4th of July Fireworks, Events & Parking

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, St. Augustine celebrates America's 250th birthday at the annual St. Augustine 4th of July celebration, "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

The fireworks start at 9:00 p.m. and last until about 9:20 p.m.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución in the heart of St. Augustine's Historic District—with a two-hour live music concert, featuring the All-Star Orchestra. At 9:00 p.m., the sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks display over the historic bayfront and the Castillo de San Marcos. "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" is one of the biggest and best fireworks displays on the East Coast, featuring 5,000 individual shells exploding as high as 2,000 feet and as low as 100 feet.

NOTE: If you are driving into town for the fireworks, welcome. Before you come, make sure to scroll down to see information about parking, detours, road closures, and how to leave town after the fireworks.

Where to View the Fireworks

• From downtown, taking in the concert and festivities.
• Across the water from Vilano Beach.
• On the water aboard a boat on a Fourth of July Tour.

Downtown, the Concert Starts at 6:00 p.m.

The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Plaza de la Constitución. The popular All-Star Orchestra performs a two-hour big band and swing music show, including patriotic favorites. The concert is free and open to the public—bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The Fireworks Start at 9:00 p.m.

Lighting up the sky over Matanzas Bay, with the Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions in the foreground, the "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" display is truly unforgettable. The 20-minute fireworks show is set to patriotic music on an extensive sound system that carries over the entire bayfront. Fireworks by Santore produces the annual show.

"Fireworks Over the Matanzas" is one of the best events in Florida to catch Independence Day fireworks. Sit anywhere along the Bridge of Lions and South Castillo Drive to view the fireworks from downtown.

See below for details on road closures. These closures begin at 7:30 p.m. (and end at 11:00 p.m.), so you must be appropriately situated before then.

After the fireworks display, around 9:20 p.m., visit the historic downtown pubs and restaurants for a bite to eat and a cool drink. Remember, St. Augustine enforces "no open container" laws, so be sure you drink only at the restaurants and bars.

Check out places to stay in St. Augustine for July 4th weekend options at the beaches, downtown, and near I-95.

When: 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., July 4, 2026. The concert is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. Road closures are from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Where: St. Augustine's historic district. Some of the best vantage points are on the Bridge of Lions and at the Castillo de San Marcos.

For more information on this event, please call (904) 825-1004 or visit here.

If there is bad weather: If the fireworks are cancelled due to the weather (usually a last-minute decision), go here on their website to learn more. They will also post on their social media pages.

While You're In Town

Check out the other events celebrating the 4th of July and America's 250th.

Downtown Parking

First, parking will be limited in town due to street closures. You can find a summary of the parking details here:

• See below for Park and Ride shuttles to and from Anastasia Island.
• The parking lot at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument will be closed on the 4th of July. If you park there on July 3 and stay overnight, you will be towed.
• Able-bodied walkers can park free at Broudy's Lot, 198 King Street, from 5:00 p.m. until midnight. There will be no shuttles; please cross US-1 at King in the crosswalk with the lights. This is the only safe place to cross U.S. 1. After crossing, turn left and go across the bridge on US-1. We suggest you turn right on Carrera Street and then left at the corner. Walk on Riberia to Orange, and then turn right on Orange. Orange Street ends at Avenida Menendez, directly across from the Castillo.
• The Historic Downtown Parking Garage, at 1 Cordova, is more easily accessed from West Castillo. The garage offers all-day parking for $20.00 per vehicle. It's $3.00 for those using the ParkStAug St. Johns County resident discount. It will reach capacity and will take some time to empty. Please arrive early and expect delays when leaving.
• Parking in city-owned lots and on-street is FREE on July 4th, as it is on all national holidays. It's up to each driver to confirm they are in a city-owned lot.
• Privately owned lots will charge for the day.
• Street parking will be limited in the vicinity of the Plaza to facilitate traffic detours in the evening. Click here for a map of handicapped parking locations in downtown St. Augustine.
• If you're staying close to the downtown area, consider walking or bicycling. Visit here for locations to park bicycles throughout the city.

Downtown July 4th Road Closures and Changes

Road Closures

Please note: Closure times and reopening times are approximate. Avenida Menendez and South Castillo Drive will be closed from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. to accommodate this event. The Bridge of Lions will be closed to both boat and vehicle traffic. Everyone attending should find their parking spot well before 8:00 p.m. The city expects these roads to reopen between 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

New this year: The King Street Bridge is under construction, and King Street is closed from US-1 to the intersection of Malaga Street. There is a detour route north on US-1 at the north end of Malaga Street.

Additional Street Closures (Times are subject to change.)

• Cathedral Place between Avenida Menendez and Cordova (4:00 - 11:00 p.m.)
• Bridge of Lions (7:30 - 11:00 p.m.)
• Avenida Menéndez (7:30 - 11:00 p.m.)
• S. Castillo Drive (7:30 - 11:00 p.m.)
• Picolata Road between US-1 and San Marco Avenue (7:30–11:00 p.m.)
• San Carlos Avenue between US-1 and San Marco Avenue (7:30–11:00 p.m.)
• N. Cordova Street from Orange Street to the entrance of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility (7:30–11:00 p.m.)
  • You cannot get to the city's parking garage from Orange Street after about 7:30 p.m. That curvy bit from Orange Street on North Cordova will be closed.

Road Changes and Restrictions

• King Street west of MLK Boulevard will have two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane from 7:30–11:30 p.m.
• King Street east of MLK Boulevard to Avenida Menendez will have one lane in each direction.
• No eastbound traffic will be allowed on W. Castillo Drive from US-1 to N. Cordova Street from 7:30–11:30 p.m.

Visit here for a quick list of tips on parking and road closures.

Important Detour Information

After the fireworks

• If you plan to head south on U.S. 1, you must turn left at Malaga Street. After the fireworks, you cannot turn right from Malaga or turn left from West Castillo.
• If you plan to head north on U.S.1, you must turn right from West Castillo. After the fireworks, you cannot turn left from West Castillo or right from Malaga.
• If you can, we encourage you to stop and grab a bite, a glass of something, or an ice cream cone and relax after the fireworks. Give the traffic time to abate a bit.

Free Park and Ride Shuttles from Anastasia Island

The City offers free park-and-ride shuttles from Anastasia Island from 6:00 p.m. until midnight via parking locations along Anastasia Blvd. Old Town Trolley Tours provides the shuttle service, picking up passengers at three parking lots and dropping them at the east end of the Bridge of Lions. You will walk across the bridge to get downtown and walk back across the bridge to get the shuttle back to your car. A fourth lot at the Alligator Farm has no pick-up service. Walk from there to R.B. Hunt Elementary School.

Passengers may park for free on Anastasia Island at:

• Anastasia Baptist Church (1650 A1A South) - Parking and pick-up.
• St. Augustine Amphitheatre (1340-C A1A South) - Parking and pick-up.
• R.B. Hunt Elementary School (125 Magnolia Dr.) - Parking and pick-up.
• St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (999 Anastasia Blvd.) - Parking only. Passengers must go to R.B. Hunt Elementary School to catch the shuttle.

Following the fireworks, the shuttle will pick up passengers at the drop-off location at the east end of the Bridge of Lions. 

Nearby Places to Eat Downtown

• Casa Reina, 1 Anderson Circle
• Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen, 6 West Castillo Drive
• Cellar Upstairs, 157 King Street
• Harry's Seafood, 46 Avenida Menendez
• O.C. White's, 118 Avenida Menendez
• Pepper's Cocina, 72 Spanish Street
• Raintree Restaurant, 102 San Marco Ave.

Click here for a list of all of the eateries in historic downtown. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Public Restrooms Downtown

Public restrooms are located around the historic downtown, and the city is placing several porta-potties in nine locations downtown. You can find them located near the Plaza, along the waterfront to the north side of the Castillo, and near St. George Street. Check out the map below.

Vilano Beach

The county and city have a plan to help traffic flow across the bridge and through the neighborhood. 

Vilano Beach Road Closures

Select side roads will be closed to traffic before the fireworks finale and will remain closed until the traffic has cleared after the fireworks. 

• Genoa & Porpoise Point
• Genoa & Outrigger
• Genoa & Loja
• Loja & Manresa
• Loja & the roundabout

For Those Who Travel by Sea

The Bridge of Lions will not open for marine traffic after the 7:30 p.m. opening until 11:00 p.m. - or shortly after. Vessels will be prohibited from entering, anchoring, or mooring within an area north of the Bridge of Lions. The southern boundary is from mooring ball 14, east to Marker 7. The northern boundary of the No Boat Zone extends from north of the fort, northeast to just beyond the three dolphins, and southeast to Marker 5. This area may shift slightly as a result of weather patterns. Marine patrol will monitor the area.

Additional Information

• During the day, pedestrians will be prevented from crossing Cathedral Place in the middle of the block. Barricades will prevent access, and you will have to use the crosswalks.
• The city will place meridian vehicle barricades at critical intersections in the historic downtown.
• Public Safety Assistance and St. Augustine Police officers will stand at critical intersections and direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
• The American Red Cross will set up at Cathedral Place and Charlotte, distributing water while supplies last and assisting as needed.