Liberty by the Bay
Celebrate America250 with the Tampa Bay History Center at Liberty by the Bay.
The Tampa Bay History Center is joining the City of Tampa for Liberty by the Bay, a free Fourth of July celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary.
Held Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Liberty by the Bay brings Tampa together for family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food trucks, a Kids Liberty Procession, a 250-drone light show and a fireworks finale along the waterfront.
The History Center will be on-site with an interactive exhibit that brings Tampa’s history into the celebration and connects local stories to the national America250 commemoration. Guests can also learn more about the extended run of America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation, an exhibition exploring American history through music, culture and change.
Join us at Liberty by the Bay as Tampa celebrates the Fourth of July, America250 and the stories that connect our region to the nation’s past and future.
The Guitar and a Changing Nation is an exhibition supported by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
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Plan ahead.
Museum hours
The history center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Galleries are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and open until 3 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
We can host your event.
Weddings
The History Center provides a dramatic and historic backdrop for your wedding, wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Give your wedding a unique Tampa flair your guests will remember for a lifetime.
Corporate events
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind Tampa experience for your next corporate event or convention party? Are you a meeting planner looking for a unique setting to host a board retreat or employee function? Located within walking distance of downtown hotels, the History Center is perfect for your next corporate event.
