As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial Saturday, ways to celebrate the nation’s 250th year with fireworks, parades and more are scheduled across San Diego County. Fourth of July weekend – Friday events Friday’s events include: — The Mira Mesa Town Council will host the “Independence Day Celebration” from 4-9:30 p.m. at Hourglass Field Community Park, 10440 Black Mountain Road. The celebration will feature a community picnic, food trucks, vendors, a kids’ zone, a classic car show and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. — Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve will host several events; Friday’s will feature part of a series of “Concerts on the Deck” at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m., a donut-eating contest and face painting. 9310 Fanita Parkway. — Oceanside will host a July 4th celebration beginning at 4 p.m., with music starting at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. SoCal Soccer Complex, 3300 El Corazon Drive. — SeaWorld San Diego will host its “Fourth of July Celebration,” with four consecutive days of fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 500 Sea World Drive. Fourth of July weekend – Saturday events Saturday’s events include: — Coronado’s festivities will begin with the 53rd Crown City Classic 12K run at 7 a.m., followed by the 77th annual parade at 10 a.m., starting at First Street and Orange Avenue. At 12:30 p.m., Adrian Empire Demonstration and SD Star Wars Society will host a photo-op at Star Park. At 2 p.m., the U.S. Navy Leap Frog demonstration will begin in the skies above the city; a public kids concert begins at Spreckels Park at 2:30 p.m.; a patriotic concert at Spreckels at 4 p.m.; and fireworks over the Coronado Golf Course at 9 p.m. — The San Diego 4th of July 5k/10k and Kids Fun Run will begin at 4S Ranch Sports Park at 8 a.m. The event is being held in honor of Ethan Hamilton, the athletic director at Point Loma Nazarene University, who died on July 4, 2024 after a battle with leukemia. 4S Ranch Sports Park, 16118 4S Ranch Parkway. — The Julian 4th of July celebration will begin at 9 a.m. The event will feature a pie-eating contest, an address by Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, live music, a vintage plane flyover and a parade at noon on Main Street. — Rancho Bernardo will host the 57th annual “Spirit of the 4th,” with a community fair, patriotic pet contest at 9:30 a.m., a parade at 3:30 p.m., and live music from 6 p.m. until fireworks at 9 p.m. Webb Park, Avena Place on Bernardo Center Drive. — Poway will host an all-day “Old Fashioned Fourth of July Fireworks” show starting at 10 a.m., with patriotic entertainment, western re- enactors, free children’s crafts, train displays, old-fashioned games and a fireworks show after dark. Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. — The Mira Mesa 4th of July Parade will return after a six-year hiatus. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Capricorn Way and Westonhill Drive and proceeds south to Harlington Drive, followed by a community potluck and picnic from 1-4 p.m. at the Mira Mesa Senior Center, featuring music, games and family- friendly activities. Related stories Fourth of July 8 hours ago What's open and closed on the Fourth of July? Here's what to know for 2026 Fourth of July 22 hours ago What's open, closed for Fourth of July in San Diego — Legoland California will host the “Red, White and BOOM!” event, with fireworks at 8:30 p.m. One Legoland Drive. — Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve will host several events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Saturday’s event is the “America 250 Celebration Parade” at 10 a.m. 9310 Fanita Parkway. — The San Diego County Fair will continue through Sunday. Saturday will feature the “America 250 Fireworks Spectacular” at 7:30 p.m. and the Paddock Concert Series featuring Brownies Lemonade at 7 p.m. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. — The “Santee Salutes 4th of July Celebration” will begin at 2 p.m. with live music, a patriotic ceremony, a food garden, a kids fun zone, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Town Center Community Park, 550 Park Center Drive. — Naval Base Point Loma will host “Freedom Fest,” a July 4 celebration at 3 p.m. that includes activities, a contest with prizes, food, entertainment and a view of all four barges of the “Big Bay Boom.” Harbor Drive Annex, Naval Base Point Loma. — The city of El Cajon will begin its July 4 celebrations in Kennedy Park at 3 p.m. with games and crafts, bounce houses, trackless train rides, a DJ, an “America 250 Interactive Display” and fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. Kennedy Park, 1675 East Madison. — Ramona’s “July 4 Family Picnic Fireworks Show” will begin at 4 p.m. at Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hansen Lane. — California Center for the Arts, Escondido will host the 61st annual “Independence Day Festival” at Grape Day Park at 4 p.m. The event will feature a beer garden, artisan market, games and activities for all ages and a fireworks display. Music by Back to the Garden, Kimmi Bitter and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. Grape Day Park, 321 N Broadway. — Quartyard will host the “RB Block Party,” a July 4 spectacular at 5 p.m. 1301 Market St. — The Almost Nakey Freedom Fest will begin at FIT Social in Belmont Park at 5 p.m. Performers include Austin Millz, Girl Math, Edris Omar, Burko, Luke Andy and Sprout with special guest MIMS. 3125 Ocean Front Walk. — Vista’s 58th annual “Independence Day Celebration” will begin at 5 p.m. and feature music from the Cassie B. Project, then a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. — The Maritime Museum of San Diego will host a “July 4 Celebration Fireworks” on the Bay at 6 p.m. 492 N Harbor Drive. — San Marcos’ “Independence Day Red, White Boom” begins at 6 p.m. with carnival games, live entertainment, jumpers, food for sale and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Drive. — “The Chula Vista 4th Fest” will begin at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway. Gates open at 7 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs and blankets. Food trucks will be on site. — The Rady Shell will present “America the Beautiful: 250” at 7:30 p.m., featuring American classics and patriotic music backed by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. — SeaWorld will continue its “Fourth of July Celebration” with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. — The Port of San Diego’s “Big Bay Boom” will begin at 9:15 p.m. on San Diego Bay. Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from four barges placed strategically around San Diego Bay. The show can be viewed from most anywhere along the northern and central parts of San Diego Bay. The most popular areas to watch are at Shelter Island, Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island, Embarcadero Parks North South, Seaport Village, the port’s park in Barrio Logan and Coronado Ferry Landing. All attendees are encouraged to arrive early, bring a lawn chair and/or blanket and bring a radio to tune into the musical simulcast that will be broadcast live on 91X FM radio. “The Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom is our region’s signature and most anticipated annual Independence Day tradition, and we’re eager to put on a great event as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ann Moore, chair of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Gather your friends and family, grab a comfy lawn chair, and join us for an incredible evening on San Diego Bay.” The day after Independence Day, the Surfrider Foundation of San Diego County will host its 20th annual “Morning After Mess” beach cleanups throughout the county. This year, volunteers can give back at OB Dog Beach Estuary, Mission Beach, Fiesta Island, South Ponto beach and Oceanside from 9-11 a.m. The cleanups are free and open to the public. Registration is available at surfriderSD.org/mam. Cleanup supplies (bags, gloves and grabbers) will be provided while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable gear if available. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less