The icing on the cake for me every 4th of July is a big old-fashioned explosive fireworks show. Lucky for those of us that live in Orange County, the options are almost endless!
From small-town shows like Laguna Beach to big stadium extravaganzas in Huntington Beach and Tustin, there’s a “Happy Birthday America Salute” to suit everybody’s palette! Check out several of our favorites here.
LOCAL TIP: Head up to Top Of The World Park in Laguna Beach and you could get lucky enough to see six pyrotechnic displays from Dana Point to Huntington Beach!
Aliso Viejo
AVCA July 4th Celebration & Fireworks
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
What to expect: Community Booths, Children’s Crafts, Face Painting, Balloon Twisters, Airbrush Tattoo Artists, and Carnival Games. Fireworks begin at 9:00pm.
Location: Grand Park – 6101 City Lights Dr. Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
More info: avca.net/
Anaheim Hills
Anaheim Hills 4th of July Celebration
Time: 7:00 am – 9:30 pm
What to expect: Firecracker Run (7 – 8:30 am), Yankee Doodle Dog Show (9:00 am), Parade (1:00 – 3:00 pm), Food & Expo (3:00 pm), Live Entertainment (3:00 9:00 pm), and Fireworks (9:00 pm).
Location: Canyon High School & Peralta Park – 115 N Pinney Dr, Anaheim, CA 92807
More info: villapark.co
Brea
Knott’s Berry Farm 4th of July Fireworks
Time: 9:00 pm
What to expect: Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm and the park stays open until 11:00 pm.
Location: Knotts Berry Farm – 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
More info: knotts.com
Cypress
Salute To America
Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
What to expect: Entertainment begins at 6:00 pm and Fireworks at 9:00 pm.
Location: Cypress College – 9200 Valley View St, Cypress, CA 90630
More info: cypressca.org
Dana Point
4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Time: 9:00 pm
What to expect: Flyover at 5:50 pm. The Condor Squadron includes WWII North American AT-6 airplanes. Fireworks at 9:00 pm.
Location: Doheny State Beach – 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
More info: danapoint.org
Fourth of July WATER WARS
Time: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
What to expect: A giant water fight. Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm.
Location: Dana Point Harbor
More info: facebook.com/events
Huntington Beach
4th of July Celebration
Time: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
What to expect: 5k (7:00 am), Parade (10:00 am), Festival (all day), and Fireworks (9:00 pm).
Location: Downtown Huntington Beach
More info: hb4thofjuly.org
Irvine
July 4 Spectacular: The Music Of Queen
Time: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
What to expect: Queen Concert and Fireworks.
Location: Five Point Amphitheatre – 14800 Chinon, Irvine, CA 92618
More info: pacificsymphony.org
Ladera Ranch
July 4th Celebration
Time: 3:00 pm – 9:30 pm
What to expect: 10K (7:00 am), Pankake Breakfast (7:45 am), 5K (8:30 am), Firecracker Dash (9:30 am), Parade (10:30 am), Games & Activities (3:00 pm), Concert (6:00 pm), and Fireworks (9:00 pm).
Location: Founders Park – 28275 Avendale Blvd, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
More info: laderalife.com
Laguna Beach
4th of July Fireworks Show
Time: 9:00 pm
What to expect: Arrive early for parking and hop on the free trolley.
Location: Heisler Park – 375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
More info: visitlagunabeach.com
Laguna Niguel
July 4th Week of Festivities
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 pm
What to expect: 5K & Kids run (8:00 am), Pancake Breakfast (7:30 am), Free Lap Swim & Pool Party at Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center, Patriotic Flyover (5:30 pm), Concert (6:00 pm), and a Fireworks display.
Location: Crown Valley Community Park – 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
More info: cityoflagunaniguel.org
La Habra
4th of July Celebration
Time: 4:00 pm – 9:45 pm
What to expect: The event will include the fireworks show, flyover, live music by Suave, kid’s activity booths, food vendors and retail vendors.
Location: La Bonita Park – 1440 W Whittier Blvd, La Habra, CA 90631
More info: lahabraca.gov
Los Alamitos
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Time: 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
What to expect: A family fun area, static displays, live entertainment, food and commercial vendors, and a fireworks show display.
Location: Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base – 11206 Lexington Dr, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
More info: cityoflosalamitos.org
Mission Viejo
July 4th Street Faire
Time: 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
What to expect: Food, live entertainment, games, vendor booths, and family fun. Plus, fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m.
Location: Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda
More info: mvactivities.com
Newport Beach
July 4 Fireworks Cruises With Davey’s Locker
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
What to expect: Join cruises to view the amazing fireworks shows Newport Beach is known for. Cruises start off touring Newport Beach and viewing the yachts and boats celebrating July 4th, as well as Bay Front estates going all out with Independence Day events.
Location: Davey’s Locker – 400 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661
More info: ruisenewportbeach.com
Independence Day on the Back Bay
Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
What to expect: swimming, watersports, an inflatable water park, movies on the beach, and a Fireworks show.
Location: Newport Dunes – 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
More info: newportdunes.com
Rancho Santa Margarita
July 4th Star Spangled Spectacular
Time: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
What to expect: Bik and Trike Parade (10:00 am), Activities, and Firework Display (9:00 pm).
Location: Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club – 21472 Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
More info: samlarc.org
San Clemente
4th of July Fireworks Show
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: San Clemente Pier
More info: san-clemente.org
San Juan Capistrano
Fourth of July Celebration & Summer Carnival
Time: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
What to expect: featuring music, dancing, carnival rides and games, bounce house, food, exhibitors, and fireworks at 9:00 p.m. Free trolley service.
Location: San Juan Capistrano Sports Park – 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
More info: sanjuancapistrano.org
Santa Ana
Fourth of July Celebration
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
What to expect: Live music, kid’s activities, food trucks and exhibitors, and a spectacular 20-minute fireworks finale at 9:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park – 3000 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704
More info: santa-ana.org
Tustin
4th of July An All American Blast
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
What to expect: Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; picnics are OK.The Fireworks display will be at 9 p.m.
Location: Tustin High School – 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780
More info: tustinca.org
Yorba Linda
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Time: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
What to expect: This free event will include live music, food vendors, family activities and a spectacular fireworks show.
Location: Yorba Linda Middle School – 4777 Casa Loma Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
More info: yorbalindaca.gov
