The best 4th of July events in L.A. to celebrate Independence Day

Ring in another year of independence in the grand ol’ (Surfin’) USA with the Beach Boys and special guest John Stamos, backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The Bowl proudly hosts its annual Fourth of July party, complete with a dazzling fireworks finale. Bring a bottle of wine and sit through the show, then stick around for the post-concert pyro, held after all three dates: July 2, 3 and 4. Grab your tickets early; seats in the nosebleed section go for less than the price of parking. Or consider springing for front section tickets—it is America’s birthday, after all. 

It isn’t summer in L.A. until the first cemetery screening brings hoards of movie-lovers to Hollywood Forever, toting folding chairs, picnic blankets, snack spreads and lots of booze. For the Fourth this year, Cinespia is screening Jurassic Park with a fireworks finale, after a family-friendly, fireworks-capped showing of Shrek the night before.

Dodger Stadium hosts fireworks (or drones) on Friday nights throughout the season, but they do it up extra on the Fourth of July. Buy tickets to see the team take on the San Diego Padres on the Fourth, and then stick around for a Budweiser-presented fireworks show you can see from your seat; line up on the field level near the end of the game and you can even watch from the outfield grass. The game starts at 7:10pm; you can expect the fireworks show after the game ends. And pick up an America250 commemorative coin to mark the occasion.

The storied movie studio and theme park fires off a 4th of July pyro extravaganza with fireworks synchronized to both Universal-themed music and patriotic standards. Expect other holiday touches along the way, including themed décor and a fife and drum band. You’ll be able to view the 9pm fireworks from two locations—usually the Universal Plaza in the upper lot as well as near the Transformers ride on the lower lot (if you were thinking of getting away with watching for free from CityWalk, though, you should expect limited to no visibility from the shopping district).

There’s something about watching fireworks over the ocean. Every year in Marina del Rey, fireworks explode over the marina channel and spectators gather all over to watch on the 4th of July: at Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village, as well as from Marina “Mother’s” Beach, waterfront hotels and restaurants, and on boats. Fireworks start at 9pm and last for about 20 minutes. Arrive early to the area’s county parking lots.

Even if you don’t buy a ticket to board the Queen Mary, there are other options for viewing Long Beach’s Fourth of July fireworks display. Three free, synchronized fireworks shows—the grand finale to “Sea to Shining LBC,” a weeklong celebration of America’s 250th birthday—will be launched simultaneously from barges off Granada Beach in Belmont Shore, Junipero Beach in front of the Long Beach Museum of Art and the Queen Mary waterfront. Starting at 9pm, the 20-minute display will be easily viewable from most of the Long Beach waterfront’s attractions, including Lions Lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park, Shoreline Village, the downtown waterfront, Granada Beach, Cherry Beach and Junipero Beach. If you’d rather watch from the water, you can also set sail with City Cruises or Harbor Breeze Cruises, which depart from Rainbow Harbor on the Fourth.

Make your Fourth of July an all-day blowout by heading down to this legendary, long-running (122 years!) fest at the Huntington Beach Pier, which is billed as “the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi.” The festivities kick off with the 5K Surf City Run at 8am. Follow the 2.5-mile parade route to the beach, then put on your Uncle Sam hat for the Pier Plaza Festival and carnival, where you’ll find live entertainment, family activities and all-American eats all weekend. Scope out a spot or grab a VIP seat for the fireworks display at 9pm, which ends in an epic finale.

Roller coasters and fireworks—talk about an all-American pairing. Six Flags will shoot off fireworks for three straight nights at its Valencia park. Spend all day enjoying the thrill rides—or the water slides next door at Hurricane Harbor—then look out for the fireworks over the Full Throttle Plaza, DC Universe and Main Gate Plaza around 9:15pm.

The South Bay city shoots off fireworks from the Torrance Civic Center—the best viewing spots are from the LA Galaxy Sports Complex (555 Maple Ave) and the courthouse west parking lot (825 Maple Ave). Over at the Sports Complex, you can expect live music by the Satin Dollz, family-friendly activities and the inaugural stroller and wagon parade. Show up early for a good spot, order from the on-site food trucks and settle in for the pyrotechnics, which typically kick off around 8:45pm. 

Valley dwellers are hard-pressed to find many fireworks options on the 4th, without shelling out for a Universal Studios ticket. But Warner Park in Woodland Hills has the SFV covered with this annual extravaganza, starting with live music (this year’s act is Steely Dan cover band Doctor Wu) and culminating in a 20-minute fireworks display. Local food trucks and arts and crafts are also on hand for the occasion.

The annual Anime Expo takes over the Los Angeles Convention Center for four days of panels, special events and plenty of cosplay. Each year, thousands of fans come to celebrate the quirky art and culture of anime as figureheads and stars of the industry visit to speak and sign autographs. Plus, a massive wing of the convention is set aside specifically for gaming—both electronic and card-based. There are also designated chill zones, karaoke, a beer garden and add-ons including a ticketed J-pop music showcase.

Known for excellent film choices and a steady supply of snacks and booze, Rooftop Cinema Club is your snazzy, comfortable and less stressful alternative to other outdoor movie screenings. You don’t even need to bring your own camping chair—Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with your very own comfy lawn chair. And instead of listening to the movie over loudspeakers, you’ll get a set of wireless headphones so you never have to miss a word. Over Fourth of July weekend, catch screenings of The Sandlot, La La Land, Independence Day (of course), 50 First Dates and Jaws.

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its 35-year run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) throughout the summer. This year, you can spot the new David Geffen Galleries in the background. On July 3, the Ray Charles Alumni Band—made up of musicians who used to play with Charles—will take the stage.

Swing by Redondo Beach’s Fisherman’s Wharf on Thursday and Saturday evenings in the summer for a free series of concerts held on the west end of the pier. You can expect tribute shows on Thursdays (from Weezer to Oasis cover bands) and local contemporary acts on Saturdays.

For more than 50 years, this venue has drawn theater aficionados to its storied, open-air stage for engaging productions in a magical setting. The 299-seat amphitheater in Topanga Canyon hosts audiences of all ages for plays from a wide range of genres, from Shakespearean classics to folk tales. This season, catch William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as a stage version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Noël Coward’s Waiting in the Wings and The People of Pompeii, a new dark comedy Bernardo Cubría wrote in the aftermath of the 2025 wildfires.

Each summer, Bard fanatics watch their favorite works come to life at the historic Old Zoo in Griffith Park. For 16 years running, Independent Shakespeare Co. has put on a series of lively productions each week, inviting audiences to take a seat on the grass (bring a picnic blanket) and enjoy performances like this season’s headliner, Shakespeare political thriller Coriolanus, which will be followed by the self-explanatory The Comedy of Errors. With construction of a permanent stage still in process on the main lawn, this summer’s shows will again be held in the dell at the top of the Old Zoo—meaning available space is smaller, and although performances are still free, reservations are required.

Now one of L.A.’s most treasured summer traditions, Barnsdall Park’s wine tastings regularly attract sell-out crowds. Perched atop Olive Hill on the west lawn of the historic Hollyhock House (which you can tour during the evening for an additional $37), the Barnsdall Friday fundraisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine set against a spectacular sunset, DJ sets and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on food from the variety of trucks parked up there. Though there used to be lots of kids running around, the event lawn is now 21-and-up—perfect for a date night. Proceeds support the park’s art programs and historic renovations—an especially crucial cause now, as the park is once again facing proposed budget cuts from the city.

As sunset continues to stick toward the later end of the evening, the Huntington is taking advantage of the extra daylight during this coveted after-hours series. Formerly open just for members, Twilight Garden Strolls is now open to the public, too, and will extend the San Marino garden’s hours until 7:30 or 8pm on select evenings in the summer. The 1919 Cafe will be open until 7:30pm (hot food stations close at 7pm), so you can even have dinner on the patio. New this year are family-friendly drop-in workshops where you can make your own clay pendants (July 5, July 26 and Aug 16). And just a heads-up that you’ll need a timed ticket that’s separate from regular morning or afternoon admission.

Something wicked this way comes… Expand your mind on breezy summer nights by listening to the words of the Bard for free. The program, founded in 1998, will put on a touring production of Macbeth with the help of talented local actors. “By the Sea” is a bit misleading; though some of the locations are ocean-adjacent, and largely in the South Bay and Long Beach, the troupe takes the plays on tour all across Los Angeles, performing for audiences from to South Pasadena to Encino to Beverly Hills.

Life imitates art, literally: Classic paintings, statues and murals take on a new dimension as real people dress and pose to re-create original masterpieces—a trick popularized by vaudeville artiste Lolita Perine at the first festival in 1932. A professional orchestra, a narrator, intricate sets and theatrical lighting help bring the works to life at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. This year’s theme, “The Greatest of All Time,” breathes life into arts most iconic masterpieces, from the Trevi Fountain to works by Monet, Van Gogh and Rockwell. Your ticket also includes daytime access to the Fine Art Show, featuring artwork from local O.C. artists, live music, art classes and more.

Watch the Long Beach fireworks from aboard the historic Queen Mary ocean liner after a day of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food, games and dancing, plus a WWII aircraft flyover. At the time-traveling celebration, every area of the ship will re-create a different decade—from carnival games at the 1910s old-time fair on the Sports Deck to a 2000s hip-hop day party at the bow. The night culminates with fireworks over the ocean at 9pm.

Taking the place of the former Americafest and subsequent soccer matches that have historically taken up residence at the Rose Bowl Stadium on the Fourth of July, this family-friendly food festival will fill the field with over 150 diverse vendors selling everything from deep-fried giant squid to smashburgers to Oreo churros over the holiday weekend. If you go on Friday the 4th, you’ll have a front-row seat to the stadium’s drone show, which has taken the place of fireworks.

Burbank’s hillside amphitheatre the Starlight Bowl is closed this season after sustaining wind damage in January, so instead of its annual concert and fireworks show, the city is switching things up. Down the hill, McCambridge Park will host Starlight on Tour, featuring a performance by Bruno & the Hooligans—yes, that’s a Bruno Mars cover band—and a drone light show at 9pm.

Make your Fourth of July an all-day blowout by heading down to this legendary, long-running (121 years!) fest at the Huntington Beach Pier, which is billed as “the largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi.” The festivities kick off with the 5K Surf City Run at 7am. Follow the 2.5-mile parade route to the beach, then put on your Uncle Sam hat for the Pier Plaza festival, where you’ll find live entertainment on Friday and Sunday. (The Main Street Block Party will host concerts on Saturday.) Scope out a spot or grab a VIP seat for the fireworks display at 9pm, which ends in an epic finale.

The La Lo La Rooftop at DTLA’s AC Hotel is marking the Fourth with “A Celebration of the California Cowboy.” Dine on Southern favorites like smoked baby back ribs, mac and cheese and coleslaw, paired with red, white and blue sangria and followed by gooey butter cake for dessert. Enjoy live music in the evening—that’s about when you can expect to see fireworks popping off in all directions from your perch 34 floors above the city, with views stretching to the Hollywood Hills.

Even in the wake of the devastating Palisades Fire, the coastal community of Pacific Palisades is still coming together for its 78th annual Independence Day celebration. The festivities will look a bit different this year—the Palisades Will Rogers 5K Run and Kids Fun-Run will still take place in the morning but will move to Venice, and in the evening, the athletic field at Paul Revere Charter Middle School will fill up with music, entertainment, kids’ activities and food trucks before a drone show lights up the sky. Note that this year’s event is only open to Palisadians and their friends and family, and complimentary tickets will be available online later this month.

The annual Anime Expo takes over the Los Angeles Convention Center for four days of panels, special events and plenty of cosplay. Thousands of fans come to celebrate the quirky art and culture of anime as figureheads and stars of the industry visit to speak and sign autographs. Plus, a massive wing of the convention is set aside specifically for gaming—both electronic and card-based.