EVENTS

July 4th events: Where to watch fireworks and celebrate in Pensacola, Milton and Navarre

Brandon Girod
Pensacola News Journal

In the blink of an eye, it’s already the Fourth of July.

This year you’ll find the normal fireworks celebrations in Downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Navarre and Milton, but the Sertoma Fireworks display is expanding a bit to incorporate an all-day celebration. 

Find all the details below.

Photos from last July 4th:Milton celebrates July 4 during annual Riverfest

Previous coverage of July 4th:PHOTOS: Pensacola Anderson Subaru holds 4th of July Celebration Bash

Where to watch fireworks in Pensacola, Milton, Navarre and OWA

Sertoma Fireworks

  • Where: Downtown Pensacola, along Main St. facing the bay
  • When: 9 p.m. July 4

The Sertoma fireworks display is the premiere Fourth of July show in the Pensacola area — at least on this side of the bridge. You can catch the display from numerous vantage points in Downtown Pensacola, such as the pier, Community Maritime Park and the grassy areas along Main Street.

The 2022 celebration will mix things up a bit, however. Starting at 4:30 p.m., head to Old Seville Square for live music and food trucks.

Pensacola Beach Fireworks

  • Where: Along Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Santa Rosa Sound
  • When: 8:30 p.m. July 4

As is tradition, Pensacola Beach will welcome Independence day on its sugary-white sands with a 30-minute fireworks display along the boardwalk on the sound side.

Milton Fireworks

  • Where: Riverwalk area, South Willing Street in Milton
  • When: When it gets dark on July 4

The city of Milton is planning a whole day of events, which are outlined below. Fireworks kick off when it gets dark outside. 

Navarre Fireworks

  • Where: Navarre Beach
  • When: 9 p.m. July 4

Navarre will also be holding a full day of events. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. 

OWA Fireworks

Where: 101-N S. OWA Blvd., Foley, Alabama

When: Saturday, July 2

July 4th celebrations in Pensacola, Milton, Navarre and OWA

Symphony Sparks & Stars

  • Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
  • When: 6 to 9 p.m. July 4

This family-friendly concert kicks off at 7:30 pm with the United States Marine Corps’ presentation of colors, followed by the national anthem and the United States Navy jets flying over the bay.

After the flyover, the Pensacola Symphony will launch into a patriotic performance, which includes the battle hymns for each branch of military service to recognize those who have served the country.

Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets as the orchestra performs patriotic tunes leading up to the Sertoma Fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Hometown 4th of July Parade and Celebration

  • Where: Navarre Beach
  • When: 6 to 9 p.m. July 4

Navarre will hold its annual Hometown 4th of July Parade and Celebration on Navarre Beach. It starts at 6 p.m. with a non-motorized children’s parade. The band Duchess takes the stage at 7 p.m. and will perform until the fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Babies, toddlers and children up to age 12 are invited to be part of the children’s parade. Registration begins at 5 p.m.

Children may dress up and use bicycles, wagons, strollers, small battery-operated vehicles or walk and they are encouraged to be creative.

Milton 4th of July

  • Where: Riverwalk area, South Willing Street in Milton
  • When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4

The city of Milton is planning a full day of events to celebrate the Fourth of July starting at 9 a.m. You’ll find motorcycle and car shows, a duck race, children’s activity areas, local arts and craft vendors, retail vendors and, of course, fireworks to round out the celebration. Here’s the full list of events:

  • 20th annual Firecracker Motorcycle Show - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Freedom Car Show - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Treasure Island children’s activity area - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Great Milltown Duck Race - 5 p.m.
  • Fireworks - when it gets dark

OWA

  • Where: 101-N S. OWA Blvd., Foley, Alabama 
  • When: 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. July 1-3

OWA is planning a full weekend celebration for the Fourth of July, complete with live music, patriotic characters, activities and fireworks. 

Starting on Friday and running through the weekend, the Downtown OWA Splash Pad and on OWA Island will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. with kids' activities. DJ Patrick will be playing music from 4 to 8 p.m. 

Uncle Sam and Rosie Riveter return to the Downtown OWA Splash Pad from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Activities continue throughout the night with Jesse Duncan playing on OWA Island from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and B Street Benny from 8 p.m. until the fireworks begin at 8:50 p.m. The fireworks can be enjoyed inside Tropic Falls theme park or in Downtown OWA, so grab a spot and enjoy the show with your family and friends. Stick around after the fireworks conclude, as B Street Benny keeps the party going on OWA Island until 9:45 p.m.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with Bangarang Peter on the OWA Island Stage from 2 to 4 p.m. and Lisa & the E-Lusion playing from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Island Movie Nights featuring The Sandlot starts at 8 p.m.

July 4th dinners

Fish House celebrates Fourth of July

  • Where: 600 S. Barracks St.
  • When: Reservations only; tables reserved at 
  • Price: $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity 

You know the drill: If there’s a big event happening, The Fish House will make sure you’re happily fed for the festivities. But for the Fourth of July, they’ll make sure you have front-row seats to the Sertoma Fireworks display.

Regular seating will be available for walk-in customers, but for $100 a person, the Harborview Deck at Atlas Oyster House is offering a special four-course meal and wine dinner. Table reservations begin at 7 p.m. and you can come and go as you please. For reservations call 850-470-0003.

Here’s what’s on the menu: 

Appetizers 

  • Grilled Camembert cheese topped with candied pecans, bourbon glaze, fresh blueberries, raspberries, and grilled sourdough
  • Baked oyster trio featuring Rockefeller, imperial and blackened butter with parmesan
  • Clams and pork cataplana with sautéed marinated pork belly and clams in white wine, garlic and spices.  Garnished with fresh parsley and grilled bread

Paired with Raventos i Blanc, Conca del Riv Anoia L’Herev 2014

Salad

  • Red and yellow tomato gazpacho
  • Watermelon, arugula, bleu cheese and walnut salad with sweet lime vinaigrette

Paired with Kellerei Cantina Kurtatsch, Sudtirol Alto Adige Pinot Grigio NV

Entrees 

  • Grilled Scottish salmon glazed with a smoky citrus barbeque sauce, served with cilantro basmati pilaf and Mexican street corn
  • Redfish on the half shell with grilled marinated redfish, warm potato salad, and arugula tossed in a lemon vinaigrette
  • Grilled filet and crab cake, marinated grilled vegetables, potato puree and meuniére sauce

Paired with choice of:

  • Beringer Vineyards, Chardonnay Luminus Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, California 2020
  • Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2019
  • Marietta Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Game Trail Estate Yorkville Highlands, California 2017

Dessert

  • Boston cream pie with raspberry sorbet craquelin and blueberries in lemon verbena glaze
  • Classic apple pie with blackberry vanilla ice cream, ginger-spiced pecans and East Hill orange blossom honey

Paired with Penfolds Port, Club Tawney NV or Juve and Camps Cava Brut Pinot Noir NV