For America’s 250th, drones, fireworks, ‘Jaws’ and jazz headline the Coral Gables Fourth

By Coral Gables Gazette staff

For a city built around a singular vision a century ago, the Fourth of July has a way of becoming a signature civic night. This year, as the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Coral Gables is leaning into the occasion with a drone-and-fireworks show at the Biltmore Hotel, a sensory-friendly viewing option, a holiday screening of Jaws and a Woman’s Club fundraiser at Birdie Bistro.

The main event: A Gables Fourth at the Biltmore

The marquee celebration returns to the historic Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., on Saturday, July 4, co-hosted by the City of Coral Gables and the hotel. This year’s program adds a patriotic drone show honoring 250 years of American history, followed immediately by fireworks.

The grounds open at 5 p.m. Live music from the Greater Miami Symphonic Band begins at 7 p.m. The drone show begins at 9 p.m., with fireworks immediately after. Admission is free, with food trucks and concessions available throughout the evening.

The drone display will incorporate patriotic imagery along with recognizable Coral Gables landmarks, including the Biltmore, Venetian Pool and City Hall.

“Celebrating the Fourth of July at the iconic Biltmore Hotel during our country’s 250th year is especially meaningful,” said Fred Couceyro, director of the city’s Community Recreation Department. “We invite the community to gather for an evening that honors our nation’s past, celebrates our shared values and looks ahead to the future. The combination of music, fireworks and a patriotic drone show will make this year’s event one to remember.”

Getting there

The city is encouraging attendees to arrive by bike, with complimentary, secure bike valet parking available through No Boundaries Sport from the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center, 1150 Anastasia Ave. Freebee, Uber and Lyft drop-offs and pickups will be staged at the intersection of Catalonia and Anastasia avenues.

Limited free parking opens at 5 p.m. at Municipal Garage 4, 345 Andalusia Ave., and the Museum Garage, 220 Aragon Ave. Shuttle service runs from Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing through 8:15 p.m., with return shuttles operating throughout the evening from the same location.

Attendees should leave pets, glass items, coolers, grills, tents, umbrellas and fireworks at home, as none will be permitted on the grounds. The Coral Gables Police Department will direct traffic and enforce a ban on neighborhood street parking, with access to streets near the Biltmore restricted to residents. Accessible parking is available at each shuttle stop, and all trolleys are accessible. Accommodation requests can be sent to ADA@coralgables.com.

A church barbecue before the fireworks

Granada Church, 950 University Drive, is also hosting a family-friendly Fourth of July barbecue before the Biltmore show. The gathering runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with hot dogs, burgers and other grilled items available. A $5 plate includes two protein options, chips and a drink, and guests are invited to bring a dessert to share. The church playground will be open during the event. After the barbecue, attendees can walk to the Biltmore for the 9 p.m. drone show and fireworks, and may leave their cars parked at Granada during the show.

A quieter view, built for sensory needs

Not every Fourth of July celebration needs a crowd. For guests with autism or other sensory-related needs, the city is again hosting its Sensory Friendly Fourth of July at Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd., offering a calmer vantage point on the Biltmore fireworks display.

The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m., and includes sensory-friendly outdoor activities such as bubbles, crafts, sports and light-up games. An indoor quiet area and on-site parking will be available.

Guests may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages. Admission is $25 per vehicle, with space limited; registration help and questions can be directed to PlayForAll@coralgables.com.

‘Jaws’, barbecue and a 50-year-old scare

For a different kind of Independence Day tradition, Coral Gables Art Cinema is bringing back its third annual “Jaws” + BBQ screening, pairing Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic with a barbecue reception. The reception begins at 11 a.m., with the film starting at noon.

“Jaws,” which helped define the modern summer blockbuster, follows the police chief of a seaside resort town, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter as they hunt a great white terrorizing the town’s Fourth of July tourist season — making it an unusually fitting, if unsettling, holiday watch.

Jazz, sliders and a cause

The Coral Gables Woman’s Club is hosting its own Fourth of July gathering at Birdie Bistro, 2001 Granada Blvd., combining a fundraiser with food, music and community. A $30 donation supports the Woman’s Club’s programs and includes a first beer and a barbecue slider.

The event runs from noon to 8 p.m. Live jazz begins at 4 p.m., with barbecue items and sides available for purchase.

What to know

“A Gables Fourth” Celebration and Fireworks Extravaganza takes place Saturday, July 4, at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Grounds open at 5 p.m.; admission is free. The Sensory Friendly Fourth of July runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd.; admission is $25 per vehicle. Jaws + BBQ begins with an 11 a.m. reception at Coral Gables Art Cinema, followed by the film at noon. The Coral Gables Woman’s Club Fourth of July fundraiser runs from noon to 8 p.m. at Birdie Bistro, 2001 Granada Blvd., with live jazz beginning at 4 p.m.

Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff

Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.