Matt Lara, Kelly Lee Barrett / Cinespia, South Gate, David Joseph Emenheiser, Jay Ross, City of Santa Clarita
50 spots to watch thrilling 4th of July fireworks and drone shows in L.A.
Independence Day is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to bust out your red, white and blue accessories. Get your grill setup ready because life, liberty and the pursuit of barbecue await you. Across L.A., cities and towns are gearing up for extravagant Fourth of July festivities with parades, musical performances, fireworks and fierce competitions among patriotic pooches.
Whether you plan to stay local or event hop, here is a list of places in and around L.A. County where you can celebrate the nation’s 248th birthday — and have a blast while you’re at it. (Events start this weekend and continue through next week.)
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Many traditional fireworks shows have been replaced by quieter, less environmentally damaging drone light shows, but there are still plenty of dazzling fireworks displays that are expected to comply with environmental rules.
Pro tip: Before you head out the door, check for any Fourth of July event restrictions, postponements or cancellations.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Feast on a buffet barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the aquarium’s rooftop veranda. At 8 p.m. when the aquarium closes, make your way to Seashell Park or ShoreLine Aquatic Park to view the 9 p.m. fireworks over Rainbow Harbor — both are less than a 5-minute walk from the aquarium.
Tickets must be purchased in advance on Aquarium of the Pacific’s website and cost $79 per adult and $55 per child. Tickets are discounted for members. Tickets include all-day aquarium admission and the barbecue buffet.
Arcadia
Fireworks will fly at 9 p.m. at First Avenue Middle School, and admission is free.
Artesia
Family games will begin at 3 p.m., and the evening will include live music by SOTO Band at 6 p.m.. Enjoy a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Pro tip: Make sure to bring picnic supplies and blankets. Dogs may attend if leashed. No alcohol permitted.
Baldwin Park
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and offers carnival rides, a giant slide, face painting, a balloon artist and food vendors. There will be a live concert at 6:45 p.m. performed by Taylor Swift tribute band Twist on Taylor, followed by a magic show at 8 p.m. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
Catalina Island
Between 1 and 10 p.m. there will be a golf cart parade, a dinghy parade and a performance by the USC Marching Band. The fireworks show on Catalina Island will begin at approximately 9 p.m.
The one-hour ferry ride costs $42 each way (discounted for seniors and children), and parking at the ports of San Pedro, Long Beach or Dana Point starts at $20 for the day. The fireworks show is free.
Chatsworth
Gates open at 5 p.m. at Shepherd Church. There will be a variety of food vendors and kids activities. A firework display is set for 9 p.m.
Claremont
On June 29, there will be multiple run and walk events beginning at 7:30 a.m. The celebration will continue on July 4 with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at Memorial Park. There will be a flag-raising ceremony, parade and festival including entertainment, activities and food beginning at 10 a.m.
Also, a concert and fireworks show will take place at Pomona College’s Strehle Track. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The band Upstream will perform from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Tickets are required and can be purchased for $10 presale or at the gate if available. Tickets are on sale at City Hall, the Alexander Hughes Community Center and Vons.
Crescenta Valley
There will be food trucks and live music performed by the Mary Dyer Band. Get there early to secure your spot on the field — it fills up fast.
Day-of tickets are $10. Presale tickets, $9, may be purchased at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, Bob Smith Toyota, J’s Maids & Maintenance, Crescenta Valley Weekly Newspaper and Crescenta Valley Insurance. Active military and children age 7 and younger are 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.
Dodger Stadium
On July 4, the L.A. Dodgers will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The game starts at 6:10 p.m., and the night will conclude with a fireworks display. On July 5, the Dodgers go head-to-head with the Milwaukee Brewers. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. and will be followed by a drone light show.
Tickets start at $43 for the July 4 game and $41 for July 5.
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.
Eagle Rock
The event is set for Eagle Rock Park from 4 to 9 p.m. Fireworks will fly at 8:45 p.m.
The event is free. Barbecue grills, alcohol, pets, canopies, umbrellas and glass bottles are prohibited.
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.
El Sereno
The event will be on June 29 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the El Sereno Recreation Center. The Milanés Brothers will perform live music. Fireworks are set to light up the sky at 9 p.m.
The event is free. Barbecue grills, alcohol, pets, canopies, umbrellas and glass bottles are prohibited.
Gardena
From 5 to 10 p.m. in Rowley Park, there will be music, games, food trucks and a kids zone. The night will end with a bang during a 9 p.m. fireworks display.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
There will be musical performances and live DJs. Guests can bring picnic baskets or buy items from a variety of food trucks. Don’t miss out on craft activities and 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 is $10 per vehicle at the Music Center’s main garage and the Walt Disney Concert Hall garage. Alcohol is prohibited.
Hawaiian Gardens
This event is free.
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 fireworks 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 per person round-trip. (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 fireworks 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 blanket!
Also, there will be a screening of “Charlie’s Angels” with fireworks on July 5 and a screening of “Shrek 2” with fireworks on July 6.
La Mirada
Beginning at 4 p.m., there will be live music, games, family-friendly activities and vendors. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. A fireworks show will illuminate the sky at approximately 9 p.m.
The event is free, and parking will be available. A free shuttle service from Biola University starts at 3 p.m.
La Puente
From 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., there will be live music, food and a beer garden. The festivities will conclude with fireworks whizzing through the sky.
Admission is free.
Lakeview Terrace
Enjoy live music, kids activities, food, vendors and resource booths starting at 5 p.m. The night will end with a drone light show.
The event is free.
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.
Lincoln Heights
The event will be from 2 to 9 p.m. in Lincoln Park. There will be live music performances, with headliner Tierra Legacy. The event will be hosted by radio personality Caro Marquez. The fireworks are set to ignite around 9 p.m.
The event is free. Barbecue grills, alcohol, pets, canopies, umbrellas and glass bottles are prohibited.
Lynwood
The event starts at 5 p.m. and will offer food trucks, live entertainment, bouncy houses, games and vendors. The night will end with a fireworks show, and the event is free.
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.
Monrovia
The event will start at 7 p.m. and will include live music from Stone Soul and dancing. Time to get your groove on! The fireworks are set to launch at 9 p.m.
Monterey Park
There will be live entertainment from the band 4X4 at Barnes Park Amphitheater. Grab a bite from the on-site food trucks and enjoy the fireworks show that starts at 9 p.m.
Entrance to this event is free.
Norwalk
The event is free.
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.
Palmdale
Gates will open at 6 p.m., and there will be food, beer and wine available for purchase on-site. (The event is cash-free.) The concert will start at 8 p.m., and fireworks will fly approximately 15 minutes after the concert concludes. Chairs are not provided, so don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket.
Tickets are required and must be purchased online for $3.50. Children 12 and younger are free. Shuttle service is available from Highlands Church and Highland High School for people who need assistance.
Pomona
Doors open at 4 p.m., and the event will include motocross, monster trucks, food and music. There will be a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Tickets are required and start online at $22, $30 at the gate.
Queen Mary
There will be live music, a WWII aircraft flyover, karaoke, watermelon eating and more. Get the party started with line-dancing lessons in the Grand Salon and swing-dancing lessons in the Queens Salon. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.
General admission tickets are $55 for adults and $35 for children. VIP admission tickets are $125. Tickets must be purchased online and in advance, but overnight hotel guests receive free entry to the festivities.
Queensway Bay
Settle in at Lions Lighthouse, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor or Marina Green for a prime view of the fireworks. Or watch from one of City Cruises’ or Harbor Breeze Cruises’ ships. Harbor Breeze viewing cruise tickets start at $50, and City Cruises viewing cruise tickets start at $195.
Parking is available at various paid lots in the area. Pro tip: Explore the waterfront shops and restaurants before the fireworks show.
Rancho Palos Verdes
At 3 p.m. festivities will begin at Ken Dyda Civic Center. Enjoy inflatables, rides, games and live music. There will be craft, food and beer and wine vendors on-site. The night will conclude with a drone light show.
The event is free.
Rosemead
There will be a parade at 10 a.m. beginning on Valley Boulevard and Muscatel Avenue and ending at Rosemead Park. A carnival at Rosemead Park from noon to 10 p.m. will include food and craft vendors, carnival games, performances and a patriotic dog costume contest. Fireworks will fly at dusk.
Carnival wristbands are $12 if purchased on or before July 3 at the Garvey Center or the Rosemead Community Recreation Center. Wristbands are $15 on the day of the carnival.
San Fernando
The event will offer family-friendly activities including carnival games, arts and crafts and food and artisan vendors. The night will conclude with a patriotic drone show at 9 p.m.
The event is free.
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 fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Wristbands are required for entry. Presale wristbands start at $5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, 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.
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.
Santa Fe Springs
Starting at 3 p.m., attendees can enjoy food, family games, crafts, live music, a horseshoe tournament and, for those 21 and older, a beer garden. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m., with an additional viewing area at Santa Fe Springs Athletic Fields (9720 Pioneer Blvd.) that opens at 8 p.m.
Feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but remember that canopies and umbrellas are prohibited. The event is free, but nearby street parking is limited. Shuttle bus service will be available at Los Nietos Park, Town Center Hall, Betty Wilson Center and Santa Fe Springs Athletic Fields.
South Gate
There will be carnival rides, games, food and live music. A fireworks show is scheduled for July 4 at 9 p.m.
Admission is free.
South El Monte
On June 29 at South El Monte High School, there will be food vendors, games and live music by the Platinum Beat. The event begins at 6 p.m, and fireworks fly at 9 p.m.
On July 4 at New Temple Park, the celebration goes from 2 to 8 p.m. There will be food vendors, rock climbing, a boxing show and a kids splash zone. Also, Chico Band and the Jolly Corks will play live music.
Admission is free.
South Pasadena
This celebration, which is set for July 4, offers all-day festivities, kicking off with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast at the South Pasadena Fire Station. At 11 a.m., a parade will begin to make its way down Diamond Avenue and end at Garfield Park where games, live music and food vendors will be available until 2:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Kings of 88 will perform a concert at the South Pasadena High School Stadium, where fireworks will fly at 9 p.m.
Presale tickets are available online and cost $15 — children 2 and younger are free.
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).
Universal Studios Hollywood
The 9 p.m. firework viewing is included with park admission, and tickets start at $144.
Valencia
Six Flags Magic Mountain will display fireworks at 9 p.m. nightly from July 4 through July 6. Prime viewing areas are Full Throttle Plaza, DC Universe and Main Gate Plaza.
Fireworks viewing is included with park tickets, which start at $57.
Walnut
The celebration in Suzanne Park begins at 5 p.m. There will be live music, face painting, games and food trucks. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, canopies, picnic baskets — and your dog, who wouldn’t want to miss the “patriotic pooch parade.” Fireworks begin around 9 p.m.
The event is free, and there is limited free parking nearby. Alcohol is prohibited.
Westlake Village
The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Westlake Golf Course. There will be food trucks, music and an assortment of family-friendly activities including inflatables and a putting contest. (No outside alcohol allowed.) Fireworks can be viewed from the Westlake Golf Course or the Calvary Community Church beginning at 9:10 p.m.
There is no parking on-site, and free parking is limited off Lakeview Canyon Road and Townsgate Road.
Whittier
Gates open at 5 p.m., and there will be food trucks and inflatables. Fireworks are set to crackle at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Veterans and those 17 and under are free. Alcohol is prohibited.
Woodland Hills
From 6 to 9:30 p.m., there will be food trucks and craft vendors. Angela O’Neill and the Outrageous8 and the Paul Litteral Band will perform live music you can jam to. Fireworks will fly at dusk.
The event is free, and VIP seating starts at $25. On-site parking fees will be donated to Valley Cultural Foundation.
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