Get comfortable, patriots. This one\u2019s going to take awhile. <\/p>\n
With Independence Day on a weekend this year, that means a whole other set of events on top of the usual Americaness goings-on. So to keep things organized, we\u2019ll go through the list of events with fireworks around the county before segueing into the events rundown.<\/p>\n
July 4th Fireworks Events<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re going to a theme park on the 4th, both Legoland<\/a> and SeaWorld<\/a> will have fireworks events as part of their activities that day. <\/p>\n As far as bigger events go:<\/p>\n San Diego County Fair:<\/a> The monthlong event culminates, as it does every year, with the big fireworks show starting at 9 p.m. near the Grandstand Stage, with live music from Marine Band San Diego kicking the event off at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The Big Bay Boom:<\/a> If you\u2019re around downtown San Diego, of course, this will be the biggest event of the night, with the fireworks show kicking off around 9:15 p.m. The event will air live on Fox 5 and stream on the Fox 5\/KUSI NOW app. But if you\u2019re looking to watch in person, organizers recommend being on the water in San Diego Bay, or post up along these vantage points: <\/p>\n The Coronado Ferry Landing<\/p>\n Harbor Island<\/p>\n Marina District<\/p>\n North Embarcadero<\/p>\n Shelter Island<\/p>\n If you want to go to something with more of a neighborly feel, these communities around San Diego Counties are putting on their own events, with fireworks at 9 p.m. unless noted otherwise:<\/p>\n Chula Vista will have its \u201cFourth Fest\u201d<\/a> picnic at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (2800 Olympic Pkwy.) starting at 7 p.m.; their fireworks show will feature a \u201ccustom bilingual soundtrack\u201d from Amor 102.9 FM.<\/a> Parking is free, but only 600 spots will be available at the venue. Organizers also advise: \u201cno alcohol, drones, animals, tents, umbrellas or skateboards\u201d will be permitted on site.<\/p>\n Coronado<\/a> will kick its festivities off at 7:30 a.m. leading up to its 77th annual Independence Day Parade three hours later. That afternoon will see live entertainment at Spreckels Park from 2 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. before the fireworks get under way.<\/p>\n El Cajon\u2019s<\/a> celebration starts at 3 p.m. at Kennedy Park (1675 E. Madison Ave.) and will include games for the family as well as train rides and live sets from DJ Danny.<\/p>\n In La Jolla, residents will have the annual Bird Rock<\/a> Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. to mark the occasion by day, leading into the Beach and Barber Tract<\/a> community celebration and the return<\/a> of the \u201cLa Jolla Sky Show\u201d at the Beach & Tennis Club; organizers say<\/a> the show will begin at 8:45 p.m.<\/p>\n As you read this, National City will be in the midst of its 80th annual 4th of July Carnival, <\/a>which began on July 1 and will run through July 5 at Kimball Park<\/a> on 12th St. with rides and vendors and live entertainment leading up to the fireworks show, running until 11 p.m. each night. Admission to the fair is free, and you can buy wristbands allowing you to enjoy the rides for $40.<\/p>\n Poway will have its \u201cOld Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration\u201d<\/a> from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Rd.) with fireworks at the Poway Sportsplex<\/a> (12349 McIvers Ct.) and Poway High School.<\/p>\n Rancho Bernardo\u2019s \u201cSpirit Of The Fourth\u201d<\/a> festivities begin at 9 a.m. at Webb Park,<\/a> with a parade kicking off at 3:30 p.m. and live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. building to their fireworks show.<\/p>\n San Marcos will hold its annual \u201cRed, White and BOOM!\u201d<\/a> celebration at Bradley Park (1587 Linda Vista Dr.) starting at 5 p.m. Beach chairs and blankets are encouraged.<\/p>\n \u201cSantee Salutes \u2013 America250\u2033<\/a> kicks off at 2 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Dr.) with food vendors (including CAKED,<\/a> which we recently profiled) opening at 4 p.m., and live entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. prior to the fireworks.<\/p>\n Vista<\/a> will have both indoor and outdoor parties this year; Brengle Terrace Park (1200 Vale Terrace Dr.) will be open to visitors at 7 a.m., with entertainment at the Moonlight Ampitheatre<\/a> next door from Cassie B<\/a> at 7:35 p.m. Admission to the park is free of course, but tickets to the show at the Moonlight will cost $5.<\/p>\n And now on to other events this weekend, including 4th of July parties that won\u2019t include fireworks:<\/p>\n Friday, July 3<\/p>\n Anchored in Freedom:<\/a> Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station (2751 Dewey Rd.) will be the site of a 1 p.m. parade with a patriotic theme, which will segue into a community festival from 3-5 p.m. No cost to attend.<\/p>\n Gothic Summer Dance Party IV:<\/a> Bringing a little bit of sunniness into the darkness, beach attire will be \u201csuggested but not required\u201d at The Casbah<\/a> (2501 Kettner Blvd.) for the first of two soirees over the weekend, starting at 9 p.m with music provided by a quintet of DJs: Vaughn Avakian, Gothcheeze, Javi Nunez, 7th Stranger, and Robin Roth. Tickets<\/a> cost $15.46 in advance.<\/p>\n The following night, things get a bit more day-glo with Dance Dance To The Radio,<\/a> an 80\u2019s themed event with DJs Saul Q, Bibi Cobra and Anahuac in the main room and an all-vinyl set from members of the Chulita Vinyl Club<\/a> in the Razzmatazz Room. Tickets<\/a> cost $13.40.<\/p>\n LGBTQIA+ Mini-Market:<\/a> East Village Brew<\/a> (201 Park Blvd. Suite 101) will host an array of vendors from 4-8 p.m., with a portion of the proceeds going to The Trevor Project.<\/a><\/p>\n Mira Mesa Independence Day Celebration:<\/a> This free event starts at 4 p.m. at Hourglass Park (10440 Black Mountain Rd.) with a community picnic featuring a kid\u2019s zone, vendors and food trucks leading up to fireworks at 9 p.m. that will be set off at Wangenheim Middle School\u00a0(9230 Gold Coast Dr.)<\/p>\n Oceanside Fireworks & Drone Display:<\/a> City officials moved the local July 4th party up a day, citing the high amount of people they expect to hit the beach the following day. The event starts at 4 p.m. at the SoCal Soccer Complex (3300 El Corazon Dr.), with the fireworks lighting up the sky beginning at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Puta Lucha!:<\/a> For something completely different, Dragpocalypse presents \u201cThe Final Reckoning,\u201d a battle between Arrietty and Vivvi The Force for the Puta Lucha championship at the Brass Rail (3796 Fifth Ave.) in Hillcrest. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the card starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets<\/a> start at $16.50<\/p>\n Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n Crown City Classic:<\/a> As noted above, Coronado will have its own Independence Day celebration going all day. But that morning will also see the 53rd edition of this 5K and 12K racing event along Coronado Bay, with the start and finish line both at Tidelands Park<\/a> (2000 Mullinex Dr.)<\/p>\n Julian 4th of July Parade:<\/a> Main Street will close to vehicle traffic at 9 a.m. in anticipation of this annual event, which will include pie-eating contests and live music before the parade starts around noon. <\/p>\n Sunday, July 5<\/p>\n Art For All\u2019s LGBTQ+ Celebration:<\/a> The Oceanside Museum of Art (704 Pier View Way) is inviting visitors to create their own Pride-themed items for this installment of their monthly Free First Sunday series, meaning no admission charge. The event runs from noon to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Gray Area Market:<\/a> The monthly showcase for vintage items and food vendors sets up shop again at the Normal Heights Masonic Center (3366 Adams Ave.) from 1-5 p.m. No charge to attend.<\/p>\n Mexico vs England: With El Tri advancing deeper into the 2026 Men\u2019s World Cup, their Round of 16 clash with the Three Lions<\/a> at 5 p.m. could draw the biggest crowd of the whole tournament. Barrio Logan in particular will have two watch parties going; Fonda del Barrio<\/a> (2234 Logan Ave.) will have happy hour deals when the doors open at 4 p.m. as well as free \u201cappetizer bites\u201d for everyone in the house every time Mexico scores. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for something al fresco, there will be a free watch party on Chicano Park Blvd.<\/a> under the neighborhood gateway sign (between Main St. & Newton Ave.) with guests encouraged to bring their own chairs and snacks.<\/p>\n