From Oceanside to San Ysidro, from Del Mar to Escondido, San Diego County will celebrate Independence Day with 5k/10k runs, parades, picnics, community festivals and end the evening with spectacular fireworks.
Be sure to look at the specific dates of the events. Not all of these events will be happening on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
Alpine
Alpine 4th of July Parade and Carnival, Alpine Community Center Park, July 4, 2018, parade begins at 10:00a.m., live music by the Ideas and the Jazz Express Band. Enjoy lots of great food including pulled pork and hot dogs by the Knights of Columbus, lots of vendor booths with games and snacks, a bounce house, a dunk tank and a Petting Zoo.
Carlsbad
Red, White and BOOM! LEGOLAND California Resort, July 4, 2018 1:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. 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.
Chula Vista
Chula Vista 4th Fest, Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Tune in to one of these participating stations: 91X, Magic 92.5, and Z90.3.
Fourth Fest at the Lake, Mountain Hawk Park, 6:30a.m. – 10:00p.m., Blankets, chairs, large umbrellas, canopies and EZ-Ups are welcome. No charcoal grills allowed. Although it is warm during the day, it does get cold when the sun goes down and the wind picks up. Bring warm layers for bundling up.
Coronado
4th of July Celebration in Coronado, July 4, 2018, Annual Rough Water Swim begins at Central Beach at 8:30a.m. registration begins at 7a.m. Parade begins at 10:00a.m. along Orange Avenue, from First Street to Churchill Place. Concert in Spreckles Park at 4:00p.m. Fourth of July Fireworks Show over Glorietta Bay at 9 p.m.
City of Coronado’s 44th Annual 4th of July Run, July 4, 2018, 7:00a.m. Kickoff your Independence Day celebration with a run through the historic town of Coronado. 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! NEW IN 2018! Crown City Mile on Orange Avenue: Men’s, Women’s, and Youth Mile Divisions.
Del Mar
San Diego County Fair 4th of July Celebration, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 10:00a.m. – 11:00p.m. Lee Greenwood concert at 7:30p.m. Fireworks at 9:00p.m.
El Cajon
El Cajon 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks, Kennedy Park, July 4, 2018, Fun begins at 1:00p.m. Fireworks start at 9:00p.m.
Escondido
Escondido Independence Day Festival & Fireworks, Great Green, July 4, 2018, 4:00p.m. live music, food vendors, children’s activities and games, and fireworks begin at 9:00p.m.
Imperial Beach
Independence Day Fireworks in Imperial Beach, Imperial Beach Pier, July 4, 2018. Fireworks begin at 9p.m.
Julian
Julian 4th of July Parade, July 4, 2018. Parade begins at noon. Parade Route: Downtown Julian: Main Street. From Julian High School to Frank Lane Park. Julian residents and visitors from all over line up 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 hometown parade.
La Jolla
Fourth of July Fireworks at La Jolla Cove, Ellen Browning Scripps Park, July 4, 2018, Fireworks begin at 9p.m. sharp. Best places to watch the display are Ellen Browning Scripps Park, Coast Walk, and La Jolla Shores (Kellogg Park).
Beaumont Avenue 4th of July Parade, July 4, 2018, parade begins at 10a.m. Parade route: Camino de la Costa and Beaumont Avenue and ends at Mira Monte. After the parade, there will be a 4th of July celebration and party behind the La Jolla Methodist Church. There will be food, entertainment, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
La Mesa
Lake Murray Fireworks and Musicfest, Lake Murray Playground, July 4, 2018, 11a.m. to 9:30p.m. Musicfest at Lake Murray Park. Fireworks Show over Lake Murray. A day of food, fun, bands, and fireworks.
Lake San Marcos
Stars, Stripes & A Lot of Fun, Lakehouse Hotel & Resort, July 4, 2018
Mira Mesa
Mira Mesa Fourth of July Celebration, July 4, 2018. Pancake breakfast begins at 7a.m. to 11a.m. at the Mira Mesa Senior Center. The 44th Annual Mira Mesa 4th of July Parade starts at 11:30a.m. Family Fun Day in Mira Mesa Community Park starts at 11a.m. and continues until the fireworks show at 9p.m.
National City
4th of July Carnival, Kimball Park, June 29 – July 4. Carnival features games, rides, food and drink items for sale, various entertainment, and South Bay’s ONLY inland fireworks display.
Ocean Beach
4th of July Carnival, Ocean Beach Pier, July 4, 2018. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Oceanside
24th Annual Oceanside Indpendence Parade, June 30, 2018. First unit steps off at 10a.m. Parade route marches up Coast Highway from Wisconsin Street to Civic Center Drive (just past City Hall).
Oceanside’s 130th Anniversary & Independence Celebration Fireworks Show, El Corazon Site at Rancho del Oro Road, July 3, 2018. Music! Food Trucks! Fireworks Show at 9:00p.m.!
Poway
An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, Old Poway Park, July 4, 2018, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, gun fighting re-enactments, antique train displays, free crafts, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee.
Ramona
Ramona Rotary Club’s Annual July 4th Family Picnic & Fireworks – Confirmation pending at time of posting, please visit their fundraising page for donations.
Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo’s The Spirit of the Fourth, Community Fair, Evening Entertainment & Fireworks Show, Freedom Run 5k Run / 1 mile walk, Motor Show, Parade, Patriotic Pet Contest, Poodles on Parade, RB Idol Contest and RB Veteran Memorial Celebration. Festivities will be held throughout the day at various venues.
Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe’s Annual 4th of July Parade & Picnic, Village of Rancho Santa Fe, July 4, 2018, Parade forms at 12:15p.m. in the R. Roger Rowe School Gym Parking Lot. Parade begins at 1:00p.m. Picnic & Concert begins at 1:30p.m.
San Diego
href=”https://www.midway.org/exhibits-activities/special-days/4th-of-july-celebration/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>USS Midway Museum, July 4, 2018, 6p.m. – 10p.m. Watch the ‘Big Bay Fireworks’ show from the flight deck. Live entertainment, food concessions available for purchase. Unfortunately, tickets are sold out this year.
Big Bay Boom!, July 4, 2018, Watch from one of the Big Bay Boom Events: USS Midway, The Maritime Museum/Berkley, Dinner Cruises, Viewing Parties. Bring your lawnchairs, friends and boats to watch the Big Bay Boom fireworks show from these locations: Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, CoronadoFerry Landing, or boating/on the water.
SeaWorld San Diego Star-Spangles Fireworks Spectacular, July 4-7, 2018 Watch SeaWorld light up the sky with this spectacular display of sparkle and excitement.
Old Town Fourth of July Celebration, July 4, 2018 Event will begin at 11:00a.m. A parade, crafts & activities of early San Diego recreate an Independence Day celebrated on the frontier. You can also compete in contests, such as cherry pit spitting or the egg toss, for handmade ribbons.
San Marcos
Celebrate Freedom, A Fireworks Extravaganza in San Marcos, William R. Bradley Park, July 4, 2018, 6p.m. – 10p.m. Live music, kids’ activities and food, and fireworks begin at 9p.m.
San Ysidro
Independence Day at the Border & Fireworks, Larsen Field – Cesar Chavez Park, July 1, 2018, 3:00p.m. Booths and Live Music. Fireworks begin at 9:00p.m.
Santee
Santee Salutes – Fourth of July Celebration, Town Center Community Park East, July 4, 2018, 2:30p.m. – 10:00p.m. Live music, patriotic ceremony, kid’s fun zone, spectacular fireworks display, food area. Parking $5 per car, no in and out privileges.
Scripps Ranch
Scripps Ranch 48th Annual 4th of July Parade, July 4, 2018. Parade starts at 10a.m.
Scripps Ranch 4th of July Run & Ride, 10K Race starts at 7:00a.m., 2 mile fun run starts at 7:07a.m., 12 mile bike ride starts at 8:30a.m., 28 mile bike ride, and 50 mile bike ride.
Vista
Vista Independence Day Celebration, July 4, 2018, Brengle Terrace Park / Moonlight Amphitheatre, park opens at 7a.m. Firework show begins at 9:00p.m.
Light Up the Night Dinner, July 4, 2018. Seating begins at 5:15p.m. Dinner Service begins at 6:30p.m. The public is invited to support the City of Vista’s Independence Day Celebration by attending the Light Up the Night Dinner. The dinner features a delicious BBQ menu catered by When Pigs Fly. Dinner includes reserved seating and VIP parking. Dinner is $60 per person or $450 per table for eight people. Dinner must be purchased by June 18, 2018. Call 760.643.5262.
Did we miss your favorite Fourth of July event in San Diego? Add it in the comments below or send event information to us via our contact form or email us at californiamomblogs@gmail.com.
Leave a Reply