10+ fun things to do Los Angeles for 4th of July

By Katie Sagal
4th of July

Looking for things to do this 4th of July weekend in the Los Angeles area? Take advantage of the holiday and embark on a relaxing getaway to Los Angeles. From parades to fireworks, there are plenty of ways to get your patriotism on! If you’re looking for Los Angeles 4th of July Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things to do in Los Angeles in July, including...

  • Knott's Berry Farm Celebrates The 4th Of July
  • Aquarium of the Pacific 4th of July BBQ
  • 4th of July Block Party - Grand Park
  • Marina del Rey Fireworks
  • AmericaFest Celebration - Rosebowl
  • and more...

Knott's Berry Farm Celebrates The 4th Of July

Celebrate Independence Day at Knott's Berry Farm with world-class live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show the whole family will love. Fireworks will begin at 9:30pm, with bonus fireworks shows in early July if you can't make the 4th.

With extended hours, 10am – 11pm, there is more time to enjoy all that Knott’s has to offer. Visit knotts.com for the entertainment show schedule.

Knotts berry farm

July Fourth Late-Night BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Take the whole family to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a unique July 4th you'll never forget. This Fourth of July BBQ features a ton of great local grilled fare plus adult beverages and much more. Then, you'll also get late-night access to the Aquarium itself - what better way to encounter some of their rare sea creatures?

The aquarium will be open until 10pm. Enjoy the perfect view for the waterfront fireworks show, too, set off by the Queen Mary historic haunted vessel (more on her below!)

Please note: July Fourth Late Night BBQ is separately ticketed and is not included on the pass.

Aquarium of the Pacific

All-American 4th of July aboard the Queen Mary

Spend an entire day celebrating the history of America aboard the magnificent Queen Mary. Soak up live entertainment, games and activities for kids, special historic tours, and a patriotic film.

At the end of the day, their famous fireworks spectacular will go off, set to patriotic music against the summer sky. Interested in exploring this historic ship? Tour of the vessel on another day earlier in the weekend. 

Insider tip: Buy tickets early, as this is a very popular local event.

Queen Mary

Pacific Palisades Fourth of July parade

This beach-centric event is the perfect way to do July 4th, L.A.-style. A group of red, white, and blue-themed skydivers will mark the start of the parade. Then, enjoy all your usual parade fanfare with everything from dance and baton twirling to music and more along Sunset Boulevard. Enjoy all of the merriment for free.

4th of July block party - Grand Park

Head on over to Grand Park for a free, family-friendly block party. Spend the day picnicking as you enjoy live music and performances. Experience an amazing light and pyro show in Downtown Los Angeles, beginning after sunset.

Los Angeles’s finest food trucks will provide a range of tasty food options. Please keep in mind that no alcohol is permitted, but you may bring empty water bottles to fill at the event.

Grand Park

Marina Del Rey fireworks

The Marina Del Rey fireworks boast a 20-minute presentation followed by a spectacular finale. Watch the stunning display set to synchronized music on KXLU 88.9FM from Burton Chance Park or Fisherman’s Village for the best viewing experience.

Fireworks will shoot from a barge across from the Marina’s main channel, lighting up both the sea and the sky. Though the fireworks start at 9pm, you can spend all day at Marina del Rey. Bring a picnic and a blanket to spread out on the lawn, or dine at a seaside restaurant.

Fireworks in L.A

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl is one of the most well-known 4th of July events in L.A. In fact, it features one of the largest fireworks displays in all of Southern California. This event is one rocking celebration, with music from premier bands. Everyone will love the amazing pyrotechnics and motorcycle stunts. There will also be plenty of food and craft vendors for you to explore.

Studio City Fourth of July fireworks festival

This exciting event takes place every year at the CBS Studio Center. You'll find live music and entertainment, a car expo, local business spotlights, and plenty of kid-friendly games and other activities. If you've got a hefty budget, it may be worth checking out their special offerings! End the night with an exhilarating fireworks show.

L.A.

Explore the great outdoors

Even though the weather is likely to be on the warmer side, it's still a great time of year to explore the great outdoors during your 4th of July weekend getaway. Spend some time in lovely Santa Monica, with perfect boardwalks for biking, strolling, and rollerblading. Take a look at Pacific Park, a classic amusement park the whole family will enjoy. Or, head to Griffith Park for some picnicking, running, hiking, and more. While you're there, hit up the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.

🤩>> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

Los Angeles Labor Day Weekend 2019 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

Make sure your summer goes out with a bang this year – spend Labor Day Weekend in Los Angeles and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time. If you’re looking for Los Angeles Labor Day Weekend 2019 ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in Los Angeles in September, including: Six Flags Magic Mountain Friday Night Jazz at LACMA 626 Night Market L.A. County Fair The Taste Cinecon Classic Film Festival Pacific Park Universal Studios Hollywood Knott's Berry Farm L.A. Zoo & Botanical Gardens Whale Watching Cruise 2. Friday Night Jazz @ LACMA View this post on Instagram A post shared by LA County Museum of Art (@lacma) on Jun 7, 2019 at 6:18pm PDT Every Friday from April to November the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosts a free jazz concert outdoors. It's one of the museum's most beloved ongoing programs. The style and performers vary each week, so you're bound to find something new each time you go. Bring a blanket, the whole family, and just relax at this free community event. Be sure to arrive early to secure the best spots! 3. 626 Night Market This summer marks the 8th year of this annual food festival. Evocative of classic Asian night markets, this festive local event is billed as a "quintessential Californian experience." Come here to taste authentic, mouth-watering Asian fare of the type you don't see in the hot new sushi joint. This year's theme of the 626 Night Market is "Bring on the Memories," which seems pretty appropriate for the combination of excitement and nostalgia that this event evokes for many of us. The 626 Night Market is located at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. The event dates closest to Labor Day are August 30-September 1, 2019. The event is free to attend and food is available for purchase. 4. L.A. County Fair Making its debut on Labor Day Weekend, the popular L.A. County Fair has a little bit of something for everyone. Like most county fairs, it was originally designed as an agricultural festival; things like livestock beauty contests and fresh local produce attest to that heritage. But you’ll also find fun modern events like dance performances, wine tastings, cultural exhibits, children’s activities, and more. This year the fair begins on August 30, 2019 and runs through September 22, 2019. 5. The Taste Yet another food-centric event, The Taste is a great Hollywood attraction for just about everyone. It's sponsored by the L.A. Times, and is a great experience for locals and visitors alike. Sip, savor, and celebrate with food and beer samples, cooking demonstrations, mixologist demonstrations, wine tastings, and even special competitions. Remember to come with an empty stomach! The 2019 dates are yet to be announced, but it usually takes place around Labor Day. 6. Cinecon Classic Film Festival Held in one of Hollywood’s most historic theaters, Cinecon Classic Film Festival is a Hollywood darling. It's located at the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre (somewhere worth touring on your own time, like the TCL Chinese Theatres) and features a lovingly curated selection of classic cinema. If you just can’t get enough of old black and white films, this is the event for you. The first night opens with a grand gala featuring the silent comedy Bare Knees (1928) and the whole thing only gets better from there. The 2019 event dates are August 29 - September 2, 2019. Tickets are available now, and act quickly -- this event does sell out! 8. Universal Studios Hollywood If you're in search of some extreme theme park fun with an emphasis on your favorite movies and TV shows, then Universal Studios Hollywood should be your next destination. Combine the exhilaration of amazing theme park coasters and other rides with the fun of an interactive studio tour - it sure makes for one unbeatable day! Don't forget to leave an hour or so to explore Universal CityWalk, which boasts dozens of shops, restaurants, and attractions. It's a nice place for dinner after a long afternoon on the rides, or a convenient place to pick up a souvenir. We've also written a specific guide for how to make the most of your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, if you're looking to maximize your time there. 11. Whale Watching Cruise Take a break from the heat with a venture far out into the ocean to explore the great waters of the Pacific and its magnificent creatures. A Newport Landing Whale Watch is a 2.5-hour excursion out to one of the largest marine sanctuaries in California, where you'll see dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, and even the massive blue whale--the largest creature in the world. As you're waiting to reach the marine sanctuary, just sit back and enjoy the cruise on a 65-foot double-deck ship that comes with a lovely sundeck. Save on Attraction Admission Regular admission to a number of these Los Angeles attractions is included on the Go Los Angeles pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. We hope you consider visiting some of these attractions to help round out your summer vacation in style. Share your adventure with us Remember to tag @GoCity in your holiday snaps and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
Palm Trees
Blog

One Week in Los Angeles Itinerary

A week in L.A. means you can really get under the skin of this famous city, soak up the sunshine, and take everything in at a more relaxed place. Read on to find out how we'd spend one week in Los Angeles.
Katie Sagal
Los Angeles Santa Monica
Blog

15+ Things to Do in Los Angeles with Teenagers During Your Trip

Family vacations are wonderful, but finding attractions that everyone will love can be a challenge. Especially when you’ve got teens in the mix! How do you find something that keeps them entertained and sees them spending time with the whole family? Fortunately, we’re here to help you out. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles with teenagers, check out this list of our favorite teen-friendly activities, including... Universal Studios Hollywood Knott's Berry Farm Six Flags Magic Mountain Madame Tussauds Hollywood Long Beach Whale Watch K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Aquarium of the Pacific L.A. Zoo and more... Immerse yourself in the world of Universal Studios Hollywood  The whole family can agree that Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit destination in Los Angeles. They’ve got attractions to appeal to the whole family, such as thrilling rides like TRANSFORMERSTM: The Ride-3D, and many more. There are plenty of other franchise-based attractions, too, like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You're bound to find something your teens love! Another central feature of the Universal experience is their famed Studio Tour, which escorts guests behind the scenes of one of the world’s most prolific movie studios. Please note: Admission is only available on the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass and can only be used on a single day during the duration of the pass. Meet celebrities at Madame Tussauds Hollywood If all your teen does is gush over celebrities, visiting Madame Tussauds Hollywood will be a real treat. Get a few awesome photos with your favorite stars and craft that perfect Instagram snap for your friends at home. You'll find famous figures organized throughout multiple exciting exhibits, including themes like movie characters, pop stars, and sports icons. Who wouldn't love the chance to meet some of the most famous people in the last few years? After all, a wax replica of Beyoncé is probably the closest most of us will come to meeting the real deal! The Kylie Jenner figure is a must-see for fans of the Kardashian clan. Sculpted to represent the reality star in her custom-made Balmain gown from the 2016 Met Gala, this figure is so realistic it actually fooled her fans. Indulge your love of Hollywood It’s hard to avoid celebrity culture when you’re visiting L.A., so why not embrace it? There are plenty of amazing attractions that will keep your teen enthralled as you explore the world of Hollywood stardom, from a fascinating visit to the Hollywood Museum to a comprehensive movie star homes tour. Or, you could opt for a fun Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes walking tour that highlights many of the Hollywood hotspots and historic sites, from the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre to the Hollywood sign. Enjoy L.A.'s other amazing theme parks If Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t enough to quench your theme park thirst, then bring the kids to one of the many other amazing theme parks in the Los Angeles area. From the charming, old-school style of Pacific Park to the always exciting Knott’s Berry Farm (which also has a sister water park!), there are so many choices. Another local favorite is the fantastic Six Flags Magic Mountain, featuring a wide variety of thrill rides and other entertainment. Getting in: Knott's Berry Farm is included on the Go City® All-Inclusive Pass. Get out on the water California's coast is teeming with stunning marine life, so don't waste the opportunity to get the teens outdoors and onto a boat trip to spot these beautiful creatures! Join a Whale Watch tour to get up close to orca whales, humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, and sperm whales. They can be seen year-round engaging in lunge feeding, breaching, fluking, and more. You might even spot bottlenose and Pacific white-sided dolphins and California sea lions, harbor seals if you're lucky! Get wild on indoor karts Let the kids race each other for the title of best go-kart driver at an exhilarating indoor kart racing facility operated by K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting. Get a feel for some of the newest and best kart technology out there as you all enjoy riding laps with K-1 Speed’s new European electric karts. State-of-the-art scoring technology will make you feel like you’re in a real kart race, too! And don't worry, parents, even if they don't have their driver's license yet, it's totally safe for them to operate these karts. Kind of like practice for the real thing! Explore famous movie studios If your teens loved the Universal Studios Hollywood experience and are looking for more movie action, you're in luck. Hollywood is chock full of famous studios with movie lots to tour, including the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and the family-favorite Sony Pictures Studio Tour. Warner Bros. is an especially fun experience because you'll be essentially walking through a working studio, which is something cinematically inclined teens will love. Encounter aquatic animals Animal-loving teens will find much to enjoy about Los Angeles. Aquatic creatures abound at the delightfully interactive Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (which is located in a fun neighborhood to explore). For those who want to focus exclusively on the vast array of sea life found in the Pacific Ocean, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a sure bet. If your teen prefers the fuzzy over the scaly, then a visit to the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park is a great option. Featuring over 1,000 different creatures from around the globe, in addition to more than 7,000 different plants in the Botanical Garden, this is an unbeatable attraction in Los Angeles. Battleship Iowa museum Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City® There you have it. Our list of some of the top things to do in Los Angeles with teenagers during your upcoming trip. Consider adding a few of these teen-friendly options to your vacation itinerary. Enjoy! With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your Los Angeles must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off. Whichever Los Angeles attraction pass you pick, it'll help you make the most of your trip! ☀️ Compare Los Angeles passes ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️  
Katie Sagal

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.