As colors flash across the dark sky and fizzle into different formations, you may be thinking of our show KÀ and the glorious pyrotechnics contained within the theater's walls. But we're actually thinking of the Fourth of July in Miami.
Our shows do have some similarities to Independence Day, though. There’s fanfare and cheering. Dazzling lights and colors evoke joy and excitement. And, we’re usually an event that the whole family can love. The biggest difference between us and the holiday in question is that our Miami shows go on longer than a single night.
Taking part in Fourth of July celebrations is one of the best things to do in Miami. We'll break it down for you, showcasing Fourth of July events in Miami ranging from family-friendly celebrations to specialty and unique events that’ll shine brighter than the fireworks in the night sky.
Family-Friendly Celebrations
Summertime is prime family time, and cultivating holiday traditions is a great way to spend it. When the Fourth of July comes blasting into Miami, family events and activities pop up all over the place.These are some of our all-time favorite Fourth of July events in Miami for families.
Zoo Miami
Before heading off to the fireworks, visit Zoo Miami. On Independence Day weekend, it runs an event honoring veterans and active duty military personnel with free admission for the day, and those accompanying them get a 50% discount on admission. It’s a great way to enjoy one of our favorite things to do with kids in Miami.
Meander through almost 750 acres of habitats home to over 2,500 animals from almost 400 species. You might even catch some glimpses of iconic American animals, such as the bald eagle, while you explore.
We recommend toting along swimwear to explore the Ocean Voyage Splash Pad, along with the other water-play areas throughout the park. It’s bound to get hot on a July day in Miami, and these are a great way to cool off quickly.
If you want to see the zoo in style without being on your feet the whole time, you can rent a safari cycle, essentially what you’d get if you crossed a golf cart with a pair of bikes. The whole group can clamber in before you head off on your Zoo Miami safari.
Even better, you won’t hear the familiar kid complaint of “My feet hurt!” while riding in one of these bad boys. They tend to sell out on weekends and holidays, so make sure to reserve one online in advance.
Location: 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177, USA.
Gulfstream Park’s Freedom Fest
Every year, Gulfstream Park hosts its Freedom Fest on the Fourth of July, and there’s no shortage of things to do while you’re there. The party, lasting from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., almost resembles a circus, featuring a DJ playing favorite tunes while stilt walkers, jugglers, and acrobats entertain visitors around the park.
Food can be brought with you, or you can buy it there from numerous stands and trucks. It also has a BBQ buffet, where you can enjoy burgers and brisket, along with other savory grilled dishes.
And your plate comes with more than just a satisfied belly — you’ll also be treated to an elevated view of the fireworks show in the grandstand seating.
The whole event culminates in a stunning fireworks display at 9 p.m. You’ll want to sit on the trackside apron or the grandstand seating area for the best views.
Location: 901 S Federal HWY Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
We love getting in the air and being part of the action, and we live for the sounds of cheering audiences and undeniable spirit and passion in events. That’s why we’ve chosen these sports and outdoor activities as some of our favorites.
With so many Fourth of July events in Miami, it can be hard to decide what to do, but you can’t go wrong with these ideas.
Military Appreciation Day at LoanDepot Park
Baseball is America’s pastime, and we think checking out this quintessentially American game is a great way to spend Independence Day. Fourth of July festivities at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, begin with a game and a fireworks display to wrap up.
Just before and concurrently with the festivities, the stadium holds its annual Military Appreciation Day, offering a discounted ticket package for both active and retired military personnel and their families.
Service members can ring in the day in style with a special military appreciation hat and exclusive access to the pregame parade. Tickets sell out quickly, and typically, only 800 people are lucky enough to stay for the fireworks show.
The celebrations continue on the Fourth of July with the Red, White, and Brew event, a festive ballpark beer tour. If you or your favorite sports fans want to join this exclusive event, you’ll have to start planning early and be on the lookout for announcements for when tickets go on sale.
Location: 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125, USA.
Key Biscayne Parade and Fireworks
In Key Biscayne, special events, including the Fourth of July, are a big deal, and the passion for the day shines through with their celebration. A lively parade along Crandon Boulevard starts things off.
It’s a beloved tradition upheld since 1959 to teach local children the importance of the day and pride in the nation.
Each year, the parade has grown, and now, it’s known as the “Best Lil’ Hometown Parade in South Florida” with around 50 entries. You’ll even catch a glimpse of F-16 Fighting Falcons, a fleet of military jets, flying over the town.
The whole parade starts at 11:00 a.m lasts no more than two hours, and the patriotism and commitment to the tradition shine through to cultivate a wholesome experience. Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to enjoy food, community-style, starting with a free breakfast (who doesn’t love free food?)
Later in the day, the local Kiwanis chapter hosts a barbecue on the Village Green, where community members gather and enjoy a leisurely day of good food and company before the big fireworks show.
Food and Culinary Experiences
Food and festivities go hand in hand, and in Miami, many of these options are sure to leave you drooling. One, however, takes the cake. It turns the Fourth of July weekend in Miami into an all-out celebration for your taste buds.
Smorgasburg Miami’s Giant Fourth of July Cookout
Nothing says the Fourth of July quite like mouthwatering grilled food, and that’s what you’ll get at Smorgasburg Miami’s Giant Fourth of July Cookout. Smorgasburg is the biggest weekly open-air food market in the nation, and it's open every weekend year-round.
For Independence Day, the market brings some of the best food vendors in the city together for a weekend event that foodies won’t want to miss. The lineup can change, but Apocalypse BBQ, ranked as the best barbecue in the city, has been known to grace the food festival with its presence.
Delight in barbecue, ice cream, and other treats to the sound of live music at the event. If you’re looking for some fun, you can try your hand at carnival games or peruse a car show while indulging in good eats to your heart’s content.
Location: 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125, USA
Wow-Worthy Circus Acts!
Get ready to be amazed in Miami! Jaw-dropping Cirque du Soleil performances are just a click away.
Music and Parties
Live music has a way of filling the air with jubilant energy, rousing the crowd, and keeping spirits high while catchy melodies surround them. One of our favorite Fourth of July celebrations in Miami does just this. Here’s one annual event you won’t want to miss if you love music.
A few months after these, the city will be rich with a new party — New Year’s Eve events in Miami.
Independence Day Celebration Concert at Lummus Park
Good music can uplift any celebration, sparking joy in the hearts of those listening, and at the annual Independence Day Fireworks and Patriotic Concert at Lummus Park, that’s exactly what you’ll get.
Artistic director Michael Rossi leads the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Symphony Orchestra and Alumni Division singers in serenading the audience with familiar patriotic tunes. Expect to hear songs such as John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, among others, throughout the show, which begins at 8:30 p.m. on the sand in Lummus Park.
This free concert is particularly spectacular because it starts 30 minutes before the big show. As the music swells, the sky fills with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. We recommend getting there early and bringing a picnic blanket or chairs for comfortable seating.
Location: 1130 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States.
Cultural and Themed Events
We love when communities make holidays and celebrations their own, and Hileah, despite its close proximity to Miami, has its own way of partying the day away. If the festivities in Miami proper are too crowded or busy, try this one on for size.
City of Hialeah Celebrations and Fireworks at Milander Park — From 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
In the city of Hialeah, you’ll find all sorts of Independence Day celebrations leading up to the fireworks show. At Milander Park, you’ll discover a long list of events that keep the fun rolling the whole day.
Guests are treated to live music thrumming in the air to keep their energy high while they savor mouthwatering dishes from a lineup of food trucks.
Enjoy performances by Lenier, Ricky Valido and Marlon Fernandez with jams by DJ A10 and DJ Yus rounding out the fun.
What sets this event apart is that it’s not just a fireworks show. Lasers are thrown into the fray, adding an exciting element to the show. It’s no wonder thousands of people from across South Florida flock to this park.
Location: 4700 Palm Ave, Hialeah, FL 33013.
Specialty and Unique Events
Looking for something to do with a bit more flair? You’ll find it at these specialty and unique events. The following options will fill your day with extravagance and excitement.
Red, White & Boom Bar Crawl at Vivo! Dolphin Mall
Party the day away at Vivo! Dolphin Mall's free concert: the Red, White, and Boom Bar Crawl. As you hydrate over the course of three hours, you can bop and dance along to music performed by live bands and DJs.
You’ll find food trucks ready to dish out phenomenal BBQ fare to stick with the patriotic theme. This event is typically hosted the weekend before the Fourth of July, and you’ll need a ticket to get in. It’s a popular one, so reserve your spot online to avoid being turned away at the door.
Location: 11401 NW 12th St R101, Miami, FL 33172.
Miami Beach Fire on the Fourth Festival
Miami Beach’s Fire on the Fourth celebration is an iconic addition to this list, taking place at 73rd Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. It’s an all-day family affair loaded with events for everyone.
Children can practice their best tricks on a mega obstacle course in the family zone or try their hand at climbing a rock wall. Those looking to skate with grace to the beat of the music can venture into the outdoor roller disco at the Bandshell.
When the sun comes down, the grand finale begins with a beachfront fireworks display that sends sparkles and flashing lights sprawling across the sky. We also love how the city incorporates drones into its show for a truly spectacular show.
The area surrounding the event tends to get crowded quickly, but you can take the free shuttle service or city trolley to the beach to avoid parking issues.
City of Coral Gables Firework Celebration at The Biltmore Hotel
Join the Fourth of July fireworks celebration on the golf course at The Biltmore Hotel in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables. You’ll be able to spend your day marveling at the stunning Mediterranean architecture of the hotel itself as you wander through sprawling greenery and wait for the festivities.
We recommend partaking in some of the delicious concessions on the field while enjoying the 7:00 p.m. concert. All the waiting around will be worth it when the sky lights up.
If you rent a room at the hotel the night before, you can spend your day soaking in the pool and watch the show from the balcony with a panoramic view that also captures fireworks displays from other surrounding areas.
Location: 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
End Your Fourth of July With a Bang: Miami’s Finest Celebrations Await
Independence Day is a big deal, honoring the foundation of a nation. Commemorating it with a bang is just one of many ways to celebrate. In Miami, the festivities go big and bold, just like our shows.
We take everything to the extreme when we perform on stage, telling stories and performing feats that seem impossible to most. But, as the founders of the United States did when they declared the nation’s independence, we dare to dream. After all, it’s the dreamers who inspire.
After the Fourth of July fireworks and festivities, why not keep the fun rolling with one of our shows in Miami? Our shows delight, inspire, and evoke imagination with daring leaps through the air, stories that take you on otherworldly adventures, and stunning soundtracks.