After last year’s lack of Independence Day due to COVID, big events are making a comeback. That includes most of the major annual fireworks shows in Fort Myers, Naples, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs but not Sanibel Island this year.

FORT MYERS

Downtown Fort Myers Freedom Fest:

The downtown Fort Myers block party returns with fireworks, food trucks, vendors and the Thunder Beach Band. It all starts at 6pm and the fireworks will be launched off Lofton Island in the Caloosahatchee River about 9 p.m. this is a Free event in Downtown Fort Myers.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Fort Myers Beach Fireworks:

Choosing to err on the side of caution, the annual Fourth of July festival and parade were canceled, but the fireworks show is On. It starts at about 9 p.m. Sunday, July 4.

Beach chairs are encouraged.

The Matanzas Bridge (a great place to see the fireworks if you don't want to be down in the crowd) will be closed from 9-11:30 p.m. Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of the island will remain open. Personal fireworks are prohibited. Times Square, Lynn Hall Park and Fort Myers Beach Pier, 1000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org

NAPLES

Naples Pier Fireworks:

Bring chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks launched from a barge north of Naples Pier. The fireworks can be seen from all along the Naples beach. Personal use of fireworks and sparklers is prohibited. Parking is very limited, so spectators are urged to plan ahead, carpool, find parking on the street or in downtown parking garages, or to walk, take bicycles or use a ride service. Fireworks start after 9 p.m. This is a Free event. Naples City Pier, 12th Avenue South, Naples. 213-7120 4th of July Fireworks  Celebration:

Collier County Parks & Recreation hosts this annual Fourth of July celebration. 4-10 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. This is a Free event. Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. 252-4000

BONITA SPRINGS

Star Spangled Bonita and Glow Parade:

The annual event will feature fireworks, a laser-light show, food and live music. Sunday, July 4. This is a Free event.

The live music will start at 7 and go till 9 p.m. The Glow Parade with illuminated golf carts will start at 8:30. and the fireworks and laser-light show start around dusk, since the sunset will be at 8:25, fireworks should be closer to 9, if timed right, just after the parade.

Parade participants will decorate their golf carts with various lighted items. This too is free to enter, but pre-registration is required.

Old 41 Road will be closed from Wilson Street to Ragsdale Street from 6:30-10 p.m. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org/july4th

CAPE CORAL

Red, White & Boom:
The fun starts early with a 5K fun run, participants run or walk across the Cape Coral Bridge, which will be closed to traffic starting at 3 a.m. Sunday. The registration starts at 6am and the 5K takes place at 7 a.m. $20-$40 registration, $10 for the Kids Fun Run (ages 11 and younger). Race starts at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge, 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. freedom5kcc.com

The Cape Coral Bridge, as well as Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge, will be closing at 3:00am on July 4. Please plan your day accordingly and arrange for an alternate route during your travels. Vehicles attempting to turn east or west on Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard will be directed to make a u-turn and head north.

Live entertainment starts at 5:30pm with Chris Bandi, followed by DJ Sinister at 6:45, Country singer Carly Pearce headlines the annual Independence Day celebration at 8pm, and "American Idol" semifinalist Casey Bishop will sing the national anthem. around 9:30.. This is a Free event. All VIP tickets are sold out.

The fireworks display will also be around 9:30 p.m. and will be synchronized to music that can be heard from the stage, on radio station Cat Country 107.1 FM or under "Cat Country" in the iHeartRadio phone app.

The event takes place in downtown Cape Coral the city's side of the bridge. The bridge and the north end of Cape Coral Parkway will be closed from 3 a.m. Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday. This is a Free event!

NORTH FORT MYERS

Early Bird 4th of July Fundraiser for Cape Coral Animal Shelter:

Hosted by Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant, 13021 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. This fundraiser starts at 3pm with Yard Dog Charlie provides his usual Florida swamp music for this patio party with raffles, a 50/50 drawing, barbecue and food and drink specials. Everyone who donates food, supplies or money gets free raffle tickets. 3-6 p.m. Sunday, July 4. this is a Free event, but it's a fundraiser so .......not really, if you go, expect to participate and fund raise!

Learn more about the shelter’s needs at:

capecoralanimalshelter.com/donate/wish-list.

We included this event because we are dog people!