Fourth of July: Anna Maria Island, Bradenton & Sarasota

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2027

Parades, Water Fights and Fireworks Over the Water

The Fourth on Anna Maria Island is a small-town celebration with a splash. In 2027, July 4 falls on a Sunday, with the holiday observed on Monday, July 5, so it's a long weekend. Organizers post the details closer to the date, and we'll update this page as they do.

The Privateers' Parade and Water Fight

The Anna Maria Island Privateers lead an island-long parade on the morning of July 4, usually at 10 am, from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach north to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. Their pirate ship leads the way with water cannons, and people along the route answer with buckets, hoses and squirt guns, so come ready to get wet. The parade took a year off in 2025 and was back in 2026. AMI Privateers.

Where to See Fireworks

The biggest shows are on the mainland, a short drive from the island (2026 times shown; 2027 details to come):

  • Downtown Bradenton: a Fourth of July celebration at Rossi Park on the Riverwalk and along Old Main Street, with food trucks, music and fireworks over the Manatee River at about 9 pm. About 25 minutes.
  • Palmetto Fourth Fest: free, 5 to 10 pm at Palmetto Riverside Park, with food trucks and live music (2026 was the 15th year). About 30 minutes.
  • Bradenton Marauders: an Independence Day home game at LECOM Park with fireworks after the game (July 3 in 2026). About 25 minutes. Marauders schedule
  • Sarasota: the city's fireworks over Sarasota Bay from Bayfront Park, at about 9 pm. About 40 minutes. Event info

Prefer to stay put? Many people simply settle in on the beach for sunset; on clear nights you can often see fireworks along the coast.

Sea turtle season: July is nesting season on our beaches. Please keep the beach dark at night, fill in any holes, take your chairs and toys off the sand at sunset, and leave fireworks off the beach. At Cedar Cove our Gulf-facing lights switch to red, turtle-friendly lights during nesting season, as the law requires.

Spend the Fourth by the beach Book early for the holiday weekend. Every suite and cottage has a full kitchen, the free island trolley stops right out front, and guests can borrow free bikes (sign one out at the front desk). Our beachfront and Resort Side suites are on the beach side of Gulf Drive, and our cottages are on the Cottage Side, just across Gulf Drive from our private beach.

Check our availability

See everything else that's on in our Events & Area Calendar, and our tips for things to do on Anna Maria Island.