Celebrate America Concert
Gather under the Heritage Tree on the downtown lawn for the Celebrate America Concert at Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Boulevard, Venice, on Friday, July 3, 6 to 9 p.m. The free event serves as the lead-in to the CoolToday Park fireworks and features a three-hour headline set by country artist Chas Collins. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Downtown Wellen restaurants and shops. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Outside coolers, personal fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited. For details, visit wellenpark.com or call 941•960•7805.
Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years
The City of North Port invites the community to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial at the “Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years” on Saturday, July 4, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18800 West Villages Parkway. Presented by Dragonfly Dental, this free Independence Day celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring the presentation of colors by Imagine School at North Port Young Marines, the National Anthem performed by Jennifer Montalvo, a flyover by the Gulf Coast Raptors Formation Flight Team, and remarks from City officials. Families can enjoy live music from J&R Fusion and the Dukes of Brinkley, alongside activities like a complimentary Patriotic Play Zone, a community art mural, a touch-a-truck zone, merchandise vendors, and local food trucks. Stadium and lawn seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees watching from the lawn are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for the spectacular fireworks finale. Parking is free, and attendees can text FREEDOM26 to 888-777 to receive event-related safety updates. For more information, visit NorthPortFL.gov/FreedomFestival or call 941•429•7000.
A traffic management plan has been established to support safe entry throughout the evening to the Freedom Festival. From North Port: Vehicles traveling from the City of North Port and from the East must use West Villages Parkway as the primary entry route. Additional access is available via Mezzo Drive, Merlot Ave and Playmore Blvd., which also provide convenient entry to the event area. Playmore Blvd. will be closed from 9-9:30 p.m. for the fireworks show, weather permitting. From Venice: Vehicles traveling from Venice and from the West may enter through Preto Blvd. and turn left onto Playmore Blvd. to access the event location. River Road/Manasota Beach will be open and monitored by PD.
A traffic management plan has been established to support safe exit throughout the evening from the Freedom Festival. To North Port: Travel north on West Villages Parkway and make a right at US 41. To Venice: Travel north on West Villages Parkway, make a left on Playmore Blvd., then make a right on Preto Blvd. and finally make a left on US 41.
Independence Day at Fishermen’s Village
Fishermen’s Village hosts its Independence Day Holiday Celebration on Saturday, July 4 with festivities beginning at 12 p.m. The annual July 4th Freedom Swim kicks off the day at 10 a.m., starting from Sunseeker and ending at Fishermen’s Village. Family-friendly activities on the promenade include fairy hair, temporary tattoos, and a patriotic display by the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Live music will be featured throughout the day across multiple stages, leading up to a fireworks display over the water at 9 p.m.. King Fisher Fleet will also offer a sunset and fireworks cruise departing at 7:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Fishermen’s Village is located at 1200 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. For event details visit fishermansvillage.com or call 941•575•3007.
Fourth-Fest 2026
Celebrate the holiday at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda, during Fourth-Fest 2026 on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 3 p.m.. The free event features Water-Mania waterslides, vendors, festival food, and refreshments, concluding with a fireworks show over the harbor. Earlier in the day, the Charlotte Harbor July 4th Boat Parade departs from Laishley Marina, 52 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, at 11 a.m. Boaters are welcome to participate, and spectators can watch from the shoreline. Attendees should bring blankets or low lawn chairs for the fireworks show, and early arrival or rideshare is recommended due to limited parking. Outside coolers, personal fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited. For information, visit puntagordafireworks.com or call 941•628•0702.
Siesta Beach Community Fireworks Display
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Independence Day fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Siesta Public Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. The community-funded display launches at dusk, around 9:15 p.m., from the north end of the beach near the volleyball courts. Attendees can view the show from anywhere along the sand at Siesta Beach or Crescent Beach, and are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. This free public event is part of the nationwide America250 Semiquincentennial celebration honoring 250 years of American independence. For more information, email [email protected] or call 941•349•3800.
Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Selby Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will host its annual Fourth of July All-American Cookout on Saturday, July 4, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at its Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. This rain-or-shine Independence Day celebration features family-friendly lawn games, a mesmerizing performance of the Spheres Bubble Show by Blaise Rhynds, and a spectacular fireworks finale overlooking Sarasota Bay. A variety of local food vendors will be on-site selling smoky barbecue favorites, frozen treats, and festive summer sweets. Admission is $35 for adults, with event parking available for $20. General admission guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and bug spray, and tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 941•366•5731 or by visiting selby.org.
