{"id":384470,"date":"2026-07-03T02:05:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/384470\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T02:05:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:05:26","slug":"best-things-to-do-this-4th-of-july-weekend-in-la-and-socal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/384470\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do this 4th of July weekend in LA and SoCal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy 250th, America! If you\u2019re looking for all the fireworks and drone shows you could want, look no further than our local roundup<\/a>. And read on for more fun July 4 festivities.<\/p>\n

To celebrate with more than the 1812 Overture, Licorice Pizza<\/a> has your music lineup for the long weekend, including the big Hollywood Bowl fireworks night with the Beach Boys, Friday dance parties with GorillaT and friends at Academy L.A. and Kayzo at Exchange L.A. You can also check out Primus with Les Claypool\u2019s Frog Brigade and Lennon Delirium at Long Beach\u2019s F&M Bank Amphitheater. <\/p>\n

The celebration continues Saturday with the L.A. Memorial Coliseum\u2019s big America250 show with Chris Stapleton, the Smashing Pumpkins and Queen Latifah. Finally, on Sunday, what better way to wind down than with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass at the Hollywood Bowl?<\/p>\n

Elsewhere on LAist, you can get tips on going \u201cplastic-free\u201d this July<\/a>, meet the Street Fighter players<\/a> who\u2019ve taken over a secret Koreatown spot and find the best moules frites<\/a> at this San Clemente restaurant.<\/p>\n

Let us help you find the most interesting things to do<\/p>\n

Sign up for the Best Things To Do newsletter, our twice weekly roundup of L.A.’s most interesting events.<\/p>\n

Events<\/p>\n

Angel City FC v. Orlando Pride<\/p>\n

Friday, July 3, 7 p.m.
BMO Stadium\u00a0
3939 S. Figueroa St., Expo Park
COST: $23.90; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Sarah Gorden of Angel City FC prepares to kick the ball during a game between Portland Thorns and Angel City.<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Liza Rosales<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

ISI Photos\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Can\u2019t score a World Cup ticket? Head to BMO and see the hardest-working women in soccer, Angel City FC, take on the Orlando Pride. It\u2019s L.A. Sports Night theme at the game, so get in the football spirit with our local faves.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday, July 5, 1 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre\u00a0
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
COST: $10; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

(<\/p>\n

Criterion Collection<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

IMDB<\/p>\n

)<\/p>\n

Spencer Tracy and company go on a wild goose chase in Stanley Kramer\u2019s classic comedy from 1963. See it in 70mm Ultra Panavision at this special screening, where Kat Kramer, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Jeff Garlin and Barrie Chase will be on hand for a Q&A.<\/p>\n

Asian America the Beautiful\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through Sunday, July 5, sunset to sunrise
JANM
100 North Central Ave., Little Tokyo\u00a0
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re cruising around town this weekend, make sure to swing by the JANM wall, where a powerful slideshow featuring Asian American life and history will be live each night through the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n

We the People\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through Sunday, July 19
LADC Studios
5955 S. Western Ave., South L.A.\u00a0
COST: FREE; MORE INFO<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

A new multimedia exhibit from Community Coalition<\/a> and Sankofa.org<\/a> brings together 35 artists celebrating America through the stories of Black, brown, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized communities. We the People asks, \u201cWho gets to define America?\u201d 250 years in.<\/p>\n

Foodieland Food Festival\u00a0<\/p>\n

Friday to Sunday, July 3 to 5
Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena\u00a0
COST: $12; MORE INFO\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

From dirty soda to a potted ice cream plant, try all the latest in food trends at the weekend-long Foodieland Food Festival at the Rose Bowl. Stalls from dozens of local favorites will put your regular burger and dogs to shame over the holiday weekend \u2014 but of course you can find those, too.<\/p>\n

Anime Expo\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through Sunday, July 5
L.A. Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $97; MORE INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d rather be in Tokyo than in America watching fireworks, all you have to do is head to the Convention Center for the massive Anime Expo. Celebrating all things Japanese anime, the fest features fan meet-and-greets, cosplay events, autograph sessions, conversations with creators and much more.<\/p>\n

July 4 + America 250 Events\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fireworks<\/p>\n

There are countless events around L.A. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, so be sure to check out our full guide<\/a> to the holiday. Here are a few other highlights to explore:<\/p>\n

Torrance\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Torrance is celebrating Independence Day at the L.A. Galaxy Sports Complex with live music by the Satin Dollz, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a fireworks show. And decorate your wagon or stroller for the inaugural Stroller and Wagon Parade.<\/p>\n

Venice Canals<\/a><\/p>\n

I refuse to leave the beach on July 4, so a trip to the annual Rubber Ducky Race in the Venice Canals is a must. Pick and decorate your duck, then watch as it floats through the canals. Truly the weirdest and most wonderful of the July 4 traditions.<\/p>\n

Magic Johnson Park\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Two World Cup games overlap with the big July 4 holiday, and Magic Johnson Park is hosting the official L.A. Fan Fest for the long weekend.<\/p>\n

America 250 Concert<\/a><\/p>\n

Possibly the most eclectic concert lineup you can find, featuring Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Stapleton and Chaka Khan, hosted by Queen Latifah. Sure, why not? Tickets are only $17.76.<\/p>\n

Beach Boys Hollywood Bowl\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Fireworks and the Beach Boys \u2014 celebrate in the most American and Californian way possible at the Hollywood Bowl. Surf\u2019s up!<\/p>\n

Gloria Molina Grand Park Celebration<\/a><\/p>\n

The biggest July 4 party on the West Coast will shut down six blocks of downtown and will feature music, food, a drone show and more.<\/p>\n

Palisades July 4 Parade<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, the Palisades\u2019 wholesome July 4 parade is back and open to all.<\/p>\n

Old Glory Boat Parade<\/a><\/p>\n

Newport Beach\u2019s American Legion Yacht Club hosts its annual boat parade from Lido Isle through Newport Harbor.<\/p>\n