Parades, line dancing and more to do during Fourth of July week in LA and SoCal (2024)

FAQs

What to do on 4th of July in Los Angeles? ›

Marina Del Rey: Watch fireworks from another waterfront location in LA with the annual Fourth of July show in Marina Del Rey. Starting at 9 p.m., this display will be visible from just about anywhere in the city as well as Venice Pier, Playa Vista and Dockweiler Beach.

What is the Fourth of July? The Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain.

June through August marks the peak tourist season. But high temperatures, sometimes heavy smog levels and skyrocketing hotel rates are enough to extinguish anyone's desire to see the city. However, summer offers several fun festivals for visitors to enjoy.

Watch the Fireworks

Of course, no 4th of July is complete without a firework viewing to close out the night. Whether you light them yourself, watch your town's display, or turn on your TV to see them explode across the nation, it's not Independence Day without fireworks lighting up the sky.

Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States.

Play Independence Day games.

You can find a variety of print-at-home games such as 4th of July trivia or Independence Day Bingo. You can also buy a patriotic puzzle to work on together such as putting together a picture of the American flag or a firework mural.

"I stand there and I cry through the national anthem and it's just a wonderful experience." The annual celebration in the waterfront community of Bristol began long before the Fourth of July became a federal holiday, reportedly making it the nation's oldest continuous Independence Day celebration.

Why would someone not celebrate the 4th of July? ›

Political polarization on a range of spending, regulatory and social issues has cast a shadow over our celebrations with some choosing to protest rather than celebrate the Fourth of July in recent years. Polls indicate a growing divide between those who are “extremely proud” to be American and everyone else.

On Independence Day, Americans will enjoy 150 million hot dogs, enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times. During peak hot dog season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs. That's 818 hot dogs consumed every second during that period.

Due to the popularity of the July 4th Fireworks Show, expect heavy traffic delays on the roads surrounding the Marina del Rey area, especially just before and immediately after the fireworks show (9:00 PM – 9:20 PM).

In fact, this Independence Day is projected to be one of the busiest travel days in US history. Nearly 71 million people are expected to travel over the July Fourth holiday period from June 29 to July 7, according to estimates from AAA.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.

July 4th has a lot of fun traditions. Many of us celebrate the Fourth of July every year with fireworks, barbecues, concerts and parades. Growing up, you may have learned why it is we do those things.