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. The skies are lit up by the pyrotechnic displays of places such as Disney's Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios Orlando.

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 holiday 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, Magic Kingdom

    A dazzling light and fireworks show outside Cinderella Castle

    Disney Enchantment, Magic Kingdom
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    Disney’s Magic Kingdom offers a full day of thrills and entertainment, capped off by a nightly light and fireworks show. Called Disney Enchantment, the show was launched as part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The 15-minute show at Magic Kingdom’s Main Street is a fiesta of colour 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

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  • 2

    Fireworks at the Fountain, Lake Eola Park

    Spectacular annual 4th of July celebration in Downtown Orlando

    Fireworks at the Fountain, Lake Eola Park
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    Fireworks at the Fountain is a popular free event that gathers locals and visitors in Downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. It's put on a brilliant 4th of July fireworks show for over 40 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 drinks 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, 195 North Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

    Phone: +1 407-246-4484

    Map
  • 3

    Disney Harmonious, Epcot Center

    A nightly extravaganza of lights and music at Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon

    Disney Harmonious, Epcot Center
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    Disney Harmonious is an elaborate light and fireworks show that takes place at the Epcot Center nearly every night, weather permitting. The show brings together Disney music and visuals with the talents of some 240 artists to create a dazzling 20-minute show at World Showcase Lagoon.

    Expect to be wowed by the spectacle of fountain waters, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers. Images are projected onto giant floating screens, highlighting classic Disney tales like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Coco. If you can’t make it to the Epcot Center for the fireworks, you can still see them from several locations nearby, such as Disney’s Boardwalk area.

    Location: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 407-939-5277

    Map
  • 4

    Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    A spellbinding spectacle at Universal Studios Florida

    Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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    Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Florida is a spectacular evening show that illuminates the castle in an eye-popping display of light, colour, 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

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  • 5

    Red, White & Boom!, Legoland Florida Resort

    See ‘exploding’ Legos in the night sky

    Red, White & Boom!, Legoland Florida Resort
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    Legoland Florida Resort is a fun family escape all year, but it really cranks up the fun factor over the Independence Day holiday with its annual Red, White & Boom! fireworks show. Usually running for 3 nights around the 4th of July celebration, the event sets off a colourful explosion of fireworks over Lake Eloise.

    Legoland guests are given speciality 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.

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    Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA

    Phone: +1 888-690-5346

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  • 6

    Star Spangled Weekend Celebration, Promenade at Sunset Walk

    A hot spot for holiday fun and fireworks

    Star Spangled Weekend Celebration, Promenade at Sunset Walk
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    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 3 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

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  • 7

    Holiday Fireworks Spectacular, Orlando World Center Marriott

    Check in to catch a brilliant light show from your balcony

    Holiday Fireworks Spectacular, Orlando World Center Marriott
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    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 water park, 7 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 holiday shows take place during the July 4th Independence Day celebrations, New Year’s Eve, and Memorial Day.  

    Location: 8701 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

    Phone: +1 407-239-4200

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  • 8

    Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Magic Kingdom

    Get festive with Disney’s animated stars, Mickey and Minnie Mouse

    Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Magic Kingdom
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    Disney’s Magic Kingdom is known for its nightly fireworks shows all year, but during the Christmas holiday season it cranks up the festive spirit even more with its Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show. The show is part of a larger holiday 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 colours 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

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  • 9

    Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    An out-of-this-world light and fireworks show

    Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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    Disney’s Hollywood Studios has created a light and fireworks show that brings the futuristic fantasy and thrills of the Star Wars movies into the night sky. Called Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, the show features an exciting display of Star Wars scenes using high-tech projection effects, lasers, dynamic lighting, and pyrotechnics. 

    The 14-minute audio-visual show immerses viewers into the Star Wars saga, complete with epic space battles, Ewoks, an asteroid field, and the destruction of a Death Star space station.

    Location: 351 S Studio Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA

    Phone: +1 407-939-5277

    Map
  • 10

    Cinematic Celebration Show, Universal Studios Florida

    Bringing Hollywood movie magic to the Florida night sky

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    The Cinematic Celebration Show is a movie lovers' dream event that takes place most nights of the year at Universal Studios Orlando. The show features a mix of sound, light and water to highlight top Hollywood movies such as Fast & Furious, E.T. and Despicable Me. This being Universal, of course, the scale of the show is epic, with 120 water fountains and a 40-foot-wide water curtain being used along with the fireworks to make for an immersive cinematic experience.

    To watch the show in its full glory, find a spot to stand in the Central Park area, which has space for some 6,500 guests over 3 tiers and a grassy area. Bigger shows are held for the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

    Location: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

    Open: Monday from 8 am to 7 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 7 pm, Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 407-363-8000

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Lana Willocks | Contributing Writer