 p.m., food, vendors and more live musical acts. 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. 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 outdoor event takes place in downtown Cape Coral at the foot of 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. Friday to about 3 a.m. Saturday. No pets or personal fireworks allowed. capeboom.com
Freedom 5K
Participants run or walk across the Cape Coral Bridge in this annual event. The 5K is 7-10 a.m. Friday, July 4. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and costs $20-$40 (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, live music, vendors, shopping deals and free hamburgers and hot dogs. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, 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' July 4th party includes live music, a deejay and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. (weather permitting). The musical lineup stars with guitarist Tyler Shep at 6 p.m., followed by classic rock, blues and country from the Caloosa River Band at 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets. 6 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater and Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. myriverdistrict.com
Mighty Mussels 4 th of July fireworks show
The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels ends its Friday, July 4, home game with a “fireworks extravaganza” set to patriotic music. Organizers call it the “longest, largest and loudest pyrotechnics show” of the season at Hammond Stadium. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets for the game (fireworks included) are $12-$17. The Mussels are also offering a Fourth of July Family Picnic Special for $87.76, including four game tickets, four concession vouchers worth $12.75 each and a Mighty Mussels fleece picnic blanket. Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, south Fort Myers. 768-4210 or MightyMussels.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 a barbecue buffet, drinks and a deejay. 7-11 p.m. Friday, July 4. $115 admission includes draft beer and wine, food, "swag gifts" and entertainment. $200-$1000 for tables seating two to eight, including a VIP table seating six. Visitors are encouraged to dress in “patriotic casual.” Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. sbdac.com/july-4
Hot Dogs For Heroes block party
City Tavern hosts their annual chili-dog-eating competition to benefit Family Initiative, a local nonprofit that helps youth on the autism spectrum and their families. The block party also includes two deejays, food, drinks and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 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
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach Fireworks and parade
Fort Myers Beach celebrates the holiday with a parade in the morning and a fireworks show and live music at night. The annual festivities start at 10 a.m. Friday, 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, The Guilty Pleasure Band performs at Bayside Park, followed by fireworks launched above Times Square at 9 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring beach chairs. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to inbound traffic from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Times Square and Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
SANIBEL ISLAND
Sanibel Island Independence Day Parade
The annual parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 4, and travels Periwinkle Way from Tarpon Bay Road to Casa Ybel Road. This year’s event helps celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary. It includes local businesses, organizations, community members and decorated vehicles spreading patriotic cheer. Periwinkle will be closed from Donax Street to Tarpon Bay from 9 a.m. to noon. Free. For more information, call Trish Phillips at 246-2981 or visit mysanibel.com/317/Recreation .
Sanibel’s Red, White & 50 Years Bright! community celebration
This 4th of July party features food, music, games and more. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island. 472-0345 or mysanibel.com/317/Recreation
Sanibel Island's 4th of July Road Rally
The nonprofit Friends of Randy of Sanibel returns with the 45th-annual scavenger hunt. Participants drive around the island and find answers to various questions without leaving their vehicles. Teams are scored on the amount of time, mileage and correct answers. The rally starts at noon Friday, July 4 at The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island. This year’s event benefits CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) and pays for kids school supplies via Community Housing Resources. $50 per car to participate. Limited to 50 cars. To register, call Randy Carson at 699-8739 or email him at rcarsonsan@gmail.com.
Sanibel Island fireworks
The annual fireworks display launches from the north end of Baily Road West. Best viewing will be from the Sanibel Causeway islands and bayside, according to organizers. No roadside or illegal parking allowed. 9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. mysanibel.com/317/Recreation
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells) .
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 4th of July: Best places for fireworks, parades in Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island
