Before the main event of the firework shows at night on the 4th of July in Orlando, there are a lot of other fun activities and things to do during the day with your family to celebrate America’s Independence Day including movies, parades, picnics, and a 5k run.

Watermelon 5k

Start off your 4th of July in a healthy way with a 5k run in the city of Winter Park with their annual Watermelon 5k along Park Avenue. The run begins at 7:30am and is immediately followed by a watermelon eating contest that starts at 8:30am.

Old Fashion 4th of July Picnic in Winter Park

From 9am until 1pm, the city of Winter Park will host their annual Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration in Central Park with the Bach Festival Brass Band and Choir and lots of other activities for the family including inflatables for kids. Admission will also be free to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum from 9:30am until 4pm also located in Central Park.

4th of July Parade

A 4th of July parade takes place in Mount Dora at 10 am.

Local Parks for Barbecue

If you are looking to setup a barbecue around the Orlando area, some of the nicer parks around Orlando with picnic tables and grills include Cypress Grove Park and Wadeview Park in the central part of Orlando, Downey Park and Moss Park in east Orlando, Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake in west Orlando, and Wekiwa Springs in Wekiva Springs and Kelly Park in Apopka in the northern part of Orlando.

Click here to view our story about local beaches and springs within Orlando. Also, there are a number of splash pads to cool off in around Orlando that can be found here.

Top 10 4th of July Orlando Barbecue Menu

Read our guide to the top 10 4th of July Orlando Barbecue menu items with links for recipes and locations to buy prepared items.