52 L.A. places and favorite spots to watch Fourth of July fireworks and drone shows
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The Fourth of July this year will mean different things for different people.
It is the 250th year since the nation’s founding, and the country is still debating most of the same issues that plagued our forefathers’ entire political careers. For some, it will be a rapturous anniversary of our independence from Britain well worth celebrating; and for others, it will be a day to solemnly reflect on the shortcomings of a promise of liberty for all.
Many things have changed since 1776: A large swath of the population gained the right to vote, the U.S. went from a rascal British offshoot to a global superpower, and drones have started competing with fireworks as the main visual attraction on Independence Day.
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This year in L.A. some of the festivities that were postponed due to protest and upheaval against immigration enforcement raids are making their return. Others are still holding tight.
Yet all over the city, county and state, people will come together to see the longtime tradition through. For some, it is not so much about the founding, but about the family and community they created under the red, white and blue banner.
Here is a list of 52 places to settle down with family, friends and fellow compatriots to watch the fireworks this Fourth of July.
Artesia
The festivities, including a Latin Soul performance, family-friendly games and a flag raising ceremony, will begin at noon on July 3. After the activities conclude, a firework show will light up Artesia Park at 9 p.m.
On the Fourth of July, the park will also host an Over the Line tournament — an offshoot of baseball and a near-40-year Artesia tradition — with four players per team. It costs $65 to register a team. If you can’t wrap your head around the rules of Over the Line, a pickleball tournament goes until 2 p.m. Friday. The registration fee is $10.
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Baldwin Park
At no cost to families, the city of Baldwin Park will host its Fourth of July celebration a day early at Sierra Vista High School, where acrobatic dancers, face painters and tribute acts will gather to help the Baldwin Park community celebrate America’s 250th.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The synchronized firework show begins at 9:30 p.m. and concludes at 11 p.m.
Burbank
From all around the hillsides of the venue, Burbank community members will be able to take on a drone light show that will launch from the Starlight Bowl parking lot instead of fireworks. While guests won’t be able to watch from inside of the venue, the city of Burbank said tips for viewing locations will be provided closer to the date.
The show will begin at 9 p.m. with no admission price.
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Cabrillo Beach
San Pedro community members will be able to attend a food truck festival, live music shows and family activities before a scenic waterfront firework show at 9 p.m.
The free event is from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Independence Day.
Catalina, Avalon Bay
On the eve of Independence Day, the Trojan band will warm up with a performance at Wrigley Stage Avalon Bay Vista from 3 to 4 p.m. The following day, after a golf cart and dinghy parade, the island will shine under exploding stars at the 9 p.m. Fourth of July firework show. To round out the night, the Trojans will take the stage again to deliver their Independence Day performance.
Catalina Express ferries will depart from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, with parking at these sites sitting between $20 and $25. Round-trip fares for adults cost $97 to $106 including fees, $88 to $96 for seniors and $76 to $85 for children 2-11. Children under 1 will run you $10 for a round trip.
Catalina, Two Harbors
Earlier in the day, the tiny enclave will have a child-friendly slate of arts-and-crafts activities in Buffalo Park for its 40th annual Children’s Festival. Also scheduled is the 21st annual Dinghy Parade in the coves of the West End.
The firework show will be visible from Harbor Reef restaurant and the shore.
Chatsworth & Porter Ranch
Starting at 5 p.m. the community will gather for an array of food vendors, special games and events for the kids, and, to conclude the festivities, the annual Firework Spectacular will start at 9 p.m.
Claremont
The day will start with a 1K Kids Fun Run and 5K race for adults in Memorial Park at 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., respectively. If that doesn’t wear you out or if it isn’t something you’re into, the annual Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, flag-raising ceremony, community parade, food vendors and music from Pop Vinyl will help to rebuild your energy before the end-of-day firework show by Pyro Spectaculars at the Pomona College Strehle Track at 9 p.m.
The firework show has a $15 ticket price, with free admission for children under age 3. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Alexander Hughes Community Center.
Coachella
If you can’t stand the evening heat, a community pool will be open to wade in until the main event concludes. You can watch the desert disappear under the light of dazzling fireworks at 9 p.m.
The event is free of charge. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Corona
Festivities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., featuring food vendors, live music from INXS tribute band Mystified and Liquid Blue, community activities and entertainment for all ages. Families are encouraged to arrive early to secure viewing spots and enjoy the pre-show celebrations.
The evening will culminate with Corona’s signature fireworks display at 9 p.m., lighting up the night sky in honor of Independence Day.
Crescenta Valley
Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Independence Day, allowing families to explore the array of attractions, including food trucks, a live band performance and a 20-minute fireworks show to round the night out, beginning at 9 p.m.
Presale tickets are $9 and can be purchased at local businesses, including Bob Smith Toyota, J’s Maids and Maintenance, Crescenta Valley Weekly newspaper and Crescenta Valley Insurance. Tickets for purchase the day of will cost $10, with free admission for children age 7 and under.
Culver City
Starting at 6 p.m. at the Culver Steps in Town Plaza, the city will host a free community event that will feature live music, a flag salute ceremony and other family-friendly activities. At 9 p.m., attendees can marvel at the March of Freedom drone light show, which event organizers say will trace the history of the United States from the Revolutionary era to the modern day.
Desert Hot Springs
The free event begins at 6 p.m. on July 5. Family-friendly games and activities will fill the time until the 9:15 p.m. firework show, which will light up the Desert Spring skies.
Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers will host their annual Fourth of July game against the rival San Diego Padres, which will be followed by a grand fireworks display. Tickets for the game start at $139, but with a dynamic pricing model, the sooner you grab a seat, the better.
Duarte
Admission to the event is free, but if you’re up for some thrills, unlimited carnival ride wristbands will be offered for $15. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and at 9:15 p.m., you can grab a seat in the viewing location to witness an extravagant fireworks display.
El Segundo
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Stevenson Field in Recreation Park will host a hula-hoop competition, water balloon toss and three-legged sack race with food trucks all around the field. At 5 p.m., reentry admissions to the fields will begin for the firework show at 9 p.m.
Admission for both events is $5 at the gates. For El Segundo residents with an updated Recreation ID card, wristbands will be free for up to four guests.
Elysian Park, Angels Point
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Bring a chair and enjoy the first seeds of Independence Day while you take in the view of the downtown L.A. skyline.
Gardena
From 5 to 10 p.m., a swarm of food trucks and games will decorate Independence Day until the 9 p.m. firework show. Entry to this event is free.
Hawaiian Gardens
In addition to the annual fireworks show, the city will also have family-friendly games and live music to celebrate the United States’ quarter-millennium birthday.
Hollywood Bowl
The three concert series will run at the Bowl with help from principal conductor Thomas Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic setups, wine and beer that can fit in a container under your seat. Ticket prices range from $17.76 for nosebleeds to $370 for seats right with a perfect view of Stamos.
Parking on-site will be tricky (and expensive), booked through ParkWhiz, so save yourself the trouble and take public transportation from various Park and Ride locations across the county or book a trip on the Bowl Shuttle from nearby locations for $15 and under.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
The cemetery’s open-air screenings for Independence Day this year include “Shrek” (2001) on July 3 and “Jurassic Park” (1993) on July 4, which will both be followed by grand firework displays. (The latter event is sold out.)
Gates will open on both nights at 7:15 p.m. and the movies will start at 9 p.m on a first-come, first-served seating basis. Picnic setups are welcome, and blankets are recommended.
Hollywood, the Godfrey Hotel
With doors opening at 8 p.m., L.A. DJs will be spinning Afrobeats, Amapiano, house and dancehall at the rooftop bar, where you can enjoy signature cocktails. Fireworks will start in the sky around 9:30 p.m., so make sure to grab a drink and get a good seat before the show starts.
Tickets can be purchased through EventBrite, where Godfrey Hotel is offering a two-for-one deal on tickets at $18. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Huntington Beach
Festivities begin with the Surf City 5K at 7 a.m., followed by the annual Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. Along the route, spectators can expect marching bands, military tributes, community groups and colorful floats making their way through downtown Huntington Beach.
The celebration continues throughout the day with a carnival at Pier Plaza, live entertainment on Main Street and a block party featuring live music. The evening will culminate with the city’s signature “Fireworks Over the Ocean” show, launching from the Huntington Beach Pier at 9 p.m.
Viewing along the beach is free and open to the public, though organizers warn that parking and traffic around downtown Huntington Beach are expected to be extremely congested.
La Mirada
The city will host a slate of events at La Mirada Regional Park, including live music, food vendors and a firework display to wrap up the night at 9 p.m.
According to the event organizers, limited parking will be available at La Mirada Regional Park. Overflow parking will be available at La Mirada Civic Center, the stadium parking lot at La Mirada High School and Biola University. The city will also provide free shuttle service from Biola University beginning at 3 p.m. and ending 45 minutes after the event concludes.
Lancaster
Gates at the AV Fair and Event Center will open at 5 p.m., welcoming attendees with food trucks, live music by country band Lanco and arts-and-crafts activities for kids. Stick around until 9 p.m. to see the fireworks.
Admission to the fairgrounds is free, but grandstand tickets for the fireworks show will run you $10, with floor seats sitting at $15.
La Puente
While the kids tire themselves out at the inflatable jumper, walk over to the beer garden in La Puente Park for a drink to cool off from the summer sun. Live music by DJ Killah Noez and entertainment by the Esperanza Flores Ballet Folklorico will take place at 4 p.m and 6 p.m.
The grand Fortunato Jimenez firework display will top an afternoon of fun off once darkness sets in.
The show will be free to attend, but event organizers are promoting a VIP package that includes 10 seats, 10 wristbands, exclusive jumper access and allows canopies, chairs and ice chests for $125.
Long Beach
After the cancellation of the Big Bank on the Bay firework show at the Boathouse on the Bay, the city of Long Beach has decided to continue the tradition with a three-part firework display. Bottle rockets will be launched from the barges off Granada Beach in Belmont Shore, Junipero Beach in front of the Long Beach Museum of Art and the Queen Mary waterfront, beginning at 9 p.m.
Some of the free viewing locations include the area around Lions Lighthouse, Granada Beach, Cherry Beach and Junipero Beach. The fireworks can also be seen from the Shoreline Village and the downtown waterfront.
Lynwood
Admission to the event will be free. Gates open at 5 p.m. Bring a blanket, cooler and some food to watch the night sky light up over Lynwood.
Marina del Rey
The 20-minute fireworks show will also be visible from Venice Pier, Playa Vista and Dockweiler Beach. The Beach Shuttle and Waterbus will drive attendees to and from the event locations, with on-site parking in Venice, Dockweiler and Marina del Rey costing $11 to $20.
Monrovia
From 7 to 8:30 p.m., you can dance the light away to live music from OC Groove or occupy yourself with one of the other activities that will be available at Library Park. At 9 p.m., a firework display will explode across the skies to celebrate America’s 250th.
Admission to this event is free. Spectators may reserve a space of 10-by-10 feet in the park by contacting the Community Center at (626) 256-8246.
Norwalk
The celebration will begin at 3 p.m., where the children can compete in games, do some arts and crafts, get their faces painted and enjoy live music until the big show. Right around dusk, the bright light of fireworks will take over the skies.
According to event organizers, the first 250 people who attend will receive a free “All-American meal,” of hot dogs, chips and a drink. Parking and shuttle service information will be made available at the city of Norwalk website.
Admission to the event is free.
Pacific Palisades
Starting off the day with 5K and 10K runs, the parade will begin at 4 p.m., where Palisades residents will strut with their floats through the community. Music, entertainment and activities for the kids will begin at 5 p.m., with a one-hour drone light show at Palisades Charter High School starting at 9 p.m.
Adult tickets cost $16 including fees, with free admission for children under age 4. Parking in the Pali High lot will cost $25.
Palmdale
After a patriotic show by the 300th Army Band and classic-rock tribute band the Dreamboats, a firework show synced to a variety of music will begin once the sky goes dark. Gates for the show open at 6 p.m., and drink specials conclude at 7 p.m.
No outside food is permitted. The venue is cash-free, but concessions will accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards.
Tickets can be purchased online for $7, with free admission for children under age 12 with a complimentary reserved ticket. Beer and wine will be available from local vendors.
Queen Mary
Every portion of the Queen Mary will offer a distinctly American experience this Fourth of July. You can listen to music that spans generations, including a crooning Frank Sinatra tribute, Motown sounds, country hits and flashbacks to the ’70s with a Queen tribute performance. Kids can occupy themselves with interactive activities such as face-painting and games on the top deck.
If you get hungry over the 3 p.m.-to-9 p.m. cruise, you can make your way to the barbecue buffet and fill your stomach with Southern delicacies.
Once the on-board action slows down, get a good spot on the deck to see the dazzling Long Beach fireworks, which will light up the entire skyline.
Tickets are $75 for adults and $45 for children, with parking available for $35 per day. A $225 VIP admission includes a trip to the barbecue buffet in the Grand Salon, exclusive party access and premium seating for the fireworks.
Rancho Palos Verdes
The festivities that are usually scheduled beforehand have been canceled, but the stunning drone light show is making its return to the South Bay.
Admission is free. Entry begins at 8:45 p.m., just before the skies light up.
Riverside, Mt. Rubidoux
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While there is no official watch party, you can gather at nearby parks, open lots and side streets to feast your eyes on the dazzling display. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Rose Bowl
You must gain admission to FoodieLand if you want to witness the end-of-day light show this year. The event runs from 3 to 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Tickets start at $12.
Rosemead
The parade will start early at 10 a.m., running along Valley Boulevard from Muscatel Avenue to Rosemead Park. The carnival will go from noon to night, with an unlimited ride wristband available for $15 online. If you need to cool off, catch a free swim at the Aquatic Center in Rosemead Park.
Entertainment in the meantime includes Taiko drummers, a patriotic dog contest and performance by Suave the Band. At dusk, the skies will be filled with fireworks to round out the day of fun.
San Fernando
With a carnival-like atmosphere, draped by live music and family-friendly games, the festivities will go from 6 to 10 p.m. At the end of the day, drones will take over the skies and do their best fireworks impressions in a coordinated light show.
San Marino
In honor of Marine 2nd Lt. J.P. Blecksmith, the Fourth of July in San Marino will start with a memorial 5K run. While you rest your legs, your kids can play in the fun zone, which includes carnival games, face-painting and other activities. A parade will begin at 4:45 p.m. and will go from the Wembley and Monterey roads intersection, concluding at Lacy Park.
The day will end with a spectacular fireworks show under the stars.
Wristbands are required for entry. Presale wristbands are $5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. They can be purchased at San Marino Community Center and Crowell Public Library. Wristbands purchased day of are $20 for residents and nonresidents.
No on-site parking is available, but residential streets will be open.
San Pedro, Angels Gate Park
The park closes at 10 p.m., but if you get there around 9 p.m., you could catch some of the fireworks shooting over the coastal bluff. Bring a picnic blanket and jacket (it gets very windy!) and spend America’s 250th with one of its greatest views.
Santa Clarita
The parade will begin at William S. Hart Park at 9 a.m. and conclude at Placerita Junior High School. After dark, at 9.15 p.m., the Spirit of America Fireworks Spectacular will serve as the grand finale for the Independence Day festivities.
Santa Fe Springs
After Pancakes in the Plaza, you can walk around the historic plaza, listen to live music, watch a classic car show and browse arts and crafts vendors. For this event, admissions will cost $12 for an individual ticket, $40 for a family four pack and $10 for each additional ticket.
At the end of the day, you can head about 30 minutes over to Overlook Park, hear a Matchbox Twenty tribute (from Matchbox 20 Two) and see fireworks and a drone light show set the sky ablaze.
South El Monte
From 2 to 9 p.m., the community will come together for a day of fun and a night of fireworks. If you’re worried about missing some of the World Cup action, don’t fret. A watch party will also take place at the park.
At 9 p.m., the festivities will be moving over to South El Monte High School for a stunning firework display.
South Gate
From July 2 to July 5, South Gate will be overrun with thrilling rides, delicious foods and family-friendly activities. All of this fun will culminate in a firework show at 9 p.m. on July 4.
The event is free, but carnival games will charge for play. Hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
South Pasadena
The theme, From Sea to Shine Sea: 250 Years of the American Spirit, will give the community an opportunity to reflect on American tradition with floats featuring Boy Scouts, patriot displays, historical reflections and, naturally, a nod to the Rose Parade, starting at 11 a.m. After the half-mile route concludes, rest up until the evening live concert and fireworks at South Pasadena High School Stadium, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Admission to the parade is free. Advance tickets for the firework show can be bought online for $15 and will cost $20 at the gate. Children ages 2 and under are free.
Universal Studios Hollywood
On July 3 and July 4, Universal Studios will have live fife and drum performances and festive decorations along with all the rides and attractions that make the park so special. A studio-quality firework show will round out the night around 9 p.m.
Park admission starts at $154.
Valencia
For America’s 250th, Six Flag is pulling out all the stops with historically themed entertainment, Fourth of July snack staples at concessions and dazzling firework shows to paint the Valencia sky.
Arrive an hour or two early to secure prime viewing spots near Full Throttle Plaza, DC Universe and the Screampunk District. Tickets start at $55.
Walnut
From 5 to 9 p.m. in Suzanne Park, community members will be able to watch a dog parade, listen to live music, browse food trucks and play games until a dazzling firework show takes over the sky at around 8:30 p.m.
Westlake Village
The green at Westlake Golf Course will be full of inflatable jumpers, food trucks (including kettle corn and shaved ice!) and fireworks this year. After a welcome by Mayor Sue McSweeney, “God Bless America” and the Agoura High School Jazz band will set the tone for the rest of the festivities, which include a putting contest and a flyover.
Settle down for a Pyro Spectacular fireworks show over the course at 9:15 p.m.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is free. No pets or outside food allowed.
Whittier
On July 4, Whittier will celebrate America’s 250th with live pop and Latin music by Legacy band, food trucks and inflatables. Once dark hits, a full firework spectacular will shine across the sky. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults. Children under age 17 and veterans are free.
Outside food and picnics are encouraged. Pets, barbecue setups, alcohol and smoking are prohibited.
Woodland Hills
Starting at 6 p.m., local vendors, businesses and food trucks will occupy Warner Park for the Independence Day celebration. Come 9 p.m., you can unwind on a picnic blanket as fireworks go off far above and paint the hills multicolored.