St. Pete's 2027 plans are not out yet. In 2026 the free celebration at the St. Pete Pier ended with fireworks at 9 p.m. over the downtown waterfront.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. This page is updated each year. The City of St. Petersburg has not announced its 2027 Fourth of July plans, so the details below are from the 2026 “The Fourth” event page and the city calendar. We will update it when the 2027 details are posted.

St. Petersburg celebrates Independence Day on its downtown waterfront. The city and the St. Pete Pier put on “The Fourth,” a free afternoon and evening of music, food and family activities on the Pier, and the night ends with the city’s fireworks show, visible from the whole downtown waterfront.

Who to call

How the 2026 celebration ran

The sixth annual “The Fourth” was held Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 4 to 10 p.m. at the St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave. NE, according to the city calendar and the Pier’s event page. It was free and family-friendly and included:

  • Live music on the main stage
  • A craft beer garden
  • Uncle Sam’s Market and food vendors
  • A Family Fun Zone and roaming entertainers
  • The city’s fireworks show at 9 p.m.

For America’s 250th anniversary the Pier said the 2026 display would be double the usual scale. The Pier also sold tickets to a reserved premium viewing area.

Other Fourth of July events in 2026

  • St. Pete Pier Run, a 4-mile run and walk on the morning of July 4, starting at 6:15 a.m. at Spa Beach Park on the Pier. Race page.
  • 4th of July Pops Spectacular, 6 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S: the St. Pete Opera’s orchestra and chorus with patriotic, classical and Broadway music, followed by the Pier fireworks. Mahaffey page.

How the celebration has grown

The city calendar traces the event back to 2021, when the Pier, which opened in 2020, held the first “The Fourth” over three days, July 2 to 4, with the first St. Pete Pier Run and a 9 p.m. fireworks show on the Fourth. Since 2022 it has been a single afternoon and evening on July 4. In 2025 the Pier marked its fifth anniversary with a second night, July 5, of water ski, jet ski and flyboard shows on the bay.

Where to watch

In 2023 the city listed these waterfront parks along Bayshore Drive and North Shore Drive NE as places to watch the show:

  • Albert Whitted Park
  • North Straub Park and South Straub Park
  • North Shore Park
  • Elva Rouse Park
  • Flora Wylie Park

The city has said the show can start as early as 8:30 p.m. or as late as 10 p.m. depending on the weather.

Parking and getting there

The city points visitors to downtown parking garages, city lots and metered spaces; see the where to park page. Our getting around guide covers downtown parking and transit.

Fireworks at home

Florida Statute 791.08 allows consumer fireworks to be used on three designated holidays: New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. The law does not override recorded deed covenants, and a homeowners association board cannot make new rules to take that right away. Be careful in a dry spell, keep a hose ready and never aim fireworks at people, homes or boats.

What this means for you

  • Plan for the show at about 9 p.m. on July 4, weather permitting.
  • Pick a park on the waterfront if you want to skip the Pier crowd.
  • Check back in June 2027 for this year’s times and any road closures.

Related: things to do this month and parks and trails in St. Petersburg.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Fourth of July fireworks in St. Petersburg?

The City of St. Petersburg’s fireworks show is held at the St. Pete Pier and is visible from the whole downtown waterfront. In 2026 it began at 9 p.m. on July 4.

What time are the St. Pete fireworks on July 4?

The city schedules the show for 9 p.m., weather permitting. In past years the city has said it can start as early as 8:30 p.m. or as late as 10 p.m. depending on weather.

Is the St. Pete Pier Fourth of July celebration free?

Yes. The Fourth at the Pier is free and family-friendly. In 2026 the Pier also sold tickets for a reserved premium viewing area.

Can I set off fireworks at home in St. Petersburg on the Fourth of July?

Florida law allows consumer fireworks to be used on Independence Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Local rules and recorded deed covenants can still apply.