Where to See July 4 Fireworks In and Around L.A. This Year
From patriotic parades to oceanfront fireworks, these are the best 4th of July events in Los Angeles!
AmericaFest
WHERE: Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena
WHEN: July 4, doors 5:30 p.m., event 6:30 p.m.
WHAT: AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl is an explosive celebration of all things red, white and blue—and easily the biggest show in L.A. The fireworks typically don’t shoot off until 9pm, but the Rose Bowl opens its gates hours earlier on Independence Day, usually starting with kid-friendly carnival fun, followed by an in-stadium stunt-filled program. Parking for the event will cost a whopping $45, but you can make it worth your while with an afternoon of tailgating outside the stadium.
Melrose Rooftop Theatre
WHERE: 603 N La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood
WHEN: July 3 and 4, doors 7:30 p.m, movie at 8:30 p.m.
WHAT: West Hollywood’s ultra-chic rooftop bar L.P. is showing Thelma & Louise and Independence Day during its alfresco screening series.
Cinespia Cemetery Screenings
WHERE: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
WHEN: July 2-4, gates at 7:15 p.m., movie at 9 p.m.
WHAT: It isn’t summer in L.A. until the first cemetery screening brings hoards of movie-lovers to Hollywood Forever, toting folding chairs, picnic blankets, snack spreads and lots of booze. For the weekend of the Fourth, Cinespia is screening The Fast and the Furious (July 2), Purple Rain (July 3) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (July 4), each one with a fireworks finale.
July 4th Fireworks in Marina del Rey
WHERE: Marina Del Rey (multiple viewing spots)
WHEN: July 4, 9 p.m.
WHAT: 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: 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 lots.
Boat Cinema
WHERE: Castaic Lake Headquarters, 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic
WHEN: July 1- 3, doors open at 6:30pm, movie at 8:15pm.
WHAT: True to its name, Boat Cinema will present movie screenings literally on Castaic Lake every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this summer. You can rent an electric mini boat that seats up to five people or watch from the shore. Either way, over the holiday weekend you can watch Jaws (July 1 and 2) and Top Gun (July 3).
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl
WHERE: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood
WHEN: July 2-4, doors at 5:30 p.m., event at 7:30 p.m.
WHAT: The Hollywood Bowl hosts a fireworks-filled summer bash each year, and this time around Steve Martin and Martin Short will have the honor of tackling the show. Bring a bottle of wine and sit through the show (tickets start at $21 way in the back) and then stick around for the post-concert pyro.
Rooftop Cinema Club
WHERE: 4th floor at Level, 888 South Olive Street, Los Angeles
WHEN: July 1-4, multiple times
WHAT: The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing have returned for another season of screenings in Downtown L.A., the Arts District and El Segundo. For the Fourth, you can pretty much watch a pair of films at each venue every night, including picks like Independence Day, A Star is Born, The Goonies, Bridesmaids, The Sandlot, Do the Right Thing, The Notebook and more.
Fourth of July Block Party
WHERE: Grand Park, 200 N Grand Ave., Los Angeles
WHEN: July 4, 9 p.m.
WHAT: If you’re on the hunt for a cheap, lively way to celebrate Uncle Sam, shake it over to Grand Park, and watch Downtown L.A. light up for free. This Fourth of July, Grand Park hosts a unique block party, featuring scrumptious food truck fare, live music and more. The music begins while the sun is still high in the sky, so bring yourself an all-day picnic—no booze allowed, only empty water bottles—and relax. Best of all, the event is Metro accessible. Look out for the fireworks after 9pm on the north side of the park, above the Music Center Plaza.
Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade
WHERE: Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades
WHEN: July 4, gates open at 6 p.m, starts at 9 p.m.
WHAT: Cruise on up to the Palisades for a beachy Independence Day extravaganza. Things kick off in the afternoon with a 2pm WWII fighter plane flyover to herald the start of the parade. The baton twirlers and marching trombonists will begin their promenade on Sunset Boulevard, between Via de la Paz and Drummond. There’s usually a late-afternoon concert, followed by a 9pm fireworks show at Palisades Charter High School (tickets required).
Source: timeout.com
