If you’ve spent a Fourth of July anywhere on the Gulf Coast, you know there’s no shortage of fireworks shows. But there’s only one place along our stretch of beaches that turns the entire island into a rolling, water-gun-soaked, bead-throwing celebration of the holiday — and that’s Anna Maria Island, when the Anna Maria Privateers roll out their annual 4th of July Parade.
This year it lands on Saturday, July 4, 2026 — and the timing couldn’t be better for a long weekend on the island.
What to Expect
The parade kicks off at 10:00 AM at the north entrance of Coquina Beach and runs north up Gulf Drive through Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, finishing around 1:00 PM at City Pier Park in Anna Maria. Three full miles of floats, fire trucks, classic cars, and the Privateers themselves — Anna Maria’s beloved pirate krewe — tossing beads and candy from every direction.
A few things to know before you go:
- It’s free. Stake out a spot anywhere along Gulf Drive an hour before the start.
- You will get wet. Many floats carry water guns and have a habit of pointing them at the crowd. Wear what you’d wear to the beach.
- Bring a bag. Beads and candy add up fast — the kids will fill pockets in the first ten minutes.
Immediately after the parade, the Anna Maria City Picnic takes over City Pier Park with food, live music, and family activities until about 1:30 PM. A perfect lead-in to the fireworks that pop off over the Gulf after sunset.
Make a Long Weekend of It
The Fourth lands on a Saturday in 2026, which means you can drive in Thursday, settle into a beach house on Friday, do the parade and the fireworks Saturday, and still have all day Sunday on the sand before heading home. It’s the kind of weekend the islands were built for.
Holmes Beach and Anna Maria both have walkable rental homes where you can leave the car parked from the moment you arrive. Browse the full lineup of our Anna Maria Island and Holmes Beach rentals — everything from one-bedroom beach bungalows for two to six-bedroom homes with private pools for the whole crew, most within a short walk or golf-cart ride of the parade route.
Plan Your Weekend
The Privateers Parade is one of the most-attended events of the year on the island, and the best rentals on Gulf Drive go early. If you’re thinking about driving over for the Fourth, lock in your dates before our regulars do.
Browse Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals →
We’ll see you on Gulf Drive. Bring a water gun of your own.
Event details accurate as of publication. Confirm route and timing with the Anna Maria Island Privateers closer to the date.
