Shoot the ‘works: July 4 fireworks in St. Pete and Pinellas

The crowning glory of the City of St. Petersburg’s 2025 Independence Day festivities is, naturally, the annual fireworks show, Friday at 9 p.m., but there’s a whole lot of auxiliary family-fun activities planned for the St. Pete Pier. It’s a real Fourth of July weekend.

Bearing in mind that the primo viewing area for Friday’s fireworks is pretty much anywhere along the bayfront (Bayshore Drive, Vinoy Park, Straub Park, the Municipal Arena and the Pier itself), there isn’t really a bad seat in the house as the City paints the sky with colored lights.

From 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, the Pier’s Spa Beach Park and Family Park will be ground zero for kid and family activities, live music onstage (the 13^th Army Band), roving entertainers, food and bev trucks, a market, a beer garden and more.

It’s all admission-free, although you can purchase tickets here for a special, roped-off area with a collection of VIP perks.

Things continue 4-10 p.m. Saturday, July 5 at Spa Beach Park and throughout the Pier, with more family stuff, DJ music and a “water show” starting at 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting). This will features “performances” in the bay from the Sarasota Ski-a-Rees waterski team, World Champion Flyboarder Kristen “The Destroyer” Smoyer and Freestyle Jet Ski athlete Chris Anyzeski.

All of this is preceded by the 4^th annual St. Pete Pier Run and associated activities. Read all about the event in this story; runner registration might still be available.

For all directions and parking information, visit this link.

Saturday will bring a Pier-side performance from World Champion Flyboarder Kristen “The Destroyer” Smoyer. Publicity photo.

Fireworks in Pinellas

Clearwater. Coachman Park’s “Clearwater Celebrates America” is 5 until approximately 9:45 p.m. Friday, with a performance by the Coachman Pops Orchestra, family activities, a silent disco party (at the BayCare Sound), food and bev trucks and fireworks at 9:15. The Memorial Causeway Bridge will close at 9 p.m. and will not be reopened until it is safe to do so; fireworks may be viewed from a boat, but there will be a closed perimeter surrounding the park. Docking will be restricted at the Clearwater Harbor Marina from 5 to 10 p.m. Official website.

Dunedin. “Hometown USA Dunedin,” 6-10 p.m. Friday at TD Ballpark. With live music and other entertainment, games, a movie (The Little Rascals) and fireworks. Official website.

Largo. There’ll be a fireworks finale to Friday’s 6-9 p.m. festival in Largo’s Central Park. The event features continuous live music and food vendors. Official website.

Safety Harbor. Live entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities and more, 5-9 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 105 Veterans Memorial Lane. Fireworks at 9.

Tarpon Springs: Patriotic Picnic 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday with live music and other entertainment, children’s fun including bounce houses and water slides. At Craig Park, 100 Library Lane. Fireworks show at 9 p.m., best viewed from Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive.

Treasure Island. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Friday. Best view is from Gulf Front Park Lot, 10400 Gulf Blvd.

Thursday

Madeira Beach fireworks display ends a 6-9 p.m. event with live entertainment and food trucks at the Madeira Beach Recreation Complex, 200 Rex Place.

No fireworks this year

Gulfport Community Parade & Picnic: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday in Tomlinson Park, 1820 55th Street S. Official website.