Photo by mike watt
Are you ready to rock Independence Day? Some events took place last weekend, but we are still spoiled for choice in LA. Please don’t light illegal fireworks, instead check out everywhere else you can party this week!
ATTRACTIONS
The Aquarium will be hosting their annual BBQ. Unfortunately, it won’t be taking place at night this year, so you can’t watch the fireworks. But you can see them from nearly every single corner of Long Beach, so don’t fret. Reservations for the buffet meal will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., including BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork and Jackfruit Sliders, Avocado, Bean, and Corn Salad, Potato Salad, Mac N Cheese, Baked Beans, Watermelon Wedges, Assorted Cookies and Cherry and Peach Cobblers Water and Lemonade are included. A cash bar will be available.
BBQ Tickets include all-day Aquarium admission. 11:00 am–2:00 pm PT $79 per adult, $55 per child (3-11), Members: Adult $54, $30 per child (3-11). Reservations required. R.S.V.P. (562) 590-3100, ext. 0.
The Queen Mary is back, baby, and they are not effing around! will be hosting an enormous 4th of July extravaganza! From 3pm-10pm enjoy special food, DJs, deck games, watermelon eating, best July 4th attire, dance off contests, giveaways, family games, karaoke, a rock band, a country band, line dancing, a Big Band with swing dance lessons a World War II aircraft flyover, and a spectacular fireworks show. It’s a big ship, so you can easily avoid country music or John Phillip Sousa if you want.
General Admission: $55 Adult / $35 Child. VIP Admission: $125 VIP ticket includes exclusive access to VIP areas, and premium viewing of the fireworks show. Self Parking: $30 per vehicle, per day
Universal Studios Hollywood will celebrate the Fourth of July with a dazzling fireworks display, live music, and everything the park offers. Beginning at 9pm, an elaborate fireworks display will splash across the sky, synchronized to a score of Universal-themed music and patriotic favorites from locations inside the park. Adding to the summer fun, guests can delight in the return of The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, featuring an incredible light projection experience, while they enjoy the magical land of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
THURSDAY JULY 4, 2024
4pm – 9pm / FREE
The City of Alhambra will once again celebrate Independence Day with food vendors, fun games, live entertainment, and a firework show at 9:00 PM. The free event starts at 5pm with fireworks at 9 p.m. Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA. For more info, call (626) 570-3242. Clear bag policy will be enforced. No alcohol, smoking, BBQing, fireworks, coolers, non-clear bags, or weapons.
Gloria Molina Grand Park 4th of July Block Party
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm / FREE
Downtown L.A.’s largest free Fourth of July celebration will once again feature a drone show in lieu of traditional fireworks. There won’t be bits of plastic everywhere, no fire danger, and it won’t panic everyone’s dogs, but I wonder if the noise and danger is part of the draw of fireworks. The 3-D drone show will be accompanied by a live playlist. The six-hour free celebration, covering the six city blocks of the park, will also have gourmet food trucks, live music performances on two stages, the return of a 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel with a 90-foot-long fiberglass “Super Slide,” exciting art projects, arts, crafts and games.
You can bring a picnic, but alcohol is not permitted in the park and will not be sold at the event. Pets are welcome. There are four specially marked entrances at Olive and 1st Streets, and Temple Streets, Main and 1st Streets, and Hill and 1st Streets. Public parking will be available at The Music Center garage and the Walt Disney Concert Hall garage for $10 per vehicle.
Great American Kids’ Bike Parade in Long Beach
10am / Free
This event is also known as Justin Rudd’s July 4th Great American Kids’ Bike Parade. It is sponsored by the City of Long Beach and Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team (CAT), which appears to be an organization with the goal of making up fun stuff to do. The festivities start at 10 a.m. with a free all ages bike parade. At 10:30 a.m. Kids patriotic speeches and poems are scheduled, microphone provided, followed by a kids’ costume contest, and at 10:35 a.m. Awards on the boat launch ramp, with cash prizes! Granada Avenue Boat Launch Ramp, 1 Granada Ave., Belmont Shore, CA. Beachfront parking at 1 Granada Ave. during the parade, or free street parking. Justin Rudd asks, “In lieu of an entry fee, please bring some tuna, pasta noodles, breakfast cereal or peanut butter that will be donated to agencies serving homeless men and women in our community.”
Free to spectate. The out-and-back, two-mile parade route travels east along the bike path and continues down Bay Shore Avenue to Second Street. Bring a chair and a cheering section for these youngsters.
9PM / FREE
Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show over the water in Marina del Rey. You can watch from anywhere around the harbor. Head to Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village for a free family-friendly party atmosphere including synchronized music played over loudspeakers. The event lasts from 5-9 p.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. and last 20 minutes. You can take Uber to avoid the parking and traffic hassles.
Local restaurants and hotels with special events and comfortable viewing include Marina del Rey Hotel’s 4th of July BBQ Bash, Jamaica Bay Inn 4th of July BBQ Party, and Sinder Lounge 4th of July Rooftop packages at the MDR Marriott. Embark on a Premier Marina del Rey 4th of July Fireworks Dinner Cruise for an elegant evening that will set you back $195 but include a buffet and open bar.
Crescenta Valley Fireworks | Event
4 p.m. / $10
The all-volunteer Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association will be hosting their annual fireworks show will be back in person at La Crescenta Elementary field for one year because of the stadium build at CV. Live music will be performed by the Mary Dyer band before the pyrotechnics. Fireworks start around 9:10pm and will be set to choreographed music and will be best seen from the field, which will open up at 4 p.m. to set up your blankets and chairs. Only water is allowed on the field, but there is a separate area with food trucks.
City of Whittier 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
5:00 PM / $5 per person
City of Whittier 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. from York Field. Gates open at 5pm. You can pack your own picnic or enjoy food trucks, as well as inflatables, and live music by Legacy playing Pop + Latin hits. Veterans, people ages 17 and under are free. No pets, BBQs, alcohol or smoking. Additional parking with shuttle service begins at 5:00 PM. Plan to park at Sierra Education Center, 9401 South Painter Ave.
5:30pm / FREE
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills will present a concert by Angela O’Neill and the Outrageous8, an 8 piece little big band, followed by a 20-minute fireworks display. There are over 15 food trucks, along with arts and crafts vendors and local businesses promoting and selling their goods. The event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Street parking is free. Parking fees in the structure at 21800 Califa Street are a donation to Valley Cultural Foundation ($25).
MOVIES
CINESPIA at Hollywood Forever With Fireworks
Gates – 7:15pm / Movie – 9pm / $20 – $32
Celebrate Independence Day by picnicking with Rudolph Valentino. Jayne Mansfield, and two Ramones. Cinespia will be screening Rocky for this “Red, White, Black and Blue” celebration. There will also be fireworks after the movie, and a sizzling summer party with a Free Photo Booth and bar. You can also bring your own food, beer and wine for this classic LA experience. Low chairs are allowed, and a tarp is recommended if you are using a blanket, as the grass is often dewy.
7pm / $65
The Rooftop Cinema Club offers an exciting outdoor movie experience at LEVEL in Downtown LA. On July 4th, RCC presents a screening of Independence Day (1996) starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. Arrive early when doors open at 6:40pm and enjoy rooftop views, a live acoustic set of Americana, and frosty beverages at the bar. Tickets are $65 and include access to the rooftop party, a plate of BBQ and soft drink. Seating is first-come, first-served. You can probably see the drone show in Grand Park from there.
MUSIC
TUESDAY JULY 2, WEDNESDAY THE 3rd, and THURSDAY 4th
7:30om / $38.85 – $115.26
HOLLYWOOD BOWL July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Harry Connick Jr.
The Hollywood Bowl continues its annual tradition of fireworks and music, featuring the smooth tunes of New Orleans crooner Harry Connick Jr. “Harry Connick, Jr. first commanded a stage at the age of five, and he’s been blowing audiences away ever since. The Grammy and Emmy winner—not to mention Hollywood Bowl Hall of Famer—and his band lead three thrilling nights of songs, fireworks, and fun, featuring Thomas Wilkins and the LA Phil.” Half off for kids 12 and under.
THURSDAY, JULY 4th
Davila 666 and Space Horse at The Paramount.
Head over to Boyle Heights for a 4th of July party presented by Cretin Hop, with Puerto Rican legends DAVILA 666, Op Ed, and friends of The Beat, SPACE HORSE, and Self Improvement, plus Cretin Hop DJs. all ages | 8pm $20adv/$25dor SPACE HORSE kicks things off at 8PM! $23.69 from DICE. If you get peckish, there is always the BROOKLYN Avenue Pizza Co. TICKETS
6:30 pm / $12 – $150
This Burbank City-sponsored event brings you the music of Billy Joel from Billy Nation
Gates open at 5:30 pm and the concert begins at 6:30 pm. The night will conclude with a patriotic firework display. All parking $10 – cash only. All ages. Locals say you can also watch them from the Burbank High School bleachers or the top floor of the Burlington Coat Factory parking structure. Ticket Prices: $17.25-$33.75
SPORTS
DODGER STADIUM (JULY 2-4, 2024)
For Dodger fans, there’s always the hope for some fireworks from the Boys in Blue. The Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks from July 2-4, including Japanese Heritage Night on Tuesday, July 2; Bobby Miller Bobblehead giveaway on July 3; and a fireworks show on July 4.
The Rose Bowl Stadium will feature a match between cross-town rivals, the LA Galaxy and LAFC, on July 4, 2024. The match will feature the longest-running fireworks display on the West Coast and include tributes to Veterans as well as pre-match tailgating.
- 1:30 PM – Parking Lots Open
- 1:30 PM – Shuttle Begins
- 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Public FanFest
- 5:30 PM – Gates Open
- 7:30 PM – KickOff
- 9:45 PM (Approx.) – Firework Show Post-Match
NOTES:
Big Bang on the Bay 2024 Postponed to Labor Day
We regret to announce that this year’s Big Bang on the Bay event has been postponed to Labor Day weekend. This impacts over 75,000 attendees and several local non-profits, including the Boys & Girls Club. We appreciate your support and understanding as we work to make this celebration even better on Labor Day 2024.
San Pedro’s nearly 75-year-old Fourth of July fireworks show at Cabrillo Beach has been canceled and replaced with a drone show that will take place two days after Independence Day, LINK
The Calabasis Fireworks Spectacular is cancelled for 2024.
