July 2026 events calendar for Los Angeles

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’s been more than three decades since the FIFA World Cup has been held in Los Angeles, and though the city won’t host the coveted final this time around (Pasadena’s Rose Bowl had that honor in 1994), L.A. will see eight matches this summer. Held from June 11 to July 19 (though action in L.A. will wrap up earlier than that), the World Cup will be staged across Mexico, Canada and the United States—where L.A. is just one of 11 host cities in the U.S. FIFA’s official schedule will tell you that the matches take place at Los Angeles Stadium, but this is simply the un-branded name for SoFi Stadium.

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 usually last for about 20 minutes. Arrive early to the area’s county parking lots.

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.

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.

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. 

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.