A complete list for 2018 of where to watch fireworks on July 4th in San Diego, plus events and festivities taking place throughout the county.
Wherever you watch fireworks, you can hear the official July 4th Fireworks soundtrack starting at 9pm on AM 600 KOGO - listen on the radio, in your car, on your phone or smart speaking, basically anywhere with the iHeartRadio App. Have a happy and safe Independence Day San Diego!
SAN DIEGO
ANNUAL BIG BAY BOOM JULY 4 FIREWORKS SHOW
Location: Multiple Locations along San Diego Bay
Time: 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Take in the largest display in the county. With fireworks launched from four barges strategically placed around North San Diego Bay, they can be seen from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area and Seaport Village/Coronado Landing.
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Location: SeaWorld San Diego - 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
SeaWorld will celebrate Independence Day with a 6-minute display of fireworks set to a musical soundtrack, starting at 9:40 PM on July 4
OCEAN BEACH JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Location: Ocean Beach Pier at the end of Newport Ave.
Time: 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Spend the day picnicking, swimming in the ocean, walking and playing in the sand and shopping along Newport Ave. Then bundle up as the sun sets and pull up a blanket for a really spectacular fireworks show launched from the OB Pier.
OLD TOWN 4TH OF JULY
Location: Old Town State Historic Park
Time: 11:00 AM
Fireworks: No
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is hosting a free, old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration where visitors will be able to experience an unique special event where park staff and volunteers try to capture how early San Diego residents would have celebrated their Independence Day; through games, period clothing, demonstrations, music, and dance.
The event will kick off at 11:00 AM with a brass band followed by patriotic speeches, and a flag raising. One of the highlights of the day is our annual Fourth of July parade around the plaza. Following the parade is a Contra dance where visitors are encouraged to kick up their heels and join in.
Nineteenth century crafts, games, contests, and demonstrations are presented throughout the day including an egg toss, cow chip throwing, and cherry pit spitting. The event concludes with a pie eating contest. All activities are geared toward children and adults of all ages.
CORONADO
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN CORONADO
Location: Various Locations on Coronado
Time: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Celebrate the 4th of July in the Crown City including a parade down Orange Avenue at 10:00 AM, a concert in Spreckels Park at 4:00 PM and fireworks over Glorietta Bay at 9:00 PM.
CORONADO 60TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY ROUGH WATER SWIM
Location: Central Beach
Time: Check-in 7:30am
Fireworks: No
Coronado’s Annual 4th of July Rough Water Swim has a great history and this year marks our 60TH year hosting this amazingly patriotic swim. Swimmers of all ages and abilities compete in a variety of distances. All participants receive an event t-shirt (not guaranteed for day-of registrations), finisher medal, and swim cap. This ocean swim is a fantastic way to start the July 4th holiday! Check in starts at 7:00am on July 4th. Early check-in is available on July 3, from 4:30-6;30pm at BBMAC pool 818 Sixth Street Coronado High school pool.
CROWN CITY CLASSIC 4TH OF JULY RACE
Location: Coronado Tidelands Park
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 AM
Fireworks: No
Kickoff your Independence Day celebration with the 44th annual run through the historic town of Coronado. The Crown City Classic features a 12K and 5K distance. Why a 12K distance? Because nothing is more patriotic than running 7.4 miles on 7/4, in one of America’s most patriotic cities!
NORTH COASTAL
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds - 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014
Time: Starts at 10:00 AM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Independence Day is one of the best days to come to the Fair, because they pull out all the stops with food, fireworks at 9:00 PM, entertainment and more.
RED, WHITE AND BOOM!
Location: LEGOLAND California - One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Time: 1:00 to 9:00 PM, Fireworks at 8:30 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The summer heats up at LEGOLAND® with a star-spangled Fourth of July celebration, Red, White and BOOM!
Don't miss Fireworks set to a patriotic musical tribute with great viewing in designated locations throughout the Park. Throughout the day, kids of all ages can enjoy performances, meet their favorite LEGO® Friends and Characters, and participate in all-American family picnic games, like water-balloon tosses, burlap sack races, the Family Build Challenge and LEGO Hamburger relay. NEW this year, a patriotic costume parade! Come dressed in your favorite Red, White and Blue attire.
The celebration lasts from 1:00pm to 9:00pm with fireworks at 8:30pm. All Red, White and BOOM! activities are included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California
RANCHO SANTA FE'S ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY PARADE & PICNIC
Location: 16948 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Fireworks: No
Pack a few blankets and chairs for Rancho Santa Fe's Annual 4th of July Parade & Picnic with live music, food, fun and more. Complete with floats, classic cars, honor guard, horses, live music and great food.
OCEANSIDE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Location: North on South Coast Hwy 101 from Wisconsin Ave to Pier View Way (just before City Hall)
Date: June 30, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
Fireworks: No
The 24th Annual Oceanside Independence Parade on June 30, 2018, as it marches up Coast Highway from Wisconsin Street to Civic Center Drive (just past City Hall). First unit steps off at 10 a.m.
OCEANSIDE FIREWORKS SHOW
Location: El Corazon Site at Rancho Del Oro Drive
Date: July 3, 2018
Time: 6:00 to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The public is invited to the City of Oceanside Fireworks Show on July 3, 2016 from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Spectators are encouraged to arrive anytime after 6:00 pm, park in the near by lots, bring a beach chair, and walk to the viewing area on Rancho Del Oro road. Food trucks will be parked on Rancho Del Oro and will be selling wide variety of foods. The firework show will begin at 9 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Rancho del Oro will be closed just north of Oceanside Blvd. at Seagate and just south of Mesa Drive at Ocean Ranch Boulevard. This is the recommended and best viewing site for fireworks. Limited parking will be available in the Ocean Ranch Business Park.
NORTH INLAND
ESCONDIDO INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL & FIREWORKS
Location: California Center for the Arts, Escondido - 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
Time: Starts at 4:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Join 25,000 patriotic festival-goers for Escondido’s 55th Annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks. This free community event features rockin’ live music by Moonlight Trio, Finnegan Blue, and Casey Hensley, fabulous food trucks lined up along Broadway Avenue, and a wealth of children’s activities and games for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to stop by SoCal Pro Wrestling’s ring to watch 4 different match-ups throughout the day. Finally, the festivities will conclude with a special performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and, of course, a dazzling fireworks display starting at 9:00 pm. You won’t want to miss this annual North County tradition!
MIRA MESA FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Mira Mesa Community Park, Mira Mesa Boulevard and New Salem Street, Mira Mesa
Time: Starts at 7:00 AM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The Mira Mesa Town Council is honored to once again present the annual Mira Mesa 4th of July Parade and Family Fun Day in the Park. This 44 year tradition allows Mira Mesa to come together in celebration of Independence Day and our rich and diverse community.
The day begins with a Pancake Breakfast at the Mira Mesa Senior Center from 7 AM to 11 AM, hosted by the Black Mountain Masonic Lodge. Family Fun Day in the Park opens at 11 am with food vendors and entertainment. The annual 4th of July Parade steps off at 11:30 am from the corner of Mira Mesa Blvd and Greenford Drive, traveling down Mira Mesa Blvd and turning north on Camino Ruiz to end at New Salem. Family Fun Day continues until 9 pm, and the Park provides a front row seat for the Fireworks Extravaganza. The annual fireworks are produced by Scripps Mesa Fireworks.
AN OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY & FIREWORKS IN POWAY
Location: Poway High School Stadium - 15500 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park and celebrate our country’s independence “turn-of-the-20th-century-style”. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, gun fighting re-enactments, free children's crafts, train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee.
RANCHO BERNARDO'S THE SPIRIT OF THE FOURTH
Location: Webb Park - Avena Pl And Bernardo Center Dr, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92128
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The evening opens at 6:00 p.m.. at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido with live music by the local "Us" Band.
Rancho Bernardo's lavish fireworks display, "Sky Concert" produced by PYRO Spectaculars, begins at 9 p.m. The fireworks display ends with a Grand Finale display of nearly 400 high altitude shells. This event should not be missed.
SCRIPPS RANCH 4TH OF JULY RUN & RIDE
Location: Red Cedar Dr & Aviary Dr, San Diego, CA 92131Time: 6:00 to 10:00 AMFireworks: NoJoin the Scripps Ranch Old Pros on the 4th of July for the annual 10K Race & Fun Run and bike rides that all end at the Scripps Ranch Fourth of July Parade!
SCRIPPS RANCH 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Location: Scripps Ranch Hoyt Park - 10800 Canyon Lake Dr, San Diego, CA 92131Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PMFireworks: NoAs a spectator you can cheer on everyone who is in the parade. But, why not dress up as well and join in the fun?
VISTA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Location: Moonlight Amphitheatre - 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA 92084
Time: 5:00 to 10:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Celebrate the 4th of July in Vista at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with live music, an honorary ceremony, family fun and fireworks!
EAST COUNTY
EL CAJON 4TH OF JULY PICNIC AND FIREWORKS
Location: Kennedy Park - 1675 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92019
Time: 3:00 to 9:30 PM
Fireworks: Yes
The fun starts at 1:00 p.m. with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more! Live musical entertainment begins at 3:00 p.m. and fireworks at 9:00 p.m.
JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Location: Main Street, Julian, CA 92036
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Fireworks: No
This year Julian salutes July Fourth with the Theme, “ Julian’s Star Spangled 4th”. Julian honors our nation’s birthday with a salute to the men and women who made our country great, both domestically and militarily.
For more than twenty years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers from all over have lined up at on the town’s main street to wave their flags, cheer the marching bands, salute the Marine Color Guard, and carry a giant American Flag down the thoroughfare. Antique cars, vintage tractors, belly dancers, World War 2 Submariners, and several comedy entries will appear to complete a fun well rounded home town parade.
SANTEE SALUTES - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Location: Town Center Community Park East - 550 Park Center Drive, Santee, CA 92071
Time: 2:30 to 10:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Rock out with live music, a patriotic ceremony, kid's fun zone and a spectacular fireworks display at Santee Salutes!
ALPINE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND CARNIVAL
Location: Alpine Blvd, Alpine, CA 91901
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Fireworks: No
We want Alpine to be “united,” as we celebrate the birth of our nation. Make it a day of fun remembering 241 years as a country. Our vision for this day is a parade and an old fashioned carnival where we can get to know our neighbors, have a good time and unite together as the great community of Alpine. Mark your calendars, plan to be a Sponsor, and/or get a group of folks to be in the parade, and join in kicking off another year as a nation.
SOUTH BAY
CHULA VISTA 4TH FEST
Location: 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91915
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
A spectacular fireworks display will be featured at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on the Fourth of July beginning at 9 p.m.
INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS IN IMPERIAL BEACH
Location: Imperial Beach Pier - 10 Evergreen Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Time: 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
Imperial Beach residents will be enjoying fireworks again this Fourth of July! The display, being shot from the IB Pier, will begin around 9 PM to insure maximum visibility with the benefit of darkness. You can view the fireworks on the beach from Imperial Beach Blvd. to Palm Avenue, facing the end of Portwood Pier, so gather your friends and family, bring a picnic or grab a snack from neighboring businesses, then spread your beach blanket early to claim some space and catch all the action.
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE BORDER & FIREWORKS
Location: Larsen Field - Cesar Chavez Park - 4061 Camino de la Plaza, San Ysidro, CA 92173
Date: July 1, 2018
Time: 3:00 to 9:00 PM
Fireworks: Yes
This year’s festival will feature a stellar musical line-up from today’s most sought-after bands. A music festival celebrating our country’s Independence with a main stage featuring a comprehensive range of music, dance, live performances in English and Spanish genres.
This free event features emerging artists, local creators. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to shop the work of artists and makers who work with an array of mediums from jewelry, fiber-glass, and ceramics to photography, watercolor, and mixed media. The Art Village will showcase live muralist creating right in front of festival attendees.
The Festival features a children’s area with an inflatable city, Lucha Libre. Interactive children’s actives, face painting and more!
4th of July Official Fireworks Soundtrack
By JM
By Daniel Travers
FREE Things to Do in San Diego
By Web Team