Looking for something to do this Independence Day? We have you covered.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the length of the original post, we had to split this list into two posts. Events in cities located in North County and South County can be found in this post. When you click on Central County and The Coast, you will be taken to a new post.
Orange County has a little bit of everything when it comes to Independence Day celebrations.
Starting June 28 and extending to July 6, you have your pick of parades, 5Ks, carnivals, slip and slides, harbor cruises, patriotic concerts, pub crawls, fancy meals, free picnics and yes, fireworks.
We have assembled this comprehensive list that includes it all. (And if we are missing something, email us. We'll add it to the list!)
We created maps and spelled out the details for every event we could find, organized by city. We also did research on the parameters of purchasing and setting off safe and sane fireworks and when and where you can do it.
Find a Celebration Near You
In order to find your local holiday celebrations, we've divided the county into four sectors and created maps to help you find the celebrations near you. Click on the sector name to jump to that section:
NORTH COUNTY
Click on the city name to jump to that section for details:
Brea | Buena Park | Cypress | Fullerton | La Habra | La Palma | Los Alamitos | Placentia | Stanton | Yorba Linda
You can also click on the red icons on the map for details.
Or jump to another section:
Brea
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | Up to $1,000 fine.
JULY 4 | Country Fair
A pancake breakfast, live entertainment, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show, food, games, exhibits and market place area featuring handmade gifts.
City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd., Brea
Schedule
7 a.m – 3 p.m. Fair open
Noon: Swimming at the Plunge opens
COST
Admission to the Country Fair and the Plunge is free.
Buena Park
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
Knott's Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Recommended Viewing Areas
Schedule
10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Park hours
9:30 p.m. FIREWORKS
COSTS
Single day admission | starts at $64.99 when tickets are purchased online.
Parking | $30 per car
Cypress
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | $500 or jail time up to 6 months.
JUNE 28 | Salute to America
Food trucks, entertainment, vendors, live music, a family fun zone and fireworks.
Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St., Cypress; Parking Map
SCHEDULE
5:30 p.m. Festival opens
6 p.m. Leiali'inani Dance Performance
7 p.m. Live music by Family Style
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Fullerton
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
JULY 4 | July 4th Celebration
Event includes carnival rides, games, car show, food booths and free concerts featuring the Scotty Mac Band.
Fullerton Downtown Plaza, 125 E Wilshire Ave., Fullerton
Schedule
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Car show
2 – 9 p.m. Downtown Plaza carnival festivities
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
La Habra
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use or Possession | $1,000 maximum fine
JULY 4 | 4th of July Celebration
The fireworks show, live music by Past Action Heroes, kids' activity booths, food vendors, general retail vendors and a fireworks show. For activities, Pre-sale wristbands are available at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W La Habra Blvd., La Habra.
La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra
Schedule
4 p.m. Gates open
6 – 8 p.m. Live music by Past Action Heroes
7 p.m. WWII Texan aircraft flyover
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
COST
Wristbands | $6 for youth ages 3-12 years; $8 for adults ages 13+ years. Free for U.S. active duty military, reserves and retired military personnel with military I.D.
Prices increase on July 1.
La Palma
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | Fitness Run For Fun
5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run, Yankee Doodle Dash, pancake breakfast, kids fun zone and an awards ceremony.
La Palma Central Park, 7821 Walker St., La Palma
Schedule
6 a.m. Check In & Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. Start of 5K Run, 5K Walk, & 10K Run (Competitive Events)
7:30 a.m. Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast Begins
8:30 a.m. Kids Fun Zone Opens and the start of the Yankee Doodle Dash
9:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony
COSTs
5Ks and 10K | $38
Yankee Doodle Dash | $10
Pancake Breakfast | $8
Los Alamitos
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
JULY 3 | 3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular
This free event includes a family fun area, static displays, live entertainment, food and commercial vendors. No pets allowed. Minors without an I.D. must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. (No bleacher or drive-up seating.)
Joint Forces Training Base, 11206 Lexington Drive, Los Alamitos
Enter through Lexington or Orangewood gates. Vehicles are subject to random inspection.
July 3 Schedule
4 p.m. Gates open - no reservations required
8:30 p.m. or when event reaches capacity: Gates close
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Placentia
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
City Celebrations
No community celebration planned in this city.
Stanton
Personal fireworks are LEGAL in this city.
Jump to our FIREWORKS STANDS section for a map and details.
City Celebrations
No community celebration planned in this city.
Yorba Linda
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | July 4th Spectacular
This free event will feature a live band, family activities, kids fun zone and food trucks.
Veterans Park, 4756 Valley View Ave., Yorba Linda
Schedule
5 p.m. Events begin
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
SOUTH COUNTY
Click on the city name to jump to that section for details:
Aliso Viejo | Ladera Ranch | Laguna Hills | Laguna Niguel | Laguna Woods | Lake Forest | Mission Viejo | Rancho Santa Margarita | Rancho Mission Viejo | San Juan Capistrano
You can also click on the red icons on the map for details.
Or jump to another section:
Aliso Viejo
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Evening activities include community booths, children’s crafts, face painting, balloon twisters, airbrush tattoo artists, carnival games and fireworks.
Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater, 6101 City Lights Drive, Aliso Viejo
Grand Avenue will be closed from City Lights Drive to Vantis on the day of the event from 5:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. for ALL traffic – this includes bikes, cars and pedestrians.
SCHEDULE
6 p.m. Grand Park opens
7 p.m. Live entertainment begins
9 p.m. Low-level FIREWORKS
Ladera Ranch
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Illegal Fireworks Use | $1,000
5K, 10K, and kids' dash runs in the morning followed by a community parade. Afternoon activities include: an inflatable slide, giant slide, a rock wall, carnival games and rides, airbrush artists, caricature artists and face painters. Fireworks start when it is dark.
Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Blvd., Ladera Ranch
Schedule
7 a.m. 10K Freedom Run
8:30 a.m. 5K Freedom Run
9:30 a.m. 1K Kids' Firecracker Dash
10:30 a.m. Community Parade
4 – 8 p.m. Games and Activities
4 – 9 p.m. Food Trucks
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Cupcake Bake-Off
5 – 8 p.m. Teen Zone (Free, Grades 6 - 12)
6 p.m. Concert (Undercover - Top 40)
Dark - Fireworks
COSTs
NOTE: This is a cashless event. Credit cards only.
Children's Activity Wristbands | $18, available for purchase at the event
Individual Tickets | $1
Laguna Hills
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | 4th of July Celebration
Carnival rides and games, live band, food trucks and fireworks.
Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills
Schedule
4 p.m. Carnival Starts
6 p.m. Live band starts
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
COST
Carnival rides | $2 each
Bounce house and games | Free
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Laguna Niguel
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | 4th of July Festivities in the Parks
Pancake breakfast, expo and YMCA run in the morning. In the evening, acrobatic planes with smoke will fly over Crown Valley Parkway from the 5 freeway to PCH, summer concert by The Suffragettes. After the concert, the city suggests taking a walk on the trail to the regional park (3/4 mile each way) to view the fireworks. Flashlights and BYO seating are recommended.
Schedule
Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Pancake breakfast and expo (in the lower soccer field)
5:30 p.m. Patriotic Flyover – best visibility from the Crown Valley Park Amphitheater
6 – 8 p.m. Summer Concert: The Suffragettes
Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
8 – 11 a.m. YMCA Run in the Parks
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Special Viewing Locations
Crown Valley Community Center's Saddleback Deck, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. Ultimate Viewing Experience includes appetizers, desserts, refreshments, no-host cash bar, giveaways and more.
7:30 – 10 p.m. Deck open
COSTs
Parking at all parks | $7
Pancake Breakfast | $9
YMCA Run | $50 registration for 5K; $30 registration for kids race
Ultimate Viewing Experience | $20
Laguna Woods
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Laguna Woods residents are encouraged to decorate their golf carts with patriotic pride (no political decor is permitted) and participate in the annual golf cart parade. To participate, register your cart by June 1.
The parade is followed by a concert at Clubhouse 2. Lunch will be available to purchase from 19 Restaurant during the concert. Ice cream will be available for purchase from Handel’s Ice Cream Stand.
SCHEDULE
11 – 11:45 a.m. Golf Cart Parade – Route Map
Clubhouse 2, 29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
Noon – 2 p.m. Stone Soul concert
Lake Forest
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
The El Toro Chargers 5K/1K takes place mostly on Lake Forest Drive, starting at Trabuco Drive. The parade begins after with a route that begins and ends year El Toro High School.
El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest
SCHEDULE
The race begins and ends on Lake Forest Drive between Chinook and Trabuco.
7 a.m. 5K starts
8 a.m. 1K starts
8:15 a.m. Awards ceremony
The parade route is located on Toledo Way, Serrano Road, Ridge Route and Lake Forest.
9:30 a.m. Parade starts
COST
Online race registration through July 2 | $50 non-student (5K), $20 student (5K and 1K)
Online race registration on July 3 | $60 non-student (5K), $25 student (5K and 1K)
The Lake Forest II Sun and Sail Club will present live music, food trucks, bars, remote control car racing, inflatables, face painting, a petting zoo, a puppy party and fireworks.
Lake Forest II Sun and Sail Club, 24752 Toledo Way, Lake Forest
Schedule
Noon: Doors open
2 p.m. Face painting and puppy party begins
6 p.m. Live band starts
7 p.m. Family fun area closes
8 p.m. Pools and bars close
8:45 p.m. FIREWORKS
COST
Wristbands | Guests, $25 at the door. LF2 Members, free.
Mission Viejo
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city
Live entertainment, DJ, rides, game booths, vendor booths and food trucks.
On Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda, Mission Viejo. Free shuttle service available with stops located around Lake Mission Viejo. Click here for the shuttle route.
SCHEDULE
Noon: Street Faire opens
1 – 8 p.m. Shuttle service
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
COSTs
Admission | free
Tickets available for rides and games.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
Rancho Santa Margarita will celebrate Independence Day over two days. Blankets can be placed around the Lake beginning at 6 a.m. on July 4 and may be left there until after the fireworks show on July 5.
July 4 will start with a bike and trike parade around the lake. Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club will be open on a first-come, first-served based on facility capacity (no wristbands required) with activities in the afternoon. There will be no fireworks show on this day.
July 5 will give access to the Beach Club only to authorized members who have acquired wristbands during the day. Activities around the lake for non-members start in the afternoon The fireworks show will be in the evening.
Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club, 21472 Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita
SCHEDULE
6 a.m. Picnic blanket placement allowed
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Beach Club opens
10 a.m. Patriotic Bike and Trike Parade around the lake
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Activities at the Beach Club
Noon – 5 p.m. Watercraft available
NO FIREWORKS on July 4.
SCHEDULE
11 a.m. Beach Club opens. Exclusive Beach Club access, limited to authorized members with wristbands only.
Noon – 5 p.m. Watercraft available
3 p.m. Activities begin
5 – 8 p.m. Lakeshore fun
8:45 p.m. Beach Club gates will be locked
8:50 p.m. Patriotic Tunes
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
Rancho Mission Viejo
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
City Celebrations
No community celebration planned in this city.
San Juan Capistrano
Personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in this city.
JULY 4 | Fourth of July Celebration '24
The event includes live entertainment, activities, face painting, free bounce houses and youth activities, and food trucks. There will also be a small vendor area for attendees to support local businesses and non-profit organizations.
Marco Forster Middle School, 25601 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano
SCHEDULE
2 – 9:30 p.m. Carnival opens
2:30 p.m. Live music begins
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
PARKING/TROLLIES
Trolley Map: Parking is free and the summer trolley will be in operation from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 4.
Jump to another section:
FIREWORKS STANDS
The legality of selling and setting off fireworks varies from city to city.
We have put together this list of all the cities in Orange County in 2024 where you can purchase your own fireworks and set them off.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, only the cities listed below allow the the sale and discharge of personal fireworks. They are illegal in all other cities.
Personal fireworks must be certified with the "Safe and Sane" seal. A firework is considered illegal if it can leave the ground or explode. Illegal fireworks include those described as cherry bombs, bottle rockets, mortars, aerial shells, M-80s, and firecrackers.
For details, the OCFA safety guidelines for discharging fireworks.
Click on the green icons on the map for locations and sale hours.
See the list below the map for details about when you can discharge your personal fireworks, and the fines to expect in each city for discharging illegal fireworks or misusing fireworks in any way.
Anaheim
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
FINES
Illegal Fireworks | $1,000 first offense; $2,000 second offense; $3,000 third offense
Safe and Sane Misuse | $250 first offense; $500 second offense; $1,000 third offense
Buena Park
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $1,000 fine.
Costa Mesa
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 2 – 4 | 4 to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: May result in a $1,000 fine and jail time.
Fountain Valley
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 2 – 4 | 4 to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $1,000 fine.
Fullerton
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $1,000 fine. Fireworks are not allowed in the areas marked on this map.
Garden Grove
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $1,000 fine. Multiple fines will be given to repeat offenders.
Huntington Beach
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | Noon to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $500 fine.
Los Alamitos
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Santa Ana
SALE and DISCHARGE HOURS:
July 1 | Noon to 10 p.m.
July 2 – 3 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July 4 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: May result in a $1,000 fine and jail time.
Stanton
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 1 – 4 | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: Fines range from $1,000 – $80,000 per violation.
Villa Park
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | Noon to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $500 fine or imprisonment.
Westminster
DISCHARGE HOURS: July 4 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND MISUSE: $1,000 fine
