Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party

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 local talent including trumpeter Tatiana Tate, L.A. Tropifunk Collective and Kaimera; the Front Yard Stage will be headlined by global sound 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—and relax. Best of all, the event is Metro-accessible via the Civic Center/Grand Park station (though $10 parking is also available at the Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall). Be sure to stay for the 9pm L.A.-themed drone show from Grizzly Entertainment—a flurry of some 700 illuminated drones above the Music Center—at 9pm.