LIVE MUSIC
3-Day July 4th Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl with Chicago
(July 2, 3, 4) 7:30 pm / $18.00 – $265.00
Celebrate with Chicago’s mix of rock and horns with holiday-appropriate songs like “Saturday in the Park.” There will be the traditional fireworks spectacular along with the two words I dread most at this time of year: Patriotic music. Kids 12 and under 1/2 price. Bring a picnic, but “Please note: kegs, pony kegs and party balls are not permitted.”
6:30pm / $20 – $140
The Starlight Bowl in Burbank presents an “Americana Celebration” featuring Classic Soul and Motown from Stone Soul, plus the Kings of 88’s tribute to the legends of piano-rock including Elton John, Billy Preston, Stevie Wonder and Jerry Lee Lewis. Ticket prices for July 4th are from $20 for the upper level and up to $140 for a box.
WAY more listings after the break
FESTIVALS with FIREWORKS
4th of July Block Party at Grand Park
2pm – 9:30pm/ FREE
The Block Party is a free event brought to you by Grand Park and the Music Center, featuring two stages of live music, food and an incredible fireworks display launched from the civic center skyline. The lineup of L.A.-based music talent includes live bands like Kotolan, Rocky Dawuni, and The Echo Park Project and the dancers from the World Salsa Congress. This is an alcohol-free event. Picnics and outside food are welcome, but no outside beverages. No folding chairs, large coolers or umbrellas.
Americafest at the Rose Bowl Stadium
2pm / $13 – $25
On Saturday, July 4, the world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena hosts its 90th annual Fourth of July celebration, Americafest. The festival starts at 2 p.m. outside the stadium with food and games for kids in Area H. Gates open at 6pm. The night’s events include live motorcycle stunts, a performance by Liverpool Legends, the “Ultimate Beatles Experience,” and as the Juno spacecraft reaches Jupiter, there will be a connection to NASA Live from Mission Control. Insane fireworks will commence at 9pm. Unfortunately you will have to listen to Souza.
The Coliseum Carnival and Fireworks
12 noon / FREE
Live entertainment provided by KJLH Radio, food, games and activities for all ages. Fireworks begin at 9pm on the 4th. Exposition Park South Lawn Located Off Exposition Park Drive & Bill Robertson Lane. Plus a whole weekend of carnival rides located in Parking Lot 2 off Bill Robertson Lane, The carnival runs from Saturday, July 2nd through Monday July 4th 12 noon to 10pm.
July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza – Warner Center Park
6pm / $10 – $25
VCC’s July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza delights over 60,000 people with a concert by original Beach Boy David Marks with the Surf City AllStars, and 20-minute spectacular fireworks display. There are over 20 food vendors, along with arts and crafts vendors and a play area. Parking is included in the $25 VIP pass. Park in any of the Warner Center structures between Topanga and Canoga or Califa and Oxnard.
Fourth of July Fireworks Festival and Luau at CBS
4:30pm – 10:00pm / $20 – $125 Check the site for prices. They list a “VIP toddlers ticket.” Seriously.
The gates open at 4:30 p.m. The event starts at 5 and ends at 9:30 p.m. Gates for entrance close at 8 p.m. There will be live performances by Elvis Kruk and the Big Boss man. Plus, a magician, a car show, a meteorologist, pirates, and even mermaids. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. The night will culminate with a spectacular fireworks show. Since this is Hollywood, there are endless wristbands with endless levels of access and perks. A VIP ticket also gets you access to the rooftop viewing of the fireworks and valet parking. Check the website to figure out how special you want to be. General admission tickets enter and park in the parking structure on Radford Ave. VIP tickets enter through the Colfax gate.
PARADES
9am / FREE
“Volunteering Makes Us Stronger” is the theme for Old Town Newhall’s Fourth of July Parade with floats, marching bands, equestrian teams, Model A Fords, and that damn patriotic music again. The Masons are on the parade roster. Dare I dream that they will be driving tiny cars? 9 a.m. Main Street at Fifth to Lyons Avenue, west on Lyons, north to Orchard Village Road and 16th Street.
2pm / $11.49
Get there ten minutes early is you want to catch the skydivers! The theme this year is “Independence Day – The Palisades Way.” The 2016 Parade Grand Marshal is Honorary Mayor Kevin Nealon. The parade will follow Via de la Paz to Sunset Boulevard, then go east on Sunset to Drummond Street. Tickets $11.49; free for ages 6 and younger. Grandstand parade seating $53.49. Fireworks event begins with music at 6:30; fireworks, 9 p.m. Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades 90272.
Sunland
10am / FREE
Sunland-Tujunga Independence Day Parade: The Rotary Club of Sunland-Tujunga and Shadow Hills presents “Celebrating Our Volunteers” parade, 10 a.m. Route: Mount Gleason Avenue at Foothill Boulevard, west on Foothill to Sunland Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd.
ATTRACTIONS
July 4th Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain
(July 2, 3, 4 ) 10am & 10:30am / $51.99 – $82.99
Events include live bands and fireworks set to patriotic music (at 9:30pm). Bring an empty can of Coke to gain access to the park four hours early to ride popular coasters like The New Revolution, an all-new virtual reality experience on the world’s first looping coaster.
Queen Mary All-American 4th of July
2pm to 11 pm / $24 – $99
Travel across America with themed parties and live music, including a Coney Island style Carnival & Circus with aerialists and acrobats, a tour of Louisiana showcasing Dueling Pianos and a New Orleans Marching Band (and we are hoping for Cajun food!), and a Hawaiian party complete with an Island DJ and hula dancers. The affair culminates with a spectacular 4th of July fireworks show. VIP tickets ($99) are required for access to certain events. Fireworks at 9:00 pm. Parking, themed concession stands and restaurant meals are not included.
4th of July BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific
5pm / $15 – $59
Enjoy the aquarium and end the evening with a view of the Queen Mary fireworks. Enjoy the aquarium at night and check out their new jellyfish and seahorse exhibits. There are two seatings for you enjoy the BBQ, at 5pm and 6:30pm. The menu includes brisket, chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon and s’mores. Aquarium plus dinner $59 Adult, $15 Child. Advance reservations required for dinner. $14.95 for everyone after 5:00 p.m. Info: 562-590-3100.
6:10pm / $25 – $375
The Dodger Stadium’s fireworks are one of the great Los Angeles traditions. If you don’t have a friend who lives in the hills overlooking Chavez Ravine, you can see them inside the stadium and catch an all-American baseball game too for as little as 25 bucks. The Dodgers will play the Orioles at 6:10pm. Arrive early and catch bald eagles, Chinook and Anami, from The Los Angeles Zoo perform. What do they do? I don’t know. Ride tiny bicycles? This is the one game where you should not leave during the 7th inning. Stay after the game for the fantastic fireworks show. Tip: Bring an ice chest full of drinks and snacks to enjoy while sitting in the inevitable traffic getting out of there.
FIREWORKS
Marina del Rey Waterfront Fireworks
9pm / FREE
In Marina del Rey, fireworks will be launched from a floating barge located in the waters of the main channel between Fisherman’s Village and the Breakwater. If you have a boat, or a good friend with a boat, you are all set. Boats are allowed to idle in the main channel (no anchoring). Best viewing spots on land include Fisherman’s Village (13755 Fiji Way), Burton Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way), and Marina (Mother’s) Beach at 4101 Admiralty Way. Check the website for info on parking and street closures.
5pm / $10
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Not online, but at local businesses, which makes it kind of hard for outsiders to attend. The Family Fun Zone “includes games and prizes, inflatables, arts and crafts, temporary tattoos, stilt walkers, balloons and more!” Live musical dance party with Platinum Groove. Blankets are recommended. Picnic items permitted or food is available for purchase. No pets, tobacco, alcohol or those demon sunflower seeds. Calabasas High School, 22855 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas. Fireworks begin at 9 pm. Musically choreographed fireworks probably means Souza. $10; children under 2 are admitted free.
4pm / $5
The celebration will include food trucks, carnival games, live music by “Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps,” raffles, and a fireworks display. View the fireworks from a new location this year on the WLAC Baseball & Practice Fields. No pets, no alcohol. Up to $20 for parking.
5PM / FREE for locals $5 for the rest of us
El Segundo’s annual Fourth of July celebration starts at 10 a.m. until 3pm in Recreation Park with food, games, a water-balloon toss, pie-eating contest, and watermelon-eating contest. Live music from 5 to 7pm. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. To buy wristbands for grandstand seats call 310-524-2700 or visit the website.
Eagle Rock
5pm / FREE
The 7th Annual Northeast L.A. Concert & Fireworks Show will have a moon bounce, community booths, food vendors and rock climbing. Musical entertainment by The Spazmatics! No BBQ grills, alcohol, pets, or glass bottles. Eagle Rock Recreation Center 1100 Eagle Vista, LA 90041
Moorpark Sunday July Third 7/3/16
3:45 / $5
Those rebels over at Moorpark just have to buck the trend by holding their annual Fireworks Extravaganza on July 3rd. The event features 2 bands, food vendors, and fun attractions from their many vendors. Plan to arrive early as over 11,000 people attend this event annually.
Stay tuned for more events!!!
I lost it at “those demon sunflower seeds!” 😛
Why are they banned along with drugs and firearms? The shells can’t really be that much of a problem. Somebody on the committee has a pet peeve.