Fireworks, light shows, parades and a slew of festivities are ready to take off for Independence Day. Here’s a guide to Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations at parks, beaches and other venues throughout San Diego County.

Camp Pendleton

4th of July beach celebration: Fireworks at 9 p.m. July 3 at the Marine Corps base’s Del Mar Beach for authorized military and their families. Also, there will be a free family fun zone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 3-4 and live DJ entertainment from 4 to 7 p.m. July 3. Concessions and vendors will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 1-2 and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 3-4. Military ID card required. Visit mccscp.com.

Carlsbad

Legoland’s “Red, White and Boom!”: Throughout the day on July 4, kids of all ages can participate in all-American family picnic games and building activities. The evening fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. combines patriotic music with fireworks; included with cost of park admission. Visit legoland.com.

Chula Vista

Fireworks and celebration: Hosted by the city of Chula Vista and Seven Mile Casino at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway, gates open at 7 p.m. July 4. Fireworks shoot off at dusk, about 9 p.m. Simultaneous music will accompany the fireworks on radio station Magic 92.5. Bring a blanket or chair. Food trucks will be there. Parking is free at the center and the adjacent New Hope Community Church, 2720 Olympic Parkway. Another recommended viewing location is at Mountain Hawk Park, 1475 Lake Crest Drive, which opens at 7:30 a.m. Visit chulavistaca.gov/4thfest.

Coronado

Independence Day Parade: 10 a.m. to noon July 4 going south on Orange Avenue, beginning at First Street and Orange and ending at Churchill Place and Ocean Boulevard. Pre-parade entertainment is from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Orange Avenue.

Crown City Classic 12K & 5K Run: 7 to 9 a.m. July 4, starting and finishing at Coronado Tidelands Park. Register at crowncityrun.com.

“Star Wars”: Adrian Empire Demonstration and San Diego Star Wars Society photo-op from 12:30 to 2 p.m. July 4 at Star Park.

Navy Leap Frogs Demonstration: 2 p.m. July 4 at the Coronado Golf Course 17th Fairway.

4th of July Concerts: Public Kids Concert is at 3 p.m. at the Coronado Golf Course, 14th Fairway; Coronado Concert Band will perform a Patriotic Concert from 4 to 5 p.m. at Spreckels Park; a Public Concert featuring It’s Never 2L8 is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Coronado Golf Course, 14th Fairway; and PHT & The Honky Tonky Nights will perform a Public Concert from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Coronado Golf Course, 14th Fairway.

Fireworks: 9 p.m. July 4 over Glorietta Bay, near Stingray Point, and San Diego Fireworks over San Diego Bay can be viewed at the Ferry Landing. Visit coronadofourthofjuly.com/schedule.

Del Mar

Fourth of July Celebration at San Diego County Fair: Patriotic celebration all day on July 4 topped off with fireworks at 9 p.m., which can be viewed throughout the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Parking is $15; admission is $12-$20 for ages 6 and older. Visit sdfair.com.

El Cajon

Star Spangled Extravaganza: Free live entertainment featuring two bands and family games starting at 3 p.m. July 4 at Kennedy Park, 1675 E. Madison Ave., with fireworks from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Pack a picnic. Visit elcajon.gov or call (619) 441-1676.

Escondido

Independence Day Concert and Fireworks: 5 to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Grape Day Park, 321 Broadway, hosted by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Highlights include a concert on the Great Green in the park featuring Urban Renewal Project band and Navy Band Southwest’s 32nd Street Brass Band, concluding with the fireworks display. Admission is free; limited number of VIP tickets are $65, including reserved seating (chair and table) near stage, air-conditioned indoor lounge area, access to VIP buffet menu and bar, and two drink tickets along with indoor VIP-only restrooms. Fireworks can be seen from central Escondido. Visit artcenter.org/event/independence-day-concert-fireworks.

Fallbrook

Independence Day Pancake Breakfast: Rotary Club of Fallbrook’s breakfast is from 8 to 11 a.m. July 4 at the Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane. Tickets are $12; $5 for children ages 4-12; free, under age 3. Proceeds benefit The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Camp Pendleton. Visit fallbrookrotary.org.

Imperial Beach

Fireworks: The fireworks show will start at 9 p.m. off the Imperial Beach Pier. Music will begin at 4 p.m. and the military band will play from 7 to 8 p.m. Seacoast Drive will be closed from Imperial Beach Boulevard to Palm Avenue starting at 5 p.m. for the community event. The bus will be rerouted with signs posted and the city is coordinating with local schools to provide extra parking locations. Visit imperialbeachca.gov.

Julian

Parade: Noon July 4 on Main Street. The theme is “Century of Commitment,” recognizing the Julian Woman’s Club, this year’s grand marshal. Attendees can join in carrying a huge United States flag down Main Street before the start of the parade. Pre-parade activities start at 10 a.m. including apple pie-eating contest and musical performancesby the Marine Corps band, Gold Drum and Bugle Corps and Mariachi Continental de San Diego. A flyover by vintage aircraft starts at noon. After the parade, there will be a barbecue, live music and dancing at the American Legion. A quilt show will be at the Julian Town Hall, and shops will be open after the parade. Visitors should come early to find parking on Main Street, which will be closed after 9 a.m. Visit julianparade.com.

La Jolla

Parade: The annual Beaumont Avenue Independence Day Parade through Bird Rock is themed “Surfing USA” this year. Parade floats will head down Beaumont Avenue starting promptly at 10 a.m. from Camino de la Costa to Mira Monte, ending at noon. Entertainment will follow the parade. Fireworks donations can be made at gofund.me/8f428b6b.

Mira Mesa

Fireworks show: The fireworks show on July 2 starts at 9 p.m. over Wangenheim Middle School, 9230 Gold Coast Drive. A community picnic starts at 4 p.m. at Hourglass Field Community Park, leading up to the fireworks. Visit miramesafireworks.org.

Mission Bay

SeaWorld fireworks: SeaWorld San Diego puts on a 15-minute fireworks show set to a patriotic soundtrack starting at 9:30 p.m. July 4. The park offers entertainment ranging from new shows, including the debut of a pirate stunt show on the water, a “Splashtacular” parade of floats with music, to light displays and a summer concert series. The new FantaSEA of Dreams Fireworks Spectacular is also offered nightly through the end of summer. Visit seaworld.com/san-diegoseaworld.com/san-diego.

Fireworks on Mission Bay: Taking place at Mission Bay at 9 p.m. July 3, the show will launch from near Mission Bay Yacht Club, thanks to community donations. Radio station partner 100.7 BIG FM will provide a custom soundtrack. Public viewing areas include Sunset Point Park, Santa Clara Point to Fanuel Street Park, and along Rivera Drive and the shoreline areas with a view of Sail Bay. Boaters can get out on the water from several areas in Mission Bay or reserve a spot on the William D. Evans sternwheeler cruising Mission Bay. Visit fireworksonmissionbay.com.

National City

Fourth of July Carnival: The National City Lions Club is hosting its annual Fourth of July Carnival weekend from June 30 through July 4 at Kimball Park, 12th and D streets, with fireworks at the park at 9 p.m. July 1. The carnival, featuring food, rides and games, is open 5 to 11 p.m. June 30 and July 3, 1 to 11 p.m. July 1 and 2, and noon to midnight on July 4.

Ocean Beach

Drone Light Show: The pet-friendly show starts at 9:05 p.m. July 4 and can be seen throughout Ocean Beach and Point Loma with prime spectator site expected to be in the Newport Avenue Business District. The show features a fleet of 300 drones choreographed to create formations and patterns in the night sky. The entire show will be synchronized with a soundtrack that can be accessed at obluminosity.com, where donations can be made. The show serves as an alternative to O.B.’s traditional Fourth of July fireworks celebration off the Ocean Beach pier, which is closed because of structural damage.

Oceanside

Fireworks celebrate city’s 135th birthday: 9 p.m. July 3 at SoCal Soccer Complex at El Corazon, 3300 El Corazon Drive. There will be entertainment and food vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Parking at the SoCal lot for $12 per car; parking lot entry closes 8:30 p.m. Free parking at nearby Ocean Ranch Business Park. RVs and buses not permitted. Gates open at 5 p.m. No alcohol or dogs. Call (760) 435-5041 or visit ci.oceanside.ca.us.

Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade: Boat parade starts at 1 p.m. July 4 in the Oceanside Harbor at the Oceanside Yacht Club and continues on to the south end of the harbor. Decorate a patriotic dinghy 12 feet and under and enter the parade. No entry fee; trophies will be awarded. Register at skippers meeting at 10 a.m. July 4 at the yacht club, 1950 Harbor Drive North. Call (760) 722-5751 or visit oceansideyc.net.

Oceanside beach and pier: Additional vendors will be open selling food and beverages and renting water sports equipment in Pier Plaza and parking lot south of the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre. The Strand roadway by the beach will be closed to cars from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. Visit mainstreetoceanside.com.

Fireworks show at Grace Church: 7 to 10 p.m. July 3 with music, food trucks and games for kids at the church, 1602 S. El Camino Real. Bring a beach chair. Visit gracesd.tv or call (760) 433-9922.

Independence Parade: Honoring our Hometown Heroes is the theme of the parade taking off at 10 a.m. June 24 on Coast Highway and going from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive, ending just past City Hall. Visit oceansideparade.com.

Poway

Fireworks: Two Independence Day fireworks displays will run simultaneously starting at 9 p.m. July 4 from Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road, in the school’s football field and the Sportsplex in the Poway Business Park, 12349 McIvers Court. The Poway Sportsplex will not be open for firework viewing, but there is street parking throughout the South Poway Business Park and fireworks can be seen throughout the valley. Gates open at the Poway High School football field at 6 p.m., with games, activities and a DJ. Entry costs $5 per person at the gate; free for children 11 and younger. Lake Poway is open to the public on July 4 and will stay open for the fireworks, but viewing is limited this year since the ballfield is temporarily closed. Parking is $10 for nonresidents; free for residents and military with ID. A parking map for areas around both fireworks is at poway.org/fireworks-map. Also, visit poway.org/calendar.aspx?eid=2380.

“Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration”: The annual event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, with patriotic entertainment, old-fashioned games, children’s crafts and model train displays. Treats and train rides will be sold. VFW Post 7907 and the Poway Veterans Park Committee host a ceremony honoring service members at Veterans Park (adjacent to Old Poway Park) beginning at 11 a.m. The park’s civil war-era cannon will be fired. Visit poway.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2021.

Ramona

Family Picnic and Fireworks: This year’s activities start at 4 p.m. July 4 in the back field behind Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, and culminate with fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Visit ramonachamber.com/fireworks.

Rancho Bernardo

Spirit of the Fourth Community Fair: Starts at 9 a.m. in Webb Park, themed “The Sounds of Freedom.” Highlights include Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest, games and activities for the kids, Quilts of Valor Show, VIP reception for Freedom Club members and food trucks and food booths, along with a parade from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will perform from 11:30 a.m. to noon and 6 to 6:30 p.m. Wheels of Freedom Motor Show (Poway Cruisers) is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a parking lot off Bernardo Center Drive in downtown.

Fireworks: Spirit of the Fourth Fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. July 4 at Rancho Bernardo High School/Bernardo Heights Middle School athletic fields, 13010 Paseo Lucido. Musical entertainment is from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Donation of $10 per person or $20 for a family to offset event expenses. Visit spiritofthefourth.org.

Independence Day Ceremony: The Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association will host its annual Independence Day Ceremony from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 4 at the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial, Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place. Co-hosting organizations include the Major Abraham J. Baum Post 7766 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and General J.P. Holland Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars. Boy Scout Troop 685 will support the event. Bring lawn chairs. Visit rbvma.org.

Rancho Santa Fe

Independence Day Parade: Starts at 1 p.m. July 4 and runs through downtown streets. Features the Harmony Grove Color Guard, floats, vintage cars, equestrians, firetrucks, parade princesses and decorated bikes, golf carts and scooters. Before the parade, at 11 a.m., there will be a barbecue lunch on the village green with hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches and ice cream from The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe for sale; proceeds benefit the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center.

San Diego

Big Bay Boom: The free fireworks show will be displayed simultaneously from four barges on San Diego Bay at 9 p.m. July 4. Barge locations will be off the shorelines of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero Marina Boat District and Coronado Ferry Landing. Bring lawn chairs or get in a boat to watch. The 20-minute fireworks will be telecast live on Fox 5 San Diego and affiliates in Los Angeles and on Fox 40 in Sacramento., starting at 8 p.m. A musical simulcast will be broadcast live on KGB 101.5 FM radio, starting at 9 p.m. The Metropolitan Transit System will increase train, trolley and bus services, and will offer “Friends Ride Free,” where a friend may ride free with a fare-paying customer on MTS routes on July 4. Visit bigbayboom.com.

Maritime Museum fireworks viewing: July 4 fireworks viewing on the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s America, Berkeley and the Star of India, moored by the North Embarcadero. Bay cruises also offered. Visit sdmaritime.org.

Fireworks viewing from cruises: Hornblower’s July Fourth dinner cruises include three hours on the yacht with buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, and sky deck viewing; visit cityexperiences.com/san-diego. Also, among the options, Flagship offers the Star-Spangled Dinner Cruise or the Fireworks Spectacular Spectator Cruise, leaving from 990 N. Harbor Drive next to the USS Midway; reserve at flagshipsd.com/cruises/4th-july-fireworks-cruises.

Old Town Fourth of July: Festivities are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4, including games, wheelbarrow races, crafts and live music from Big Mountain Bluegrass Band at Old Town State Historic Park as part of an ‘old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration’ like what early San Diego residents did in the 1800s. The park will offer its usual museums and living history demonstrations. Visit parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

Music and fireworks: San Diego Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4 at Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Drive, in San Carlos, and the fireworks can be seen from La Mesa to Del Cerro and beyond. Fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Visit lakemurrayfireworks.org.

San Marcos

Fourth of July at Lake San Marcos: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4. The “Freedom Singers” will lead in singing patriotic music. Veterans will be recognized and there will be guest speakers. Highlights include a 10 a.m. patriotic dog contest, 10:15 a.m. children’s games, bounce house, food and drinks and information tables hosted by local clubs and groups. The annual July 4 Yacht Club Boat Parade will be at 4 p.m. on the lake. Sponsored by the Lakehouse Resort, Lake Church and LSM Kiwanis. Visit lsmkiwanis.org.

Red, White & Boom: Entertainment starts at 5 p.m. and fireworks go off at 9 p.m. July 4 at Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Drive. Festivities include live music by BetaMAXX at 5 p.m., jumpers and food sales. Bring beach chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Visit san-marcos.net/july4th.

Stars, Stripes and Spurs: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4 at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort, 1105 La Bonita Drive. Highlights include patriotic presentation, patriotic dog contest, country music and dancing along with games, mechanical bull, dunk tank and ring toss on the lakeside lawn. There will be a watermelon-eating contest and barbecued fare will be sold along with drinks. Free admission. Activity tickets will be sold. Register at tinyurl.com/bdd69a9b.

Santee

Santee Salutes: The Fourth of July celebration is from 2 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive. Parking lots open at 2 p.m. Food vendors and Riverwalk Grill open at 4 p.m.; patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m., and 80z All Stars Concert is at 6:30 p.m. Santee’s Biggest Backyard with free sports games runs from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Free activities with inflatables and group games like water balloon toss every hour on the hour from 3 to 7 p.m. The event is capped off with fireworks at 9 p.m. Parking must be purchased in advance online for $10 at bit.ly/3UKCMz0.

Scripps Ranch

Parade: The Scripps Ranch Civic Association Fourth of July Parade, themed “Yeehaw! Red, White, and Boots: Honoring American Cowboys,” begins at 10 a.m. July 4 at Red Cedar Drive and Ironwood Road and ends at Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Aviary Drive by Hoyt Park. After-parade festivities are at 11 a.m. at Hoyt Park. Free admission; donations appreciated. Visit scrippsranch.org/join.

Scripps Ranch Old Pro 4th of July Run and Ride: The event includes a 10K race and 2-mile Fun Run, along with 12-mile and 35-mile bike rides, as well as a 25-mile Gravel Ride. Visit runride.org.

University City

5K and 1-mile Fun Run-UC Celebration: 6:45 to 9 a.m. July 4 at Standley Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive. The start location is near the baseball field behind the new pool at Standley Park. Tickets are $20. Bib pickups (and walk-up registrations) from 5 to 7 p.m. July 3 and day of race starting at 6:30 a.m. Online registration is encouraged. Visit uccelebration.com.

Valley Center

No parade is planned for the Fourth of July weekend this year.

Uncle Sam stiltwalker: To celebrate the Fourth of July, Harrah’s Resort will host an Uncle Sam stilt walker along with a Statue of Liberty stilt walker, who will be walking around the resort, 777 S. Resort Drive, from 6 to 9 p.m. July 1 and 1 to 4 p.m. July 4. (No fireworks this year, but there will be firecracker shrimp at The Cafe, $25).

Vista

Independence Day Celebration with Fireworks: Fireworks will go off 9 p.m. July 4 at Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. The park will open at 7 a.m. Live music by The Cassie B Project is at 7:35 p.m. and again after the fireworks. Admission to the Moonlight Amphitheatre is $5 per person at the entrance starting at 5 p.m. No advance online ticket sales. The Moonlight’s Bread and Cheese eatery will sell a variety of food, refreshments, beer and wine. Alcohol cannot be brought into the park. Free parking. Visit
cityofvista.com/july4.

If you would like to add a communitywide Independence Day activity, email [email protected].