SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Independence Day is just around the corner, bringing with it a wave of patriotic celebrations throughout San Diego County. Here are some family-friendly events where you can join in the festivities.
North County
Oceanside Fireworks & Drone Display
Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Time: 4-10 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: SoCal Soccer Complex at El Corazon, 3300 El Corazon Drive, Oceanside
Cost: Free (parking $15)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
Cost: Free
Independence Day Festival (Escondido)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 4–9:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway & California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido
Cost: Free
Independence Day Celebration (Vista)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Brengle Park opens at 7 a.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista
Cost: $5
San Marcos Red, White and BOOM!
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Entertainment at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Drive
San Marcos, CA 92078
Cost: Free
San Diego
Big Bay Boom
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 9:15 p.m.
Location: Click here for more details; Shelter Island is at capacity and is now closed to traffic. Only people staying at hotels or with special access passes will be allowed to drive onto the island. Harbor Island ABM parking lot at 60% capacity. Once the ABM lot reaches 100% capacity, Harbor Island will be closed to traffic.
Cost: Free
Liberty Station Anchored in Freedom Parade & Community Festival
Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Time: Parade 1–2 p.m. down Cushing Road; Community Festival 2–5 p.m. at Ingram Plaza
Location: Liberty Station, San Diego
Cost: Free
Mira Mesa Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Time: 4-9:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Hourglass Field Community Park, Mira Mesa, San Diego
Cost: Free
Coronado Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Pre-parade entertainment at 7:30 a.m.; parade at 10 a.m.; Frog-X parachute demo at 2 p.m.; concerts in the afternoon; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Orange Avenue (parade); Coronado Golf Course (fireworks and parachute demo); Spreckels Park (concerts), Coronado
Cost: Free
Scripps Ranch Fourth of July Parade
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Starts at Scripps Ranch, ending at Hoyt Park
Cost: Free
An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July (Old Town San Diego)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
Cost: Free (some activities may require an additional purchase)
Spirit of the Fourth (Rancho Bernardo)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Activities start at 9 a.m. at Webb Park; parade at 3:30 p.m.; entertainment at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place (daytime); Rancho Bernardo High School, 13010 Paseo Lucido (fireworks)
Cost: Check website for details
4th of July Celebration and Fireworks on the Bay (Maritime Museum of San Diego)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Gates open at 6 p.m.; event runs 6–9:45 p.m.; fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m.
Location: Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego
Cost: Adults $85; Members/Military $70; Youth (3–12) $42; Ages 2 & under free
East County
Julian's Fourth of July Parade
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m.; parade at noon
Location: Main Street, Julian
Cost: Free
Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration (Old Poway Park)
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway
Cost: Free
Ramona Fourth of July 250th Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 1–9 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona
Cost: Free
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 2–10 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee
Cost: Free
El Cajon Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Activities start at 3 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Kennedy Park, 1675 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon
Cost: Free
South Bay
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Doors open 7 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.
Location: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista
Cost: Free