Southern California celebrates Fourth of July and America's 250th anniversary
Every year, Southern California lights up with fireworks and other celebrations for the Fourth of July, and this year will be no exception. Events are being hosted all weekend long.
On Saturday, America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Here are places to enjoy the holiday:
Gloria Molina Grand Park: The Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown LA will host a free summer block party on the Fourth of July. The event will feature live music, dance performances and a drone show. The festivities start at 4 p.m.
Marina del Rey: Marina del Rey will celebrate the Fourth of July with a 20-minute fireworks show over the water. The show is at 9 p.m. and is free to attend.
Monrovia: The City of Monrovia is hosting live music, entertainment, dancing and a fireworks show on Saturday. It begins at 7 p.m. at Library Park.
Queen Mary: The Queen Mary in Long Beach will be transformed to celebrate America's 250th birthday. The one-night-only celebration will feature live performances, interactive activities and different themed parties. The night will end with a 15-minute fireworks show.
Events begin at 3 p.m., and tickets need to be purchased to attend.
Long Beach: America's 250: The Finale is a July 4 fireworks display along the waterfront, beginning at 9 p.m. Synchronized fireworks shows launch simultaneously from barges off Granada Beach in Belmont Shore, Junipero Beach in front of the Long Beach Museum of Art, and the Queen Mary waterfront.
Torrance: Celebrate the Fourth of July and America's 250th anniversary at the LA Galaxy Sports Complex, starting at 6 p.m.
There will be live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, an inaugural Stroller & Wagon Parade, and a spectacular fireworks show.
Burbank: The City of Burbank is celebrating the 4th of July with a drone show at Starlight Bowl at 9 pm. on Saturday. Pre-show music starts at 8:45 p.m.
The drone show will launch from the Starlight Bowl parking lot, however the Starlight Bowl will not be open for public viewing. People are encouraged to enjoy the show from any location with a clear view of the hillside surrounding the Starlight Bowl.
Redondo Beach: Fourth of July fireworks at King Harbor start promptly at 9 p.m. Seaside Lagoon gates will open at 8 p.m. for public viewing, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
San Pedro: The 76th annual John Olguin Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza takes place at Cabrillo Beach, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
LA Memorial Coliseum: The LA Memorial Coliseum will honor America250 with a block party, fireworks, drone show, and a headline concert.
The block party will begin at 3 p.m. and the show will start at 6 p.m. Tickets need to be purchased to attend the event.
Pacific Palisades: Eighteen months after the deadly and destructive Palisades Fire, the community will host a Fourth of July parade and drone show.
The parade will start at 4 p.m. and make its way through the historic village before ending at Palisades High School for an evening celebration at 6 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Palmdale: Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Palmdale Amphitheater. The high-energy community event will feature entertainment, family activities and fireworks.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale here for $6. Children 12 and under are free with at least one paying adult.
Huntington Beach: Advertised as the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi, Huntington Beach will host its annual Surf City 5K Run, parade and fireworks show.
The events are free to attend, and the festivities begin at 7 a.m. The 122nd Huntington Beach Parade starts at 10 a.m., and the fireworks over the ocean begin at 9 p.m.
Hollywood Bowl Fireworks Spectacular: Celebrate the United State's 250th's birthday at the Hollywood Bowl. The Beach Boys perform Thursday July 2 through Saturday July 4 at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The library is hosting its annual Fourth of July celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to commemorate America's 250th birthday. There will be live music, carnival and picnic games, presidential look-alikes, and family-friendly activities.
Outdoor activities are free, while regular museum admission fees apply.
Dana Point: Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza takes place at Doheny State Beach from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from a barge off the coast, synchronized with patriotic music.
The Condor Squadron flyover, featuring WWII North American AT‑6 aircraft, will soar above Dana Point from 5:50 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.
Santa Ana: Celebrate Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday at Centennial Park from 6 to 9 p.m., with a fireworks finale at 8:45 p.m. There will be live music, food vendors, inflatables, and a fireworks show. On-site event parking is free, but limited.
Artesia: The city of Artesia will be hosting a day full of Independence festivities at Artesia Park that will feature a chili cook-off contest on Friday. There will also be a fireworks show that will begin at 9 p.m.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Cinespia will be having an outdoor movie screening of "Jurassic Park" in the cemetery on the Fourth of July, followed by a fireworks display.
The event begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are required to attend.
El Segundo: Fourth of July celebrations in El Segundo will be divided, with some festivities taking place in the morning and others in the evening. All of the fun will start at 10 a.m. at the Stevenson Field in Recreation Park. The evening portion will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with the 9 p.m. fireworks show.
An admission fee is required to attend both events.
Riverside/Mt. Rubidoux: Head to Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside for a panoramic view as fireworks light up the skyline. It's not an official watch party and please note, Mt, Rubidoux is closed after 7 a.m. on July 4th for safety reasons.
Rosemead: The City of Rosemead is hosting its 2026 Fourth of July Parade and Celebration on July 4th. The festivities kickff with a parade celebrating "One Nation, One Community, One Celebration." The parade will begin at 10 a.m. along Valley Bouleveard, betwen Muscatel and Loma Avenues.
The celebration continues at Rosemead Park from noon to 10 p.m. with family-friendly activities, live music and fireworks at dusk.
Santa Clarita: The City of Santa Clarita is hosing a Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. at the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District.
The city's annual Firework Show at Valencia Town Center begins at 9:15 p.m.. Six Flags Magic Mountain Star-Spangled Night is also scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. This event run from July 3-5th.
San Fernando: A drone show is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Recreation Park in San Fernando on the Fourth of July.
San Marino: The City of San Marino kicks off the Fourth of July celebration at 7 a.m. at Lacy Park for a day of family-friendly fun, with a parade at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a fireworks display. The parade begins at Wembley and Monterey Roads and will conclude at Lacy Park.
All wristbands purchased on the day of the event are $20 each for residents and non-residents.
Santa Fe Springs: Santa Fe Springs is celebrating the Fourth of July on July 3rd at Los Nietos Park from 3:30-9:30 p.m. Activities include a pie-eating contest, Root Beer chugging contest and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
South El Monte: South El Monte is hosting a Fourth of July celebration at New Temple Park from 2-9 p.m. on Saturday. The event will include family games, a kids splash zone and a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
South Gate: The City of South Gate kicked off the holiday on July 2nd and will continue through July 5th. Among the activities, carnival rides, food and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4th.
The hours are 5-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
South Pasadena: The City of South Pasadena is honoring 250 years of American history with a day of festivities including a pancake breakfast, a parade at 11 a.m. and a live concert and fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Advance tickets are $15 per person and $20 per person at the door. Children 2 years or under are free.
Walnut: Walnut is hosting its annual Fourth of July Celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at Suzanne Park including live music, food and a fireworks display. The event ends at 9:30 p.m.
Westlake Village: The annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be held at the Westlake Golf Course. Food, music and activities will take place along with the fireworks display.
Gates open at 5 p.m., the event starts at 6 p.m. and the firework show is scheduled for 9:10 p.m.
Whittier: Whittier is hosting a 4th of July Firework Spectacular at York Field on Saturday. Gates open at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. There will also be live music and food trucks.
Admission is $5 per person, but free to veterans and anyone 17 years or under.
Woodland Hills: Councilmember Bob Blumenfield's Fourth of July Extravaganza is taking place at Warner Park on the 4th. The event starts at 6 p.m. with the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
