Where to Celebrate July 4th with Kids in LA

Summer is officially in full swing and that means July 4th is just around the corner. We’ve got your guide to the most boom-tactic 4th of July events taking place in a LA neighborhood near you. From a small-town parade on the Westside to a music-fueled night at the Hollywood Bowl, here are all places to celebrate July 4th in Los Angeles with kids. And for those that won’t make it to the fireworks and just want to partake in the best foods LA has to offer (because let’s face it, July 4th is a great excuse to eat), check out our guides to the best hot dogs, best pizza spots and even our favorite global restaurants to take the kids this holiday weekend.

photo: iStock

Universal Studios

Independence Day at Universal Studios Hollywood: The park will be celebrating the 4 of July by extending its Independence Day festivities throughout the weekend from Sat., July 2 – Mon., July 4, inclusive of dazzling nightly fireworks displays, live music performances, specially themed décor and more, all included in the price of admission to the theme park. From the moment guests walk along the iconic red carpet and enter the theme park, they will be immersed in July 4 festivities from themed décor to the sounds of a fife and drum band. Then, beginning nightly at 9:00 p.m., an elaborate fireworks display will splash across the sky, synchronized to a score of Universal-themed music and patriotic favorites from two locations inside of the theme park. Event details.

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades Parade & Fireworks: Los Angeles may be a big city, but this 4th of July parade has a small-town feel with marching bands, equestrian groups, drill teams and more. Post-parade, head to Palisades Charter High’s Stadium by the Sea for family-friendly live music, kids activities and food trucks, followed by—you guessed it—fireworks. You can also participate in the Patriotic Home Decorating, Patriotic Pups, and Kids on Bikes Contests. Event details.

DTLA

Grand Park 4th of July Block Party: Grand Park & The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party returns in-person with a spectacular celebration packed with fun for the whole family. This year’s party will feature a series of interactive multi-media art works in tribute to those who have contributed to the spirit of the Grand Park experience as the Park for Everyone, and will showcase a dynamic respective of the last 10 years. Join us for a night that will include food, music, the return of two stages featuring DJs as well as musical performances, dancing, as well as other surprises and dazzling fireworks over The Music Center Plaza. Event details.

Marina del Rey

Marina del Rey Fireworks: One of the best places to see July 4th fireworks is none other than in Marina del Rey. Enjoy dinner at waterfront restaurants in Marina del Rey with the best firework views or charter a yacht for the ultimate close-up! Or head to Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village for a family-friendly party atmosphere including synchronized music played over loudspeakers. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. and last 20 minutes. This is a popular event, with visitors traveling to the area from throughout the Southland. Plan to arrive as early as 1 p.m. and stay in the Marina until the evening's festivities. Event details.

PS: City Cruises will offer special July 4 cruises. Reserve ASAP at City Cruises.

Huntington Beach

Annual 4th of July Fireworks Over The Ocean: Launched in 1904, the first Huntington Beach 4th of July celebration commemorated the arrival of the first electric passenger train linking the area with Long Beach and Los Angeles, attracting 50,000 people to the celebration. 118 years later, the annual tradition annually attracts more than 500,000 attendees over 4 days of programming and is the largest 4th of July celebration west of the Mississippi. Join us from Jun. 30-July 4, 2022 as we celebrate our Huntington Beach Hometown Tradition! The celebration culminates with the annual 4th of July Fireworks Over The Ocean, presented by Mr. Robert Mayer and family. Event details.

Woodland Hills

Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza: With one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in Southern California, the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza delights over 60,000 people with a free concert and 15-minute spectacular fireworks display. There are over 15 local restaurants on hand along with arts and crafts vendors and local businesses promoting and selling their goods. The event takes place on July 4th of each year from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Come early! Parking fees are a donation to Valley Cultural Foundation and allow us to continue our longstanding tradition of bringing music and the arts to our West Valley. Event details.

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach 4th of July Festival: A family friendly 4th of July Festival and Fireworks Show in Redondo Beach. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and a state-of-the-art firework show. Event details.

Pasadena

The 96th Annual Americafest: The Rose Bowl Stadium, recognized as home to one of the nation’s largest and longest running shows to celebrate America’s birthday, will host its 96th Annual AmericaFest Celebration on Mon., July 4th. It is a great privilege to provide an event that will bring family and friends alike to celebrate in-person and enjoy in the patriotic festivities of the day in the Arroyo. Event details.

Hollywood

July 4th Fireworks with Steve Martin & Martin Short at the Hollywood Bowl: Fireworks crown the Hollywood sky on three huge nights at the Bowl, when Thomas Wilkins and the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform a program of favorites—along with two of the funniest, most influential, and most acclaimed talents of the past century: Steve Martin and Martin Short. Join us for one of LA’s greatest July Fourth traditions. Event details.

Calabasas

Calabasas Splash Party & Fireworks Spectacular: The City will once again host its popular Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Calabasas High School. Tickets for this exciting event are limited and are likely to sell out quickly. They must be purchased in advance of July 4 and there is free parking on-site. The gates open to public at 4 p.m. and the musically choreographed fireworks spectacular starts at 9 p.m with fun, family-friendly events taking place in-between. Event details.

Newport Beach

Celebrate Independence on the Back Bay at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (one of our favorite places to water play) with live music, watersports, food trucks, and an incredible fireworks show sponsored by the City of Newport Beach at one of the region’s top viewing locations.

Hours: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
1131 Back Bay Dr.
Newport Beach
Online: newportdunes.com

Gather family and friends at Dana Point Harbor and keep an eye over Doheny State Beach to experience south Orange County’s impressive aerial fireworks display—tune in to KSBR 88.5 FM and listen to patriotic music synchronized to the fourth of July fireworks.

Hours: 9 p.m.
Dana Point Harbor Dr.
Dana Point
Online: danapoint.org

See the 4th of July fireworks from one of the best possible spots—the water—with Cruise Newport Beach where you'll motor along the coastline, catch a stunning sunset and then have a front row seat to the one of the largest fireworks displays in SoCal.

If the late evening cruise sounds too late for your family, you can still get on the water with their 2.5 hour cruises and witness all the fun, 4th of July festivities—maybe even catch sight of a dolphin or whale.

To make a reservation call: (949) 675-0551.

Hours: 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $65 per person

309 Palm St.
Newport Beach
Online: cruisenewportbeach.com

Long Beach

Head to Long Beach and book a ticket aboard one of three boats from Harbor Breeze Cruises offering water-side firework vantage points.

Hours: Sir Winston departs at 6:00 p.m.; La Espada departs at 7:30 p.m., the Caroline departs at 8 p.m.
Rate: $50-75 per person, under 3 are free

Online: tickets.harbor-cruises.com

—Andie Huber