Fireworks

Liberty by the Bay

Tampa’s 250th Independence Day Celebration

Liberty by the Bay America 250 - Tampa

The City of Tampa is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with one of the largest Fourth of July events in Tampa Bay — Liberty by the Bay at Julian B. Lane Park. View map.

This free, family-friendly waterfront celebration will feature a 250-drone light show honoring America’s 250th birthday, followed by a fireworks finale, along with an afternoon and evening full of activities, live entertainment, food, and fun for all ages.

Event Details

  • Date: July 4, 2026
  • Time: 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Location: Julian B. Lane Park
  • Cost: Free and open to the public

What to Expect

  • Kids Zone with family-friendly activities
  • Food trucks
  • Beer garden
  • Kids' Market Young Entrepreneurs and Community Partner Displays
  • Live music and DJ entertainment
  • Patriotic Pet Show
  • Water ski show on the Hillsborough River
  • Kids Liberty Procession
  • 250-drone light show
  • Fireworks finale

Full Event Schedule

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. DJ
4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Kids Zone
4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Food Trucks
4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Beer Garden

4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Live performance from the Beat Down Band
5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. DJ entertainment
5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Patriotic Pet Show (hosted by Humane Society of Tampa Bay)
5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Live performance from the Beat Down Band
6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Water ski show (hosted by Friends of the Riverwalk) / DJ
6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Kids Liberty Procession (hosted by Glazer Children’s Museum)
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Live performance by Phoenix5
7:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. DJ entertainment
8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Live performance from Phoenix5
 

8:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Closing remarks from Mayor Jane Castor, National Anthem on guitar performed by Fox 13's Mark Wilson
9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Drone show (250 drones) followed by fireworks display

Additional Riverwalk Activities

The celebration extends along the Tampa Riverwalk with additional festivities, including:

Stay Connected

Get real-time updates, reminders, and event info straight to your phone.
Text TAMPA250 to 888-777 to sign up for event updates.

Dogs dressed in patriotic costumes with American flag motifs.
Cluckology food truck with vibrant chicken-themed graphics and fried chicken sandwiches displayed.
Singer performing on stage with a band, wearing a dress with stars and stripes.
Crowd watching fireworks in city park during evening celebration.
Drone display shows American flag and "Tampa" over city skyline at night.
Event map for Liberty by the Bay America 250 Tampa at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. The map shows event areas, accessible parking and drop-off locations, entrances, restrooms, food trucks, emergency services, hydration, sensory area, bike valet, trolley drop-off, rideshare pickup, and areas closed to vehicle traffic. At the top of the map, Laurel Street is marked in red as “Closed to vehicle traffic.” Green Street is shown at the upper right. North Boulevard runs along the left side of the park.

Transportation

We encourage attendees to plan ahead and consider all transportation options:

  • On-site parking available at Julian B. Lane Park (limited)
  • ADA parking available at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Recreation Center, 1301 N Blvd. and the Julian B. Lane South Parking Lot, 903 W Cypress St.
  • City garages will be available, along with street parking and private lot options. View a full list of downtown parking options at tampa.gov/parking

The City of Tampa will have three free air-conditioned Jolly Trolley shuttles (wheelchair accessible) continuously running throughout downtown from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with stops at the following locations:

Pick Up Location 1: Marion Transit - 1211 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602

Pick Up Location 2: Fort Brooke Garage - 107 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

Pick Up Location 3: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park – 600 N Tampa St. Tampa, FL 33602

Destination 1: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607

Destination 2: Marion Transit - 1211 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602

Destination 3: Fort Brooke Garage - 107 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

Final Destination: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park – 600 N Tampa St. Tampa, FL 33602

 

Map graphic for the City of Tampa Liberty by the Bay America 250 Trolley Route on July 4, 2026, from 4–10 PM. The left side shows the Liberty by the Bay America 250 Tampa logo and a legend for three trolley stops, public parking, the fireworks/event location, and the free TECO Line Streetcar. Trolley stops listed: Stop 1: HART Parking Lot Drop-Off Lane Stop 2: On the east side of Florida Ave just north of Whiting St, parking spaces E1 and E2 Stop 3: North side of Cass St, next to AER high-rise The map shows a downtown Tampa trolley route connecting West Riverfront, North Boulevard, West Cass Street, North Tampa Street, North Florida Avenue, East Whiting Street, and downtown Tampa. The route is marked with red and blue lines, with numbered blue squares for Stops 1, 2, and 3. A fireworks icon marks Liberty by the Bay at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, west of downtown near North Boulevard and West Cass Street. Green “P” icons mark public parking garages, with a note that accessible parking is available at all public parking facilities. A gold dotted line marks the Free TECO Line Streetcar, with a note that the accessible streetcar operates every 15 minutes. Nearby landmarks shown include University of Tampa, Straz Center, Downtown, Channel District, Tampa Convention Center, Benchmark International Arena, Selmon Expressway, I-275, North Nebraska Avenue, North 15th Street, West Kennedy Boulevard, West Cleveland Street, and West Platt Street.

Get on the water and travel by boat with Pirate Water Taxi. Learn more at piratewatertaxi.com

Catch a ride with rideshare services like Uber or Lyft.

Park in Ybor City and take the TECO Line Streetcar into Downtown!

The FREE streetcar will operate every 15 minutes. Learn more about the TECO Line Streetcar System.

ADA parking options will be available at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Recreation Center, 1301 N Blvd. and the Julian B. Lane South Parking Lot, 903 W Cypress St.

In addition, Jolley Trolleys will have an ADA lift located on the passenger or boarding side of the trolley. The life cannot accommodate oversized electric wheelchairs.

Informational flyer titled “Jolley Trolley’s ADA lift.” At the top is a photo of a yellow and maroon Jolley Trolley charter bus labeled “Frenchy’s.” A red circle and arrow highlight the rear passenger-side ADA lift door/opening on the trolley. Text on the flyer reads: “Jolley Trolley’s ADA lift The openeing for the ADA lift is located on the passenger or boarding side of the trolley. The weight limit is 600lbs. (wheelchair & passenger combined) The lift can NOT accomodate the oversized electric wheelchairs. The lift will come down on to the sidewalk as shown in this photo. The driver will secure the passenger to the lift before raising them on the platform.” At the bottom right is a smaller photo showing a yellow bus with its wheelchair lift lowered to the sidewalk.

DASH will be running for the entirety of the event. Visit tampasdowntown.com for more DASH information or to download the app.

FAQ

Yes, Liberty by the Bay is free and open to the public. Food trucks, alcoholic beverages, and vendor purchases will come with additional costs.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m., but we recommend arriving early to find parking and enjoy the full lineup of activities.

Julian B. Lane Park offers prime viewing, with additional viewing opportunities along the Tampa Riverwalk.

Yes, there will be a variety of food trucks, vendors, and a beer garden on-site.

Absolutely—there will be activities for all ages, including a Kids Zone, pet show, and interactive experiences.

Yes! Pets are welcome, and you can even participate in the Patriotic Pet Show. Please ensure pets are leashed and comfortable in large crowds.

Yes, the City of Tampa and community partners will be hosting a sensory relief zone at Julian B. Lane Park for those needing a break from the crowds and activities.

The following items are NOT allowed at Liberty by the Bay:

  • Pre-Purchased Alcohol
  • Weapons
  • Glass
  • Confetti
  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Fireworks/Sparklers
  • Personal Pop-Up Tents
  • Personal Drones
  • Beach/Patio Umbrellas
  • Sports Canopies that require staking
  • Grills (no onsite cooking)
  • Styrofoam