Looking for July 4th fireworks? Here's a list of Sarasota area displays Wed. and Thurs.

Fourth of July is just a few days away, but if you don't have plans yet, fear not: there are plenty of places to celebrate the holiday by catching a fireworks show locally.

Fireworks displays are planned across Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Palmetto, North Port, Siesta Key and Punta Gorda. For the bigger fireworks displays over Sarasota Bay and the Manatee River, there'll be multiple accompanying events offering food, live music and more. There'll even be a few events featuring fireworks Wednesday, if you just can't wait until Fourth of July proper on Thursday.

Here's where you can watch fireworks in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties on Wednesday and Thursday, listed in chronological order. Note: while we're focusing on events with views of fireworks for this list, you can find other Fourth of July festivities — and things to do throughout all of July — in our latest monthly roundup of local events .

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Wednesday

Fireworks on the Lake

Nathan Benderson Park hosts this early Fourth of July celebration featuring live music by Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio, a kids zone, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a fireworks show around 9 p.m. 5-10 p.m.; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; free general admission, $25 and up parking, $100 VIP viewing experience; 941-358-7275; nathanbendersonpark.org

Independence Day Celebration

The Bradenton Marauders' match against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels will also serve as an Independence Day celebration with post-game fireworks and T-shirt giveaway for the first 1,500 fans. The inaugural Bradenton Baseball Mayor's Classic hot dog eating contest will also take place at 5:30 p.m. ($25 entry fee; competitors must register in advance by contacting brian.thiers@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9364.) 5 p.m. gates open, 6:30 p.m. first pitch; LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; $11-$15; milb.com/bradenton

Thursday

Fourth of July at Fishermen's Village

Fishermen's Village celebrates Fourth of July with the annual Freedom Swim starting at 1:30 p.m., live music by From the Edge Band and Mark Gorka from 5 to 9 p.m., and a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. Noon-9 p.m.; Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com

Manatee County Fourth of July Celebration

Bradenton Alive hosts this inaugural event featuring live music by Emmet Stevens Jr. (3-6 p.m.) and 22N (6:30-9:30 p.m.), plus a view of the fireworks display on the Manatee River. 3-9:30 p.m.; Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton; free entry; bradenton-alive.com

Palmetto Fourth Fest

The annual Fourth of July celebration will feature live music by One Night Rodeo, Scarlet Drive and Beatdown Band, food trucks and vendors, beer and beverage garden, kids zone and fun, and fireworks around 9 p.m. at Green Bridge Pier. Chairs and blankets are allowed for the fireworks show, but coolers, tents and outside alcohol are prohibited. 5 p.m.; Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, Palmetto; 941-723-4988; facebook.com/palmettofourthfest

Freedom Festival

The City of North Port's annual festival will feature a kids fun zone, food options, vendors and community organizations, live music by Tobacco Rd Band and fireworks, with seating available inside the stadium or outside on the lawn. 5-9:30 p.m.; CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port; free; northportfl.gov

Fourth of July All-American Cookout

Selby Gardens' annual Independence Day celebration features family-friendly activities and games before the fireworks display over Sarasota Bay, with all-inclusive tickets also offering onsite parking, a buffet dinner by Michael's on East, open bar and prime fireworks viewing. 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota; $35, $25 members, $10 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and under (general admission), $200, $50 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and under (all-inclusive), $15 parking pass; 941-366-5731; selby.org

Fourth of July at Pier 22

The recently renovated downtown Bradenton waterfront restaurant will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet and soft drinks (alcoholic drinks may be purchased separately) and a fireworks show. 6:30 p.m. check-in, 7 p.m. buffet, 9:30 p.m. fireworks show; Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton; $120, $50 under age 10 (plus tax and service fee); 941-748-8087; pier22.com

Red, White and Boom!

General admission includes access to the Riverside Plaza to watch the fireworks (bring chairs or blankets to sit), plus food trucks, drinks and laser light show available for purchase, with VIP offering complimentary access to the laser light show, reserved tables and advanced 6 p.m. entry. 7-10 p.m.; The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton; $25, $35 VIP, $20 children ages 4-10, $5 add-on laser light experience; 941-746-4131; bishopscience.org

Stars, Stripes and Rooftop Delights

The Westin Sarasota's 19th-floor The Roof Bar and Eats hosts this Fourth of July party with panoramic views of downtown Sarasota (including, hopefully, the fireworks), a barbecue buffet, welcome drink and DJ. 7-11 p.m.; The Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Drive, Sarasota; $130, $50 under age 12 general admission, VIP reserved seating also available; 941-217-4777; eventbrite.com

Siesta Key Community Fireworks

The annual holiday display returns, with fireworks launching at dusk. 8-9:30 p.m.; Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key; 941-349-3800; my.siestakeychamber.com

Bayfront Fireworks

Suncoast Charities for Children, in partnership with Marina Jack, once again present this annual Fourth of July event, with best viewing from Bayfront Park near Marina Jack. 9-9:30 p.m. (approximately); Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; donations to support the fireworks accepted ; 941-365-4232; suncoastsummerfest.org

Venice Fourth of July Fireworks Show

Fireworks will be shot from the South Jetty around 9 p.m. and last an estimated 30 minutes. The fireworks may be viewed on area beaches, as well as other locations around Venice, but the South Jetty and Jetty Jack's concessions will be closed for safety. 9-9:30 p.m.; Humphris Park (South Jetty), 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice; venicegov.com

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing .

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Looking for July 4th fireworks? Here's a list of Sarasota area displays Wed. and Thurs.