SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — America’s 250th birthday is right around the corner — which means it’s time to decide how to celebrate.
Luckily, San Diego, with its great weather and spectacular views, has plenty of ways to ring in this Independence Day.
Big Bay Boom
The West Coast’s largest fireworks show is once again lighting up the sky above San Diego Bay.
Big Bay Boom 2026: What to know about San Diego’s largest fireworks show
The fireworks display will launch from four spots on the Bay and will be choreographed to music. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the annual event, which is organized by the Port of San Diego and broadcast by FOX 5.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and includes a special national anthem performance and continues into the evening with a full fireworks show and special guests.
You can watch in person from the San Diego shoreline or from home on the free streaming TV app, FOX 5 KUSI Now.
Stars, Stripes & SEALs
The Navy SEAL Museum is hosting a free, outdoor celebration to celebrate America’s 250th. There will be free food, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, stories from Navy SEAL veterans, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
The event takes place on July 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Navy SEAL Museum is located at 1001 Kettner Blvd. near San Diego’s Embarcadero.
San Diego Symphony America the Beautiful: 250
This nation’s Independence Day isn’t just about the fireworks. Starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the San Diego Symphony will be performing a concert of songs that represent “the sound of our nation” at the Rady Shell.
From “Puttin’ on the Ritz” to “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Stars and Stripes Forever,” each of the songs in the program traces America’s history — from past to present to future.
The waterfront venue will also have a view of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show.
Ticket prices range from about $80 to $140.
4th of July Liberty Station Relay & 5K
This might not be much of a surprise, but San Diego is expected to have great weather for the coming Fourth of July weekend.
If the sunshine inspires you to put on your running shoes and hit the pavement, you can grab your friends and family and head to Liberty Station for this year’s Independence Day relay and 5K.
The start line is at NTC Park, with a start time of 6:30 a.m. for marathon relay and solo start runners, and a start time an hour later for half-marathon relay and solo start runners. The 5K race will start at 8 a.m. in the same spot.
The half-marathon and marathon relay races are unique because they can be done with groups of two to five people. You can sign up here.
Fireworks Spectacular at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
Almost just as quickly as it arrived, the annual San Diego County Fair is almost over. But before the summer festivities end, the fair will host a fireworks spectacular on the Fourth of July.
You can watch the fireworks from any spot inside the fair. If you prefer to sit, you can also purchase tickets to watch the show from the Fair’s Grandstand, which is where its Summer Concert Series and horse races take place.
General admission floor is free for the show, or you can purchase reserved seating for about $30.
The Marine Band San Diego will also be performing from the Corona Grandstand Stage.
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