On Thursday, July 4, 2024, St. Augustine celebrates America’s birthday at the annual St. Augustine Fourth of July celebration, “Fireworks Over the Matanzas” from 6:00 to 10:00 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 9:30 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.

Concert – 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 – visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

Fireworks – 9:30 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. Visitors are welcome to line the streets and 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 8:00 p.m. (and end at 11:00 p.m.), so visitors must be appropriately situated before then.

After the fireworks display, around 10:00 p.m., guests can 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 visitors should drink only on the property of St. Augustine’s 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 10:00 p.m., July 4, 2024. The concert is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Road closures are from 8:00 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.

Parking

• The downtown parking garage at the Visitors Information Center offers all-day parking for $20.00 per vehicle.
• Parking in city-owned lots and on-street is FREE on July 4th, as it is on all national holidays.
• The parking lot at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is not a city lot and is not free on holidays. Access to the Castillo’s parking lot is restricted from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. on July 4th.
• Other privately owned lots will also 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.
• The City of St. Augustine encourages visitors staying close to the downtown area to use bicycles. Visit here for locations to park bicycles throughout the city