For America’s 250th birthday, cities across Orange County are celebrating with fireworks shows, parades, live music, food vendors and more.
Independence Day commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 — 250 years ago.
While many cities are hosting official firework shows, Laguna Niguel is hosting a drone show instead — ditching the explosives that pose a fire risk.
Cities like Laguna Beach and Irvine have hosted Independence Day drone shows in the past, but they aren’t returning this year.
The drone show met mixed reviews in Laguna Beach, with city leaders ditching the drones for traditional fireworks after a one-off trial in 2024.
In Irvine, officials ran out of time to host a large-scale celebration at the Great Park like last year, ditching the city-sponsored event altogether that had its inaugural trial last year.
[Read: Irvine Leaders Nix Fourth of July Celebration Ahead of USA’s 250th Birthday]
It also comes as cities crack down on illegal fireworks, upping fines for residents who don’t comply with local fireworks laws.
[Read: Orange County Gears up For Illegal Fireworks Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday]
Here’s where you can find fireworks shows near you in Orange County on July 3 and 4, 2026.
An annual firework show at Founders Park in Ladera Ranch on Thursday, June 4, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA Voice of OC.
North Orange County
Anaheim
Anaheim is hosting celebrations at Canyon High School and Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim Hills. The Firecracker 5K/10K run and walk starts at 7 a.m. with check-in starting at 5 a.m. The Yankee Doodle Dog Show is a crowd favorite at 9 a.m. at Canyon High. The Fourth of July parade begins at 1 p.m. at Canyon High, and music and food at Peralta Canyon Park start at 3 p.m. — ahead of fireworks at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Peralta Canyon Park, 115 N. Pinney Drive
Cypress
The City of Cypress is set to host a Salute to America event on July 3 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. — celebrating both America’s 250th birthday and Cypress’s 70th birthday. It’s expected to feature community games and live music ahead of the fireworks display at 9 p.m.
When: Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m.
Where: Cypress College, 9200 Valley View Street
Fullerton
Fullerton’s Independence Day Celebration will begin with a bike parade at 10 a.m. followed by a DJ set at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. The July 4 event will feature fireworks only. There will be no food vendors, vendors or live entertainment.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Plaza, 125 E Wilshire Avenue
La Habra
La Habra’s Fourth of July celebration begins at 4 p.m. and is expected to feature live music, food and retail vendors, games and a WWII Texan Aircraft Flyover with fireworks at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: La Bonita Park, 1440 W Whittier Boulevard
Los Alamitos & Seal Beach
The cities of Los Alamitos and Seal Beach are jointly hosting a fireworks spectacular on July 3. Gates open at approximately 4 p.m. and close at 8:45 p.m. or when the event reaches capacity. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. The event is also expected to feature live music, vendor booths, a beer garden and a food court.
When: Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m.
Where: Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, enter through Lexington or Orangewood gates
Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda is hosting a Fourth of July Spectacular Event beginning at 5 p.m. with food vendors, family activities, a kids zone, live music and a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park and Yorba Linda Middle School, 4777 Casa Loma Avenue
Central Orange County
Costa Mesa
The City of Costa Mesa is hosting a free Independence Day Community Celebration on July 3 at the OC Fairgrounds. The event will feature live music, food and drink and kids’ activities starting at 5 p.m. with the fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m.
When: Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m.
Where: OC Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive
Santa Ana
Evangelina Chavez, 5, and her grandmother Felicitas Carachure at the 2024 4th of July celebration at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday at the city of Santa Ana’s annual Fourth of July Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. with live music, food vendors, inflatables and a fireworks finale at 8:45 p.m. There will also be a patriotic pup contest at 6:45 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Avenue
Tustin
Tustin’s Fourth of July Celebration is slated to begin at 6 p.m. with live music and food trucks ahead of the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real
Coastal Orange County
Dana Point
A line of people on the bridge over Island Way overlooking an assortment of small boaters and paddle boarders on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA Voice of OC.
People across Dana Point can see the fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m. — fireworks are launched from a barge just off the coastline of Doheny State Beach. Prior to the fireworks, there will be the annual Condor Squadron flyover, featuring WWII North American AT‑6 aircraft soaring above Dana Point from 5:50 to 5:55 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Doheny State Beach
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is hosting the “the largest Independence Day Celebration west of the Mississippi” beginning with the Surf City 5k run at 7 a.m. and the 122nd Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. The pier plaza festival and carnival lasts from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the Main Street block party lasts from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The fireworks over the ocean display begins at 9 p.m. All beach viewing is open to the public, with limited paid tickets for reserved seating on the pier.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Huntington Beach Pier
Newport Beach
The City of Newport Beach is co-sponsoring the fireworks display at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina’s Independence Day on the Back Bay 2026 event. The resort opens at 8 a.m. and the fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m. There will be food trucks, full bars, live entertainment and water sports rentals available.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, 1131 Back Bay Drive
Laguna Beach
A long exposure of nearby fireworks in Laguna Beach on July 4, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Laguna Beach’s fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. from Monument Point in Heisler Park. Areas of Heisler Park, including Monument Point, will be closed all day on July 4. At approximately 5 p.m., Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs at Jasmine Street will be closed to the public to allow for fireworks preparation.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Monument Point in Heisler Park
San Clemente
San Clemente’s Independence Day Fireworks Display begins at 9 p.m. A festive flyover by the Condor Squadron, featuring WWII AT-6 aircraft, will pass over San Clemente at 6 p.m. The entire pier will close and remain closed for the day starting at 8 a.m. Ocean access will be closed from 8 to 10 p.m. within 1,000 feet in both directions of the pier.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: San Clemente Municipal Pier
South Orange County
Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo’s celebration on July 4 will feature live performances, face painting and airbrush tattoo artists, photo booths and other community activities beginning at 4 p.m. with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Grand Park, 6101 City Lights Drive
Irvine
The Pacific Symphony is hosting their annual Fourth of July ticketed event featuring live music and ending with a fireworks display. This is the only Fourth of July event at the Great Park this year.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 8 p.m.
Where: Great Park Live, 250 Corsair
Laguna Hills
Join the City of Laguna Hills for their America250 Fourth of July Celebration, beginning with community events at 4 p.m., live music at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway
Laguna Niguel
A line of chairs in Laguna Niguel being set up around the amphitheater at the Crown Valley Community Centre on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA Voice of OC
Laguna Niguel’s America250 Celebration begins with the 47th Annual 5k at 8 a.m., a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., a flyover at 5:30 p.m. and live music. The city is hosting a drone show in lieu of fireworks that’s set to begin at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m. (drone show)
Where: Crown Valley Park Amphitheater, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway
Mission Viejo
A group of people sit down in the shade at the Fourth of July fair in Mission Viejo on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA Voice of OC.
Mission Viejo is hosting its annual Street Faire & Fireworks Spectacular beginning at noon. The event is expected to feature live entertainment, rides, food trucks and games. More than 40 booths will showcase a feature of crafts and gift items, and the fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.
[Read: Mission Viejo Approves Parade for America’s 250th Birthday]
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Olympiad Road between Marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road
Rancho Santa Margarita
The Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation will host a fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. A patriotic bicycle and tricycle event will start at 10 a.m. with beach club activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The winners of the 2026 Voice of SAMLARC singing contest will also perform a cappella renditions of God Bless America and the Star-Spangled Banner before the 9 p.m. fireworks show.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club, 21472 Avenida De Los Fundadores
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano’s Fourth of July Celebration and Firework Display will begin at 3 p.m. with face painting, electric bumper cars, bounce houses, games, lawn games, food trucks and vendors. Live music begins at 4 p.m. and fireworks are expected to start around 8:45 p.m.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Athletic fields at Marco Forster Middle School, 25601 Camino Del Avion
Angelina Hicks is the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service Editor. Contact her at ahicks@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @angelinahicks13.
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