Editor’s Note: This listing has been updated to note the Los Alamitos/Seal Beach event at the Joint Forces Training Base is July 3.
Orange County communities are set to celebrate Independence Day with parades and festivals, concerts and carnivals, capping it all off with a variety of fireworks shows to choose from.
Here is a listing of many of the safe, fun and free events communities are hosting to celebrate the Fourth of July. All events are on July 4, unless otherwise noted.
For more, see: 10 Orange County cities that allow fireworks sales
Aliso Viejo
The Aliso Viejo Community Association presents its July 4 celebration at Grand Park. The HOA’s event is 6 to 9:30 p.m. with a concert, carnival games, family activities and a fireworks show capping it all off. Information about when the park opens for saving spots and street closures is at avca.net.
Anaheim
The Anaheim Hills community’s annual celebration will include a day of activities, beginning at 7 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K/10K Run/Walk – the starting line will be on Santa Ana Canyon and Imperial Highway in front of the Canyon High School track. The Yankee Doodle Dog Show will be at 9 a.m. at the high school’s softball field.
This year’s parade begins at 1 p.m.; it starts out from Canyon High and travels along Santa Ana Canyon Road. Food booths and entertainment will be at Peralta Park, with live music starting at 3 p.m., until the fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Information: anaheim.net/fourthofjuly.
Brea
Celebrate Independence Day at the 43rd Country Fair on July 4 at City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd. The fair will open at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and last until 3 p.m. with entertainment, food, a car show, various contests, games and rides planned all day. The Kiddie Parade starts at 10:45 a.m. Admission to the Brea Plunge is free starting at noon. Information: cityofbrea.net
Costa Mesa
The city hosts a July 3 community celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center. Tijuana Dogs and 80’Z All-Stars will be performing at the 5 to 11 p.m. event that is free and will also feature activities for families and contests for all ages. Councilmembers will read the Declaration of Independence. The fireworks show will be at 9:30 p.m. Information: costamesaca.gov.
Dana Point
The city’s fireworks show will light up the harbor at 9 p.m. A barge off the coastline of Doheny State Beach is used to shoot off the fireworks, which are planned to be bigger this year. Popular viewing spots include Pines Park, Heritage Park, Lantern Bay Park, Baby Beach, Doheny State Beach, The Harbor Island and the Sampson Overlook Gazebo. The Harbor Shuttle will run throughout the day.
Huntington Beach
The city has big plans for the holiday weekend, starting with a block party from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 30 on Main Street. A carnival and festival will be open noon to 10 p.m. daily from July 1-4 at 6th and Pacific Coast Highway.
The Surf City Run 5K will kick off at 7 a.m. on July 4 and run along Main Street and PCH. Register online.
Also on July 4 the traditional Main Street Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Finally, at 9 p.m. a fireworks show will be launched over the water.
Information on these events and more is available at hb4thofjuly.org.
For more, see: Which state-approved pyrotechnics are worth the price?
Irvine
The city and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee will host a Fourth of July Field of Valor from July 1 to 14 on the Irvine Civic Center Lawn. Community members can sponsor a flag in honor of a veteran, active duty, or fallen service member; visit cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor.
Laguna Beach
The city will be hosting its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Heisler Park at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from Monument Point, which will be closed all day, and starting about 5 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs will be closed. At about 5:45 p.m. the Condor Squadron will perform a fly over of the city. Information: lagunabeachcity.net.
Laguna Hills
The community’s Fourth of July Celebration includes festivities at the Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex. From 4 to 9 p.m., community members can enjoy live music, carnival rides and activities and food trucks. The event is free to attend, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Information: ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel Family YMCA hosts its 44th Run in the Parks with a 5K and kids race. First is the 5K at 8 a.m. Information and registration: ymcaoc.org/run.
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a pancake breakfast to accompany the run, cost is $8 at Crown Valley Park.
The city is hosting a free pool party from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center.
There will be a 5:30 p.m. flyover of the city and an Elton John tribute band kicks off the evening’s festivities starting at 6 p.m. at Crown Valley Community Park. The fireworks show launches at 9 p.m. at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Information: cityoflagunaniguel.org
Lake Forest
The community will celebrate with a parade kicking off at 9:30 a.m. at Ridge Route and Toledo Way. It will follow Toledo Way, turn right on Lake Forest Drive then right onto Serrano Road and end at Ridge Route. Information: lakeforestca.gov.
La Habra
The city will host an Independence Day party for the community at La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd. Electric Vinyl will perform live, there will be a military flyover, kids’ activities, vendors and a fireworks show will cap the night. Gates open at 4 p.m. Presale wristbands can be purchased at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Information: lahabraca.gov
La Palma
The city’s annual Fitness Run for Fun has 5K and 10K events for running and walking as well as a kids race. First start at 7:30 a.m. There is also a pancake breakfast in Central Park. Information: cityoflapalma.org
Los Alamitos, Seal Beach
The annual fireworks spectacular will be held July 3 at the Joint Forces Training Base, enter via Lexington Drive or Orangewood Avenue gates. Fireworks show is at 9 p.m. on July 3. Gates open at 4 p.m. and close at 8:45. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, there will be no other seating available. The free event is hosted by Los Alamitos and Seal Beach will feature music, a family fun area and food vendors. Information: cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation
Mission Viejo
The city’s July 4th Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular returns. Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda will be closed for the fair that starts at noon and will feature live entertainment, rides, food trucks and games. Admission is free. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Information, including on shuttle service: cityofmissionviejo.org.
Newport Beach
Several parades and activities are planned throughout the city.
The Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Community Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. at 36th Street Park and travels down Balboa Boulevard to Channel Place Park, where there will be a free festival with carnival games, jump houses, crafts and food. The festival runs to 11:30 a.m.
There will be a children’s bike parade at 10:30 a.m. at Mariners Park.
The Old Glory Boat Parade begins at 1 p.m. in Newport Harbor at Lido Isle. The annual parade is hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club and American Legion Post 291. Information: alyc.com
A fireworks extravaganza at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort caps the day’s activities at 9 p.m. There are also activities and entertainment earlier in the day.
Information: newportbeachca.gov
Orange
The city has a tradition of getting a jump on celebrating American Independence with its community celebration on July 3, starting at 4 p.m. The popular event will be held at Grijalva Park, 368 N. Prospect St.
There will be entertainment, food trucks and kids activities. As the sun sets, the Orange Community Master Chorale will perform then the fireworks will go off. Tickets are $7 and are on sale at the Community Services Department, 230 E. Chapman Ave., through 5:30 p.m. on July 3, or at the event. Information: cityoforange.org.
Orange Park Acres is hosting its 56th parade on July 4, which kicks off at 10 a.m. It will start at Salem Lutheran Church and School. Information: orangeparkacres.org.
San Clemente
The city continues its Fourth of July tradition with a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. from the San Clemente Pier. The approximately 20-minute show can be seen from many beaches and hilltop areas.
San Juan Capistrano
The city is hosting a four-day carnival at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, July 1-4. There will be rides and food for sale. Rides require tickets be purchased. Attendees can watch fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4. The city’s trolley is free for the weekend. Information: sanjuancapistrano.org.
Santa Ana
For the 11th year, Santa Ana will host an Independence Day celebration. Starting at 5 p.m. with live music, a play area for kids, food, exhibitors and much more at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Information: santa-ana.org/fourth-of-july
Tustin
The community will celebrate at the Tustin High football field, 1171 El Camino Real, with entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; picnics are OK. Take some canned goods, which Operation Warm Wishes will be collecting for homeless veterans. Fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Information: tustinca.org.
Villa Park
Stars on Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at Villa Park High School. Kids of all ages decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons and such to participate in the parade, which will travel a mile and a half through residential streets. Line up at 8:30 a.m. at the school. Information: vpcsfoundation.org
Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda’s annual Fourth of July Spectacular will kick off at 5 p.m. with family activities, food vendors and Kayln & The New Frontier performing. Access from Veterans Park and Yorba Linda Middle School. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. The event is free. Information: yorbalindaca.gov.
East Lake Village will get into the spirit early with its annual Patriotic Boat Parade on July 3. Boats will be decked out with the red, white and blue – and lights – to tour around the lake starting at 8:45 p.m. The public can watch from the greenbelts that surround the lake. Food trucks in the village’s parking lot will be selling from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum will play host to historical actors portraying presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt and George Washington for Independence Day. The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. event does not include admission to the library, which requires purchase of a ticket.
