Celebrate Independence Day with live bands, freshly grilled barbecue, poolside dinners and, of course, a whole lot of fireworks. Be sure to make your reservations and get your tickets now!
Edited by Alicia Luchak.
AmericaFest
July 4. The 93rd annual AmericaFest celebration, at the Rose Bowl, will include live performances by TNT Freestyle Motocross, SoCal VoCals, Disney’s DCappella Live Lion King Performances, PCDA Noteables Choir, the national anthem performed by Maximo Marcuso and the festival’s legendary fireworks display. $15-$125. Doors 5:30 p.m.; fireworks 9 p.m. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. rosebowlstadium.com
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
July 4. After over two decades and upward of 2 million albums, the popular energetic swing band with a modern edge will be playing in the Valley at the Starlight Bowl this Independence Day—scheduled to end with a special fireworks display. 6:30 p.m. 1249 Lockheed View Drive, Burbank. starlightbowl.com
Castaway
July 4. Sip on some celebratory drinks, enjoy some live music and a classic Independence Day buffet and see an incredible view of the nearby fireworks at Castaway. And feast on tasty dishes like BBQ Berkshire ribs, wagyu sliders, grilled ora king salmon and more. Inside seating $79; patio and window seating $99. 1250 E. Harvard Road, Burbank. 818.848.6691. castawayburbank.com
Cinespia
July 4. Watch E.T. projected on a mausoleum wall and accompanied by fireworks during this popular Amazon Studios-sponsored film series at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Also on hand are pre-movie DJs and festively themed photo booths. $38. Doors 7:15; movie 9 p.m. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 877.435.9849. Tickets
Conservatory
July 4. Spend our nation’s birthday at this stunning open-air restaurant in Los Angeles at a fire-pit barbecue dinner. Executive chef Seth Greenburg will be grilling up some delicious options such as kalbi ribs, baby back ribs, carnitas sliders with pineapple slaw and chicken kabobs. All meals come with savory corn ribs, potato salad and fresh watermelon salad. Pair with cocktails and frozen drink specials. 8289 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 323.654.0020. conservatoryweho.com
Flower Child
July 4. Santa Monica’s deliciously healthy eatery Flower Child will be serving up its special summer plate, which includes barbecue chicken, quinoa corn, crunchy kale salad and sliced watermelon. Plus, the entire menu is 25 percent off. If you can’t make it on the Fourth but still want to try the specialty dish, you can order it any time leading up to the holiday. 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica. 310.382.2901. iamaflowerchild.com
Grand Park & Music Center Block Party
July 4. For the seventh year running, this patriotic party offers live music, food trucks and a fireworks display launched from the roof of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. New this year is a 75-foot Ferris wheel. Check the website for more details and a list of prohibited items. 3-9:30 p.m. Los Angeles Street to Grand Avenue and from Temple to Third streets, downtown. 213.972.8080. july4.grandparkla.org
Hornblower Cruise
July 4. Dine, dance and take in beautiful harbor views aboard the Hornblower for one of its two Independence Day events. Enjoy a morning brunch cruise with a private table, buffet, live music and bottomless Champagne. Or, if you prefer a nighttime celebration, there’s also offer a fireworks observation cruise in the evening. See website for prices and schedule. 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. 855.290.0383, hornblower.comÂ
Hotel Shangri-La
July 4. Soak in the sun on the poolside terrace of the Hotel Shangri-La courtyard as chefs whip up some tasty barbecue treats, including marinated skirt steak, Kobe beef burgers with a topping option of brown sugar or pineapple BBQ sauce, vegetable skewers, succulent chicken wings and more. Noon-6 p.m. 1301 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. 310.394.2791. shangrila-hotel.com
Marina del Rey Hotel Block Party
July 4. Enjoy an all-day Independence Day “Red, White & BBQ” block party, complete with live music, an infinity pool, games, beer tasting and more at the Marina del Rey Hotel with the marina’s only waterfront lawn. Brunch and dinner menus with some specialty bites will be available at SALT restaurant and bar. Afterwards, enjoy an evening fireworks display over the water, complete with synchronized music. $20. Visit website for schedule. 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey. marinadelreyhotel.com
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular With Nile Rodgers & CHIC
July 2-4. Get down with legendary funk hitmakers Nile Rodgers and CHIC as they perform some of their greatest hits. The concert begins with star-spangled American favorites by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Arrive early for disco dance lessons in the Bowl courtyard. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Queen Mary’s All-American 4th of July
July 4. Celebrate Independence Day with family-friendly festivities aboard historic ocean liner the Queen Mary. Expect live music, family games, arts and crafts, special historic tours and fireworks. 3-10 p.m; fireworks 9 p.m. $29-$49; VIP $119, under 4 free. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach. 562.499.1739. queenmary.com
Skyspace
July 4. Celebrate the Fourth of July in the sky! Enjoy viewing multiple firework displays around L.A., a ride on the all-glass Skyslide, drinks and a live DJ, who’ll start spinning at 9 p.m. The 4th of July in the Sky package includes admission, two drink tickets (good for domestic beer/wine, well drinks and soft drinks), access to all three levels of OUE Skyspace LA and a ride on the Skyslide. $45; kids $35. 633 W. 5th St., #840, downtown. Tickets
STK Los Angeles
July 1-7. Fourth of July lasts an entire week at STK Steakhouse. Through the 7th, relish a red, white and blue steak topping (lobster tail, blue corn tortilla and garlic cream), watermelon margaritas and blue gin sours. On Independence Day, enjoy all-day happy hour with $2-$8 bites and half off specialty cocktails. Plus, during this week, you can redeem a $25 dining credit. W Los Angeles—West Beverly Hills, 30 Hilgard Ave., Beverly Hills. 310.659.3535. stksteakhouse.com
Theatricum Botanicum’s “Barn Dance”
July 4. Celebrate America with a good old-fashioned family hoedown. Get down with some live folk and country music, a pie-eating contest, a watermelon-seed-spitting contest, a cake walk, relay races, a dunk bucket, family games, a silent auction, a whole lot of dancing and more. Chow down on some country-style barbecue, and pair with a beer. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 310.455.3723. theatricum.com
Wolfgang Puck’s Sky-High BBQ
July 4. The Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles’ WP24 is having a barbecue on the 26th-floor rooftop, with a panoramic view of all the fireworks that the city has to offer. Chef de cuisine John Lechleidner will be pairing some of America’s Fourth of July favorites with an Asian-inspired menu, offering mouthwatering dishes like prime beef brisket, Jidori chicken wings, honey-glazed cornbread and fresh fruit like pineapple and watermelon. $59. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. 213.743.8800. ritzcarlton.comÂ
Whiskey Red’sÂ
July 4. For its Fourth of July “Red, White & Boom” party, Whiskey Red’s will be hosting eating contests, live music, a fireworks display and an all-American buffet with barbecue classics like mac ‘n’ cheese, barbecue brisket and pork barbecue ribs. See website for more details and ticket prices. 13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. 310.823.4522. whiskeyreds.com
Photos: Queen Mary’s 4th Celebration courtesy Queen Mary. Flower Child Summer Plate courtesy Flower Child. Marina del Rey Hotel Poolside Bar courtesy Marina del Rey Hotel. Queen Mary’s All-American 4th of July courtesy Queen Mary. STK Steakhouse by Max Milla
