Pensacola will celebrate Independence Day with a free outdoor concert, patriotic music, a military flyover, and fireworks over downtown.

Symphony Sparks & Stars takes place Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Hunter Amphitheater at Community Maritime Park. The family-friendly event features the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performing patriotic favorites, an Armed Forces Salute, and more behind the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for the free concert.

Event Details

What: Symphony Sparks & Stars
When: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Festivities begin at 7 PM
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performance: 7:30 PM
Fireworks: 9 PM
Where: Hunter Amphitheater at Community Maritime Park
Address: 301 West Main Street, Pensacola
Cost: Free concert

What to Expect

The evening begins at 7 PM with the McGuire’s Pipe Band and a military flyover.

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra performance begins at 7:30 PM with a program featuring patriotic music, American classics, and familiar film scores. The concert will include pieces such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” “Armed Forces Salute,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and more.

Josh Gay will emcee the event, and Brent Lane from Cat Country 98.7 will lead the countdown to the fireworks, which are scheduled to begin at 9 PM.

Free Concert at Community Maritime Park

Symphony Sparks & Stars is held at Hunter Amphitheater, located behind Blue Wahoos Stadium in downtown Pensacola.

The outdoor venue gives families, locals, and visitors a place to enjoy live music before the fireworks show. Guests should bring lawn chairs, blankets, water, and anything else needed for an evening outside.

Because this is a July 4th event, parking and traffic around downtown Pensacola and Community Maritime Park are expected to be busy. Arriving early is recommended.

Activities Inside Blue Wahoos Stadium

Blue Wahoos Stadium will also be open for a separate ticketed celebration.

Activities inside the stadium are expected to include water slides, lawn games, wiffle ball, music, appearances by Blue Wahoos mascot Kazoo, and concessions available for purchase.

The stadium event is separate from the free concert at Hunter Amphitheater.

Symphony Sparks & Stars Program

The scheduled program includes:

Moffit, “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Fillmore, “Americans We”
Nowlin, “Let Freedom Ring”
Ticheli, “Shenandoah”
Stephenson, “Fanfare for Democracy”
Dragon, “America the Beautiful”
Lowden, “Armed Forces Salute”
Berlin and Sharp, “God Bless America”

Intermission

Williams and Lavender, “Midway March”
Cohan and Barnes, “Star-Spangled Salute”
Karrick, “Bayou Breakdown”
Williams and Lavender, “Raiders March”
Williams and Lavender, “Superman March”
Sousa, “Stars and Stripes Forever”

The program may be adjusted due to time constraints and the nature of the event.

Tips Before You Go

Bring chairs or blankets for the amphitheater lawn.

Arrive early for parking and a good viewing spot.

Plan for downtown traffic before and after the fireworks.

Bring water, sunscreen, and anything needed for an evening outdoors.

Check event updates before heading out in case of weather changes.

More July 4th Things to Do in Pensacola

Symphony Sparks & Stars is one of the main July 4th events in downtown Pensacola, combining live music, family activities, and fireworks in one of the city’s most popular waterfront areas.

For more local events, beach guides, fireworks information, and things to do around Pensacola, follow Must Do Pensacola.

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Symphony Sparks & Stars Returns to Downtown Pensacola for July 4th