Lakeland's free Red, White & Kaboom fills Lake Mirror on July 3 with music, food trucks and a 15-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. 2027 details are not out yet.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 date and lineup have not been announced; the details below are from the July 3, 2026, celebration. Sources: Red, White & Kaboom, the City of Lakeland’s 2026 event map and LkldNow’s July 1 guide.
Lakeland celebrates Independence Day a night early. Red, White & Kaboom, a free community festival held every year since 2004, fills the shores of Lake Mirror on July 3 with live music, food trucks and fireworks over the water. The city puts it on with T. Mims Corp., the title sponsor since 2009.
Who to call
- City of Lakeland (event, parking, road questions): 863-834-6000
- Lakeland Police non-emergency: 863-834-6900
- Event site: redwhiteandkaboom.com
- Emergencies: 911
How 2026 went
| Red, White & Kaboom 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, July 3, 2026 |
| Where | Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror, downtown |
| Hours | 5:30 to 9:18 p.m. |
| Fireworks | 9 p.m., about 15 minutes |
| Music | The Sing Out Crew with the national anthem at 5:30 p.m.; local alt-rock cover band Bully for You |
| Admission | Free; bring a canned or nonperishable food item |
The evening opened with a youth choir and the national anthem, followed by a welcome at 6 p.m. and live music until the fireworks. The 2026 edition marked the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Food and what to bring
- Food drive: bring at least one canned or nonperishable item, not in glass, for Volunteers in Service to the Elderly, which feeds 1,500 older residents a month. Its most-requested items: canned soup, tomatoes, chicken, tuna and beans, peanut butter, pasta and ground coffee.
- Food trucks set up around Lake Mirror, in the Magnolia Building parking lot near the amphitheater, by 5 p.m.
- Your own food is fine, but no grills.
- Alcohol was allowed in 2026, but no glass bottles or containers.
- Rain: the show goes on rain or shine. Umbrellas are fine; tents, pop-ups and staked beach umbrellas are not.
- Not allowed: personal fireworks and sparklers.
- Pets on leashes are welcome.
Parking and getting there
From the 2026 plan:
- The Main Street Garage was free from 3 p.m.
- The Iowa Street Garage, Heritage Plaza Garage and all city-owned lots were free after 5 p.m.
- Street parking downtown was free and unlimited after 5 p.m.
- The Squeeze, Lakeland’s on-demand downtown shuttle run by Citrus Connection, ran its usual weekend hours and was fare-free from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The city’s interactive downtown parking map shows every garage and lot. The Lake Mirror Promenade is wheelchair accessible, and organizers set aside accessible viewing areas.
Where to watch
The crowd lines the promenade and the parks around Lake Mirror. Allen Kryger Park on the lake’s edge is one popular spot; LkldNow has photographed children watching from the swan sculpture there. Arrive early: the former gravel lot on the west side of the lake, once a viewing area, is now the site of the Summit Consulting office building.
Home fireworks
Fireworks rules can change quickly in a dry year. Polk County imposed a countywide burn ban from Nov. 25, 2025, through the New Year’s holiday that banned all private fireworks in Lakeland and the other cities that follow the county’s rules, with fines up to $500, LkldNow reported. Before July 4, check the Lakeland Fire Department’s posts for any burn ban in effect.
What this means for you
- The city show is July 3, not July 4.
- Bring a can of food and a chair; leave the grill and glass at home.
- Park in a downtown garage and walk, or take the Squeeze.
We will update this page when the city announces Red, White & Kaboom 2027.
Related: things to do this month, getting around Lakeland and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Fourth of July fireworks in Lakeland?
Over Lake Mirror downtown, at Red, White & Kaboom on the Frances Langford Promenade. The city’s celebration is held on July 3.
What time are the Lakeland fireworks?
In 2026 the 15-minute show began at 9 p.m., with music and food trucks from the early evening.
Is Red, White & Kaboom free?
Yes. Admission is free; organizers ask everyone to bring at least one canned or nonperishable food item, not in glass, for Volunteers in Service to the Elderly.
Where do I park for the Lakeland fireworks?
In 2026 the Main Street Garage was free from 3 p.m., and the Iowa Street and Heritage Plaza garages, city lots and street spaces were free after 5 p.m.
Can I bring my dog to Red, White & Kaboom?
Leashed pets are welcome, organizers say, though fireworks can frighten some animals. Personal fireworks and sparklers are not allowed.
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