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The Fourth of July or Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence (from the colonial rule of Great Britain) on July 4, 1776.
Many Americans will fly the American flag outside their homes to commemorate Independence Day and it is one of the busiest times of year at the theme parks; many of them have extended opening hours.
Details on all events will be updated as they are made known.
No matter where you are in Florida, you will find local Independence Day celebrations both by day and at night
 IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Fireworks at Disney's Epcot
Walt Disney World
There are no special events at Disney's Animal Kingdom but the other parks all have special events planned.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios there is a special Fourth of July Fireworks at 9:00 pm and the Fantasmic! show will be on at 10:30 pm as a grand finale to the evening.
At Epcot, there is the "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" firework and laser show at 10:00 pm with a special holiday inspired finale. During the day, the American Pavilion features tales from historic characters.
The Magic Kingdom will be open until 1:00 am and is putting on a special show entitled "Disney's Celebrate America! - A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky" at 9:00 pm. There will also be two performances of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade, the first at 10:30 pm and the second at 12:30 am.
Universal Studios
There will be three simultaneous firework displays at Universal Studios, Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk starting just before 10:00 pm.
Most of the Universal CityWalk nightclubs will have special entertainment for the evening, cover charges apply.
Downtown Disney
In the place of the Downtown Disney Pleasure Island "Fourth of July Blast" party, there will just be a late night fireworks show starting at 10:30 pm.
North Florida
Celebrations take place both on the North East coast and the Panhandle:
- One of the East coast's largest fireworks shows takes place over the Castillo de San Marcos fort in St. Augustine - to be confirmed
- In Jacksonville, there is usually a 4th of July Liberty Celebration fireworks display from the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
- At Central Park in Fernandina Beach there is Fernandina's July 4th & Families Festival with a parade, concert and fireworks
- "Best Blast on the Beach" at Mexico Beach
- Destin
- River Landing Park in Chattahoochee
- "Independence on the Coast" at Frank Pate Park in Port St. Joe
- Weeki Wachee Springs are expected to "Celebrate America" with a fireworks display at dusk -to be confirmed
Central Florida
Throughout the whole of Central Florida you will find 4th of July celebrations including:
- An all day Lakefest Celebration in St. Cloud
- A special Independence Day Carillon Concert at Bok Tower
- Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebrations in Downtown Mount Dora
- Kissimmee
- Winter Park
- Busch Gardens have not yet announced their plans but in previous years they have a held a concert in Gwazi Park followed by fireworks, starting at 8:15 pm
- Silver Springs are holding a firework display and concert featuring Live Bait - Tribute To Jimmy Buffet, The Lovin Spoonful and country music star Terri Clark
- Tampa by the Florida Aquarium
- Coachman Park in Clearwater with a concert and a fireworks display
- On the Pier in St. Petersburg entertainment runs all afternoon and evening with a variety of entertainers culminating in a fireworks display in Spa Beach Park
- Sanibel Island are expected to have a parade and fireworks display
- Main Street Pier in Daytona Beach
- Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
South Florida
There are lots of celebrations in the Miami area including:
- The Fabulous Fourth at Delray Beach with activities all day ending in a firework display
- The City of South Miami Fourth of July party at Palmer Park
- The Fourth of July Celebration at Miami Beach
- Picnic with the Old Fashioned July Fourth at the Barnacle
- The largest display is the all day Mega Fest at Bayfront Park with Latin American and Reggae acts plus fireworks
- Key Biscayne parade and fireworks
- Cay Clubs 4th of July Fireworks over Blackwater Sound in the Keys
- Village of Islands Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, Islamorada
- Fireworks in Key West at White Street Pier
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