Fireworks Near Me: Tampa's July 4th, 2022

TAMPA, FL — After two years of cancellations and modifications, residents in cities and counties across the country are looking forward to many of the traditional Independence Day activities that mark the summer holiday.

Boom By The Bay

Boom by the Bay will be back and bigger than ever, said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor of the signature event she began in 2019 after she was elected mayor.

Sponsored by TECO, Boom by the Bay, will return on Monday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., featuring three fireworks displays along Tampa’s waterfront, including the largest one yet along Bayshore Boulevard over Tampa Bay.

It will feature an entirely remastered show curated by Magic in the Sky, the same pyrotechnic company that works with Busch Gardens.

Several parks and local hotspots around Tampa’s downtown will be activated throughout the day, offering family-friendly activities, music and more. In addition to fireworks, residents will be able to enjoy food trucks, live music, a water ski show, family-friendly activities and more along Tampa’s downtown waterfront. Activities will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This year’s fireworks displays will be concentrated in three locations.

Attendees can watch the fireworks light up the night sky at dusk from:

• Bayshore Boulevard (south of Davis Islands Bridge)
• Sparkman Wharf
• Armature Works

Note: There will be no fireworks at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Julian B Lane Riverfront Park or the Tampa Convention Center this year.

There will be a large banner, located in Curtis Hixon Park, for people to sign and offer their thanks and well wishes to the Bolts for their historic run for the Stanley Cup.

“Boats will be decked out in red, white and Bolts blue while competing for most patriotic boat and best-decorated Lightning boat!” said MaryBeth Williams, executive director of Friends of the Riverwalk. “We will also provide prize bags for all registered boaters. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate both the holiday and our Tampa Bay Lightning.”

“This year’s team battled back countless times and came so close to hoisting the Stanley Cup for the third year in a row,” Castor said. “They truly made us Champa Bay proud. The Bolts gave us everything they had. This is just one way the community can say thank you for the season.”

“TECO is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor for Mayor Jane Castor’s Boom by the Bay,” TECO Director of External Affairs Josh Baumgartner said. “We look forward to a memorable, patriotic and family-friendly Fourth of July that our entire community can enjoy.”

“We could not be more excited to announce the return of this BOOMing Tampa tradition,” Castor said. “Bringing our community together to celebrate is what we do best, and what better occasion than the Fourth of July? We’re looking forward to a fun and patriotic day, topped off by a massive fireworks show you won’t want to miss.”

Other sponsors and partners include:

• Tampa’s Downtown Partnership
• Coca-Cola Beverages Florida
• US 103.5
• 95.7 The BEAT
• 93.3 FLZ
• Sparkman Wharf
• Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority
• Friends of the Riverwalk

For more information about Mayor Jane Castor’s Boom by the Bay presented by TECO, click here or text BOOM to 888-777 to receive special notifications about Boom by the Bay.

To see a full schedule of activities and a map of events, click here.

Fourth Of July Boat Parade

Celebrate July 4 with Friends of the Riverwalk as it hosts its second annual July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet at 6 p.m.

The parade route will be similar to the holiday light boat parade, starting at Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive and proceeding up the Hillsborough River, but will include a poker run and a blessing station.

The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began years ago, but is still practiced in many fishing and boating communities around the world to ensure a safe and bountiful season. There will be one location at Sparkman Wharf for boats to receive a blessing. Boats simply need to drive by the station to receive their blessing.

Boats will be decked out in red, white and blue and compete for the most patriotic boat trophy.

Registered boaters will partake in a poker run for a chance to win a grand prize and several other prizes. The boat parade will be followed by fireworks displays at Sparkman Wharf.

Registration of $50 is required to participate in the boat parade. Spectators are free.

Register your boat here.

Armature Works July 4 Celebration

Spend your Independence Day at Armature Works, 1910 Ola Ave., in downtown Tampa.

Presented by My Doctor's Live and benefiting K9s For Warriors, festivities will include a large-scale riverfront concert starting at 4:30 p.m., a big fireworks display overlooking downtown Tampa at 9:15 p.m., a Friends of the Riverwalk Boat Parade at 7 p.m., a hot dog-eating competition at 4 p.m., kids zone with bounce houses and face painting and American-inspired art that will be auctioned off during the event.

The celebration kicks off at 3 p.m. and will continue through 10 p.m.

Preferred fireworks seating available for purchase with VIP and general admission tickets.

Click here for tickets.

Star-Spangled Sparkman

Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, is celebrating Independence Day with Star-Spangled Sparkman, a community event with entertainment for all ages. In celebration of the city of Tampa’s Boom by the Bay, guests will have a waterfront view of the fireworks show at one of Tampa Bay’s prime viewing locations.

The festivities kick off on Monday, July 4, at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities including live entertainment, a game zone on the wharf by Busch Gardens, roaming entertainment, food and beverage specials.

Guests will enjoy optimal viewing of the annual Blessing of the Fleet, followed by the Boat Parade and Water Ski Show presented by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk. The evening will conclude with the firework display.

The event is free and open to the public. Sparkman Wharf will be limiting capacity, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Star-Spangled Sparkman offers a variety of festive food, drinks and photo ops. Outside food, beverages, personal fireworks and chairs are not permitted.

Star-Spangled Sparkman is presented by the Lightning Family Foundation, Port of Tampa, Yacht Starship, Asher Residence, Cora Residence, Heron Residence, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa Marriott Water Street, Pepin Distributing Inc. and Splitsville.

Schedule:

• 11 a.m. — Sparkman Wharf opens
• 4 p.m. — Star Spangled Sparkman begins
• 5 to 9:30 p.m. — DJ music
• 6 p.m. — Boat parade and water ski show presented by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk
• 9:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m — Fireworks show

Temple Terrace 47th Annual 4th Of July Parade

The city of Temple Terrace will host its 47th annual Independence Day parade and fireworks Monday, July 4.

Presented by TECO, the parade through the city will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature floats by community groups, businesses, civic organizations and local dignitaries, as well as a special appearance by the C. Leon King High School Marching Lions.

The grand marshal for the parade will be Faith Smith, a parent liaison aide at Temple Terrace Elementary School who recently was named the Excellence in Education Instructional Support Person of the Year by the Hillsborough Education Foundation.

The parade begins at Whiteway Drive and Gillette Avenue. It will then run south to Druid Hills Road, west to Ridgedale Road and south to the Temple Terrace Little League fields. Parking is allowed on any side street that doesn't have "No Parking" signs.

The festivities will resume at 6 p.m. on the first fairway of the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave., where Charlie Imes and the Sundogs will return for a second year to provide the musical backdrop to the evening festivities.

There will be food trucks, children's activities and entertainment, including 2020 Best of the Bay winner magician Cory VanValin, all leading up to a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

Sponsors are TECO; Realtor Joanne Kelley; Advent Health; MOSI; Ward-Mitchell Civil Trial Attorneys; Temple Terrace Area Republican Club; Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club; Embassy Suites Hotel - USF; Uptown Chamber of Commerce; Jersey Mike's; Foxtail Learning; Eye Candy; Temple Terrace Area Democrats; Angela Birdsong; Pinch A Penny; Target; AAMCO Zephyrhills; and the TempleTerrace Arts Council.

Watch The Fireworks From The Bay

What better place to watch Tampa’s largest fireworks show than on the water? Cruise with the Lost Pearl pirate ship for swashbuckling good time and a bounty of booty.

The Fourth of July cruise will depart from the Pirate Water Taxi Home Dock Stop 7 at the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa at 8:30 p.m. and return at 10 p.m.

The 90-minute pirate-themed cruise will have a cash bar and snacks available.

Click here to book passage.

Tickets for adults and children are $75 plus tax, a marine fee and a $5 service charge. Children under age 2 are welcome aboard for free.

Busch Gardens Fireworks Show

Busch Gardens will light up the sky with a colorful pyrotechnics show featuring fireworks, fountains and special effects on the Festival Field July 1 to 4, at 9:15 p.m. on the Festival Field. The fireworks show is included with admission.

While at Busch Gardens, enjoy entertainment including the all-new Gwazi Beats show with drums, dancers and stilt walkers, party with DJs at three locations and catch the return of the Cirque Electric show.

Additionally, guests ages 21 and up can enjoy two complimentary 7-ounce beers at Pantopia Drinks & Snacks. Click here.

Fourth Of July At Food Park

Listen to music by DJ Classixx, participate in arts and crafts and feast on food from six food trucks including Al Stilo Peru, the Latin Dug Out, Lenos, Total Tacos, Villa Colombia Chicken and La Fritanga de Tonita on Saturday, July 2 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Tampa Food Park, 5226 Gunn Highway. Click here.

Celebrate At MacDinton's

MacDinton’s SOHO, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, is expanding its the Fourth of July celebration to two days, July 3 and 4 starting at 11 a.m. Enjoy drink specials all day, a cookout and a contest for the most patriotically dressed at 10:30 p.m. both days with a $250 prize. Click here.

Fourth Of July Dance Party

Hallback’s, 4103 State Road 574, Plant City, will host an all-genre dance party with music by DJ Triple X Sunday, July 3 from 3 to 9 p.m. The cost is $15 for women and $20 for men. There will be a food and cash bar. Click here for tickets.

Independence Day At History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa, will celebrate the Fourth of July with costumed reenactors representing several eras of American military history. Interpreters will share hands-on displays of artifacts, uniforms, crafts and music. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. Admission is $5.