(Li Anne Liew / Los Angeles Times)
21 of the best L.A. spots to see Fourth of July fireworks
Independence Day weekend is almost here, which means it’s time to bust out your red, white and blue accessories and stock up on barbecue essentials. The cities and towns in L.A. County and in nearby parts of SoCal spare no effort when it comes to Fourth of July celebrations through Monday, so gear up for dazzling fireworks, patriotic music, hot dogs and scared dogs.
Whether you want to stay close to home or go event-hopping, here is a list of places around L.A. where you can ring in the nation’s 246th birthday. (If you’re looking to chase your fireworks with a thrilling ride, check out the Fourth of July happenings planned at Six Flags Magic Mountain or Universal Studios Hollywood or head to Orange County for a festive Fourth at Disneyland.)
For the record:
9:40 a.m. June 29, 2022An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported the price for tickets to Cinespia’s Fourth of July weekend movie screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. General admission tickets are $45. Also, information about a Saturday night screening of “The Fast and the Furious” was added to the listing.
Southern California pyrotechnicians share their favorite fireworks for awe-inspiring Fourth of July shows, from gold-dusted waterfalls to palm trees.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
There will be musical performances and live DJs. Guests can bring their picnic baskets or buy items from a variety of food trucks. Don’t miss out on craft activities and sport games. Take in the view of downtown Los Angeles from a 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel and experience the new 90-foot-long Super Slide. A drone show — not traditional fireworks — will light the sky at 9 p.m.
The event is free, and street parking will be first come, first served. Public parking will be available for $10 per vehicle at the Music Center’s main garage and the Walt Disney Concert Hall garage. Alcohol is prohibited.
Hollywood Bowl
See these artists light up the stage at 7:30 p.m. for one of L.A.’s festive Independence Day traditions and watch the firework display at the Hollywood Hills venue. There will be food for sale, and for this concert, you can BYOB (wine or beer only).
Advance tickets are required. They start at $15 but sell quickly. There is limited on-site parking starting at $45 if booked through ParkWhiz, but you can avoid the hassle by taking the Bowl Shuttle for $7 to $10 round trip per person. (Or find parking at a lot or at a garage such as the one at Ovation Hollywood, formerly Hollywood & Highland. Just be prepared to walk.) You can also use rideshare options to get to the Bowl.
Pro tip: Bring a seat cushion with you or rent one for $1 on-site. It will make the experience 10 times better.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
The venue will screen the iconic 1976 boxing movie “Rocky.” After Sylvester Stallone is finished dodging — and receiving — punches, an electric firework display will ignite the sky.
The event will offer a free photo booth as well as food and drinks for purchase. You can bring a picnic basket filled to the brim with whatever your heart desires — beer and wine included.
General admission tickets are $32, and it’s another $30 for on-site parking. Don’t forget your lawn chair or picnic blanket!
Starlight Bowl
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Set up a picnic on the lawn or sit back in the bleachers to hear the live performances, and watch a patriotic fireworks show over the hills of Burbank.
Grass seating is sold out, so buy your tickets fast! Tickets start at $26, and there is parking available on-site for $12 (cash only).
Duarte
There will be live music by local acts and Sangria Band, a medley of food trucks and games to choose from, and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. to watch from the stands.
Admission is free. Parking will be limited, so be sure to arrive early, and don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets.
El Segundo
Compete in a hula-hooping contest, water balloon toss, sack races, pie-eating contest and youth races. Items from craft vendors will be available for purchase. In the evening, there will be live music, food booths and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Wristbands are required and can be bought the day of starting at $5 for nonresidents of El Segundo. El Segundo residents can receive four free wristbands per adult with an updated 2024 rec ID card at the Clubhouse and Checkout Building in Recreation Park through July 3. There is limited street parking in the area.
Pacific Palisades
This all-day celebration starts at 8 a.m. with 5K and 10K runs. There will be a skydiver demonstration jump at 2 p.m. to kick off the parade, which begins on Via de la Paz, continues down Sunset Boulevard and ends on Toyopa Drive. Music by DJ Lee Dyson of Hey Mister DJ will set the tone for the 9 p.m. fireworks display at Palisades Charter High School. The daytime events are free, while tickets to the firework show must be purchased online and in advance for $10 per adult; children age 3 and younger get in free.
Culver City
Live music will play in the town plaza, where an aerial drone show — as opposed to traditional fireworks — will light the sky. The event is free and will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Santa Clarita
Fireworks will fly at 9:15 p.m. at the Valencia Town Center.
The event is free. VIP tickets cost $45 for adults and $35 for children, and profits go to the WiSH Education Foundation. VIP tickets include access to the VIP fireworks viewing section, a live DJ and food and drink.
Marina del Rey
Pro tip: Head to one of Marina del Rey’s waterfront restaurants for dinner with a view of the fireworks.
The show is free, and nearby parking starts at $11. There are free beach shuttles until 8 p.m.
Redondo Beach
The lagoon will open at noon for a full afternoon of swimming and tanning and close after a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Bring your flip-flops, towels and whatever supplies you can fit in your car.
The event is first come, first served with entrance fees starting at $6. Parking is $20, payable upon entry.
And just down the beach starting at 2 p.m., don’t miss live bands, food, beer and wine in Riviera Village. Fireworks will be set off from a barge off Avenue I at 9:20 p.m.
General admission starts at $20 and limited street parking is available.
Long Beach
Tickets start at $75, and all proceeds go to charity.
Fireworks will be launched from Queensway Bay, so will be visible along the downtown Long Beach waterfront. Parking will be available at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and at public lots throughout the area.
Catalina
Between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. there will be a golf-cart parade, a dinghy parade, live music from local bands, a barbecue dinner (complete with red, white and blue cupcakes) and a performance by the USC Marching Band. The fireworks show on Catalina Island will begin at 9 p.m.
A round-trip ferry ride costs $83 (discounted for seniors and children), and parking at the ports of San Pedro, Long Beach or Dana Point starts at $20 for the day. A dinner buffet is $69 per person. You can also bring your own picnic and set up on the bay. The fireworks show is free, with donations appreciated.
Los Alamitos
There will be a food court, face-painting, live music by Country Nation Band, a performance by the California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division Band, a beer garden and a fireworks show, which will begin at 9 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets and sunglasses are encouraged as there is no seating or shaded area.
The event and parking is free. You must be in a car to enter the military base, no foot or bicycle traffic. Alcohol and pets (except for service animals) are prohibited.
Santa Fe Springs
Beginning at 4:30 p.m. there will be food, family games, crafts, a live DJ, and a horseshoe tournament. At 9 p.m. there will be a fireworks show. (There’s a secondary fireworks viewing area at Santa Fe Springs Athletic Fields, 9720 Pioneer Blvd., opening at 8 p.m.) Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended.
There is no charge for the event or for limited nearby street parking.
Crescenta Valley
There will be food trucks, live music and inflatables. Get there early to secure your spot on the field — it fills up fast.
Admission is free with donations graciously accepted. There is free on-site parking.
Pico Rivera
Doors open at 2 p.m. for a kids’ carnival, paintball, basketball and food vendors. Live music begins at 7 p.m. and concludes with fireworks.
Tickets are available at the door for $10 and parking is free.
La Habra
There will be plenty of room to spread out in the 22-acre park and watch a military flyover, listen to live music by Suave, and enjoy the food vendors and kids activity booths. Fireworks are set to launch at 9:15 p.m.
Tickets are available at the La Habra Community Center starting at $5 with a discount if you purchase on or before July 1. There is free on-site parking.
San Marino
There are events and activities planned throughout the day, including a 5K run, parade, family fun zone, live music, food trucks and, of course, a booming firework show at 9 p.m.
Wristbands are required for entry. Presale wristbands start at $5 for residents and $15 for non-residents, and can be purchased at San Marino Community Center and Crowell Public Library. Wristbands purchased on the day of the event are $20. There is limited nearby street parking. Alcohol is prohibited.
Walnut
The event is free, and there is limited free parking nearby. Alcohol is prohibited.
Lancaster
Enjoy food vendors and live classic rock music by the Doc Brown Band. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Entry to the event is free, but grandstand seating tickets cost $5.
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