This year, we’ll celebrate 236 years of independence on Wednesday, July 4. In typical fashion there will be plenty of smoky cookouts, fanfare worthy parades, and firework shows that will oooh and ahhh the crowds.
While there are still a few shows missing (City of Torrance, please come back!), thankfully a show has returned (Marina Del Rey).
Read on for details on South Bay fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations, listed from north to south.
Marina del Rey
http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/schedule/4th-of-july
July 4th, 9 pm
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Yes, the rumors are true! This year, Marina del Rey will ring in the 4th of the July with a bang, thanks to the return of the wildly popular Fireworks Extravaganza! Sponsored by the Department of Beaches and Harbors, the show begins at 9:00pm and will last approximately 20 minutes. A favorite tradition amongst locals and visitors, spectators gather in harbor side viewing spots like Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village to watch fireworks shoot across the Marina’s main channel. For more information (including parking and street closures), follow this link to Visit Marina Del Rey.
- A great spot to watch the show is Café del REY. They’ve got a special menu lined up for the 4th featuring tri-tip and BBQ chicken. Stop in for dinner and enjoy the fireworks show! “To celebrate the upcoming 4th of July holiday, and the triumphant return of fireworks to the Marina del Rey area, CAFE del REY will be offering a special Americana-themed menu for guests to enjoy while they gaze on the pyrotechnic display out of the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant’s ideal waterfront location offers diners front row seats to the show, without having to get their feet sandy, which is also reflected in the water of the marina.”
Lawndale
- It’ll be another sad summer in Lawndale! No shows or celebrations. If you want to have your own little show, stop by TNT Fireworks at the corner of Hawthorne and Manhattan Beach Blvds.
Torrance
- The City of Torrance has called it quits on Independence Day shows since last summer. Follow this link to read their reasons. But all is not lost in Torrance! Read on…
- Thanks to the generosity of the Briles Family, a private show will take place near Torrance Beach. “The Briles family of Torrance will once again have its privately funded fireworks show off the coast of Torrance beach. Jackie Briles, 91, covers the cost of the show in honor of her late husband. The pyrotechnics will begin between 9 and 9:15 p.m. from a barge.” Didn’t know Torrance had a beach!?
Follow this link to map it out.
El Segundo
http://www.elsegundo.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=9761
July 4, 10 AM – 3 PM; 5 PM – 9PM; 9PM – Until…
- I n stellar “Second to None” fashion, El Segundo continues its Independence Day tradition with events going on all day long, ending with a blazing display of fireworks. From 10 AM in the morning until 3 PM in the afternoon, family friendly events are on deck including pie and watermelon eating contests, hula hooping, and food booths benefiting community organizations. The afternoon and evening sessions will feature concerts and a spectacular finish. Thanks to Chevron for keeping this party going!
Redondo Beach
http://www.redondofireworks.com
July 4, 2 – 10 PM
- For the sixth year in a row, Redondo Beach continues its Fourth of July celebration centered around Seaside Lagoon. This event has sold out consistently! Yes, there’s a cost associated if you want to get up close and personal to all the events so stop reading and follow this link now to get your tickets. Tickets are available for individuals ($15/child and $20/adult) and as packages for families ($100 and up) with some including passes for four or more and VIP parking.Gates open at 2 PM with the festivities including swimming and events for the kids, a drum circle (yeah!), and a helicopter demo by the Coast Guard. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Fireworks start at 9 PM with the show being synced to music broadcast by Jack 93.1 FM.
- If you want to skip the sand at Seaside Lagoon but still want to enjoy the fireworks, book a table for dinner at the Crowne Plaza hotel right across the street from Seaside Lagoon! You’ll get three hours of free parking, a fabulous meal, and a great view of the fireworks show from their roof top patio.
Palos Verdes
http://www.pvjuly4.org
July 4, 9:30 AM – Noon
- The folks in PV like to get their celebration in early on the Fourth! Their family friendly event starts at 9:30 with face painting and a bicycle parade for the kids. Bakers will want to get there early enough to submit their special recipe for the Apple Pie Contest. Along with ribbons for the top finishers, the winner walks away with an apple tree. Maybe not literally…
Carson
http://www.lagalaxy.com
July 4, 7:30 PM
- Soccer with Fireworks – LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union. LA Galaxy will take on the Philadelphia Union on July 4th with post game fireworks at the Home Depot Center in Carson. If you want to get into the game, you’ll have to spring for tickets starting at $20 and pay for parking. The cast might be well worth it to see some fast paced soccer action and a kick ass fireworks show.
San Pedro
http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/facility/cabrilloBeachPool.htm
July 4
- San Pedro events get mentioned but tracking down specific and detailed information online is difficult. Kayte Deioma of the Los Angeles Travel Guide on About.com reports the events in San Pedro will include “Live music, U.S. military exhibits, tours of a Navy frigate, armed forces, and U.S. Coast Guard demonstrations, displays by the LA City Fire Department’s firefighting boat, and the Washington Artillery Reenactment group followed by fireworks” all for free at Cabrillo Beach. But the link to LA Parks referenced on the About.com page simply mentions “Annual fireworks display on eve of July 4th”. At least we have that one confirmed! I’ll try to find a schedule and update if time permits.
- Another July 4th event for San Pedro is the 9 AM ringing of the Korean Bell at Fort McArthur. They ring this huge bell only four times a year! Follow this link for more details.
Long Beach, Queen Mary: BBQ, Brews, and Red, White & Blues
http://www.queenmary.com
July 4, 10 AM – 11 PM (Fireworks at 9 PM)
- She might be a British ship, but the Queen Mary is setting the Fourth off right with barbecue from all over the USA. This year’s celebration will feature old-fashioned BBQ from the Carolinas, Texas, Kansas City and St. Louis. Two stages of live music keep the party going all day until the fireworks show at 9 PM. If you want to keep the party going, A DJ will rock the boat from 7 – 11 PM towards the stern (that’s the back of the boat for land lubbers). There’s a price tag on this celebration though! $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids. Discounts available for military and seniors.
Long Beach Kids’ July 4th Bike Parade
http://justinrudd.com/bikeparade.html
July 4, 9:15 AM Registration, 10 AM Parade
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Here’s another fun one for kids of all ages. Get started early and ride in this parade along Long Beach’s bike path beginning at Granada Ave (follow this link for a map). The parade will be a hoot, I’m sure. The highlight for me? The watermelon seed spitting contest! Free to participate. BYO bike; all kids are required to wear a helmet!