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. 

If you’re on the hunt for a cheap, lively way to celebrate Uncle Sam, shake it over to Gloria Molina Grand Park, and watch Downtown L.A. light up for free—for the fourth year running, the park has swapped out fireworks for more eco-friendly drones. The Fourth of July celebration will also offer food truck fare, interactive art exhibits—including an AR experience inspired by the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—and two stages of live music. At the Backyard Stage, you’ll find trumpeter Tatiana Tate, L.A. Tropifunk Collective and Kaimera; the Front Yard Stage will be headlined by DJ collective Pangea Sound. The tunes begins while the sun is still high in the sky, so settle in for an all-day picnic—note that no booze is allowed, though. Best of all, the event is Metro-accessible via the Civic Center/Grand Park station. Be sure to stay for the L.A.-themed drone show from Grizzly Entertainment—a flurry of some 700 illuminated drones above the Music Center—at 9pm. 

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).

Taking the place of the former Americafest and soccer matches that have historically taken up residence at the Rose Bowl Stadium on the Fourth of July, this family-friendly food festival will once again fill the field with over 250 diverse vendors selling everything from deep-fried giant squid to fried-chicken sandwiches to seafood boils to ube cinnamon rolls 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.

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.

Watch the epic 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 (5pm). Pick between eight themed parties at the daylong patriotic festival, from the country-themed “Barn in the USA” to a tribute to Old Hollywood in the Grand Salon to Motown Archives in the ship’s hidden No.3 Speakeasy. The night culminates with fireworks over the ocean at 9pm—at 20 minutes long, it’s the longest fireworks display in the Queen Mary’s 90-year history.

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.

While it continues to rebuild in the wake of the Palisades Fire, the coastal community of Pacific Palisades will again come together for its 79th annual Independence Day celebration. And this time around, the Palisades Will Rogers 10K/5K Run and Kids Fun Run are back on their old stomping grounds, with a scenic route with ocean views and switchbacks through Will Rogers State Park. The parade, on the other hand, will travel a new route through the Palisades (4pm). In the evening, Palisades Charter High School will fill up with music, entertainment, kids’ activities and food trucks before a drone show lights up the sky at 9pm. Advance tickets are required for the drone show.

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.

Burbank’s hillside amphitheater the Starlight Bowl hasn’t started its summer season yet, but it’s still the launch site for a patriotic drone show, which has taken the place of Burbank’s annual Fourth of July fireworks. You can watch from down the hill at McCambridge Park; show up early to enjoy live music before 400 drones light up the sky at 9pm.

The La Lo La Rooftop at DTLA’s Moxy + AC Hotel is marking the Fourth with a rooftop beach BBQ. Dine on mini Chicago Dogs, watermelon gazpacho shooters and tuna tostadas, followed by a buffet with smash burgers, boney BBQ chicken, grilled salmon skewers and corn on the cob, followed by mini apple pies and ice cream pops for dessert. And did we mention the open bar? A DJ will be spinning, and you’ll have a prime spot for fireworks viewing—you can expect to see them popping off in all directions from your perch 34 floors above the city, with views stretching to the Hollywood Hills.

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 Fourth, 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 at Lou Bredlow Pavilion (this year’s acts are local band Marshmallow Torch and 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.

A corridor of Chinatown, once mainly known for David Chang’s Majordōmo and craft cocktail lounge Apothéke, has received a jolt of new energy thanks to Mumford and Son’s Ben Lovett. Following the opening of Pacific Electric, the Grammy winner also introduced a cocktail bar above the indie music venue: Mitsi, a stylish Art Deco-esque space serving fresh nigiri, sashimi and handrolls, as well as cocktails and natural wines (I recommend the rosé martini). While the dining room is stunning, there’s also a patio that looks out at the music venue’s courtyard and…well, train tracks. But on the Fourth, it should provide a perfect vantage point for fireworks viewing. An all-vinyl DJ set from Tiko Marsala and summer menu specials will add to the celebratory vibes.

Make your Fourth of July weekend a little bit country at Hollywood’s cowboy-chic rooftop bar. Its weekly Wild West pool party and trading post series continues with a special Stars & Stripes edition. Expect a cowboy cookout, cocktails, music from a country DJ and live sets from the Y’all Star Revue and Johnny Travis Jr. (7pm), so bring your boots and party till the sun sets over the city. There’s no cover, but if you’re coming with a group and want to splash out for a cabana reservation, you can do that here.

Frogtown Arts’ monthly riverfront event fills the neighborhood with food, arts and crafts, games and music. Start at Salazar and stroll past 15 participating spots along the river, including Spoke Bicycle Cafe, Lingua Franca, Just What I Kneaded, Justine’s Wine Bar and Frogtown Brewery—about a 30-minute walk in all. This month’s theme is “Art & Activism—Express Yourself.” Expect gallery exhibitions, music, family-friendly activities, pet adoptions and more. Parking in Frogtown is notoriously hard to come by, so ridesharing is encouraged.

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.

This L.A.-centric exhibition looks at the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty and happiness, and how that promise has been fulfilled—or not—throughout the city’s development. Told via the stories of diverse Angelenos alongside historical and contemporary objects, media and art, the show “invites you to step into a conversation that has been shaping Los Angeles for over two hundred years.” 

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.

Listen to classical and jazz in a dome more than a mile above L.A. during this mountaintop concert series curated by artistic director Cécilia Tsan. The Mount Wilson Observatory is once again hosting monthly concerts this summer inside the dome of its 100-inch Hooker telescope—which was the largest telescope in the world for much of the first half of the 20th century. Tickets cost $65 (that also includes access to the exhibit at the observatory), and it’s highly recommended that you buy them in advance since seating is limited. Note: You’ll need to be able to climb 53 steps to reach the dome, and children under 12 aren’t permitted. 

There’s a reason ABBA has birthed a wildly popular stage musical, two movie adaptations and a holographic show: The hits are absolute bangers. “Dancing Queen,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight),” “Take a Chance on Me”: Those synth-laden bursts of 1970s pop perfection make for most of the fun in Mamma Mia!, the Mediterranean sun–soaked rom-com musical about a young bride-to-be who, unbeknownst to her single mother, invites her three potential fathers to her wedding for a vibes-based paternity test. The production at Downtown L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre is a largely familiar affair, albeit one with some winningly warm and scene-stealing performances. You’ll undoubtedly leave the theater on a high, thanks to the three-song ensemble-led encore.

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.

Catch free outdoor movies at the Dockweiler Youth Center. Bring a low-back chair to claim a first-come, first-served space. Tickets aren’t required, but RSVPs are appreciated to stay up to date on any changes.

The Skirball’s Jack Kirby exhibition may be over, but the museum has followed it up with this expansive look at how comics came to dominate pop culture. Many of the creators of the medium were immigrants and outsiders—including Jewish Americans—who poured their experiences with struggle, aspiration and reinvention into their work. From the Great Depression through Y2K, comics reflected the national moment and actually helped shape American identity. On display, you’ll find original artwork and artifacts relating to beloved comic book characters, from Superman and Black Panther to Little Lulu and Archie.

Don’t go in the water, but do go to the Academy Museum to see the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Steven Spielberg’s original summer blockbuster, Jaws—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The museum was already home to the last surviving model shark from filming, but now you can go behind the scenes and see some 200 original objects from the film across multiple galleries. Some highlights: a re-creation of the Orca fishing boat, the dorsal fin used both in Jaws and its sequels, costumes worn by the central trio and a room full of vintage film posters and merch promoting the film. There are interactive elements, too: You can have your own Chief Brody dolly-zoom moment (and see the lens used to film the famous shot), play the iconic John Williams two-note score and control a replica of the mechanical shark.

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.

There’s something wonderfully defiant about the continued existence of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, where whimsy feels like nothing less than a civic responsibility. Choo Choo Revue, the theater’s first new original production in 40 years, turns audiences into passengers aboard a gloriously handmade train populated by singing mushrooms, dancing luggage and plenty of brand-new puppets. The whole thing sounds faintly unhinged in the best possible way, not to mention the ultimate rebuttal to AI. The show runs now through August 30.