Red, white and WOW! Where to watch July Fourth fireworks, parades and new drone shows in South Florida

What time do the fireworks start?

It’s perhaps the most important question asked by patriotic revelers at picnics, poolside parties and barbecues every Fourth of July.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a city-by-city South Florida guide to prepare you for the spectacular night-sky displays and give you the scoop on other holiday happenings around town on Thursday, July 4, including hometown celebrations, parades and — new this year — drone shows in Broward and Palm Beach counties. (Keep in mind: Some cities plan to start the holiday early with events on Wednesday, July 3.)

Lauderhill is replacing its fireworks display with a drone show.

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“For those who are sensitive to loud sounds, a drone show is a great option,” said Assistant City Manager Leslie Johnson. “Drones are modern, and with customizable scenes and messages, they can tell a story … Music will be accompanying the imagery, and we look forward to wishing our residents a happy holiday.”

And speaking of music … several city festivities will feature tribute bands, and ’90s hit-making group En Vogue is scheduled to provide the soundtrack to the pre-fireworks festivities in Fort Lauderdale.

Looking for more nontraditional activities? Put on your red-white-and-blue gear to join a 5K, pick from plenty of tournaments — bass fishing, pickleball, volleyball and cornhole — or suit up for snorkeling in Delray Beach.

Here’s what you need to know to celebrate Independence Day in a city near you.

BROWARD COUNTY

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Former mayor Chris Vincent will serve as grand marshal for the Fourth of July Parade and Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. and travel south on Bougainvilla Drive, east along Pine Avenue, then south on El Mar Drive to Hibiscus Avenue. Family Fun Day will follow the parade from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at El Prado Park, 4500 El Mar Drive, with a waterslide, DJ tunes and face painting. Fireworks will light off at 9 p.m. Free. Visit bit.ly/LBTSevents .

Lauderhill

The city will start its celebration early with a 3rd of July Celebration and Drone Light Show from 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 at Lauderhill Sports Park, 7500 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Expect food trucks, music and a bounce house. Free. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov .

Weston

Two days of patriotic events are planned as part of the city’s Hometown Fourth of July Celebration , including:

• The Hometown 4th of July Fireworks Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 at Weston Regional Park, 20200 Saddle Club Road, will have entertainment from the Shane Duncan Band as well as interactive games, photo stations and craft booths. Food will be available for purchase. Free admission. The fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Visit westonfl.org .
• Throw on your sneakers for the Fourth of July 5K Run/Walk set for 7:15 a.m. July 4 at the Weston Town Center, 1675 Market St. As part of the annual event, sponsored by the YMCA of South Florida, Weston YMCA Family Center and city of Weston, all participants receive a finisher medal and race T-shirt. Registration is $34.50 through June 30, $40 from July 1-3, and $45 on race day. Visit runsignup.com .
• Catch the Fourth of July Parade from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 4 at Weston Town Center, 1675 Market St. The parade starts at the corner of Town Center Boulevard and Three Village Road, heads east on Three Village Road to Bonaventure Boulevard, winding through Weston Town Center along Bell Tower Lane to Main Street. The grand marshal is Angela Cohen, literacy coach from Indian Trace Elementary and 2024 Broward County Teacher of the Year Caliber Awards finalist. Free. Visit westonfl.org .

Coconut Creek

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, 5550 NW 40th St., will have a Fireworks Extravaganza & Drone Show starting at 7 p.m. July 3 and July 4. The event will include a drone performance, 18-minute Grucci fireworks show, food trucks and music, with the fireworks show scheduled for 10 p.m. both days. Free. Visit casino.hardrock.com/coconut-creek .

Coral Springs

The city will put on its Fourth of July Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. July 4 at Mullins Park, 10000 Ben Geiger Drive. Along with music by Remix Band, there will be family-friendly activities and inflatables, stilt walkers, vendors, arts and crafts, food trucks and contests. Coral Springs residents may sign up for express access to the trampoline experience and the military obstacle course at the tent in the inflatable zone. All other activities will be first-come, first-served. Kids should be in line by 7:45 p.m. to play. Personal fireworks, alcoholic beverages and pets are not allowed in the park. Coolers, blankets and chairs are allowed. The fireworks start at 8:45 p.m. Free. Visit coralsprings.gov/fourthofjuly .

Davie

Fun on the 4th activities will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. July 4, at Bamford Sports Complex, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. On the schedule: Music by the Shane Duncan Band, rides, kids’ activities and food trucks. Advance registration is required with proof of Davie residency. Gates open at 5 p.m., with last entry into the park at 8:30 p.m. A drone show begins at 8:45 p.m., and the fireworks finale is at 9 p.m. Personal fireworks, alcohol and walk-up attendees are not permitted. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. Register by Monday, July 1, at davie-fl.gov/1196/Fun-on-the-4th .

Deerfield Beach

The city’s 4th of July Celebration will take over the Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Ave., from 4 to 9 p.m. July 4, with music, vendors, kids’ activities and food trucks. Entertainment includes Nostaljah, Texas Twister: ZZ Top Show, Play It Again — Luke Bryan Tribute Band and Alienation. The fireworks show begins at 9:05 p.m. Free. Visit deerfield-beach.com .

Fort Lauderdale

R&B group En Vogue will headline the city’s 4th of July Spectacular! that takes place from noon to 9:15 p.m. July 4 on Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd. A kids’ zone at the beach will have music, inflatable water slides, face painting and games. At The LOOP, families can take part in arts and crafts and face painting while listening to bands. En Vogue takes the Fort Lauderdale Beach Stage at 7:30 p.m., followed by a 23-minute fireworks show that will light the skies over the beach at 8:45 p.m. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov .

Margate

The city’s 4th of July Extravaganza will begin with a parade at 9 a.m. July 4, featuring decorated vehicles and floats along Margate Boulevard from 76th Avenue to State Road 7. Later that day, Studio54 Band will perform and food trucks will be on site from 5 to 9 p.m. A fireworks show is planned for 9 p.m. on the northwest corner of Margate Boulevard and State Road 7. Free admission for all events. Visit margatefl.com .

Miramar

The 4th of July Celebration at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway, is set for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 4, with a kids’ zone, food trucks and a DJ dance party. No personal coolers, pets, drones or fireworks will be allowed, and bags will be searched. Free admission; parking is $10. Gates close at 8:30 p.m. for the fireworks. Register at july4thmiramar.eventbrite.com .

Pembroke Pines

The Pines Recreation Center, 7400 Pines Blvd., will be the site of the city’s Independence Day Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. July 4. Expect rides, music by Sekond Nature, arts and crafts, food trucks and a pie-eating contest. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, but note that pets, coolers and personal fireworks are not permitted. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Free. Visit ppines.com .

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach is planning a July 4th Fireworks Spectacular from 5 to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Fisher Family Pier, 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd. The event will feature music from DJ Mike Cooley, Pan Paradise and FM Band Miami. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Personal fireworks, glass containers, alcohol, drones and pets are prohibited. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Free. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov/events .

Plantation

The city and the Seminole Classic Casino are partnering for The Olympic Spirit, an Independence Day Celebration, with three events planned for July 4 including:

• The Independence Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. at the corner of Broward Boulevard and Northwest 46th Avenue. The parade then heads to Northwest 69th Avenue and Northwest Fourth Street before ending at City Hall, 400 NW 73rd Ave., with an awards ceremony. Free.
• Cool off at a Patriotic Pool Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW Second St. Residents may swim for free in two Olympic-sized pools.
• A Kid’s Zone, concert and fireworks will cap off the day at the Plantation Central Park Ball Fields, 9151 NW Second St. Kids’ activities begin at 6 p.m., and the concert with Mr. Nice Guy begins at 7 p.m. The fireworks by Zambelli follow at 9 p.m. You may bring blankets and chairs, as well as food (though food will also be available for purchase). No personal fireworks, sparklers, drones, tents or pets are allowed. Free. Visit plantation.org .

Sunrise

Two events will honor Independence Day on July 4 in the city, including:

• The “Under the Sea” Parade & Family Fun Day from 9 a.m. to noon at City Park, 6600 Sunset Strip. Themed floats and marching units will travel west along Sunset Strip from Northwest 12th Street to City Park. Kids can enjoy snow cones, a playground and splash pad, inflatable water slide, obstacle course and rock wall. Free.
• Concert & Fireworks will happen outdoors at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, from 6 to 10 p.m. Celebrate with a children’s fun zone, and food and beverage vendors. The entertainment lineup includes a DJ, The Cover Girls and Lisa Lisa. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Large bags and backpacks, coolers, glass bottles, alcohol, weapons, drones, fireworks, pets, and bicycles are not allowed in the event area. Bags will be searched. Free. Visit sunrisefl.gov .

Tamarac

Cool off before the fireworks at the Patriotic Splash Swim Party from noon to 3 p.m. July 4 at Caporella Aquatic Center, 9300 NW 58th St. Swim, listen to music and participate in games and arts and crafts activities. Cost is $5 a person. Visit tamarac.org/specialevents .

The city’s 4th of July All-American Celebration will be at Tamarac Sports Complex, 9901 NW 77th St., from 6 to 9:30 p.m. July 4. Catch an outdoor concert featuring The Jam Band, kids’ area with inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, and food trucks. The fireworks display is set for 9 p.m. Free. Visit tamarac.org/SpecialEvents .

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Boca Raton

The city’s Fabulous Fourth lineup includes four events on July 4. Visit myboca.us/1456/Fourth-of-July for details.

• The Firecracker 5K Run/Walk will begin at 7 a.m. at Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road. Register for $30+ at runsignup.com and receive a finisher medal, T-shirt and post-race event snacks.
• Get on the court for the Liberty Cup Pickleball Racquet Tournament at 9 a.m. at Patch Reef Park, 2000 Yamato Road. Pickleball players will compete for the inaugural Liberty Cup in a round-robin bracket-style pickleball and tennis tournament. Divisions are determined by skill level. Register for $20+ and receive a participant T-shirt. Winners will receive a Liberty Cup trophy.
• A Block Party will pop up from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, with kids’ crafts, a DJ, yard games, food trucks and vendors. Free.
• The Fabulous Finale with music from The Samantha Russell Band, food trucks and vendors will round out the day from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Countess de Hoernle Park, 1000 Spanish River Blvd. The fireworks show will launch at 9:10 p.m. Bring reusable water bottles, blankets and lawn chairs. Pets, coolers, sparklers and fireworks, drones, alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited. Free.

Also in Boca Raton, join the 4th of July Celebration put on by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the West Boca Community Council, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. July 4 at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 20405 Amphitheater Circle. Big Vince and the Phat Cats are scheduled to perform at 7 p.m., and there will be food trucks, bounce houses, games and recreational activities throughout the event. The fireworks show will start at 9 p.m. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Visit Facebook.com/SunsetCoveAmphitheater .

Boynton Beach

Take in the city’s 4th of July Celebration — Red, White & Blue with a Waterfront View! — from 4 to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Intracoastal Park, 2240 N. Federal Highway. Musical acts include the Joey Calderaio Band and Whisky Six. A variety of food trucks will serve up snacks, beverages and sweet treats for purchase. Write thank-you letters to be sent overseas to military personnel through Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. Other activities include face painting, a vintage photo booth, roaming magician, stilt walkers, netted putting course, bounce houses, carnival games and obstacle courses. A fireworks display synchronized to music over the water starts at 9:05 p.m. Free. Visit boynton-beach.org .

Delray Beach

The city is planning three events to celebrate on July 4. Visit July4DelrayBeach.com .

• The 4’s on the 4th Volleyball Tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the southern end of the municipal beach across from Casuarina Road. Visit .
• Get into the water from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free guided snorkeling tours of the SS Inchulva shipwreck. Check in and register near the volleyball courts, on the southern end of the beach, across from Anchor Park, 340 S. Ocean Blvd. Equipment will be provided, or you can bring your own. Visit delraybeachfl.gov .
• From 6 to 9:30 p.m., come out to East Atlantic Avenue from the Intracoastal Bridge to State Road A1A for the 4th of July Celebration . The city will raise a 60-foot flag with an honor guard and the singing of the national anthem. Also scheduled: food trucks, vendors, children’s games, music from DJs and from The Resolvers. A Zambelli Fireworks show will start at 9 p.m. Free. Visit delraybeachfl.gov .

Greenacres

Ignite the Night from 5:30 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park, 2905 Jog Road. The city’s family-friendly festivities will feature music by Wonderama, arts and crafts, food and craft vendors, stilt walkers, contests, games and prizes, $10 wristbands for unlimited inflatable rides and $10 tickets for face painting. No personal fireworks or sparklers are allowed. Bring chairs and blankets. A Zambelli Fireworks display begins at 9:10 p.m. Free. Visit greenacresfl.gov .

Lantana

Join the Independence Day Celebration starting at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at Bicentennial Park, 321 E. Ocean Ave. Activities include food and craft vendors, music and contests. A fireworks display is set for 9:05 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Visit lantana.org/enjoy-lantana-events .

Palm Springs

Join the Palm Springs 4th of July Celebration from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the village’s Athletic Complex, 226 Cypress Lane. Entertainment includes a DJ and 6:30 and 8 p.m. performances by the Matthew Curry Band. There will also be craft vendors, a kids’ area and food court. A Phantom Fireworks display is set to start at 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Free. Visit Facebook.com/villageofpalmsprings .

Royal Palm Beach

Attend the 4th of July Celebration from 2 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., with arts and crafts, rides, bounce houses, a water slide, petting zoo, rock wall and bungee trampoline. Tournaments include bass fishing at 6:30 a.m., golf at 8 a.m., volleyball at 9 a.m. and cornhole at 6 p.m. There will also be musical acts such as tributes to Cher, KC & The Sunshine Band, Three Dog Night and Earth, Wind & Fire. A multi-military branch tribute will take place at 8:45 p.m., with fireworks set for 9 p.m. Free. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov/parksrec .

Wellington

The 4th of July Celebration will take over Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. July 4 with an aerial trapeze performance, bounce houses and inflatables, face painting and petting zoo, wall climb race, games, food trucks, vendors and music by the 56 Ace Band. A 20-minute Zambelli Fireworks show is set for 9:15 p.m. Free. Visit fl-wellington.civicplus.com .

Westlake

FourthFest will celebrate the holiday from 5 to 9 p.m. July 4 in the field off across the street from Adventure Park Lodge, 5490 Kingfisher Blvd. The Juna N Joey band, followed by Wonderama, will kick off the entertainment. There will also be food trucks, vendors, face painting, bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and games. A 22-minute fireworks display will start at 9 p.m. Free. Visit westlakegov.com .

West Palm Beach

The 4th on Flagler downtown celebration returns to Waterfront Commons, 100 N. Clematis St., from 6 to 10 p.m. July 4. Activities along Flagler Drive, between Banyan Boulevard and Fern Street, will include three stages of music, a Military Honor Ceremony, kids’ entertainment zone, stilt walkers, and food and refreshments for purchase. The 18-minute fireworks display by Pyrotecnico will be viewable over the Intracoastal Waterway starting at 9:09 p.m. Free. If you’re unable to attend, tune into WPBF-Ch. 25 to watch the 4th on Flagler fireworks live, or listen to WRMF-97.9FM for a simulcast of music from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Visit wpb.org/events .