Jacksonville's free July 4 celebration fills both riverbanks downtown, with one fireworks show seen from Riverfront Plaza, Friendship Fountain and RiversEdge Park.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 details have not been announced; what follows is how the city celebrated in 2026, from its May 28, 2026, announcement. The city’s Office of Sports and Entertainment posts July 4 plans at events.jacksonville.gov.
Jacksonville celebrates the Fourth of July on both banks of the St. Johns River downtown, with one fireworks show over the water that can be watched from several free parks. In 2026, for America’s 250th anniversary, the city stretched the celebration over two days, July 3 and 4, and billed the July 4 show as the largest Fourth of July fireworks show in Jacksonville history.
Who to call
- City events and questions: 630-CITY (904-630-2489)
- July 4 event page: the city’s Special Events site
- July 5 beach cleanup: Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, 904-255-8276
- Emergency: 911; Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office non-emergency 904-630-0500
How the city celebrated in 2026
Friday, July 3: Freedom Fest at Friendship Fountain, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sponsored by the city’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department with Wounded Warrior Project, it had live music from Bold City Brass, Navy Pride, Sal Gonzalez, Emily Mikus and Big Engine, a patriotic light and music show at the fountain, free apple pies for the first 1,000 people, and activities along the Riverwalk between the fountain and the Chart House.
Saturday, July 4: three places to watch one show.
| Where | Hours | What was there |
|---|---|---|
| Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive (Northbank) | 4 to 9:30 p.m. | Music from Sal Gonzalez, Tobacco Road, Bold City Classics and Lane Pittman; face painting and balloon animals; the River City Readers Bookmobile |
| Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk | 3 to 9:30 p.m. | Music from Scott Halls and Caribe Groove; a hot dog eating contest and cornhole tournament |
| RiversEdge Park, 1915 RiversEdge Blvd. | 6 to 9 p.m. | Music and entertainment |
All three had food and drinks for sale and views of the same fireworks show. The city’s announcement did not give a start time for the fireworks; check the Special Events page for the 2027 schedule.
Where to watch
- Riverfront Plaza on the Northbank, the city’s new park on the old Jacksonville Landing site, with a playground and big lawn. See parks and trails.
- Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk, the 1.25-mile boardwalk facing downtown.
- RiversEdge Park on the Southbank.
Before you drive downtown, check road construction and closures; the Main Street Bridge’s southbound lane closure runs into 2027.
The morning after: beach cleanup
Each year the city, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful and the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol hold a July 5 beach cleanup. In 2026 it ran 7 to 9 a.m. Sunday, July 5, with check-in at Atlantic Boulevard at the ocean in Atlantic Beach and at Beach Boulevard and Seagate Avenue at the ocean in Jacksonville Beach. No registration was needed; bags and gloves were provided. The city said 130 volunteers collected 2,800 pounds of debris the year before.
Fireworks at home
Florida law, Section 791.08, allows consumer fireworks on three designated holidays: Independence Day (July 4), New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The statute says it does not supersede local government rules on fireworks use. Some city parks ban them; Hanna Park’s rules, for one, do not allow fireworks.
What this means for you
- The show is free and can be seen from both banks of the river.
- Watch this page and the city’s Special Events site in June for the 2027 plans.
- If you light your own, July 4 is one of only three legal days.
Related: things to do this month, parks and trails and getting around Jacksonville.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Jacksonville Fourth of July fireworks?
Over the St. Johns River downtown. In 2026 the city’s free celebration ran at Riverfront Plaza on the Northbank, Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk, and RiversEdge Park, all with views of the same show.
Are the Jacksonville July 4 fireworks free?
Yes. The city described its 2026 July 3 and July 4 celebrations as free and family-friendly; food and drinks were for sale.
What happens on July 3 in Jacksonville?
In 2026 the city held Freedom Fest at Friendship Fountain from 5:30 to 10 p.m. July 3, with live music, a patriotic light and music show at the fountain and free apple pies for the first 1,000 people.
Are fireworks legal in Florida on the Fourth of July?
State law allows consumer fireworks on Independence Day, July 4, as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The law says it does not supersede local rules on fireworks.
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