4th of July Events in Key West

The 4th of July in Key West is always a cause for celebration. And with the holiday landing on a Thursday this year, it’s the perfect excuse to spend the rest of the weekend enjoying everything the island has to offer. From the annual Key Lime Festival to the most spectacular pyrotechnics show of the year, take advantage of the summer holiday with these 4th of July events in Key West.

Key West Key Lime Festival

The Key West Key Lime Festival (July 3 - 7, 2024) certainly offers opportunities to celebrate the local fruit coinciding with the 4th of July. On Independence Day, visit the Southernmost Beach Café for the World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship to see who can devour a 9” key lime pie the fastest (or participate yourself!). The contest begins promptly at 1:30 p.m. Other 4th of July festival events include the 4th of July Firecracker 5K, the Key Lime Vendor Village, Dante’s Pool Bar & Restaurant’s 4th of July Pool Party, and the ‘Patriotic Grill Out Under the Fireworks’ at the Ed Knight Pier.

Your Guide to Key West Fruit Festivals, Fruit Stands, and Farmer's Markets

Best Places for BBQ and American Eats in Key West

Get stuffed with the quintessential backyard BBQ staples. Visit The Blind Pig at our sister hotel, The Gates Hotel, located just next door to 24 North Hotel. The permanent food truck slings all kinds of American favorites, including smoked pulled pork tacos and sandwiches, premium beef jumbo hot dogs, bourbon chicken wings, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese. In Old Town, restaurants like Smoked BBQ and Boat House Bar & Grill are excellent options with menu items like brisket, sausage, baby back ribs, and buffalo chicken wings. Or, go plant-based at Date & Thyme (they serve a delicious house veggie burger and jerk wrap) and The Café slings a mean Pepper’steak and Swiss made with their housemade seitan.

If you’re thinking about a trip to Key West, 24 North Hotel has an exclusive limited time offer just for Florida and Georgia residents. Get a special resident’s rate of 20%, plus 50% off our Resort Fee.

4th of July Fireworks in Key West

Celebrate the 4th of July with a fun-filled evening of fireworks at the Edward B. Knight Pier at Higgs Beach. Bring a blanket and get there early to stake out your spot on the pier or the beach. Smathers Beach is also a great place for uninterrupted views of the presentation. Fireworks begin after sunset, usually around 9 p.m.

4th of July Fireworks Cruise

Book a cruise on one of Key West’s charter vessels and watch the fireworks from the best seat of all - on the water! Barefoot Billy’s Independence Day Fireworks Cruise departs from Garrison Bight Marina and includes a “backyard cookout” food spread along with unlimited beer, wine, and Prosecco aboard their 42-foot Corinthian Catamaran. Hop on one of Fury’s 4th of July Fireworks cruises to see the show from the perfect spot in the water. A voyage aboard their catamaran includes a relaxing sail, live music, food, and all the beer, wine, and celebratory Champagne you can drink. We recommend reserving your tickets as far in advance as possible, as these tours sell out every summer. Come see us at 24 North Hotel, we are happy to book excursions for our guests.

4th of July Pub Crawl

The 4th of July in Key West might be synonymous with fireworks, BBQ, and the Key Lime Festival, but it’s also one of America’s greatest beer-drinking holidays! Throw on your red, white and blue outfits and head to the best bars Key West has to offer. Check out the Key West Pub Crawl, our guide to Florida Keys breweries, and our favorite spots to kick back and enjoy a beer on the island for some excellent recommendations.

Key West Mermaid Festival

The Mermaid Festival finds its land legs again this summer, July 4 - 7, 2024, in Key West. The 5th annual “fin-tactic” family-friendly event will take place at select locations around the island to celebrate mermaids and mermaid enthusiasts alike, all while promoting ocean awareness in the Conch Republic. The event kicks off on the 4th with the ‘Red, White, and Blue, and Mermaids Too’ party at Lagerheads Beach Bar.

Chill out at 24 North Hotel

Beat the heat and gather with your friends and family at 24 North Hotel. Make yourself right at home in our modern suites, of which many offer breathtaking views of the ocean. Celebrate America’s birthday poolside, with live music from 1 - 4 p.m. and grilled summertime staples like conch fritters, tacos, and burgers from Toasted Coconut, our laid-back, family-friendly poolside restaurant. The restaurant also slings a mean ‘Surf n’ Turf’ Bloody Mary topped with a chicken wing, coconut shrimp, and a conch fritter. Comfortable chairs are set up for guests to lounge in the shade or get some sun.

24 North Hotel is situated at Key West’s port of entry and just 10 minutes from the airport. Located in New Town, the hotel is a nice refuge from Duval Street and our shuttle service to Old Town is a convenient way to avoid the holiday traffic.

Planning a 4th of July trip to Key West? Enjoy all the perks of 24 North Hotel and see which of our special offers works for you.

Read what our guests had to say:

“We enjoyed our stay during the 4th of July holiday…Nice plush towels and washcloths. The staff was excellent and very helpful…The pool view was nice and the pool area was enjoyable even with chickens and iguanas running around. They were amusing! Starbucks was convenient for breakfast sandwiches. Free parking and nearby food truck were nice also. We would recommend this hotel!” - havingfun s, TripAdvisor

“We stayed during the Fourth of July weekend…The Toasted Coconut was convenient and very good! The best part of our stay was the staff…[They] went above and beyond to make us comfortable! I've never seen someone do [their] work with such joy and courtesy!” - Antoinette Gross, Google

“Great experience!!...We felt welcomed as soon as we walked in by the staff…[They] helped us check in and made the process easy and smooth. Very professional, kind, and attentive. First time in Key West and we had the best experience. We will definitely be back!” - Humberto R, TripAdvisor

“Best Stay in Key West. I just love everything about this hotel…We got a beautiful room, a suite with a pool view. It had a kitchenette, and the separation from the living room to the bedroom was very nice! This hotel makes your vacation easy, with a shuttle that goes downtown so you don’t need to drive at all.” - Veronica H, TripAdvisor