BOCA RATON, FL — The fireworks are the finale, but Boca Raton’s Fourth of July celebration will start much earlier.
The City of Boca Raton is planning a full day of Fabulous Fourth events on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as the city marks Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary, known as America 250.
The schedule includes a morning 5K at Florida Atlantic University, a racquet tournament at Patch Reef Park and The Racquet Center, an afternoon family block party at Sugar Sand Park, and a free evening fireworks celebration at Countess de Hoernle Park.
According to the city, Boca Raton’s Fourth of July celebration dates back to 1958, when the city held its first fireworks display at Memorial Park. The event later moved to Florida Atlantic University before settling into its current format at Countess de Hoernle Park.
This year’s celebration is being tied to America 250, the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mayor Andy Thomson said the city is using the milestone year to honor both the country’s history and Boca Raton’s local Fourth of July tradition.
“In a year when our entire nation pauses to reflect on 250 years of freedom, democracy, and the American spirit, Boca Raton is proud to offer a celebration worthy of this once-in-a-generation moment,” Thomson said in the city’s announcement.
What’s Happening On July 4 In Boca Raton
Firecracker 5K
7:15 a.m.
Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road
The day begins with the Firecracker 5K on the Florida Atlantic University campus.
The certified race is limited to the first 1,000 registered runners. Registration is $40, with the price scheduled to increase after 11:59 p.m. on July 1. The city says there will be no on-site registration on July 4.
Registration includes a shirt, finisher medal and post-race snacks.
Liberty Cup Racquet Tournament
8 a.m. to noon
Patch Reef Paddle & Racquet Club, 2000 Yamato Road
The Racquet Center, 21626 St. Andrews Boulevard
The Liberty Cup will include pickleball at Patch Reef Paddle & Racquet Club and tennis at The Racquet Center.
The pickleball tournament begins at 8 a.m. and will use a round-robin bracket format with four divisions: Mixed Doubles 50+, Mixed Doubles All Ages, Women’s Doubles All Ages up to 4.0 level, and Men’s Doubles All Ages up to 4.0 level.
The tennis portion runs from 10 a.m. to noon and is listed as a two-hour clinic for players at level 3.5 and above.
Fees range from $35 to $50 for pickleball and $35 to $43.75 for tennis, depending on residency. Winners will receive a Liberty Cup trophy. The city says there will be no on-site registration on July 4.
Fabulous Fourth Block Party
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sugar Sand Park, 300 South Military Trail
The afternoon portion of the celebration moves to Sugar Sand Park for a free family block party.
The city says the event will include kids’ crafts, a DJ, yard games, food trucks and vendors. Crafts will be available while supplies last.
The Block Party is presented with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
Fabulous Finale And Fireworks
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Countess de Hoernle Park, 1000 Spanish River Boulevard
The main evening event will be held at Countess de Hoernle Park.
The free celebration includes live music, food trucks and vendors, and a 20-minute fireworks show. According to the city’s event schedule, performances are planned for 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 9:10 p.m.
Food trucks are expected to stop serving food at 9:15 p.m.
Parking, Trolley Service And Traffic
Free parking for the Fabulous Finale will be available at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, known as BRiC. Drivers may enter from Yamato Road or Spanish River Boulevard.
The shared ride drop-off location is 4530 Technology Way.
The city says the walk from BRiC to the event site is expected to take about 5 to 7 minutes along the Liberty Trail, which will include Independence Day-themed trivia tied to the America 250 celebration.
Limited complimentary trolley service will begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue through the end of the event. The city is encouraging people with strollers or wagons to walk from BRiC because trolley space will be limited and strollers must be collapsed before boarding.
Traffic congestion is expected around Countess de Hoernle Park and Spanish River Boulevard from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The city also says A1A will be closed at the Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton border from 7 p.m. until the Deerfield Beach fireworks end.
What To Bring And What To Leave Home
Guests may bring blankets, lawn chairs and reusable water bottles. The city says its mobile water unit will provide free filtered water at the event.
Pets, coolers, sparklers, fireworks, drones, alcohol and glass bottles are not permitted.
America 250 Events Continue Beyond July 4
While the Fabulous Fourth is the centerpiece of Boca Raton’s America 250 celebration, the city is also listing additional heritage, civics, nature, arts and cultural programs connected to the anniversary.
Those include library programs such as Tracing Your Ancestry on July 13, Socrates Café discussions, U.S. citizenship test preparation sessions, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center programs, Willow Theatre family shows, Battle of the Bands at Mizner Park Amphitheater on August 7, and programming at The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum.
The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is also listed as a community partner, with a historic bunting display, Town Hall Talks through July 27, and “America 250: The 14th Colony” through August 27.
The Fabulous Fourth Celebration is presented by the City of Boca Raton Recreation Services and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
For more information see the City's official event page.
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