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Red, white & Gulf-blue

Fourth of July in Naples

A barge of fireworks lit off the Gulf at 9pm, a hometown parade down Fifth Avenue in the morning, and a whole coastline of beach to watch it from. Here is how to do the Fourth in Naples without the stress.

FOURTHJULY NAPLES · NPL

The Fourth of July is one of the most reliable big nights on the Naples calendar, and one of the prettiest. Because the town faces west onto the Gulf of Mexico, the fireworks go up over open water just after a pink-and-orange sunset, so the whole sky and the sea light up at once. It is a genuinely local, family-first holiday here, low on hype and high on lawn chairs.

The day usually splits in two: a morning parade through Old Naples, and the big fireworks show after dark. In between is pure summer beach time. We have pulled together the verified details below, but holiday plans shift year to year, so confirm the latest on the events calendar and the City of Naples before you head out. Want more on what else fills the warm months? See our wider things to do guide.

The main event

The fireworks over the Gulf

A barge show off the beach, choreographed to music on the radio. Here is what to expect.

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SHOW TIME · ~9PM

9pm off a barge near the Pier

The City of Naples sets the fireworks off a barge anchored roughly 900 to 1,000 feet north of the Naples Pier, typically starting around 9pm once it is fully dark. It runs about half an hour. With the Pier being rebuilt, the launch point can move along the coast, so the city's word is the one to trust the week of the holiday.

Free
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TUNE IN · WAVV 101.1 FM

Music on the radio

The show is choreographed to patriotic music simulcast on WAVV 101.1 FM. Bring a portable speaker or pull it up on your phone so the bursts land in time with the soundtrack. It is a small thing that turns a good show into a great one, especially for kids.

Free
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PLAN AHEAD · PIER CLOSES 5PM

The Pier closes early

The Naples Pier closes around 5pm on the Fourth so fire, police and EMS can set up for the show, and in recent years the historic pier has been under reconstruction anyway. You do not need the Pier itself to see the fireworks. Any stretch of city beach works, since the barge sits offshore in plain view.

Good to know
Where to watch

Best viewing spots

The fireworks are visible all along the Naples beachfront. These are the easiest places to plant a chair.

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FAMILY FAVORITE · GULFSHORE BLVD

Lowdermilk Park

The town's go-to public beach park, with room to spread out, restrooms and a snack bar. It is close enough to the barge for a big, bright show and popular with families. The lot fills early and charges non-residents, so arrive well before dark and bring a card.

Public beach
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QUIETER · NORTH NAPLES

Clam Pass Park

A more natural, less hectic option a few miles north, reached by a boardwalk through the mangroves to the sand. It trades the crowd for a calmer evening, though you are a bit farther from the barge. Note the boardwalk walk and earlier parking cutoffs, and check current park hours.

Public beach
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ON THE WATER · SUNSET CRUISE

A fireworks cruise

Operators such as Pure Florida and the Naples Princess run special Fourth of July dinner-and-fireworks cruises that watch the show from the Gulf. They book out fast and prices run higher than a normal sunset trip, so reserve early and confirm the date, time and rate directly with the operator.

Book it
Good to know: Parking near the beach is the single biggest headache of the night. Lots fill hours ahead and side streets get gridlocked after the finale. Come early, bring chairs, water and bug spray, and consider biking or a rideshare. July is hot and humid with quick afternoon thunderstorms, so check the radar before you commit to a spot.
Earlier in the day

The morning parade & more

There is a full day's worth of small-town holiday before the sun goes down.

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MORNING · FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH

The Fifth Avenue parade

In recent years the city has held a morning parade that steps off around 9am near Third Street South and runs along Fifth Avenue South toward City Hall, with bands, floats and military units. Expect street closures through midday. It has been weather-dependent before, so confirm it is on and check the route the morning of.

Free
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EARLY START · FLEISCHMANN PARK

A Firecracker run

A holiday morning 5K is a longtime Naples tradition, usually starting early before the heat builds. Routes, fees and the host park can change year to year, so register ahead and check the current start time and location if you want to run.

Register ahead
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AROUND TOWN · VARIES

Concerts, gardens & resort parties

The surrounding days fill out with extras: free outdoor concerts at spots like Mercato, special hours and admission at Naples Botanical Garden, and resort celebrations along the coast. These come and go each year, so treat them as bonus options and verify dates before you build a plan around them.

Verify dates
Do it right

A perfect Fourth in Naples

  1. Beat the heat with an early-morning beach swim or the Firecracker 5K before the day warms up.
  2. Stake out a spot on Fifth Avenue South for the morning parade, then grab a late breakfast nearby.
  3. Ride out the midday heat and the afternoon storm indoors, with a long lunch, the pool or a nap.
  4. Get to Lowdermilk or your beach of choice well before dusk with chairs, water and bug spray.
  5. Catch the Gulf sunset, tune in WAVV 101.1, and settle in for the 9pm show over the water.
Plan the stay

Find a place to stay nearby

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Good to know

Common questions

What time are the Naples fireworks on the Fourth of July?

The City of Naples fireworks typically begin around 9pm, once it is fully dark. The roughly half-hour show is launched from a barge in the Gulf about 900 to 1,000 feet north of the Naples Pier and choreographed to music. Times can shift year to year, so confirm with the City of Naples before the holiday.

Where is the best place to watch the fireworks in Naples?

Because the barge sits offshore, the show is visible all along the Naples beachfront. Lowdermilk Park is the easy family favorite with parking, restrooms and a snack bar, while Clam Pass Park to the north is quieter but a longer walk from the lot. A fireworks cruise watches from the water itself.

Can I watch the fireworks from the Naples Pier?

Not directly. The Naples Pier closes around 5pm on the Fourth so first responders can set up, and in recent years the historic pier has also been under reconstruction. You do not need it, though, since any city beach gives a clear view of the barge offshore.

Is there a Fourth of July parade in Naples?

In recent years the city has held a morning parade that steps off around 9am near Third Street South and runs along Fifth Avenue South toward City Hall, with bands, floats and military units. It has been weather-dependent in the past, so check that it is on and confirm the route the morning of.

Where can I tune in to the fireworks music?

The Naples fireworks are choreographed to patriotic music simulcast on WAVV 101.1 FM. Bring a phone or a portable radio or speaker and tune in so the bursts line up with the soundtrack. It makes a noticeable difference, especially for younger kids.

What should I know about parking and the weather?

Beach parking fills hours ahead and the lots charge non-residents, so arrive early with a card, or bike or rideshare in. July in Naples is hot, humid and prone to quick afternoon thunderstorms, so check the radar, pack water and bug spray, and bring chairs for the beach.