The Best 4th of July Fireworks, Parades & Kid-Friendly Parties in LA

DTLA

Grand Park + Music Center 4th of July Block Party
Grand Park and The Music Center presents L.A. County’s largest free July 4th celebration with the annual Grand Park + The Music Center’s 4th of July Block Party. The family-friendly event will feature DJs and live bands and will be capped with one of Downtown L.A.’s largest fireworks shows, launched from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Event details.

DTLA

Smorgasburg LA is back just in time for Independence Day and our foodie tastebuds couldn't be more excited. While this event ends starts early in the day and ends in the afternoon, if you have little ones that won't stay up late and make it to any fireworks anyway, then this is your stop for festive food—without any of the effort or clean-up.

ROW DTLA
777 Alameda St.
Los Angeles
Online: la.smorgasburg.com

Huntington Beach

If you live in the South Bay, consider a trip to Huntington Beach, aka "The Surf Capital of the USA," for a day of Fourth of July festivities. The city hosts the largest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi River, complete with celebrity grand marshalls, sky divers, vibrant floats and more. At night, visitors can watch a massive fireworks display over the ocean from the pier or around a bonfire pit on the shore. And if you are ready to celebrate for more than just the day, they'll have patriotic programming Jul. 2-4 that includes a parade, a 5K, festival and contests. Event details.

Pasadena

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl
This year, the Rose Bowl Stadium will host its 95th annual AmericaFest. The parking lot opens at 5 p.m., entertainment starts at 7 p.m., and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Event details.

Hollywood

Hollywood Bowl 4th of July Spectacular
Get ready to get funky: This year, the Bowl's Independence Day concert is headlined by Kool & the Gang—the band will perform their disco hits concluding with a spectacular fireworks show. Event details.

San Fernando Valley

Calabasas Splash Party & Fireworks Spectacular
Beat the heat at Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center's pool, where there will be games, prizes and music. Post-splash, head to Calabasas High School (22855 W. Mulholland Hwy.) for a Family Fun Zone featuring inflatables, arts and crafts, stilt walkers and more. There will also be a live musical dance party and fireworks at 9p.m. Event details.

July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Head to Woodland Hills to hear live music, peruse offerings from local restaurants and arts and crafts vendors, and check out one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the valley—all for free. Event details.

Westside

LAX Coastal 4^th of July Parade
In big cities like LA, true “hometown” events are rare. So this small town Norman Rockwell-esque parade in Westchester is a throwback treat to a simpler time. 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: La Espada departs at 7:30 p.m., the Christopher and Caroline depart at 8 p.m.
Rate: $50 per person, under 3 are free

Online: tickets.harbor-cruises.com

RELATED: How to Spend a Weekend of Fun in Long Beach

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