1. GO NOW: Altamonte’s Red Hot and Boom

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Altamonte’s Red Hot & Boom

event is promising sizzling musical performances and impressive fireworks tonight, Friday, July 3 from 4pm to 11pm. With the firework display beginning at 9.30pm.

Red Hot & Boom is an annual, family-friendly event presented by the City of Altamonte Springs and XL 106.7 in honor of Independence Day. It has a reputation for having the best fireworks show in Central Florida.

This year’s musical performances come from Priory, Ryn Weaver, Rachel Platten, Vance Joy, Andy Grammer, and Shaggy.

Red Hot & Boom is FREE and open to the public.

Organisers suggest you stay tuned to XL106.7 for weather updates and schedule changes throughout today.

2. GO LOCAL: Downtown Kissimmee

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Kissimmee Lakefront Park is playing host to Kissimmee’s annual Monumental 4th of July Celebration this Saturday, July 4, 2015. Festivities kick off at 5.00 pm and will feature live music from Osceola Arts Singers, Charlie Cruz and the Spin Doctors. There’s also a beer garden, food trucks on the Event Lawn and an interactive KUA Kids’ Power Zone on the Civic Lawn.

From 4.00 you can MIX 105.1 at the Belt Way, between the Otter and Panther Pavilions in the park to form a human replica of our great American flag. The first 600 participants will receive a free red, white or blue Cotton Incorporated t-shirt – 100% cotton and 100% made in the U.S.A. – and will be a part of a spectacular aerial photo.

The event culminates with a spectacular fireworks display at approximately 9:10 pm over Lake Tohopekaliga.

Admission is free.

3. GO DISNEY: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is promising thrilling fireworks over Cinderella Castle, with a patriotic musical score with its ‘Magic Kingdom: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky’. Billed as ‘one of the most elaborate night time spectacles ever seen at a Disney theme park’, it promises to be a lively tribute to America’s independence.

Get there early – 4th July Celebrations at Magic Kingdom usually reach capacity early, so an early arrival is essential.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is promising a Rockin’ Fourth of July Celebration with its rock ‘n roll firework spectacular.

At Epcot you can enjoy a fresh take on Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. This inspiring show –describing the story of our planet through eruptions of flame and exploding blossoms of light—has something extra in store for Independence Day. As a special holiday feature, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth will culminate in a spectacular Fourth of July firework finale in dazzling tribute to the Red, White and Blue.

Epcot is probably the least likely of the Disney Parks to reach capacity so is least likely to close and is likely to be the quietest of the Disney parks – although it will be by no means quiet!

The shows are included with park admission.

4. GO DOWNTOWN: Lake Eola

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Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando plays host to ‘Fireworks at the fountain’ with live music on two stages, more than 25 food and beverage vendors and family-friendly activities.

Music comes courtesy of Jimmy Stanley, the Mellow Relics, and the Orlando Concert Band.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early in order to find a great viewing spot. Although arguably the best viewing spots went on sale yesterday – eight of the park’s swan boats could be hired for four hours to watch the display from the boating lake.

Organisers are already warning there’s likely to be a lot of traffic – so set off and plan to arrive in plenty of time.

Activities run from 4.00 to 10.00 with the finale of the patriotic firework display over Lake Eola, begining at 9:10.

Admission is free.

5. GO RED, BRICK AND BOOM: Legoland

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LEGOLAND® Florida celebrates this 4th July with special Independence Day ‘Red, Brick and Boom’ festivities.

The show runs for three nights from tonight through til Sunday 5th July with extended hours.

The park is promising something special – and offering visitors special glasses which will turn the fireworks into millions of exploding LEGO® bricks!

We’ve used glasses similar to these before and we agree it should be something pretty special. Definitely worth the extra drive out to LEGOLAND in Winter Haven (about 40 minutes from Kissimmee).

The 3D Glasses will be given out by the Ski Stadium from 8pm and the firework display will start at 9.00pm each night.

The Red, Brick and Boom event is included with park admission.

6. GO HIGH: Orlando Eye

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The Orlando Eye is looking pretty good this weekend – all lit up in red, white and blue.

If you fancy celebrating the ‘4th of Jul-EYE’ at I-Drive 360 this weekend, as an added bonus for every adult Orlando Eye ticket purchased between July 3rd and July 5th, Orlando Eye is offering a child’s ticket for just $4!

7. GO OUT OF THIS WORLD: Celebration

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If you read my articles regularly, you’ll know what a big fan I am of Celebration. This year, the town plays host its third annual ‘A Sci-Fi 4th of July’ and is encouraging visitors to ‘come early, stay late, and have fun’.

The event will feature a Sci-Fi themed costume contest at 7:00 PM, and will feature a synchronized fireworks spectacular set to a Sci-Fi themed soundtrack.

There’s also a KidZone featuring an assortment of inflatable games for kids and teens that will include a jousting area, bounce houses, and face painting. Plus live music from The Jonnie Morgan Band, Carly Jo Jackson (America’s Got Talent), The Dixieland Jazz Band, Gina Marie Incandela, DJ Tami, and a tribute to Veterans.

Parking and Admission to the event are free.

8. GO FAST: DAYTONA

Further afield, the Daytona International Speedway plays host to two races this Independence Day weekend. On 4th July it hosts the Subway Firecracker 250.

The Saturday night running of the Subway Firecracker 250 will feature the NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars as they face off against Sprint Cup Series stars for 100 laps under the lights.

On Sunday 5th July it plays host to the 57th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which kicks off NBC’s return to NASCAR.

Visitors on both nights will be able to view a showcase of the new amenities being created by DAYTONA Rising, including new and additional concessions and restrooms, the Speedway’s first-ever escalators and vertical transportation options, and several new “neighborhood” areas where they can socialize without missing any of the on-track action.

Wherever you are going, remember it’s hot, so pack plenty of water and sunscreen.

The Orlando Sentinel is also advising everyone to ‘pack your patience’ as heavy traffic is expected citywide.

And if you’re staying in, tune in to WFTV-9 to watch the fireworks at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando live.