On a holiday in Orlando, there are so many events to pick from it can make your head start to spin. Lucky for you, I picked out the top five events you should go to this Independence Day! 😉 Happy celebrating…

1. Run in the Florida Hospital Watermelon 5k.

Track Shack is hosting a Watermelon 5k in downtown Winter Park in support of military veterans. After the race, enjoy a party with an ice-cold watermelon eating contest and the free kids’ run. Pre-registration is only $33 and military personnel and dependents receive a $10 discount!

Florida Hospital Watermelon 5k
251 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789

2. Bring your kids to the 23rd Annual 4th of July Celebration in Winter Park.

Bring your tailgating chairs and loved ones to Central Park for a morning of patriotic fun! There will be performances by the Bach Festival Choir and Orlando native singer Sean Holcomb, as well as a Children’s Bicycle Parade and tons of stuff for your kids to climb on.

Other perks include free hot dogs, watermelon, water, and free open houses at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and The Winter Park History Museum.

Downtown Central Park
Park Avenue & Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789

3. Put your eating skills to the test at Drive Shack’s Bucket of Balls Eating Contest.

This is America after all, and if you’re not inspired by the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest on Independence Day, you’re wrong. Head over to Drive Shack and see if you can eat 25 meatballs in under 5 minutes! There are awesome prizes if you win, and everyone who participates gets a free hour of golf.

Drive Shack Orlando
7285 Corner Dr., Orlando, FL 32827

4. Watch the Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola Park.

Join Mayor Buddy Dyer at the annual Fireworks at the Fountain signature event in downtown Orlando. Festivities start at 4 p.m. with performances from The Mellow Relics, Mo’Mo-Browne, The Spring and the Orlando Concert Band, with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. There will be a kids play area, beer garden, and food and beverages available while you enjoy the live music in the band shell. Make sure to check the city’s website for parking information because it can get crowded downtown on a holiday.

Lake Eola Park
512 East Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801

5. Party all night long at the Red, White & Brew Block Party!

Leave the kids at home for this one and enjoy unlimited Sam Adams in the beer garden from 5-8 p.m. Admission to the beer garden is $20, but cover is free throughout the rest of the block party. There will also be a karaoke competition along with food, outdoor games, tons of giveaways and live music from LUVU & DJ Korndogg. This event is so huge they needed two nights for it, so if you’re feeling ambitious you can show up for the pre-party on July 3.

Wall Street Plaza
26 Wall St., Orlando, FL 32801

Have fun and stay safe!

Tina ♥