4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN AVALON PARK

July 4th: Celebrate America's birthday with an apple pie baking contest, 5K race, bike parade, bounce house park, food trucks, community performances, live music and more. Start the day with the Firecracker 5K at 8 a.m. and run, walk, stroll or roll through Town Park. Downtown Avalon Park, 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando. 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 407-658-6565. avalonparkorlando.com

CLERMONT'S RED, WHITE AND BOOM!

July 4th: Gather family, friends and neighbors at Waterfront Park and vie for first place in contests celebrating American culture, including pie eating and a most patriotic dress contest. Enjoy live music and treats from local food trucks and end the evening with fireworks over Lake Minneola. 5:00-9:30 p.m. 330 3rd St. 352-708-5989. clermontfl.gov

FIREWORKS AT THE FOUNTAIN

July 4th: Gather at Lake Eola for this 47th annual event. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be family fun with live music, kids' activities and food and drink vendors. At 9:10 p.m., there will be a fireworks display with patriotic music performed live by the Orlando Concert Band. WKMG News 6 will broadcast and stream the celebration live starting at 8 p.m. at Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St. orlando.gov/Events/Fireworks-at-the-Fountain-2024

Haines City Thunder on the Ridge

July 4th: Each year, artists take to the stage for a full day of live music, followed by the largest fireworks display in Polk County. Stroll past the arts and crafts and food vendors, visit the beer garden and let the kids participate in family-friendly activities. 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave. 863-421-3700. hainescity.com

INDEPENDENCE DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED

July 4th: A full day of celebrations beginning with the Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m., followed by the Independence Day Spectacular with DJ, live music by Audio Exchange, fun activities and specialty items for purchase at Celebration Town Center from 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., fireworks at 9:20 p.m., 407-566-1200. celebration.fl.us

LEESBURG'S STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR

July 4: Lake County's largest fireworks display takes place over Lake Harris at Venetian Gardens, capping a full day of patriotic family fun with a children's play area, festive food, live music and more. 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m., 201 E. Dixie Ave., 352-728-9786. leesburgflorida.gov

LEGOLAND RED, WHITE & BOOM!

Fourth of July: Be patriotic with special food and drink options during the day and watch one of Central Florida's most unusual fireworks displays at night. Special viewing glasses magically transform the fireworks into 3D LEGO bricks. Included with park admission. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven. 877-350-5346.
legoland.com

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS IN MOUNT DORA

July 3-4: “Freedom on the Waterfront” on Wednesday is a community gathering that ends with a fireworks display over Lake Dora. Fireworks begin as the sun goes down. 5-10 p.m. Keep the patriotic fire burning for the Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. Thursday, which begins at the corner of Donnelly Street and Seventh Avenue. Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St. 352-735-7183. mountdora.com

MELBOOM 2024 FIREWORKS IN MELBOURNE

July 4: This city east of Orlando hosts an Independence Day celebration at Claude Edge Front Street Park, which can be viewed from the beach about two miles away and from boats in the Indian River Lagoon, as well as from the riverfront park itself. 9 p.m., 2205 Front St., Melbourne. 321-608-7400. melbourneflorida.org

Oviedo Independence Day: FIREWORKS July 6: Oviedo Free Fireworks at Oviedo Mall. 9 p.m., 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. 407-971-5590. cityofoviedo.net

SEAWORLD 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4th: SeaWorld's July 4th celebration includes a massive fireworks display over the central lake, synchronized to patriotic music, and visible throughout the park. Included with admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

STAR-TRANSLATED SANFORD

July 4: Historic Downtown Sanford hosts one of Central Florida's largest Independence Day celebrations, with food and drink vendors, a children's playground, entertainment, live music and a pyrotechnics show that will see thousands of colorful grenades explode to patriotic music. The party will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sanford Riverwalk and Fort Mellon Park. Fireworks over Lake Monroe are scheduled for 9:15 p.m. on East Seminole Boulevard. 407-243-8494. historicdowntownsanford.com

SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS IN COCOA

July 4: Gather at the Indian River Lagoon for the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's annual free Fourth of July pops concert and fireworks in the city of Cocoa. Bring a blanket or chairs. A VIP experience includes the BSO's Red Hot & Boomin' BBQ before the concert. The concert begins at 8 p.m., the fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa. 321-242-2024. brevardsymphony.com

TAVARES 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: America's Seaplane City celebrates Independence Day at Wooton Park on Lake Dora with a parade, fireworks, food trucks, a family fun zone, live entertainment and more. 5 p.m. Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St. 352-742-6338. tavares.org

WINTER GARDEN 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4: The celebration begins with a free pancake breakfast for kids before the 20th annual All American Kids Parade at 10 a.m. Come back at 6 p.m. for the Party in the Park, a free gathering with live music, family activities and more. The evening ends with the fireworks display over Lake Apopka at 9:15 p.m. Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave. 407-656-4111. wgfl.gov

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN WINTER PARK

July 4: The city's 29th annual Fourth of July celebration features the sights, sounds and flavors of summer with music from the Bach Festival Brass Ensemble and Choir (at 10 a.m.) and School of Rock Orlando. Enjoy free cookies, mini cakes and water, plus travel fans and red, white and blue beaded necklaces. Explore the free Kids' Zone with carnival games, bounce houses, a balloon artist and more in the West Meadow. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Central Park, 11 S. Park Ave. 407-599-3342. cityofwinterpark.org

GREAT PATRIOTIC CONCERT OF THE AMERICAN BIG BAND

July 13: Wear red, white and blue and sing along to patriotic music, including iconic songs by Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway and Gene Krupa. 7:30 p.m. The Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. ritztheatersanford.com

Busch Gardens Summer Nights

Through August 11: Party zones with exclusive summer food and drink menus take the theme park experience to the next level. Join in the dance parties and stay for the spectacular fireworks show on select nights. Included with admission. Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386. buschgardens.com

LEGOLAND SUMMER BRICK PARTY

Through August 11: It's like a street party, get it? With building blocks! Celebrate summer with all-new shows, favorite costumed characters and seasonal food and drinks at the kids' theme park. Included with park admission. LEGOLAND Florida Resort, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346. legoland.com

Photo courtesy of Leu Gardens.

Fairy Doors in Leu Gardens

Through August 25: Enter the enchanting world of fairies and explore the 20 whimsical entrances designed for each fairy's personality. Search for the doors throughout the garden's 50 acres. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry at 5 p.m. Included with general admission. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T, the newest nighttime entertainment at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, officially debuted in the skies above Disney Springs on May 24, 2024. Guests will watch as 800 drones magically form various Disney characters in the sky, including Baymax from Disney's “Baymax: Giant Hero.” Some of the most popular characters stand nearly 400 feet tall. The limited-time show runs through August 2, 2024. (Olga Thompson, photographer)

DISNEY DREAMS THAT COME TRUE

Through September 2: This spectacular will see 800 drones dance through the night sky over Lake Buena Vista accompanied by iconic Disney music, creating images of favorite Disney characters from Toy Story, Peter Pan, Up, the Star Wars saga and Big Hero 6. The viewing points are located on the west side of Disney Springs, along the boardwalk between the Cirque du Soleil Theater and Aerophile – the world leader in balloon rides. Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-5277. disneysprings.com

SEAWORLD BANDS, BEER & BBQ

July 6 – August 25: Weekends are hot and tasty at this festive, family-friendly celebration with live concerts, barbecue and specialty beers. Included with admission. SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550. seaworld.com

The Mecum Florida Summer Special auction (p. 112) will be held in Kissimmee from July 10-13. Pictured above is a 2005 Ford GT that sold for $456,500 in 2023. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

MECUM FLORIDA SUMMER SPECIAL 2024

July 10-13: Mecum Auctions comes to town with 1,500 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, exotics, hot rods and customs, covering all categories for the car nut in the family. Register for bidding and consignments at mecum.com. 8 a.m. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. 321-697-3333. ohpark.com

THE 3RD ANNUAL VAUDEVILLE SPECTACULAR

July 13: The LCO Chamber Pops Orchestra and Big Band has found a niche with its variety show, bringing back singer Shelley Keelor ​​with a new performance. Other performers include Flamenco del Sol, violinist Lisa Ferrigno, guitarist Jason Aylward and aerialist Toni Chandler. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603. drphillipscenter.org

MARCO LUQUE IN DILATADOS

July 14: The actor and comedian takes the stage with his pals Mustafary, a wry and controversial vegetarian, and Jackson Faive, Brazil's famous motorcycle courier, in a show that goes beyond the comic and addresses human responsibility for the earth. 7:30 p.m., Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 407-358-6603.
drphillipscenter.org

Fairy Nights in Leu Gardens

July 19 and August 16: For those who love and celebrate the enchanting world of fairies, Leu Gardens has even more fun to offer at this separately priced after-hours event. Dress up in fairy-inspired garb and explore the 20 unique fairy doors scattered throughout the gardens, meet “real” fairies, indulge in magical activities and create whimsical art. Foxtail Coffee & Café and Peak Season Pops offer food for purchase. Call for start times. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

THE FREEDOM PROJECT – INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FLORIDIAN

July 29: Members of Orlando's professional theater community present classic works by historic artists such as Zora Neale Hurston, James Weldon Johnson, John Rosamund Johnson and Augusta Savage. 7 p.m. The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando. 407-704-6261.
abbeyorlando.com