June 24, 2023
Even though 4th of July falls on a Tuesday this year, San Diego is not holding back. Below are our top picks from the many fireworks shows and Independence Day parties around the county for 2023.
1. Big Bay Boom (9pm) - This is the largest Independence Day display in the county, with fireworks launched from four barges situated around North San Diego Bay. The show can be viewed from Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Mission Bay, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village/Coronado Landing and many other areas along the bay. Hopefully the fireworks don't go off all at once like they did in 2012! If you cannot make it out to catch the show, watch live by tuning into Fox 5 (San Diego) or KTLA 5 (Los Angeles), and listen to the musical simulcast on FM 101.5 KGB.
2. SeaWorld Fireworks (8:50pm) - Once upon a time, SeaWorld San Diego lit up the sky on most nights during the summer, but its Independence Day fireworks have always been extra explosive. Grab a spot on the sand along Mission Bay for this one. It takes place right before the Big Bay Boom ends so you can enjoy two-for-one. SeaWorld will also be performing a fireworks show all weekend long.
3. San Diego County Fair 4th of July Celebration (9pm) - Head to Del Mar Fairgrounds for the last day of the 2023 San Diego County Fair and enjoy one of our area's top fireworks shows. What better place is there to spend Independence Day than at the San Diego County Fair? Highlighting the day will be the traditional fireworks display, which will be visible throughout the fairgrounds.
4. Ocean Beach Luminosity Festival of Light (9:05pm) - This year, San Diego's cooky neighborhood of Ocean Beach will do things a bit different. Rather than traditional fireworks, OB will display hundreds of synchronized drones as part of what is billed as the "Luminosity Festival of Light." The pet-friendly Fourth of July Drone Light Show will feature an impressive fleet of 300 drones, meticulously choreographed to create stunning formations and patterns in the night sky. The entire show will be accompanied with a soundtrack, accessible to all on the LUMINOSITY Radio page.
5. 4th of July Celebration in Coronado (9pm) - Coronado's 4th of July celebration offers a full day of activities, starting with a fun run in the morning, then a parade down Orange Avenue at 10am, followed by a concert in Spreckels Park at 4pm, with the fireworks over Glorietta Bay starting at 9pm. The traffic is going to be heavy for this one, so consider taking the ferry over from downtown San Diego to Coronado.
6. Escondido Independence Day Festival & Fireworks (9pm) - Taking place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, join more than 25,000 festival-goers for the 58th annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks display with live music, food, children's activities, games, and, of course, fireworks.
7. El Cajon 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks (9pm) - El Cajon's 4th of July celebration takes over Kennedy Park at 1675 East Madison Avenue. Picnic at the park and enjoy sunny San Diego East County, with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more.
8. Red, White and BOOM! at Legoland California (8:30pm) - Bring the entire family and spend the day enjoying over 60 rides, shows and attractions, as well as some all-American picnic games like burlap races, water-balloon tosses, the Family Build Challenge and Lego Hamburger relay. Finish the day with an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to patriotic music. Grab your special 3D firework viewing glasses to transform the fireworks into a show you will never forget!
6. Escondido Independence Day Festival & Fireworks (9pm) - Taking place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, join more than 25,000 festival-goers for the 58th annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks display with live music, food, children's activities, games, and, of course, fireworks.
7. El Cajon 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks (9pm) - El Cajon's 4th of July celebration takes over Kennedy Park at 1675 East Madison Avenue. Picnic at the park and enjoy sunny San Diego East County, with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more.
8. Red, White and BOOM! at Legoland California (8:30pm) - Bring the entire family and spend the day enjoying over 60 rides, shows and attractions, as well as some all-American picnic games like burlap races, water-balloon tosses, the Family Build Challenge and Lego Hamburger relay. Finish the day with an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to patriotic music. Grab your special 3D firework viewing glasses to transform the fireworks into a show you will never forget!
9. Chula Vista 4th Fest (9pm) - Enjoy free July 4th fireworks at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (previously the U.S. Olympic Training Center), set to a custom soundtrack heard only on Magic 92.5. Gates open at 7pm for public viewing. No alcohol is allowed on the USOTC campus and vehicles and pedestrians will be searched upon entry. Parking is free with only 600 parking spots. There is also free parking along Olympic Parkway and Lake Crest Drive.
10. Poway's An Old Fashioned Fourth of July & Fireworks (9pm) - Head to Old Poway Park and celebrate the country’s independence "turn-of-the-20th-century-style". This all-day event will feature patriotic entertainment, western re-enactments, free crafts, model train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee. Then as the sun sets, get ready to enjoy spectacular fireworks as they light up the sky over Poway Sportsplex with a $5 entrance fee. Games, activities, and a DJ spinning the tunes round out the fun.
10. Poway's An Old Fashioned Fourth of July & Fireworks (9pm) - Head to Old Poway Park and celebrate the country’s independence "turn-of-the-20th-century-style". This all-day event will feature patriotic entertainment, western re-enactments, free crafts, model train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee. Then as the sun sets, get ready to enjoy spectacular fireworks as they light up the sky over Poway Sportsplex with a $5 entrance fee. Games, activities, and a DJ spinning the tunes round out the fun.
11. Vista Independence Day Celebration (9pm) - Taking place at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park, the annual celebration includes a Fun Filled 4th Dinner, a military heroes salute and a live performance from The Cassie B Project, followed by a fireworks show. Admission to the Moonlight Amphitheatre is $5 per person. Children five and under, active and retired military and their immediate family receive free admission to the Moonlight Amphitheatre.
12. Santee Salutes 4th of July Celebration (9pm) - An all-day event with live music, a patriotic ceremony, a food garden and a kid's fun zone will end with a firework show. The event takes place at Town Center Community Park from 2-10pm and parking is $10 per car with no in and out privileges.
13. Rancho Bernardo's The Spirit of the 4th (9pm) - After an entire day of fun at the community fair at Webb Park in Rancho Bernardo, end the holiday with fireworks at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido. Rancho Bernardo's lavish fireworks display, "Sky Concert" produced by PYRO Spectaculars, ends with a Grand Finale display of nearly 400 high altitude shells. A $10 donation is requested for entry.
14. Imperial Beach Independence Day Fireworks (9pm) - 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 at the IB Pier.
12. Santee Salutes 4th of July Celebration (9pm) - An all-day event with live music, a patriotic ceremony, a food garden and a kid's fun zone will end with a firework show. The event takes place at Town Center Community Park from 2-10pm and parking is $10 per car with no in and out privileges.
13. Rancho Bernardo's The Spirit of the 4th (9pm) - After an entire day of fun at the community fair at Webb Park in Rancho Bernardo, end the holiday with fireworks at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido. Rancho Bernardo's lavish fireworks display, "Sky Concert" produced by PYRO Spectaculars, ends with a Grand Finale display of nearly 400 high altitude shells. A $10 donation is requested for entry.
14. Imperial Beach Independence Day Fireworks (9pm) - 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 at the IB Pier.
15. San Marcos Fireworks Extravaganza (9pm) - Head to Bradley Park in San Marcos and enjoy live music from 80s cover band BetaMAXX starting at 5pm, followed by a riveting fireworks spectacular. There will also be carnival games, bounce houses, a patriotic dog contest and food for sale on site.
16. Lake Murray Fireworks and Musicfest (9pm) - This annual festival returns to Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos for a fun day of food, bands, and fireworks starting at 11am. The fireworks can be seen throughout the Navajo community, from La Mesa to Del Cerro and beyond.
17. Ramona July 4th Family Picnic & Fireworks Show (9pm) - Presented by the Ramona Kiwanis, Ramona Rotary and Ramona Chamber of Commerce, this event begins on the back field behind Olive Peirce Middle School (1521 Hanson Lane) starting at 4pm. Bring your chairs & blankets and settle in for a fun time! Fireworks donations are accepted via credit card at ramonachamber.com, and by check to the Ramona Chamber of Commerce office.
18. Oceanside's 135th Anniversary & Independence Fireworks Show (July 3, 9pm) - Taking place at SoCal Soccer Complex at El Corazon on Rancho del Oro Road, this year's event will feature live entertainment, a family fun zone with inflatables, a picnic area, and food vendors. No alcohol or dogs are permitted at this free, family-friendly event. Bring a beach chair!
19. Mission Bay Yacht Club Fireworks (July 3, 9pm) - After a 10 year hiatus, Mission Bay Yacht Club and area hoteliers brought back their fireworks show in 2022. These will be launching from a barge off the club's property at 1215 El Carmel Place over Mission Bay and will be visible from around Sail Bay in Mission Beach & Pacific Beach.
20. National City Carnival & Fireworks (June 30-July 4) - The National City Lions Club will host a weekend long carnival at Kimball Park at 12th and D Streets from June 30 to July 4, but the firework show will follow The Miss National City Educational Pageant on Saturday, July 1 at 9pm. The five-day carnival includes rides, games, food & fun.
On the morning after 4th of July, Wednesday, July 5, there will be a big mess to clean up, and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter will be leading the cleanup efforts! Join in on Surfrider's Morning After Mess Cleanup from 8-11am at one of the eight hosted locations - Ocean Beach Pier, OB Dog Beach, Oceanside Pier, Fiesta Island, Pacific Beach's Crystal Pier, Mission Beach, Encinitas' Moonlight Beach and Imperial Beach.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe 4th of July, as well as an amazing summer!
