ART AND MUSIC
A Polynesian Pop, Surf, and BMX 4th of July BBQ Celebration at La Luz
8-11 pm / Free
The opening reception for Brad Parker’s “Red Tiki Lounge” and Damian Fulton’s “Rad” will be graced by a live performance by Insect Surfers, plus a BBQ and beverages courtesy of Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum. Band set time: 9pm. The show will be on display until the 27th.
3pm / Free
Come celebrate Independence Day at LA’s postpunk party pad, Cafe NELA. Beer only, and lots of it.
Undead Cuervo 4PM
Carnage Asada 5PM…
The Gypz 6PM
Los Issues 7PM
Swords of Fatima 8PM
The Scotch Apostles 9PM
3-Day July 4th Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl
7:30 pm / $15-$143
From July 2-4th, Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers will be headlining this three-day Independence Day celebration with fireworks every night! Steve Martin’s 2012 collaboration with the bluegrassy Steep Canyon Rangers, “Rare Bird Alert” was nominated for a Grammy.
6:30pm /$20 – $100
The Starlight Bowl in Burbank presents the Surfaris, The Tokens, singing the music they produced for Tony Orlando and Dawn and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” plus Surfin’, a Beach Boys tribute band. Hosted by KEARTH personality Brian Beirne, aka Mr Rock n Roll. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m, and fireworks go on at 9 p.m.
FESTIVALS
Annual Vision Outside 4th of July Jazz and Blues Festival in Leimert Park
1:00 pm – 7:00 pm / Free
(Unconfirmed) Our favorite 4th of July festival. Head to the parking lot behind the Vision Theater in Leimert Park for live jazz and blues, children’s arts and crafts, face painting, and fantastic food. There is usually a BBQ smoker going, and you can usually score a bean pie. I can’t find any information about the festival this year, even on the Leimert Park Beat, but according to these guys it’s on. 213-202-5500. Be prepared to move on to Exposition Park if need be.
Fourth of July Fireworks Festival at CBS
4:30pm – 10:00pm / $10 – $100. 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 a live performance by Paperback Writer, a Beatles tribute band, model airplane demos, a magician, a car show, and a business expo [ooh! a business expo!]. Pirates and mermaids will run a dunk tank with proceeds going to Children’s Tumor Foundation. There is also a business expo featuring local businesses. 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. For an additional $20, you can watch the fireworks from the rooftop. For $12 each, your kids can play in the Kid’s Fun Zone. Then there is the VIP Room, which is on an air conditioned soundstage. “There is a meal, as well as food and drink samplings stations [from pretty average vendors like Jamba Juice and Chop Stop] and live music.” A VIP ticket also gets you access to the rooftop viewing of the fireworks and valet parking. All parking is free. General admission tickets enter and park in the parking structure on Radford Ave. VIP tickets enter through the Colfax gate. Buy tickets online or by calling the office at 818-655-5916.
Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party
4pm-9:30pm / Free
Grand Park’s four-block block party will be launching the biggest rooftop fireworks display in downtown LA at 9pm, with festivities between Temple and Second Streets starting at 4pm. Expect food vendors, live bands, and DJs. The ALTimate MAIN STAGE on Grand Park’s Event Lawn (in front of City Hall) will feature bands like Echosmith, Phantogram, Wild Cub and Semi Precious Weapons. SOULNIC STAGE on Grand Park’s Performance Lawn (near the fountain) hosts Tailwind Turner, DJ ALA, Derrick Wize and Drack Muze.
Event rules are hardcore. Your bags will be searched. Sealed juice boxes or pouches will be permitted in addition to aluminum soda or sparkling water cans. You may bring your own food and snacks in totes/baskets and handheld coolers. No ice chests, lawn chairs or other furniture allowed. Nothing that “spikes into the ground” or would obstruct views of stages (like tents and sun umbrellas). Only empty water bottles allowed. There will be water filling stations. Alcohol free. No beer garden and no BYOB.
4th of July AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl
6:30pm / $13 GA,$25 reserved, $30 premium, Kids 7 and under.
The parking lot opens at 10 am, food court opens at 2 pm; stadium opens at 6:30 pm, Opening ceremonies begin at 7, Program 7:25, Fireworks at 9:05 pm. If you ask me, “opening ceremonies sound bo-ring. But you probably have to get there early because this event is huge with a massive fireworks display. There will be music and food vendors in the nearby Arroyo. Tickets available through Ticketmaster. Just a wild guess, but I would probably expect some Souza.
Queen Mary All-American 4th of July
Noon to 11 pm / $39.99
The Queen Mary Independence Day celebration will be a “multi-era Tribute to Classic Americana” with multipl live music stages, strolling entertainers and a children’s area, culminating in the spectacular 4th of July fireworks show. The night will be a trip through the past, with speakeasies and even a classic USO show. Special hotel rates are available. Fireworks at 9:00 pm. Check LivingSocial.com for discount tickets. Parking: $20
Exposition Park 4th of July Community Festival and Fireworks Show
Noon – 10pm / Free
Both The California Science Center and The California African American Museum will be free all day. At 2pm KJLH will present live entertainment on stage at the east end of Christmas Tree Lane, just north of the Sports Arena. At 6pm a second stage at CAAM will present live music starting at 6pm. There will also be food vendors and activites. The best vantage points from which to view the show would be Christmas Tree Lane, as well as the South Lawn – immediately adjacent to the Natural History Museum. The 60 minute fireworks display begins at 9pm/dusk.
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS
4th of July BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific
6pm / $20 & $48
Enjoy the aquarium and end the evening with a view of the Queen Mary fireworks. “Combo tickets include admission to the aquarium plus an Independence Day B-B-Q buffet with home-style grilled entrees and decadent deserts.” Spend as much time as you like at the aquarium from 9am-10pm, and enjoy the BBQ from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Aquarium plus dinner $48 Adult, $20 Child. Advance reservations required for dinner.
Info: 562-590-3100,
1:50 / Free Parade, Grandstands “for a fee”
Get wholesome with an old-fashioned parade, entertainment, food trucks, fireworks, and umm, skydivers. Skydivers 1:50 pm, 2:00 parade, 6:30 pm entertainment, 9 pm fireworks. Parade on Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades between via de la Paz and Drummond St., Entertainment and fireworks at Palisades Charter High School.
Westchester 4th of July Parade
11am / Free
This annual parade boasts over 1,000 participants and 5,000 spectators. Floats, marching bands and community groups. Loyola Blvd from Westchester Park (7000 W. Manchester Blvd.) to Loyola Marymount University.
The Seaside Lagoon Independence Day Celebration
2pm / $15 – $22
For a kid-centric day, hit the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach for a day of swimming, crafts, paddleboarding, drum circle, puppet show and live music, followed by fireworks.
Long Beach Kids’ July 4th Bike Parade
10am / Free
Children and adults are “encouraged to decorate their bikes and themselves for this annual patriotic procession on wheels that takes place on the beach bike path in Long Beach”. In addition to the bike parade, the event will include competitions for children 12 and younger, including watermelon seed spitting, and patriotic costume contest. Show up at 9:15am at Granada to participate. Parking: Free parking in Granada Beach Lot for the event, metered street parking
Rancho Palos Verdes Fourth of July Celebration
RPV’s Fourth of July Celebration features pet adoptions, hula-hoop contests, puppets and free helicopter rides. What more could you ask for? How about live country music? 3pm-5pm $5. A complimentary shuttle will run from the Hawthorne Boulevard Ralphs store to the lot adjacent the Point Vicente Lighthouse on Palos Verdes Drive West. On-site parking costs $5 per vehicle.
FIREWORKS
Calabasas
The City of Calabasas Fireworks Spectacular includes music, a family fun zone, inflatable rides, and fireworks. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Blankets and low-backed folding chairs recommended. Food is available for purchase. Calabasas High School, 22855 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas. Gates open at 5 pm, and fireworks begin at 9 pm. $10; children under 2 are admitted free. No umbrellas with stakes, pets, tobacco, sunflower seeds or shelled nuts.
Carson
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers at Home Depot Center in Carson at 7:30 with post game fireworks at the StubHub Center. $20 + 1-877-342-5499.
Culver City
Culver City’s celebration will include live music, food trucks, and a fireworks display at West LA College. Gates open at 4 pm. $5 per person up to $20 per car for parking and festival/show.
El Segundo
El Segundo’s annual Fourth of July celebration starts at 10 a.m. 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 and resident priority seating, call 310-524-2700. 401 E. Sheldon St. El Segundo.
Marina del Rey
4th of July Fireworks in Marina del Rey will be launched from a barge after sunset between Fisherman’s Village and the Breakwater . the pyrotechnic display will be choreographed to music that will be broadcast over KXLU-FM 88.9 and relayed over loudspeakers in Burton Chace Park, the best view from land . 9 pm. FREE
Moorpark JULY THIRD 7/3/14
Moorpark’s annual Fireworks Extravaganza presents two bands –
the Full Spectrum, and Raymond Michael as Elvis, plus food vendors and other attractions. 4pm – 10pm. Fireworks start at 9pm. The Arroyo Vista Community Park 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark. $5 per person. Children 4 and under are free. Gates will open at 3:45 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Moorpark, Moorpark Country Club, Facey Medical, Anderson Rubbish Disposal, and Wayne J. Sand & Gravel, Inc
Ports o’ Call Friday, July 4th – Sunday, July 6th 10 am – 4 pm
The Ports O’ Fun Weekend Celebration at Battleship IOWA will celebrate with a full weekend of fun. Ship tours, BBQ, vintage military vehicle display, obstacle course and children’s activities. 250 S. Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731, San Pedro
Cost: Presale Adults $15, Military/Seniors (62+) $12, Youth (6-17) $7, 5 and under free. On Site: $18, $15 and $10, food and drink extra. 877-446-9261
San Pedro – JULY THIRD 7/3/14
Not to be outdone by its own mini-city, Pedro has one of the most patriotic events possible with live U.S. military exhibits, tours of a Navy frigate, armed forces, and U.S. Coast Guard demonstrations, displays by the LA City Fire Department’s firefighting boat, and the Washington Artillery Reenactment group followed by fireworks. Plus live music. Cabrillo Beach, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro. FREE
Photo by Amari Hasan via Flickr
