2023 UPDATES ARE HERE!!! Check back often for more!!!
With the 4th of July, 2023, right around the corner, here are some fun family activities to do in and around Ocala and Marion County, including swimming, biking, skating, food, fun, and fireworks! Whatever you and your family decide to do, have fun, be safe, and enjoy the journey!
Show me the fireworks!
| Date / Time (all fireworks start at dusk) | Fireworks Event | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 6-24-2023 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Homosassa Firework Fest & Poker Run | 5297 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL 34448 |
| 7/1/2023 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Ginnie Springs Independence Day Celebration | 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643 |
| 7/2/2023 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Inverness Patriotic Celebration | 286 N. Apopka Ave, Inverness, FL 34450 |
| 7/3/2023 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Fanfares & Fireworks | 605 Woodlawn Drive, Gainesville, FL 32603 |
| 7-3-2023 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. | Freedom on the Waterfront | 100 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL 32757 |
| 7-4-2023 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. | City of Alachua fireworks | 14210 NW 146 Ter, Alachua, FL 32615 |
| 7-3-2023 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ish) | Crystal River Fireworks | 268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34428 |
| 7-4-2023 9 p.m. | Lake Weir Fireworks at Eaton's Beach | 15790 SE 134th Ave, Weirsdale, FL 32195 |
| 7-4-2023 4:45 to 9:30 p.m. | Tavares 4th of July Celebration | 200 N Sinclair Ave, Tavares, FL 32778 |
| 7-1-2023 12 to 9:30 p.m. | City of Eustis Hometown Celebration | 250 Ferran Park Dr, Eustis, FL 32726 |
4th of July Family Festivals – Music, Food, Fireworks & More
25th Annual!💥June 24, 2023: HOMOSASSA FIREWORK FEST & POKER RUN!
Be one of the first to celebrate with this full day of family fun starting at noon and includes food, games, entertainment, free shuttles to riverfront businesses, a poker run, and Homosassa’s only professional fireworks display starting at 9 PM. Located at 5297 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL 34448.
💥 Ginnie Springs annual Independence Day Celebration: July 1st for fireworks. Start your day with the family doing kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, tubing, or just plain fun in the water during the day—fireworks at nightfall, including the Jamie Davis Band this year. Check HERE for admission prices. Ginnie Springs is 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Road in High Springs, FL 32643.
💥 Inverness Patriotic Evening on July 2nd., visit their waterfront parks: Liberty Park & Wallace Brooks. The festivities start at 5:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies, vendors, and live music. Fireworks display at dark over Lake Henderson. Please leave tents, canopies, coolers, and personal fireworks at home. Free and open to the public.
Held at Liberty Park and Wallace Brooks Park at 286 N. Apopka Ave in Inverness, FL 34450. This annual festival starts at 5:30 PM and has a free concert (Soul Circus Cowboys and country music sensation Frankie Ballard.), food trucks, vendors, and a firework display starting just after 9 PM. The fireworks can be seen from two beautiful lakeside locations and various spots throughout town. Get there early to make sure you enjoy the entire evening!
💥 Fanfares and Fireworks is a July 3rd celebration in Gainesville from 6 to 10 PM at the University of Florida Bandshell at Flavet Field. The event will feature live bands: Matcha, Sooza Brass Band, Savants of Soul, and Gainesville Community Band. Food will be available, and fireworks to follow around 9:40 PM. Dogs, sparklers, drones, and alcohol are prohibited for safety reasons. No dogs, sparklers, drones, or alcohol are allowed at the event for safety reasons. Coolers are allowed but may be subject to search by the University of Florida Police Department.
💥Freedom on the Waterfront is a July 3rd celebration in Mt. Dora from 5 to 9:15 PM at Gilbert Park & Elizabeth Evans Park. The event features live music by D.J Chino with The Legendary Wailers, Food Trucks, and fireworks. Parking and the event are free. Elizabeth Evans Park is at 100 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL 32757, and Gilbert Park is at 310 S Tremain St, Mt Dora, FL 32757. Please visit the website for all the free parking information.
💥 City of Alachua 23rd Annual July 4th Celebration at Legacy Park located in Alachua at 14210 NW 146 Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615
Gates open at 5 p.m., Sunday, July 4. Live music begins at 6 p.m., and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
An annual independence day event dubbed “The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America.”
💥 Crystal River’s CENTENNIAL Celebration July 3rd at Crystal River Town Square located in Crystal River at 559 N Citrus Ave.
The 2023 4th of July celebration (July 3rd) will occur from 10 AM to 9 PM in the City of Crystal River! Join us for Live music, shopping vendors, food vendors, beer and wine, games, a golf cart parade, a pop-up exhibit, a ceremonial proclamation, and fireworks over Kings Bay at 9:00 pm, weather permitting.
💥 4th of July in Tavares Celebration at Tavares downtown entertainment district at Main and Ruby Streets.
From 4:45-9:30 PM on the 4th of July, offering a parade (at 5 PM on Ruby St & Main St), entertainment, kids’ activities, live music, carnival games, a family fun zone, fireworks, and more! The Fireworks show begins at 9 (ish). Parking in the parking garage is free.
💥 July 4th Weekend Party at Eaton’s Beach (2023 update, the restaurant is open, and fireworks will be visible around the lake as residents celebrate) located in Weirsdale on 15790 SE 134th Ave. Eaton’s Beach was also selected as one of our favorite TOP 10 Best Places To Eat!
This Independence Day celebration lasts from July 1st thru the 4th of July on the shores of Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Grill. All who attend are suggested to wear swim gear. This event is scheduled to include Live Music, Food & Drink, Competitive Beach Games, and the best view of Lake Weir Fireworks.
💥 1st of July City of Eustis Hometown Celebration in Eustis, FL, at 50 Ferran Park Dr, Eustis, FL. It starts at noon and goes thru 9:30 p.m.
Kicking-off Independence Day early to show our American independence and patriotism. Featuring entertainment, live music, a variety of arts and crafts, food vendors, and more!
Parades (2023 Update)
2023 Centennial Golf Cart Parade in Crystal River. The beginnings of a Crystal River tradition! Celebrate the Centennial with your decorated golf cart. Entry to the parade is free. Enter your cart into the judging to win a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place trophy for $20 brought to you by Save Crystal River. The parade begins and ends in Town Square with a 5-mile and approximately 20-minute route. Lineup begins at 11:00 am in Town Square.
(2023 Update – Not Yet Available)Mt Dora Independence Day Parade, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m on July 4, 2022. The parade begins at 10:00 am on July 4 at the corner of Donnelly and Seventh and runs to Charles Avenue. Contact Chris Carson at the City of Mount Dora for more information at 352-735-7183.
(2023 Update – Not Yet Available)Tavares Parade at 5 PM on Ruby St & Main St in Tavares followed by their annual celebration for all ages. See above for full details!
Family Activities
🎉 Sky Zone Ocala is located at 2400 SW College Rd in Ocala.
A family-friendly center to play ultimate dodgeball, compete against others, rock climb and so much more. SkyZone Ocala has told us that if they can get their doors open they’ll have special July 4th hours, so keep an eye on their FaceBook page for more details!
(2023 Update – Not Yet Available)🏃 Iggy’s “Four on the Fourth” Freedom Run is scheduled for the 4th of July in Ocala at 2601 E Fort King St.
A four-mile race is open to everyone on independence day morning. It is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM and will end whenever you pass the finish line. Records will be rewarded by race officials. Proceeds from this event will be donated to Veteran’s Memorial Park and the “WE CAN WEEKEND” program. Registration beforehand is necessary. This event is to commence and finish at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.
🚵 The Santos Trailhead in Ocala on 3080 SE 80th St.
A 4.4-mile-long scenic loop bike trail available to the public; is completed by restrooms, a picnic area, and a paved parking lot.
🏊 Aquatic Fun Centers in Ocala on 255 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. & 2390 SE 36 Ave.
Public pool facilities include a water slide and waterfalls at both locations. Trained lifeguards that are always on duty and each location is officially set to be open from 11 AM – 5 PM on July 4th.
👨👩👧👦 Ocala Regional Sportsplex is located at 3500 SW 67th Ave
Offers a vast selection of activities to the community on its 80-acre grounds. Options include baseball fields, batting pits, football fields, basketball courts, two playgrounds, volleyball nets, remote control race car tracks, pavilions, public restrooms, water fountains, etc.
🐄 Uncle Donald’s Farm in Lady Lake at 2713 Griffin Ave
(2023 Update – Not Yet Available)Petting Zoo is holding a patriotic animal parade on the 4th of July. This event will showcase all types of species ranging from pigs to exotic creatures like ostriches decked out in costume. Later, professionals will provide an interactive independence day lesson on reptiles. The location is just outside the Villages.
🚣 Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon on 19158 SW 81st Place Rd.
A historically significant park that offers many activities, such as Canoeing, Tubing, Camping, Picnicking, and Birding. Also acknowledged for its supreme sights, gardens, hiking trails, and waterfalls. It is set to be open to the public on July 4th.
🏊 Juniper Springs is located in Ocala at 26701 FL-40, Silver Springs
Subtropical springs have been designated for public swimming & recreation since 1930. Open to all visitors on Independence Day. It also enables picnicking and camping outside the springs from 8 AM to 8 PM. All camping must be organized with the park in advance.
🐴 Canyon’s Zipline and Canopy Tours in Ocala on 8045 NW Gainesville Rd.
The famous attraction is known for its distinguished location and scenery; customers are served zip-lining & horseback riding. Features are set to be open and available to the community on Independence Day at regular hours, but appointments must be made in advance.
🚦 Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala on 13700 SW 16th Ave.
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame which features nearly 300 historical cars. For July 4th they will be open to the public from 9 AM to 5 PM.
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