If you’re in Orlando this Fourth of July, you’re in for a treat! This year marks America’s 250th birthday, and the theme parks are celebrating this milestone in style. Whether you’re inside a park or seeking a great spot to watch the fireworks without needing a ticket, there are plenty of events happening this weekend.
Here’s a complete guide on where to be and when.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom is the big one. Disney’s Celebrate America, A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky runs July 3 through July 5, with fireworks at 9 p.m. each night. Get your spot early, about two hours before showtime if you can, because it gets packed fast. You can also watch from nearby resort hotels or with a dining reservation outside the park if you don’t have a ticket.
At EPCOT, Luminous: The Symphony of Us runs at 9 p.m. as usual, but this year it’s immediately followed by a special five-minute patriotic finale called The Heartbeat of Freedom, with red, white, and blue lighting and a big fireworks burst to close out the night.
Hollywood Studios is running Fantasmic at around 9:05 p.m., but there’s no patriotic theming added to it this year. Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs don’t have nighttime fireworks shows.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal is going all out across the whole resort this year.
Universal Studios Florida starts celebrating at 5:15 p.m. with live entertainment, a DJ, and stilt walkers. The Universal Mega Movie Parade rolls at 6 p.m., CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular fires off at 9 p.m. with fireworks, drones, projections, and fountains, and a bonus pyrotechnic display wraps things up over the lagoon at 10 p.m.
Epic Universe, the resort’s newest park, is hosting its own Fourth of July party in Celestial Park starting at 5 p.m., with a special fireworks display over the Cosmos Fountain at 9 p.m. and the nightly fountain show following at 10.
Islands of Adventure is running the Hogwarts Always projection experience from dusk to 10 p.m. with minimal fireworks tied to the Harry Potter theming.
Over at CityWalk, live music starts at 5 p.m. with American Sirens, followed by a DJ at 8 p.m. and patriotic performers throughout the night.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld is presenting its Ignite fireworks show with a patriotic finale expected around 10 p.m. It’s one of the only parks where you can actually reserve seating for the fireworks, and there’s a VIP Happy Hour option with tapas and drinks if you want to go all out.
Beyond the Theme Parks
Fun Spot America is doing fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at both its Orlando and Kissimmee locations, with no admission fee required.
Legoland Florida, about 45 minutes out, is hosting its Red, White and Boom event with extended hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a 12-minute fireworks show over Lake Eloise at park close. They’re handing out special viewing glasses starting at 7:45 p.m. that make the fireworks look like LEGO bricks.
SunsetWalk in Kissimmee is throwing a massive patriotic party starting at 4 p.m. and running until 11:30 p.m., with a laser show, confetti storm, LED performers, and fireworks. The town of Celebration is also hosting its Star Spangled Spectacular at Celebration Town Center, with live music all evening and fireworks going off at 9:20 p.m.
There’s honestly no bad option this year. Pick your spot, get there early, and enjoy the show.
