It’s a rare and glorious collision: First Friday + the 4th of July = one unforgettable weekend in the Golden Isles. From sack races and sparkler shows to belly dancing, beachside BBQs, and bike parades, we’ve gathered everything happening July 3–6 into one big, beautifully chaotic Lantern guide. Grab your picnic blanket, dust off your flip-flops, and let’s light it up—coastal style. 🎇

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🇺🇸 Your Guide to 4th of July Fireworks in the Golden Isles

From marshfront magic to beachside booms, Independence Day in the Golden Isles lights up the skies—and the calendar. Here’s your Lantern-style cheat sheet to all the major firework shows happening Thursday, July 4th:

🎆 Brunswick’s Old Fashioned 4th of July

Classic Americana, Brunswick-style! Head to Mary Ross Waterfront Park for sack races, egg-and-spoon relays, food trucks, and free watermelon starting at 6:15pm. Pet parade? You bet.

Oh…and it also happens to be First Friday. So this one is gonna be extra epic!

🎇 Fireworks begin around 9:00pm and light up the East River.

🏖️ Jekyll Island Independence Day Celebration

Spend your 4th oceanside, poolside, or zipping down waterslides—and cap it off with a sky-splitting fireworks show at 8:45pm from Great Dunes Beach Park.

🅿️ Heads up: Parking passes cost $5 more than usual on July 4 only. Show up early for the best beach view!

🎆 Sea Island Fireworks Spectacular

🌟 For Sea Island guests and residents only. The Cloister and Beach Club host a full day of July 4th events including their Fireworks Spectacular around 9:00pm on the beach.

🎯 Learn more through your Sea Island concierge or guest services.

🎇 St. Simons Island 4th of July Celebration

The island’s biggest tradition returns! The Sunshine Festival has been going strong for over 60 years in Pier Village, featuring a 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run, local vendors, and family activities from 10am to 5pm.

🧺 Bring blankets and beach chairs and snag your spot near Neptune Park for fireworks at sundown (around 9:00pm).

🚨 Note: Mallery Street and the pier area will be closed to traffic early in the day. Expect increased safety patrols, and tents must be down by 7:00pm.

🎉 Weekend Highlights: July 3 - 6, 2025

🎯 Thursday, July 3

🛼 Open Skate (All Ages)
🕰️ 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 VSM The Hub, 1208 Gloucester St., Brunswick
Lace up and roll into holiday weekend fun.

🎨 Brunswick First Thursday Gallery Groove + Art Loop
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎯 Downtown Brunswick (Rummage to Hootenanny’s!)
Wander through galleries, tea shops & more in a community art crawl.

🎶 Songbird Open Mic Night
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Hootenanny’s BBQ, 1708 Ellis St., Brunswick
Grab the mic and sing your soul into the night.

🎸 Tony Adams Independence Day Kickoff Party
🕰️ 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
🎯 The TreeBar at Bennie’s Red Barn, St. Simons Island
Live music, $1 drafts, & free fish fry—no cover!

🎯 Friday, July 4

🏃‍♀️ 41st Annual Sunshine Festival 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
🕰️ 5K @ 7:00 AM | 1-Mile @ 8:00 AM
🎯 Kings Park, St. Simons Island (across from Mallery Park)

Start your 4th of July with a bang (and maybe a banana) at one of the Golden Isles’ most cherished Independence Day traditions! Whether you're racing for glory or jogging for the free frozen yogurt, this chip-timed event welcomes all paces—and all finishers earn medals! 🥇

🎽 Walk-up registration:
📍 July 3, 4–7 PM @ St. Simons United Methodist Church (Thorpe Building)

📦 Race Day packet pickup:
📍 July 4, starting at 6 AM @ Kings Park basketball courts

🥇 Awards ceremony:
📍 8:30 AM, post-race — includes age groups, fastest teams, best costume, & even the best-decorated house along the route!

🛑 Dogs not allowed. Strollers are okay—just be mindful of adaptive athletes at the front.

💻 Official info & registration:
More info: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=122300

🚲 4th of July Bike Parade
🕰️ 9:00 AM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort
Patriotic pedals and red-white-and-blue flair.
More info: https://www.jekyllclub.com/resort-activities/4th-of-july

🎨 Crafts in the Village
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎯 Postell Park, St. Simons Island
Art, coastal treasures & sweet summer shopping.

🎉 4th of July Golf Cart Parade
🕰️ 10:30 AM
🎯 St. Simons Island (next to Mallery Ball Parks)
Start your Independence Day with a star-spangled cruise through the streets of SSI! Locals deck out their golf carts in full red, white, and blue and roll out in one of the quirkiest, most beloved parades in the Golden Isles.

🎉 Old Fashioned First Friday 4th of July
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Downtown Brunswick & Mary Ross Park
It’s not just First Friday—it’s First Friday on the Fourth, and Brunswick goes all out! Two epic locations. Old-school sack races and watermelon slices at the waterfront 🍉. Live music, parades, food trucks, and downtown shops buzzing with energy 🎶. Wrap it all up with fireworks over the East River at 9:00 PM. It’s small-town magic meets star-spangled spectacle.

🎉 Beachside Bash
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 The Sand Bar @ The Wharf, Jekyll Island
Pulled pork, live tunes & lawn games—perfect combo!

💃 First Friday Belly Dance Performance
🕰️ 8:00 PM
🎯 1312 Newcastle St., Brunswick
Golden Isles Belly Dance brings the sparkle before the fireworks start flying—because nothing says “freedom” like a well-timed hip drop. Catch the show that just might inspire your ribs to declare independence.

🎸 Will Moseley Solo Show
🕰️ 11:00 PM
🎯 Rafters, St. Simons Island
An intimate solo set from American Idol standout Will Moseley—just him, a guitar, and that unmistakable voice. Limited seating.
More info: https://rafters.bar/tickets

🎯 Saturday, July 5

🌿 Meet Me In The Garden
🕰️ 10:00 AM
🎯 325 Old Jesup Rd., Brunswick
Plant families, rotation tips, and a green-thumb morning.

🎨 Crafts in the Village
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎯 Postell Park, St. Simons Island
Round two of shopping handmade magic.

🔥 Rock The Dock – BBQ & BREWS
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🎯 The Wharf, Jekyll Island
Live music, craft beer, smoky delights.
More info: https://www.jekyllclub.com/resort-activities/4th-of-july

🪘 St. Simons Sunset Drum Circle
🕰️ 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
🎯 Coast Guard Station / East Beach
Dance, drum, or vibe under the golden hour glow. Explore your inner Matthew McConaughey!

🎯 Sunday, July 6

🎨 Crafts in the Village
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎯 Postell Park, St. Simons Island
Final day to snag local handmade wonders!

🍳 Gilded Age Brunch
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎯 Grand Dining Room, Jekyll Island Club Resort
Elegant eats in old-world charm. Save us some crab claws please…

🔥 Rock The Dock – BBQ & BREWS (Encore!)
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🎯 The Wharf, Jekyll Island
Missed it Saturday? Round two is just as rockin’.
More info: https://www.jekyllclub.com/resort-activities/4th-of-july

🇺🇸 Your Weekend Soundtrack

🎸 Thursday, July 3

🎷 Tony Adams & Tim Akins @ Bennie's Red Barn/Tree Bar (SSI) – 7:45–10:30pm
🎶 Maple Street Band @ Bubba Garcia's (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Thunderbird Acoustic Duo @ Catch 228 (SSI) – 6:30–9:30pm
🎤 Court Taylor @ Founder's Social (JI) – 5–8pm
🎹 Jerry Gowen (piano) @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30pm
🎙️ Drew Holloway @ The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – 6–9pm
🎵 Song Bird Open Mic @ Hootenanny's BBQ (Bwk) – 6–8pm
🎺 Hot Banana Coffee @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Mike McDaniel (Acoustic Thursday) @ Rafters (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎼 The Leftovers @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9pm
🎶 Roy Gentry @ Rooftop at Ocean Lodge (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎧 Rob Willis @ Tortuga Jack's (JI) – 6–9pm
🎤 Cole Turner Duo @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 WharfRatz @ Wee Pub Beach (JI) – 7–10pm
🎹 Joey Thigpen @ Westin Salty's Poolside (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Rider @ The Wharf (JI) – 6–9pm

🎆 Friday, July 4 – Independence Day!

🎸 Blossomin' Bone @ The Bar at Mallery (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎶 Squirt Gun @ Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – 8–11pm
🎸 Once Again @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 6:30pm
🎤 Owen Plant @ Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar (JI) – 12–4pm
🎸 Uncle Dave Griffin @ Fish Dock Bar & Grill (Townsend) – 7–10pm
🎤 Live Music @ Fish Tales Pub & Grill (Bwk) – 7–10pm
🎶 Grumpy Monkey @ Founder's Social (JI) – 5–8pm
🎹 Jerry Gowen @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30pm
🎸 Andy Johnson @ Hootenanny's BBQ (Bwk) – 12–3pm
🎷 Tim Akins @ JI Beach House – 6–9pm
🎸 Gabe Spell @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 3–6pm
🎶 Your Mom’s Favorite Band @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 8pm (breaks for fireworks)
🎸 Cade Beecher @ Rafters (SSI) – 10:30pm
🌟 Will Moseley (Solo Show – $100 ticket) @ Rafters (SSI) – 11pm
🎵 Peyton Chambless Trio @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9pm
🎤 Michaele Hannemann @ Rooftop at Ocean Lodge (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎶 SaltWater Gypseas @ St Marys Riverfront – 7–10pm
🎤 Jon Langston & Brody Williams @ St. Simons Casino Bandstand – 7–9pm
🎸 Tony Adams @ Sea Palms Resort / Sago (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎶 Levi Moore @ Shore / Residence Inn (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Wasabi Rush @ Tipsy McSway’s (Bwk) – 6–9pm
🎤 Last Call @ Tortuga Jack's (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Drew Holloway @ Tribuzio’s Grille (JI) – 5–8pm
🎸 Peyton Chambless @ V Pizza SSI – 6–9pm
🎤 Ryan Wilson @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 12:30–3:30pm
🎸 Cody Marlowe & Friends @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Brent Browning @ Westin Salty's Poolside (JI) – 6–9pm
🎺 Hot Banana Coffee @ Westin Observation Bar (JI) – 6–10pm
🎶 Backbeat Boulevard @ The Wharf (JI) – 12–4pm

🎶 Saturday, July 5

🎸 Ted Stuckey @ 24 Coastal Grill (JI Holiday Inn) – 5–8pm
🎶 Dexer Jones @ 1509 Brunswick – 7–10pm
🎤 Rambler Kane @ The Bar at Mallery (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Bennie’s Red Barn/Tree Bar (SSI) – 9pm ($5 cover)
🎶 Train Wreck @ Boondox Tavern (Bwk) – 8:30pm
🎸 The Vault @ Breezy’s Bistro (Bwk) – 8pm
🎶 Michaele Hannemann Trio @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 6:30pm
🪘 Sunset Drum Circle @ Coast Guard / East Beach (SSI) – 7:30–8:30pm
🎸 Uncle Dave Griffin @ Fish Dock Bar & Grill (Townsend) – 7–10pm
🎶 Moonlight Harbor @ Founder's Social (JI) – 5–8pm
🎹 Jerry Gowen @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30pm
🎶 Last Call @ Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – 7–10pm
🎸 Tim Akins @ Golden Isles Olive Oil (SSI) – 1–4pm
🎶 Dakota Duo @ Heritage Oaks Golf Club (Bwk) – 5–8pm
🎤 Hollerin Bob @ Hootenanny's BBQ (Bwk) – 12–3pm
🎶 Hot Banana Coffee Duo @ King City Kitchen (SSI) – 12–4pm
🎸 Squirt Gun @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Rambler Kane @ Rafters (SSI) – 3–6pm
🎸 Rider @ Rafters (SSI) – 7–10pm
🎵 Levi Moore @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9pm
🎶 3 Day Weekend @ Rooftop at Ocean Lodge (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎤 Rider Duo @ Sanctuary Golf Club (Waverly) – 12–3pm
🎶 The Vibe @ Sea Palms Resort / Sago (SSI) – 11am–2pm
🎤 Rob Willis @ Sea Palms Resort / Sago (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Owen Plant @ Shore / Residence Inn (JI) – 6–9pm
🎤 Kicklighter, Gilt, Highland Drive, Alienation (All Ages Show) @ The Stage Door @ Encore (Bwk) – 6:30pm ($10)
🎸 Last Call @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 1–4pm
🎸 Cole Turner @ Toucans Ale House (Bwk) – 7–10pm
🎶 60s Vinyl Band @ Tribuzio’s Grille (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Tim Akins @ Union Station Brewing Co (Jesup) – 7–10pm
🎸 Grumpy Monkey @ V Pizza SSI – 6–9pm
🎤 Phil King @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8–11pm
🎸 Josh Nunn @ Westin Salty's Poolside (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Brent Browning @ Westin Cafe (JI) – 6–10pm
🎸 Swamp Tooth @ The Wharf (JI) – 11am–3pm
🎸 Backbeat Boulevard @ The Wharf (JI) – 5–9pm
🎸 Tide Kings Trio @ Wine Alley at Wine Body & Soul (SSI) – 7–10pm
🎤 Will Moseley w/ Cade Beecher + Hot Banana Coffee @ Ziggy’s (SSI) – 7pm ($30 ticket)

🎷 Sunday, July 6

🎶 Tim Akins @ Barrier Island Brewing (SSI) – 12–3pm
🎸 Live Music @ Beachcomber BBQ (SSI) – 5–8pm
🎸 Live Music @ Brogan’s North (SSI) – 5–8pm
🎤 Josh Nunn @ Bubba Garcia’s (SSI) – 12–3pm
🎸 Rob Willis @ Bubba’s @ Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – 12–3pm
🎸 Andy Johnson @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 3pm
🎸 Live Music @ Emerald Princess II Casino (Bwk) – 12–6pm
🎶 Backbeat Boulevard @ Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎤 Rachel Thompson @ The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – 5–8pm
🎸 Dexter Jones @ Heritage Oaks Golf Club (Bwk) – 12–3pm
🎶 Blossomin' Bone @ Hootenanny's BBQ (Bwk) – 12–3pm
🎸 Roy Gentry @ Marshside Grill (Bwk) – 11:30am–2:30pm
🎶 Maple Street Band @ Rafters (SSI) – 7–10pm
🎸 Leo Dean @ Sea Palms Resort / Sago (SSI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Gravity Bomb @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 6–9pm
🎸 Live Music @ Toucans Ale House (Bwk) – 5–8pm
🎶 CJ (Chuck Ferrell & Jennie Larkin) @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 7–10pm
🎸 Backbeat Boulevard @ The Wharf (JI) – 12–3pm
🎸 Rider @ The Wharf (JI) – 5–9pm

Did we miss something? Have an event to share? Drop us a line at [email protected]!