“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Can you guess who said that? Erma Bombeck! And she could not have said it better.  We hope you will use this list to find several fun things to do this 4th of July in Tampa with your family and friends. God bless the U.S.!

Tampa Red White & Blue Festival 5 - 9 pm

Celebrate the 4th of July in the Channelside District at Cotanchobee Park nestled between the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina and the Tampa Bay History Center on the Tampa Riverwalk with hundreds of Bay area families at this annual FREE fest with a watermelon eating contest, best-dressed competition and much more. This event is pet-friendly, you MUST pre-register for your FREE ticket and can upgrade to VIP for $15. Click the link in the title then the TICKETS BUTTON.

601 Old Water St., Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-274-8615

Light Up Tampa Bay 4th of July Channelside Celebration 6 - 9:??

Tampa Bay's Independence Day Celebration takes place annually at Channelside Bay Plaza with live music, entertainment, family-friendly activities and the largest waterfront fireworks display in the area. The celebration starts at 6:00 PM with live music and entertainment. Fireworks approx at 8:45 PM.

615 Channelside Dr., Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-223-4250

Fourth of July Sea-Doo® Sweepstakes Noon - 9:30 pm

From Noon to 9:30 pm on the 4th of July at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa 20 Winners will be awarded a Sea-Doo. 1 Winner of a Sea-Doo will be drawn every 30 minutes. read more about the giveaway in Incredible Fourth of July Sea-Doo Sweepstakes at Seminole Hard Rock.

5223 North Orient Road, Tampa FL, 33610. Phone 813-627-7625

4th of July Fireworks Cruises 8:30 -9:30 pm

Experience the Channelside waterfront 4th of July fireworks aboard the Pirate Water Taxi!  This 1-hour cruise will travel from the Tampa Convention Center, around Harbor Island when they will lay anchor for a front row view.

603 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-223-7999

Tampa Yankees vs. Fort Myers Miracle w/ post-game Fireworks 7 pm - 10 pm

The July 4th Celebration at the new George M. Steinbrenner Field includes a Jersey Auction benefiting Everday Heroes and post-game Fireworks.  If you've not yet experienced fireworks at Steinbrenner following a Tampa Yankees Florida State League game, it is unique. Bring your camera! This year make it baseball, apple pie and the Fourth of July.

1 Steinbrenner Dr, Tampa FL, 33614. Phone 813-875-7753

Brandon’s July 4th Parade 2017 10 am - 1 pm

Celebrating 60 years Brandon's annual 4th of July Parade is for everyone! The largest 4th of July parade in the state you do not want to miss this!  Bring folding chairs, suntan lotion, sunglasses and water! 

101 E Lumsden Rd., Brandon FL, 33511.

July 4th Celebration Plant City  6 pm - 9:30 pm

Admission is FREE to this Family-Friendly Celebration, the cost to park is $5 - fireworks end the celebration at 9:15 pm. Enjoy climbing walls, bounce houses and much more at Plant City Stadium this 4th of July in Tampa.

1900 South Park Road, Plant City FL, 33563. Phone 813-754-3707

4th of July Family FunFest Downtown Tampa 6:30 - 9:30 pm

The American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum is hosting a viewing party of the Channelside District fireworks aboard the historic World War II merchant steamship harbored in Tampa. As you can see in the photo, it's one of the BEST seats in the bay area! Click over to buy your tickets today

705 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-228-8766

Independence Day Celebration | Florida Aquarium closes at 9:30 pm

Gut up close to see the sea and the sky this Independence Day at the Florida Aquarium! Kids can play on the new Splash Pad and outdoor plaza—fireworks take place at 9 p.m., the Aquarium will remain open till 9:30 p.m

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL, 33602. Phone 813-273-4000

1st Annual 4th of July Bbq & Seafood Bash 2017 10 am to 7 pm

So, it appears that the good people at  Mel's House Of Smoke BBQ & Catering in the Busch area could not decide whether to throw a huge Seafood Fest or delicious 4th of July BBQ so they are doing both! Plan on stopping by this outdoor eatery to meet FL Gator Melvin Eagle, Sr. and Twanda Eagle during their 1st Annual 4th of July bash!

8916 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa FL, 33604. Phone (813) 270-1414

Waterset 4th of July Apollo Beach 5 - 9 pm

Find your way to the Waterset by Newland Communities subdivision, specifically Parkshore Drive in Apollo Beach for a 4th of July Food Truck Festival and concert.

7012 Sail View Ln, Apollo Beach FL, 33572. Phone (813) 235-0154

 

4th of July Skate Town N' Country 4 - 8 pm

Celebrate playing dollar games of laser tag all night long at Town and Country Skateworld  ~ Admission is just $1 if you wear RED, WHITE and BLUE! Skate rental is $3.50 extra. 

7510 Paula Drive, Tampa FL, 33615. Phone 813-884-7688

4th of July Celebration Wesley Chapel 5 - 9 pm

Looking for something fun to do in Wesly Chapel this 4th of July? Head Avalon Park West to enjoy fireworks, food trucks, bounce houses, water slides, vendors and music this holiday. Avalon Park West is the only master-planned community in Wesley Chapel. When complete it will have a downtown area in the center of six separate villages- all within walking distance of local shops, boutiques, restaurants, and more. Ready to what it's all about, head to Avalon this 4th of July.

5227 Autumn Ridge Dr, Wesley Chapel FL, 33545. Phone 8137821515

4th of July Parade & Fireworks Temple Terrace 10 am parade - then 6-9 pm festival/fireworks

This year's parade route starts at Whiteway and Gillette Ave., then runs south to Druid Hills, west to Ridgedale and south to the Temple Terrace Little League fields. The parade starts at 10 a.m. with Grand Marshal's Eagle Scouts from local Boy Scout Troops. The theme this year is Volunteer: Make A Difference!  Head to the parade, relax at home then return to the 1st Fairway of the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave. to find food vendors, music and Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.   

6610 E. Whiteway Dr., Temple Terrace FL, 33617.
 
Freedom means patriotism is NOT mandated for us as citizens; many describe patriotism as an emotion, a state of mind, or an opinion in which we respect our roots. Whatever patriotism means to you and your family we wish you a happy and safe 4th of July in Tampa as you take time off from work to party, celebrate and reflect on what freedom and patriotism mean to you. 
 
Spending time over in Pinellas County?  Check out: 4th of July Fireworks and Events in St. Pete/Clearwater 
 
(Cover photo credit Alondra Olivas
 
Leave a comment below if you would like your event added to this list. See more by Carlyn Bullock here and here.