Fourth of July is on its way and its time to start planning with your family and friends on where you want to go watch the fireworks. Northeast Florida has a lot of good spots to enjoy a wonderful Independence Day. Here are some of the spots where you can watch an amazing fireworks display. 

Fernandina Beach

On July 4th, there is an annual fireworks display held in downtown Fernandina Beach around 9:30pm. You’ll also find vendors, live music, games and other entertainment in the area. Be sure to stop by the festivities in downtown Fernandina Beach which normally start around 6:00 PM on the fourth of July, depending on the weather and schedule. Call the city of Fernandina Parks and Recreation Office at (904)-310-3361 for more details as the event approaches. 

You can’t go wrong with any of these events, but you’ll find plenty of other activities and exciting things to do while you’re on Amelia Island, so be sure to venture out on the 4th and enjoy the great Independence Day atmosphere! 

Jax Beaches

Do you enjoy walking on the beach and being by the ocean this year for the fourth? Well, you can head down to the beach with some friends, a blanket or a few chairs and watch the annual fireworks show. Shooting off from the Jacksonville Pier, you will be able to enjoy a bright and colorful display of fireworks. After the fantastic display, grab a drink from any of the beach bars: Brix, Ritz, Lynch’s, Shim Sham Room, Hoptinger, Surfer Bar, The Pier, Wreck Tiki Room, or Tavern on 1st. 

Downtown Jacksonville

From 5 pm until 10 pm, the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville will transform into a glistening stage for tons of fireworks, live music, and more. The annual Fourth of July Celebration Downtown includes live performances, family-friendly activities, food and drinks, and fireworks over the river. For revelers who are 21 and up, Jacksonville Landing will be hosting live music with drink specials throughout the evening. The main downtown fireworks will begin at 9:45 pm.

You can see the display from the Riverwalk on either side of the St. Johns. Friendship Fountain is another one of our favorite viewing locations or try the rooftop of Intuition Ale Works.

River City Brewing Co on the Southbank features breathtaking views of the fireworks show on their waterfront deck and indoors in their restaurant. They will have an All-American Cookout style buffet available for guest on the deck+ in the Brew House and regular dining menu in the restaurant. For reservations and info: (904) 398-2299

Riverside Arts Market

This Fourth of July you can celebrate under the bridge with live music, craft beers, food and activities for the whole family! With the fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m. you’ve got the perfect spot to view them! Enjoy live music from Brent Byrd & the Suitcase Gypsies and Mama Blue on the Riverstage from 6 - 9:45 p.m. 

Orange Park

What 4th of July tradition would be complete without Moosehaven’s annual fireworks display and concert event? As part of the Heart of the Community, Moosehaven brings families together on the banks of the St. Johns.  Visitors enjoy warm summer breezes and southern entertainment to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on the Moosehaven campus.

This year’s annual tradition brings Runaway June and Michael Ray to the Moosehaven stage starting at 6:00 p.m.  Come celebrate the day with live entertainment, and plenty of family activities including a kid’s zone, arts/crafts vendors, food and more!  Gates open at 2:00 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine's Fourth of July celebration at the Castillo de San Marcos includes a live music concert and a spectacular fireworks display over the historic bayfront. "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" is one of the biggest and best fireworks displays on the East Coast, featuring 5,000 individual shells exploding as high as 2,000 feet and as low as 100 feet.

Starting at 6:00 p.m., the popular local band The All-Star Orchestra performs a two-hour show of big band and swing music along with patriotic favorites. The concert is free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to bring lounge chairs for seating.

The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., and  St. Augustine has been putting on a spectacular fireworks show on July 4th for the last two decades. Lighting up the sky over the waters of Matanzas Bay, with the Castillos de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions in the foreground, the "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" display is truly unforgettable. Visitors are welcome to line the streets and sit anywhere along the Bridge of Lions and South Castillo Drive to view the fireworks from downtown.

The 20-minute fireworks show is choreographed to sync with a soundtrack of patriotic music over an extensive sound system that carries over the entire bayfront area. The show is produced by Fireworks by Santore, who also produces fireworks shows for such major entertainment venues as Sea World Orlando and Walt Disney World. “Fireworks Over the Matanzas” is one of the best places in Florida to catch fireworks on Independence Day.

Wherever you choose to celebrate Independence Day, get out there and enjoy a great fireworks display!