By Marla Jo Fisher, OC Register
Independence Day is transitioning back to normal this year. We won’t all have to sit home and miss fireworks, because lots of venues are reopening and offering events. Note that some changes are afoot due to remaining COVID-19 safeguards. Events are July 4 unless otherwise noted.
Los Angeles County
Alhambra: The city will host a celebration at Almansor Park. Gates open at 5 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9. 800 S. Almansor St. Free. cityofalhambra.org
Burbank: This year, a fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m. near the Starlight Bowl, but there will be no concert or access to the bowl area. Officials are telling residents to watch from their yards. Free. starlightbowl.com/
Calabasas: Head to the Calabasas High School football field for a concert featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which is set to start at 7 p.m, with the firework show starting at 9 p.m. Bring your low back chairs and blankets. Small amount of grandstand seating available. 22855 Mulholland Highway. Cost $10 in advance. cityofcalabasas.com
Catalina Island: All events in Avalon. Live music noon to 10 p.m. Golf cart parade 1 p.m. Fireworks 9 p.m. Look for happenings around the Green Pier. Free. cityofavalon.com/fireworks
Glendale: Fireworks at 9 p.m. centered on Harvard Street and Brand Boulevard. View from anywhere around the area. Free. glendaleca.gov
La Crescenta: Fireworks at 9 p.m. from Crescenta Valley High School, but no one will be allowed on the field. Spectators should view from adjacent areas. Free. cvfireworks.com/EVENT/
Lakewood: July 2. Fireworks will be launched at 8:45 p.m. from 3 different locations, so people can watch from their yards or nearby. No big block party this year. Locations: Holmes Elementary School, 5020 Barlin Ave., Lakewood High School, 4400 Briercrest Ave., and Artesia High School, 12108 Del Amo Blvd. Free. Learn more: lakewoodcity.org
Lancaster (and Palmdale): A fireworks party at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds starts at 5 p.m. with a live show by the band Trinity followed by Rural Olympics Games, and then fireworks at 9:15 pm. Grandstand seating is free but advance tickets are required, or bring your own chairs and blankets. General parking free; premier $10. 2551 W. Avenue H, Lancaster. cityoflancasterca.org
Long Beach: July 3-4. Free from the shore; $50 cruise. Fireworks over the bay sponsored by Harbor Breeze Cruises. You can view from around the Rainbow Harbor, or take one of three sightseeing boats for a fee. On July 3, there will be a 9 p.m. “Big Bang On The Bay” fireworks cruise show in Alamitos Bay. At press time, the July 4 show over Queensway Bay was sold out for boat cruises, but people can view it from the shore. Learn more: 2seewhales.rezdy.com/
Los Angeles: July 3-4. Who doesn’t love a show at the Hollywood Bowl? This year it’s July 3 and 4 with special guests Kool & the Gang and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra — capped off, of course, with fabulous fireworks. Gates open at 6 p.m. show starts at 7:30. Save hassle and ride one of the special buses. Prices vary. hollywoodbowl.com
Pasadena: Americafest at the Rose Bowl. Parking opens at 3 p.m. Fun for kids and a program in the stadium before fireworks at dusk. Tickets $20-40 per person plus $45-70 parking fee. rosebowlstadium.com
Santa Clarita: Spirit of America Fireworks Spectacular launches near the corner of Magic Mountain Parkway and Citrus Street about 9:15 p.m. Radio KHTS at 98.1 FM and 1220 AM will air the special introduction and synchronized music. View at the Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 W. Valencia Blvd. Free. visitsantaclarita.com
Whittier: City of Whittier 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. from York Field, 9110 Santa Fe Springs Road. Reserved space at York Field had sold out at press time, but the show can be viewed from nearby areas. whittierprcs.org
Woodland Hills: Fireworks extravaganza at Warner Ranch Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Food for sale and booths. Concert by Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride and Illunis and, of course, fireworks. Free, but there is a fee to park in the structure at 21800 Califa St. Parking opens at 4:30 p.m. valleycultural.org
Orange County
Anaheim: Events all day long in Anaheim Hills, starting with a 7 a.m. 5K/10K run, a cutest dog contest, parade and ending with fireworks at 9 p.m. Most events at Peralta Park or Canyon High School. Free. anaheimhillscommunitycouncil.org/
Dana Point: The annual fireworks show is shot from a barge off of Doheny State Beach at 9 p.m. View from shore with synchronized music on KSBR/88.5 FM. You can also cruise with Dana Wharf for $59 and up. Free shuttle buses from Dana Hills High School start at 10 a.m. Go super early if you’re driving. danapoint.org
Huntington Beach: The Pier Plaza Festival runs July 2-4 with a carnival, booths, a beer and wine garden and live entertainment. On July 4, the Surf City 5K run takes place through Huntington Central Park with staggered times. The Neighborhood Car Parade starts at 8 a.m. And a Condor Squadron flyover starts around 5:25 p.m. followed by fireworks at dark. hb4thofjuly.org.
Lake Forest: Park at the Sports Park starting at 6 p.m. Live music by Yachty by Nature, food trucks and more. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 28000 Rancho Parkway. Overflow parking at Saddleback Church. Free. lakeforestca.gov
Los Alamitos (and Seal Beach): This year, you’ll need to sign up in advance to enter the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base for the annual fireworks display and be prepared to answer some health questions when you arrive. The show is drive-in only; no walking or bikes allowed. Masks required. Location will depend on which gate is assigned to your ticket. Gates open at 4 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Food and drink available for purchase. Learn more: cityoflosalamitos.org
Newport Beach: Fireworks and festivities at Newport Dunes in the Back Bay. Gates open at 8 a.m. Food, live music, lawn games and fireworks at 9 p.m. sponsored by the city. 1131 Back Bay Drive. Parking $50 or VIP $100. newportdunes.com
Orange: July 3. The city stages its 26th annual 3rd of July Celebration at Grijalva Park. Children’s activities including inflatable slides and games begins at 4 p.m. Fireworks at dark. Local nonprofits will host food trucks with items for purchase. 368 N. Prospect St. Free. cityoforange.org
San Clemente: Fireworks from the pier at 9 p.m. Note that the pier will be closed all day to get ready. No camping allowed. Location: 611 Avenida Victoria. A flyover by the Condor Squadron, consisting of four AT-6 aircraft World War II trainers around 5:55 p.m. Note that the San Clemente Trolley will run until 10 p.m. to help with traffic. Free. san-clemente.org
Tustin: Enjoy the Tustin Meadows parade from 10 a.m. to noon, 2041 Sycamore Ave., Tustin. Sponsored by the Southern California Garrison of the 501st Legion. A small carnival will be held by the clubhouse and the parade starts at 11 a.m. Free. facebook.com/events/406079537025831/
Yorba Linda: Food, kids activities, live music and more at Veterans Park, 4756 Valley View Ave., starting at 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9. yorbalindaca.gov
Riverside County
Corona: Parade starts 9 a.m. on Main Street. 5 p.m. concert by The Ravelers at Santana Regional Park, 598 Santana Way. Food available. Fireworks at dusk. Free, but pre-sale preferred parking is $5 until June 30 and $10 at the park on July 4, if available. coronaca.gov
Jurupa Valley: July 3. The fireworks show starts at dusk at Centennial Park, but don’t go there — people must watch from their homes or another park. Free. jarpd.org
Lake Elsinore: “Party in the Park” with games, a bike-and-wagon parade for kids and BBQ, at 10:30 a.m. at Summerly Park, 18505 Malaga Road. Boat Parade begins at 8 p.m. open to boat owners. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Listen in to synchronized music on KOLA/99.9 FM. Free (with some paid viewing locations). lake-elsinore.org
Menifee: June 26. Drive-in fireworks viewing June 26, in the parking lot of Mount San Jacinto College, 28237 La Piedra Road. Lot opens at 5 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m. launched from Bell Mountain Middle School. Free (but you need tickets for the college lot, available online). The event will also be broadcast on 103.3 FM radio. Additionally, people can picnic and watch at Wheatfield Park, 30627 Menifee Road with kids activities, food and more, starting at 5 p.m. Learn more: cityofmenifee.us
Moreno Valley: Parade at 9:30 a.m.at Frederick Street and Alessandro Boulevard. Family FunFest starts at 2 p.m. at the new Civic Center Amphitheater with food and live music. Fireworks 9 p.m. Free from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; $3 per person afterward. 14074 Frederick St. moval.org/parks-comm-svc/event-4july.html
Murrieta: July 1. Fireworks around 9 p.m. at Los Alamos Hills Sports Park, 37000 Ruth Ellen Way. Park in the lot or watch from home. The show will be synchronized to music by KATY/101.3 FM. Free. murrietaca.gov
Riverside: The city’s Independence Day fireworks show moves this year from its traditional location on Mount Rubidoux to La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Ave., and Ryan Bonaminio Park, 5000 Tequesquite Ave. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Note: Access will not be permitted to La Sierra Park or Carlson Dog Park after 7 a.m. July 4. Free. riversideca.gov.
Temecula: Fireworks at 9 p.m. above Ronald Reagan Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road, with synchronized music by KATY/101.3 FM radio. No parade or other festivities this year. Free. temeculaca.gova
Temecula: Pechanga Resort Casino plans to hold a 20-minute-long fireworks show starting at dusk. Spectators may park in designated areas. No RVs, day camping, grills, glass or liquor. blogs.pechanga.com/
San Bernardino County
Big Bear Lake: Fireworks Spectacular at 7,000 feet over the lake. Start time between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m. for 30-40 minutes. View from the water, along the shore or the valley. Free. bigbear.com. Also, at Snow Summit, there’s a fireworks viewing party; must buy tickets for the chairlift. Learn more: BigBearMountainResort.com
Chino: June 26. Starts at 3 p.m. at Ruben S. Ayala Park, 14225 Central Ave. Food, live music by TimeBomb, military recognition and photo presentation. Bring chairs, picnics, blankets and games. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. cityofchino.org
Highland: July 4 celebration at Immanuel Baptist Church starts at 7:30 p.m. The event will include food vendors, music and activities. Fireworks at dusk. 28355 Baseline St. Free, but registration is required. ibchighland.org/4th/
Redlands: Children’s parade starting at 12:45 p.m., live music, aircraft flyovers and kids zone at Sylvan Park, 601 N. University St. Food available. Fireworks over the city start at 9 p.m.. Launch zone at Moore Middle School not open to the public, but show can be seen from many neighborhoods in the city. Fireworks show and patriotic music will be broadcast live on YouTube.com, with a preshow set to begin at 8 p.m. RedlandsFourthOfJuly.com
Yucaipa: A Fourth of July celebration and fireworks show will take place 5 to 9 p.m. at Yucaipa High School, 33000 Yucaipa Blvd. The celebration will include food vendors and a concert by rock band Arena Red. The pyrotechnic show will begin at 9 p.m. with music broadcast at KOLA/99.9 FM. facebook.com/CityofYucaipaCA
