From a 90-foot-long slide in Downtown L.A. to a rooftop barbecue 34 stories up, here’s where to ring in Independence Day across the city
As the nation’s 250th anniversary approaches, Los Angeles is bracing for a weekend of parades, pool parties and community festivities to mark a milestone Independence Day. Take a look for how to celebrate below.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, El Segundo’s Recreation, Parks and Library Department hosts a series of daytime events at Stevenson Field. Residents of the city can receive four free wristbands per adult to participate in hula hoop and watermelon eating contests, a water balloon toss, a three-legged sack race, toddler and youth races and a “diaper derby” for crawling kids. General admission wristbands can also be purchased for $5.
Credit: FoodieLand
The nation’s largest food festival sets up at Rose Bowl Stadium Friday through Sunday, offering more than 250 vendors with flavors from around the globe as well as artisan shops, games and live music. Tickets are $12 and the festival opens at 3 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, running until 10 p.m. all weekend for flavorful Fourth of July festivities.
Credit: John McCoy
This block party marks the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast, complete with live music, food trucks, DJs, a drone show and a 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel with a 90-foot-long “super slide.” Festivities begin on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Downtown L.A. and end at 9:30 p.m.
Credit: Courtesy Level 8
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Australian DJ and producer Young Franco brings disco, hip-hop and dance music to the open-air rooftop pool deck inside Level 8, Downtown L.A.’s immersive dining and entertainment venue. From 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, guests can enjoy unmatched skyline views, flowing cocktails and poolside cabanas for $29 a ticket.
Credit: Courtesy Hotel Ziggy
West Hollywood’s Hotel Ziggy celebrates both the holiday and L.A. Black Pride on Saturday afternoon at its courtyard pool, filled with sunshine, music, cocktails and live performances from Derek Monteiro and DJ Sedrick. The party runs from 2 to 7 p.m. with tickets available online for $18.
Credit: Moxy + AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
The La Lo La Rooftop at Moxy and AC Hotel in Downtown L.A. celebrates the Fourth with a barbecue buffet featuring mini Chicago dogs, watermelon gazpacho shooters and grilled meat galore. Guests can enjoy fireworks from 34 stories up, as well as a premium open bar and live DJ entertainment from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are available online for $177 per person.
Credit: © California State Parks, all rights reserved.
Malibu welcomes any and all car lovers for its 27th annual July 4 parade at 10 a.m., followed by a community-wide picnic and various festivities at Point Dume. Attendees are encouraged to register their cars, golf carts and floats for a chance to win an award after the parade at noon on Saturday.
The Pacific Palisades July 4 parade is finally back for its 77th annual run, beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday for pedestrians or those who opt to enter a float, march in a band or drive a classic car. The parade concludes with evening celebrations at Palisades High School, featuring food trucks, live DJs and a special drone show, with tickets starting at $16 online.
Credit: City of Santa Monica
The city of Santa Monica commemorates both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday with its own parade down Main Street on Saturday morning. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. and attendees can sponsor, volunteer or simply participate. Entry fees start at $50 for walking groups of fewer than 15.
Credit: Terranea Resort
Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers an evening of waterfront festivities for the whole family. From 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, guests can enjoy a backyard barbecue, live musical entertainment, line dancing instruction and an all-ages magic show, closing out the night with fireworks over the Pacific Ocean. Tickets are available online at $83 for adults and $50 for children.
Santa Monica’s beachfront hotel partners with music group SHADES L.A. to host an Independence Day pool party on Viceroy’s deck from 2 to 8 p.m., offering house music from DJ Veggi, poolside cocktails, lawn games, VIP cabanas and a World Cup watch party. Hotel guests receive complimentary admission while general tickets are available online for $25.
Credit: JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS
This year’s Fourth of July coincides with two World Cup matches. Devoted soccer fans can support the games at a two-day free watch party at Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, featuring live music, food trucks and a community marketplace. Santa Monica also hosts a post-parade World Cup celebration at Tongva Park from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those hoping to keep the party going.