Looking for something to do this Independence Day? We have you covered.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the length of the original post, we had to split this list into two posts. Events in cities located in North County and South County can be found in this post. When you click on Central County and The Coast, you will be taken to a new post.
Orange County has a little bit of everything when it comes to Independence Day celebrations.
Starting June 28 and extending to July 6, you have your pick of parades, 5Ks, carnivals, slip and slides, harbor cruises, patriotic concerts, pub crawls, fancy meals, free picnics and yes, fireworks.
We have assembled this comprehensive list that includes it all. (And if we are missing something, email us. We'll add it to the list!)
We created maps and spelled out the details for every event we could find, organized by city. We also did research on the parameters of purchasing and setting off safe and sane fireworks and when and where you can do it.
Find a Celebration Near You
In order to find your local holiday celebrations, we've divided the county into four sectors and created maps to help you find the celebrations near you. Click on the sector name to jump to that section:
NORTH COUNTY
Click on the city name to jump to that section for details:
Brea | Buena Park | Cypress | Fullerton | La Habra | La Palma | Los Alamitos | Placentia | Stanton | Yorba Linda
You can also click on the red icons on the map for details.
Or jump to another section:
Brea
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | Up to $1,000 fine.
JULY 4 | Country Fair
A pancake breakfast, live entertainment, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show, food, games, exhibits and market place area featuring handmade gifts.
City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd., Brea
Schedule
7 a.m – 3 p.m. Fair open
Noon: Swimming at the Plunge opens
COST
Admission to the Country Fair and the Plunge is free.
Buena Park
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
Knott's Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Recommended Viewing Areas
Schedule
10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Park hours
9:30 p.m. FIREWORKS
COSTS
Single day admission | starts at $64.99 when tickets are purchased online.
Parking | $30 per car
Cypress
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | $500 or jail time up to 6 months.
JUNE 28 | Salute to America
Food trucks, entertainment, vendors, live music, a family fun zone and fireworks.
Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St., Cypress; Parking Map
SCHEDULE
5:30 p.m. Festival opens
6 p.m. Leiali'inani Dance Performance
7 p.m. Live music by Family Style
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Fullerton
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
JULY 4 | July 4th Celebration
Event includes carnival rides, games, car show, food booths and free concerts featuring the Scotty Mac Band.
Fullerton Downtown Plaza, 125 E Wilshire Ave., Fullerton
Schedule
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Car show
2 – 9 p.m. Downtown Plaza carnival festivities
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
La Habra
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | $1,000 maximum fine
JULY 4 | 4th of July Celebration
The fireworks show, live music by Past Action Heroes, kids' activity booths, food vendors, general retail vendors and a fireworks show. For activities, Pre-sale wristbands are available at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W La Habra Blvd., La Habra.
La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra
Schedule
4 p.m. Gates open
6 – 8 p.m. Live music by Past Action Heroes
7 p.m. WWII Texan aircraft flyover
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
COST
Wristbands | $6 for youth ages 3-12 years; $8 for adults ages 13+ years. Free for U.S. active duty military, reserves and retired military personnel with military I.D.
Prices increase on July 1.
La Palma
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | Fitness Run For Fun
5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run, Yankee Doodle Dash, pancake breakfast, kids fun zone and an awards ceremony.
La Palma Central Park, 7821 Walker St., La Palma
Schedule
6 a.m. Check In & Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. Start of 5K Run, 5K Walk, & 10K Run (Competitive Events)
7:30 a.m. Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast Begins
8:30 a.m. Kids Fun Zone Opens and the start of the Yankee Doodle Dash
9:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony
COSTs
5Ks and 10K | $38
Yankee Doodle Dash | $10
Pancake Breakfast | $8
Los Alamitos
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
JULY 3 | 3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular
This free event includes a family fun area, static displays, live entertainment, food and commercial vendors. No pets allowed. Minors without an I.D. must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. (No bleacher or drive-up seating.)
Joint Forces Training Base, 11206 Lexington Drive, Los Alamitos
Enter through Lexington or Orangewood gates. Vehicles are subject to random inspection.
July 3 Schedule
4 p.m. Gates open - no reservations required
8:30 p.m. or when event reaches capacity: Gates close
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Placentia
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
City Celebrations
No community celebration planned in this city.
Stanton
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
City Celebrations
No community celebration planned in this city.
Yorba Linda
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | July 4th Spectacular
This free event will feature a live band, family activities, kids fun zone and food trucks.
Veterans Park, 4756 Valley View Ave., Yorba Linda
Schedule
5 p.m. Events begin
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
SOUTH COUNTY
Click on the city name to jump to that section for details:
Aliso Viejo | Ladera Ranch | Laguna Hills | Laguna Niguel | Laguna Woods | Lake Forest | Mission Viejo | Rancho Santa Margarita | Rancho Mission Viejo | San Juan Capistrano
You can also click on the red icons on the map for details.
Or jump to another section: