Bring out the lawn chairs and blankets. Fry up that chicken. It’s time to celebrate our nation’s founding and watch fireworks for 2024. Sadly, more places than ever are now charging money for viewing.
But here’s a list of 16 places where you can still see ooh and aah free. The shows generally start at dark, around 9 p.m. (And note that they’re not always on July 4!)
ALSO SEE: July 4th fireworks: New rules, where to watch and tips in Southern California
Friday, June 28
San Pedro: The Port of Los Angeles show can be seen along Harbor Boulevard at Swinford Street. The show will be launched near the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Free shuttle to and from downtown San Pedro. Classic car show, food trucks and live music start at 5 p.m. portoflosangeles.org/community/events/cars-and-stripes-forever
Saturday, June 29
Arcadia: Patriotic Festival and Fireworks 5-9:30 p.m. First Avenue between Huntington Drive and Diamond Street. Mini walking parade, music, adoptable dogs, free kids fun zone, food and fireworks. Eventbrite.com
Montebello: Independence Day Spectacular. 4-9 p.m. at Grant Rea Park, 600 Rea Drive. Family fun and fireworks. Ride the free shuttles to avoid parking hassles. Shuttle parking lots open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the shuttles run every half hour. tinyurl.com/SpectacularEvent2024Facebook event page: tinyurl.com/spectacular2024
Monterey Park: Independence Day fireworks show. 4-9:30 p.m. Live entertainment and fireworks. Barnes Park. 350 S. McPherrin Ave. 626-307-1388.
Tuesday, July 2
Norwalk: 4-9:30 p.m. Independence Day Festival on the Civic Center Lawn. 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Live music, food trucks, kid zone. Music at 6 p.m. 562-929-5566
Wednesday, July 3
Duarte: Independence Day Celebration. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Upper Baseball Fields at Duarte Sports Park, 1401 Central Ave. Live music, food trucks, family play and fireworks. (VIP tickets available). 626-357-7931
Thursday, July 4
Cerritos: Let Freedom Ring celebration 2024, 4-10 p.m. Activities, food trucks, free entertainment and carnival (paid). Fireworks. Cerritos Civic Center, 18125 Bloomfield Ave. 562-916-1254.
El Segundo: An entire day of fun. El Segundo residents can get four free wristbands per adult to enjoy the night activities with a current rec card. Non-residents pay $5. Fireworks at 9 p.m. elsegundorecparks.org
Huntington Beach:. Annual fireworks over the ocean with free beach viewing. Maybe start trying to find parking now. (Paid seating available on the pier). Parade at 10 a.m. from PCH to HB pier onto Main Street. hb4thofjuly.com
Laguna Beach: This year, the city will be holding a drone show with synchronized music over the beach, from Monument Point at Heisler Park. Note the many road closures affecting the area around Heisler Park. Tune into the Voice of Laguna and KXFM Radio to listen to a live audio simulcast of patriotic music during the show. visitlagunabeach.com/events/holidays/4th-of-july/
Long Beach: View the annual fireworks show off the Queen Mary from Ocean Blvd. and the downtown shoreline. If you want to go onto the Queen, that’ll cost you $55. Note that the city’s main fireworks show held on July 3 has been canceled this year.
Marina del Rey: This annual show will start at 9 p.m. and be synchronized with music ove loudspeakers at Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way and FIsherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way. Fireworks will be shot off a barge off the Marina’s south jetty. The show is apparently visible in the marina, Venice and Playa Vista and Dockweiler Beach. Start hunting for parking now. visitmdr.com
Rosemead: Parade, family fun and fireworks. Parade at 10 a.m. free Aquatic Center swim 1 p.m. dog patriotic costume contest 4 p.m. music 6 p.m. then fireworks. cityofrosemead.org
Santa Ana: 3-9 p.m. at Centennial Park. Free live music, kid zone, trivia, food for sale, patriotic dog contest at 7 p.m. A 20-minute fireworks show at 8:45 p.m. 3000 W. Edinger Ave. Santa Ana. santa-ana.org
Santa Clarita: 9:15 p.m. Fireworks over the Valencia Town Center. 24201 W. Valencia Blvd. Valencia.
Walnut: 5-9:30 p.m. Music, games, pooch parade, food trucks and fireworks. Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Rd. Walnut. 909-598-6200
And enjoy!!
