Parking, viewing, traffic: Here’s what you need to know about Jacksonville’s 4th of July fireworks show downtown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville is changing up how it celebrates the Fourth of July this year. There will only be one fireworks celebration downtown, lighting up the riverfront.

COJ Sports and Entertainment Executive Director Alex Alston said that’s traditionally how the city celebrated, until COVID.

During the pandemic, fireworks were scattered across the city, keeping crowds apart. But this year, the city says it’s time to reunite.

“It’s also an effort to save costs. That one location is more efficient,” Alston said.

RELATED: County-by-county list of where to celebrate the 4th with fireworks around Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia

Viewing 🎆

The display will begin at 9 p.m. and can be viewed from the North and South banks along the St. Johns River downtown (see map below).

Launch locations are the Acosta Bridge and East of the Main Street Bridge.

Parking 🅿️

Public and private parking lots will be open on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking lots are listed below, but are subject to availability and changes, so the city encourages everyone to come out early:

Southbank

• DCPS Parking Lot: 1701 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32207
• Kings Ave Station Parking Garage: 1201 King Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207
• Under Acosta Expressway: 901 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL, 32207

Northbank

• Old Landing Lot Parking: 21 E. Coastline Dr, Jacksonville, FL, 32202

Traffic 🚗

The annual fireworks celebration will require the shutdown of the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge.

Full bridge closures for both bridges will take place from 8:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

All roadways are expected to reopen by 10:30 p.m.

“I think we will have to have people well informed,” Alston said. “But construction is always a good thing; that means things are happening downtown.”

Jacksonville resident Heather Scott said the timing isn’t great, though.

“It’s going to be great once they finish, but it always seems to be at the worst possible times of the year,” Scott said.

For more details about Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration, visit events.coj.net.

Choose your view ▶️

If you don’t want to leave your house to watch fireworks, we’re giving you a front-row seat.

Join News4JAX at 9 p.m. Friday for the fireworks over Downtown Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach.

Then at 9:30 p.m., St. Augustine will host “Fireworks over the Matanzas” along the historic bayfront.

See it all streaming live on News4JAX.com and News4JAX+.