Orlando's Spectacular Skies: 8 Best Fireworks Shows
Where to Enjoy Fireworks in Orlando?
Fireworks shows in Orlando are heart-thumping celebrations that take place in the city’s iconic theme parks and resorts. While usually reserved for special events in most places, fireworks are nightly sights in this Florida city.
It’s a good idea to plan ahead and book into the theme park or hotel hosting the fireworks show to guarantee a full view of it. You could also seek out a vantage point around Orlando to catch a view for free. The best time to see fireworks in Orlando is on the 4th of July vacation and around New Year’s Eve. Not only do theme parks put on special shows, but there’s also a choice of free shows to watch.
1. Disney Enchantment
A dazzling light and fireworks show outside Cinderella Castle
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Disney’s Magic Kingdom offers a full day of thrills and entertainment, capped off by a nightly light and fireworks show called Disney Enchantment. This 15-minute show at Magic Kingdom’s Main Street was launched as part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. It’s a fiesta of color that illuminates Cinderella Castle and features several Disney songs and characters like Moana and Joe Gardner from the movie Soul.
If you’re not visiting Orlando’s Magic Kingdom, you can still catch the show for free from certain vantage points. Popular spots include the patio at Capa restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort Orlando and several locations around the Disney Springs shopping and entertainment complex. Shows are on nightly, weather permitting.
Location: Magic Kingdom Park, 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA
Phone: +1 407-939-5277
Disney Enchantment
2. Fireworks at the Fountain
A spectacular annual 4th of July celebration in Downtown Orlando
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Photo
Fireworks at the Fountain is a popular free event that gathers locals and visitors in Downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. It has put on a brilliant 4th of July fireworks show for nearly 50 continuous years. The night sky gets lit up as a finishing touch to an evening of entertainment at the park that includes live music, a kids’ play zone, plus tasty food and beverages for sale.
Festivities usually kick off at about 4 pm with a variety of family-friendly activities and live performances on the Ampitheater Stage, followed by a show by the Orlando Concert Band before the fireworks countdown begins around 9 pm.
Location: Lake Eola Park, 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
Phone: +1 407-246-4484
Fireworks at the Fountain
3. Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
A spellbinding spectacle at Universal Studios Florida
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a spectacular evening show that illuminates the castle in an eye-popping display of light, color, and fireworks. Those who have spent the day exploring the Universal Studios theme park can enjoy an exciting end to their visit by watching the show, which runs about 5 minutes every 15 to 20 minutes from dusk until closing time.
Showtimes vary with the season and take place on a select number of nights throughout the year. Check for the latest schedule at the theme park or on the Universal Orlando app.
Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Phone: +1 407-363-8000
Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
4. Red, White & Boom!
Witnessing the “exploding” Legos in the night sky
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
Legoland Florida Resort is a fun family escape year-round, but it really cranks up the fun factor over the Independence Day vacation with its Red, White & Boom! fireworks show. Usually running for three nights around the 4th of July celebration, the event sets off a colorful explosion of fireworks over Lake Eloise.
Legoland guests are given specialty glasses that make the lights look like bursting Lego bricks. Tickets to the park include the fireworks show and Independence Day-themed activities throughout the day, such as building a huge American flag with Lego bricks. Legoland Florida also puts on a fireworks display and a host of family entertainment on New Year’s Eve. Read more
Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA
Phone: +1 888-690-5346
Red, White & Boom!
5. Star Spangled Weekend Celebration
A hot spot for vacation fun and fireworks
Good for: Nightlife, Photo
The Promenade at Sunset Walk at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando is a fun place to gather for the Star Spangled Weekend Celebration. This Independence Day event features three days of entertainment that’s topped off by fireworks on 4 July. Visitors to the Sunset Walk celebration can enjoy browsing the artisan market as well as taking in all the free entertainment including live music, street performers, and a car show.
There’s also a Sunset Walk party and fireworks show on New Year’s Eve, with an entry ticket giving access to a night of live music, DJ sets, and other entertainment, as well as a prime viewing spot to watch the fireworks at midnight.
Location: 3251 Margaritaville Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA
Phone: +1 407-338-4811
Star Spangled Weekend Celebration
6. Holiday Fireworks Spectacular
A brilliant light show from your balcony
Good for: Luxury, Nightlife, Photo
The Holiday Fireworks Spectacular is just one of many exciting activities to enjoy at the attraction-packed Orlando World Center Marriott resort. There’s little chance of running out of things to do here with the resort’s elaborate waterpark, seven waterslides, a lazy river, and a kids’ splash zone to enjoy before drying out and getting into position to catch the nightly show of laser lights and fireworks.
The light show takes place every evening at 9 pm and can be watched from the Falls Lagoon pool deck or from the resort’s guestroom balconies. The special vacation shows take place during the July 4th Independence Day celebrations, New Year’s Eve, and Memorial Day.
Holiday Fireworks Spectacular
7. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Getting festive with Disney’s animated stars, Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
Disney’s Magic Kingdom is known for its nightly fireworks year-round, but during the Christmas season it cranks up the festive spirit even more with its Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show. The show is part of a larger vacation celebration, called Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which takes place at Magic Kingdom on select nights from early November to late December.
The Minnie Mouse-themed fireworks show paints the night sky with festive colors along with the sounds of classic Christmas carols like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Guests in the Magic Kingdom will be able to see the show from many locations around the park including Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Liberty Square.
Location: Magic Kingdom Park, 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA
Phone: +1 407-939-5277
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
8. CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
Bringing Hollywood movie magic to the Florida night sky
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular is a movie lovers’ dream event, held at Universal Studios Orlando. This spectacular show features a mix of sound, light, and water to highlight top Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter™, Jurassic World, and Jaws. This being Universal, of course, the scale of the show is epic, with 120 water fountains and a 40-foot-wide (12-meter-wide) water curtain being used along with the fireworks to make for an immersive cinematic experience.
Although the show typically runs year-round, it has recently been updated. To ensure you don’t miss out, check the Universal Orlando Resort website for the latest dates and showtimes.
Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA
Phone: +1 407-363-8000
CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular
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