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Where to Watch Fireworks on the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is one week away. Do you know where you will be watching fireworks or otherwise celebrating the United States’ birthday? Below is a list of places on the Westside to take in the Fourth of July festivities.
Pacific Palisades
The Palisades will celebrate the Fourth of July in a big way with its 66th annual Independence Day parade in the afternoon, followed by music and fireworks in the evening. Skydivers will get the parade started at 1:50 pm, and the parade will wind down Sunset Blvd. between Via de la Paz and Drummond. The entertainment show, Palisades Rocks The Fourth, begins at 6:30 pm with music performances by local amateurs and pros, then finishes with fireworks produced by the same company that puts on New York City’s annual Macy’s July 4th Spectacular. Entertainment admission $10, children 12 and under free. Proceeds benefit Palisades Charter High School Music Department.
• Friday, July 4 parade from 1:50 pm. Music at 6:30 pm and fireworks at 9 pm at Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin Street. palisadesparade.org, palisadesrocksthefourth.org.
El Segundo
Parts of El Segundo feel like they’ve been caught in a time warp over the last few decades, and the city’s Fourth of July festivities have an old-fashioned hometown feeling that’s rare and nice. El Segundo’s Community Celebration 2014 and Fireworks Spectacular kicks off at 10 am with a hula hoop contest, water balloon toss, and sack races. There will be a pie-eating contest at 1:30 pm, followed by a watermelon eating contest at 2:15 pm. Live music begins at 5 pm, and the fireworks show starts at 9 pm. General admission to music and fireworks $5 per person, free for children 2 and under, and free for El Segundo residents with a Recreation Park ID.
• Friday, July 4 from 10 am, Stevenson Field (on the west side of El Segundo Recreation Park), 401 Sheldon Street, 310.524.2300, elsegundo.org.
Marina del Rey
The Marina’s Fourth of July fireworks are launched from a barge floating across the Marina’s main channel, so they’ll be visible for free from pretty much anywhere in the Marina. Fisherman’s Village and Burton Chace Park are popular places to gather and watch the show. At the park, you’ll hear synchronized music as you watch the fireworks. Parking in the Marina lots ranges from $7 to $10, and there’s also the WaterBus and Beach Shuttle to get you around the Marina. Watch out for street closures around the area.
• Friday, July 4 at 9 pm, Burton Chace Park is at 13650 Mindanao Way. 310.305.9545, marinadelrey.lacounty.gov.
Culver City
This year’s Fourth of July fireworks show will be at West Los Angeles College instead of Culver City High School. Gates open at 4 pm. Bring a picnic or peruse the food vendors Santa Maria Barbecue, Jackson Market and Tub’s Chili. A classic rock band begins playing at 6 pm, and the fireworks shoot up at dusk. Suggested donation of $5 per person if you’re walking onto the grounds, and $1 per child under 6. If you’re driving in, parking is $5 for each person in your vehicle, up to a maximum of $20, which covers admission to the show. Proceeds benefit local student and community organizations.
• Friday, July 4 from 4 pm, 9000 Overland Avenue, Culver City. 310.287.4597, culvercityfireworksshow.com.
Santa Monica
If watching fireworks on July 4 just isn’t your thing, how about watching them in June? Santa Monica’s pre-July 4 fireworks show might be an odd tradition but is not without its charms: You get a head start on celebrating the holiday, it’s not too crowded, and it frees you up for other things on the Fourth. This year’s show will be Saturday, June 28 at Santa Monica College’s Corsair Field. Gates open at 5 pm. At 6:30 pm Cliff Wagner and The Old #7 will play a mix of bluegrass, blues and honky tonk, and at 9 pm fireworks with patriotic music begin. Food vendor pickings are usually pretty slim, so eat first or bring a picnic and spread out your blanket on the field, or pick a spot in the bleachers. Park in one of the college lots, or if you’re feeling lucky look for street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Saturday, June 28 from 5 pm, Santa Monica College Corsair Field, 1900 Pico Boulevard, smc.edu.
