July 4th in Pensacola

Sertoma’s Fourth of July Celebration

Old Seville, Pensacola, FL

Fireworks at 9pm

850-433-9866

Fourth of July Celebration at Fort Walton Beach Landing

Brooks Street, Fort Walton

Enjoy food and vendor booths, children’s activities, live entertainment, and 4th of July fireworks. Event is free to the public.

850.833.9509

City of Destin Fireworks

Destin Harbor

Music in the Park (July 2)

Navarre Park

Music and festivities, followed by fireworks

850-939-2691

July 4^th Fireworks

Panama City Beach

850-233-5100

Independence on the Coast

Frank Pate Park, Port St. Joe

850-227-1223

Mexico Beach Independence Day Celebration

850-229-7800

Come to Mexico Beach for a full day of activities on July 4th. Start with our 5k walk/run. Then head to the children’s Fishing Tournament, and finish the day with a spectacular fireworks display on the beach.

Independence Day Parade and Ice Cream Social (July 3)
Downtown Apalachicola

Come join in the parade and decorate yourself, your bicycle or your golf cart and enjoy and old fashioned ice cream social after.

Elsewhere on this website you’ll find the official rules and whatnot, but here’s a brief rundown on the photos you’ll need to take on your travels throughout the seven-county region this summer.

Go fishing in Destin, the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and photograph yourself with a fish. You’re not a fisherperson? That’s okay, just enjoy a walk along the docks to see the day’s catch arrive. The boat captains are always happy to talk with visitors about fishing.

Head to the Eastern Time Zone to Apalachicola and get yourself some fresh Apalachicola Bay oysters. Have someone snap your photo as you slurp them down. Afterward, take a little time to explore the antiques shops in the Downtown Historic District.

As you head west, you gain back that lost hour. Stop in at the Constitution Convention Museum State Park in Port St. Joe for your next photo. This is where Florida’s founders drafted and signed the state constitution in 1838.

On Pensacola Naval Air Station just west of Pensacola, visit the National Naval Aviation Museum (it’s free) and climb inside a stationary flight simulator for one of your photos. You can spend hours in this museum, exploring the history of flight, but if you’re there at 8:30 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can watch the Blue Angels practice their flight routines in the skies overhead.

On U. S. Highway 98 at the foot of the Navarre bridge you’ll find the Panhandle Butterfly House. This free attraction is an interactive educational facility that promotes the conservation of butterflies.

Your next photo is on the Beaches of South Walton, where you’ll find the Ogden Museum of Southern Art @ Watercolor, a branch of the famed New Orleans museum. This free museum is small but well worth a visit and your photo here may just be a work of art.

Finally, tee it up for your last shot at any of the championship golf courses in Panama City Beach, or, if you prefer, burn some worms at a miniature course. Either way, let your photo show your inner Tiger.

2. Captain Anderson’s Marina-Watch the fishermen unload the day’s catch here at dusk. You’re sure to see a few locals, as this is an age-old tradition in Panama City Beach.

3. St. Andrews State Park- A perfect place for the whole family! Named a top beach in the nation by Trip Advisor, the gorgeous white sand beaches and emerald green waters are sure to be remembered for years to come. Pack a picnic, and spend the day searching for shells and spotting local birds. Admission is $5 per vehicle.

4. Man-in-the-Sea Museum-A Panama City Beach Institution, this museum has been showcasing the progress of underwater technology since 1982. Museum exhibits include the world’s first underwater living facility, model submarines, and recreational diving equipment throughout time. Admission is $5 for people over the age of seven. Children under seven are admitted for free!

5. Camp Helen State Park-For those looking for a little peace and quiet, this is a true treasure. Bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell (one of the state’s largest Coastal Dune Lakes), this park offers freshwater and saltwater fishing. Admission is $2 per vehicle, or $1 per bicyclist or pedestrian.

2. Panhandle Butterfly House-Spread your wings and head to Navarre for a rare glimpse of local butterflies. The Florida State Butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, is here, along with the Monarch, and beautiful orange Julia. Your little ones will surely be fascinated by the fluttering creatures, and will learn a great deal about their life cycle, also. Admission is free! 

3. Historic Milton-Trade in the bathing suits for a fun-filled day in historic Milton. The Downtown Historical District will transport you right back to the town’s humble beginnings as a trading post in 1825. With the Imogene Theatre, L & N Train Museum, and the Blackwater Heritage Trail, Milton will keep you very busy!

4. Zoo-Northwest Florida- Take a walk on the wildside with the 1,200 animals at this zoo in Gulf Breeze. Lemurs, giraffes, Komodo dragons, kangaroos and bears are just some of the wild creatures you’ll find here. At just $8.25 for children, and $11.50 for adults, this is one attraction you can’t afford to miss!

5. Blackwater River State Forest-As one of the largest state forests in Florida, the Blackwater River State Forest is best known for its longleaf pine/wiregrass eco-system. This system once covered more than 60 million acres, and is still the largest in the world. The forest is home to many hiking and biking trails, campsites and even equestrian trails.

2. Scalloping in St. Joseph’s Bay-Try out your best hunter-gatherer skills! From July 1- September 10, give scalloping a try by wading into the calm, shallow waters of St. Joseph’s Bay. Frank Pate Park in Port St. Joe is a great place to begin your hunt for these sweet and succulent treats. Remember that you must have a fishing license (available at bait and tackle shops), and not to harvest more than two gallons unshucked per person.

3. Constitution Convention Museum State Park- This 13-acre park marks the spot where Florida’s first State Constitution Convention was held. The document was first drafted in Port St. Joe in 1838, and you are invited to share in the history! Admission is $1 per person.

4. Tupelo Honey in Wewahitchka-This charming town may look familiar, as it was the setting for “Ulee’s Gold.” Learn about the unique method used to make this premium honey, which involves bee boxes being placed in the swamps of the Apalachicola River.

5. St. Joseph’s Peninsula State Park- As one of Florida’s most diverse and breath-taking state parks, St. Joseph’s Peninsula has something for everyone. Camp sites are perfect for a family vacation,  where you can explore nature trails, splash in the Gulf of Mexico, or try to catch a glimpse of one of the 240 species of birds that call the park their home. Admission is $4 per vehicle.

2. National Estuarine Research Reserve-Located in Apalachicola, this is one of 25 sites in the nation with such designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve. At the Visitor Information Center, learn about the 186 species of fish, diverse marine habitats and the ways to protect them for generations to come. You can also see live examples of the local marine life!

3. Orman House State Park-Journey back to the ways of life in 1838 in historic Apalachicola. Thomas Orman’s beautiful antebellum home overlooks the Apalachicola River. Orman was a business man who helped his tiny town become one of the Gulf Coast’s most important cotton ports in the 19th century. House tours are 9-5, Monday through Thursday. Admission is $2 per person.

4. St. George Island State Park- If camping, kayaking, fishing or birdwatching sound like your idea of fun, plan a trip to this pristine park on St. George Island. With miles of undeveloped beach and crystal clear water at your fingertips, you’ll be experiencing the Old Florida way of life. Admission is $5 per vehicle.

5. Crooked River Lighthouse- This 103-foot tall iron and steel lighthouse was constructed in 1895 and is still considered a beacon of light for the folks of Carrabelle (it was at one time decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard). The museum is open from 12pm-5pm Thursday through Sunday, and you can climb the lighthouse on Saturdays from 1-4. Admission is $5.

2. Emerald Coast Science Center-Located in Ft. Walton Beach, this hands on science center will keep the kids learning and exploring all summer long. Make lightning in a bottle, meet Rosy the Tarantula, and make bubbles up to 15 feet long!

3. Sights and Sounds on Destin’s Harbor-Stroll through shops and restaurants or watch the fishing fleet unload the day’s catch. The Harbor District, as it’s known to locals, is in the heart of the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and has breathtaking views of the town’s emerald-green waters.

4. Concerts in the Park-Every Thursday in May and June, enjoy free concerts featuring local bands. Bring blankets, soft drinks and friends to the Event Lawn at the Mattie Kelley Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

5. Air Force Armament Museum- Browse the aviation warfare armament from World War I and today’s high-tech planes and bombs. The museum, located on Eglin Air Force Base near Valparaiso,  houses an impressive collection of weaponry and interactive displays that are sure to amaze! Admission is free to all.

2.        Eden State Gardens in Point Washington- This beautiful turn-of-the-century mansion is surrounded by azaleas, camellias and Spanish moss-covered live oaks. Guided tours of the Wesley Mansion are offered Thursday through Monday. $3 vehicle entry fee and $3 per person fee to tour the Wesley Mansion apply.

3.       Jolee Island-Kids are encouraged to explore the pirate ship-shaped playground in this rustic five-acre nature park, while parents meander through the nature trails. Located at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

4.       Timpoochee Trail- Hop on your bike and set out on this 18-mile paved path. The trail winds through nine of the area’s 15 distinctive beach communities, state parks and coastal dune lakes. A real treat for the nature-lover!

5.       Outdoor Concerts and Performances-From “Moonlight and Movies” in Rosemary Beach and “Friday Night Flicks” in Sandestin to a theatrical performance by the Seaside Repertory Theatre under the stars in Seaside, it’s easy to find free and inexpensive entertainment on warm summer nights in the Beaches of South Walton.

2. TT Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum-Pensacola’s history museum featuring unique artifacts, including an anchor that belonged to Spanish sailor de Luna in 1559.

3. Gulf Islands National Seashore-The Pensacola Bay Area is home to the longest stretch of protected seashore in the country. National park rangers lead free programs from beach walks and bird-watching to star-gazing and snorkeling.

4. Summer concerts -Offered in the Pensacola Bay Area five nights a week in Downtown Pensacola and on Pensacola Beach.

5. Pensacola Historic Village- Pensacola has 20 properties in the National Register Historic District, 10 of which are open to the public. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.