It’s that time of year when we gather outside to “ooh” and “aah” at sparkly combustions in the sky, sometimes to the sound of patriotic music by a municipal band or more likely to the soothing waves of the ocean. Celebrating America’s independence on the coast is especially great for that reason, here’s a list of fireworks shows happening in Long Beach and neighboring cities so you can plan your 4th of July accordingly.

THE QUEEN MARY

The Queen Mary opens up her stately quarters again during the annual “All American 4th of July” celebration. The family-friendly event starts at 3 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. and features live music, arts and craft stations, face painting, lawn games, a vintage air show and tours of the historic ship. Joining the Queen this year to behold the blazing fireworks show is the ships sea-going “niece,” the Queen Elizabeth. This “Royal Rendezvous” marks the fifth time in over 30 years another Cunard ship has visited the Queen Mary and the third time these sister ships have crossed paths since 1967 (when the original Queen Elizabeth was still in commission).

Ample viewing of the show can be seen along the whole stretch of Long Beach shores, but for prime viewing of the crackling pyrotechnics from the ship, a ticket is required. Prices range from $29-$119. Fireworks start starts at 9 p.m.

The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. Tickets can be purchased here.

BIG BANG ON THE BAY

Long Beach’s unique Big Bang on the Bay fireworks festival and block party returns to Alamitos Bay Wednesday, July 3. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the annual event hosted by Boathouse on the Bay, includes vintage aircraft flyovers, skydivers, a sailing regatta, dancing and dinner catered by Naples Rib Company. The evening ends with a fireworks show on and over Alamitos Bay at 9 p.m. 

Block party tickets start at $50 for general admission and $30 for kids 10 and under, with several local charities benefitting, including Children Today, the Miller Foundation and the Captain Rosa Memorial Scholarship. Inside seating is available for $60 and patio seats are also available for $95.

Block party tickets can be purchased at this link and more information on reserving inside and patio seats is available here.

HUNTINGTON BEACH 

At Huntington Beach, you can party on the pier for the price of $10, show up extra early to snag a bonfire pit along the beach for free or get a different view of the 1,300 rounds of boom set to go off at the end of the walkway over the ocean with a Lake Park Bleacher Seat Ticket for $20. Finding parking will likely be nightmarish, but there’s a shuttle that runs between the civic center and the OCTA Golden West Transportation Center, and there’s always the option of taking a Lyft or riding a bike, otherwise, lot prices range from $25 to $35. The pier will be partially closed on July 4, and completely closed at 5 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m., fireworks start at 9 p.m.

The pier is located off Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. For info on more July 4 activities in Huntington Beach, visit the website here. 

CERRITOS 

Farther inland, the Cerritos Civic Center opens up it’s grounds to the city with the 46th annual “Let Freedom Ring” carnival-type celebration. For $25 guests can purchase all day wristbands (although not after 7:30 p.m.) that give them unrestricted access to all the rides. The event, which begins at 4 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m., will include live music headlined by the band Remixifyed, games, food trucks and a bell ringing ceremony. After all the ride induced endorphins have settled, take a four-minute walk from the civic center to behold the fireworks display at Cerritos High School at 9 p.m. Chairs and blankets are encouraged as picnicking and barbecues are prohibited.

The Cerritos Civic Center is located on 18125 Bloomfield Ave. and Cerritos High School at 12500 183rd St. For more information and street closures visit the website here. 

REDONDO BEACH 

After experimenting last year by having its fireworks show not on the 4th, Redondo Beach is back on schedule with its annual celebration at Seaside Lagoon. You can watch the show from the beaches—Redondo and Hermosa—you can enjoy them in or around Seaside Lagoon or, if you’re feeling a bit patriotically fancy, you can check out the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Watch Party at nearby Shade Hotel where, from 5 to 10 p.m., where you can enjoy everything from the comfort of couches situated around fire pits while snacking and drinking, just as our founding fathers intended. They were a swell bunch.

Seaside Lagoon is located at 200 Portofino Way. For more information, click here. Shade Hotel is located at 655 N Harbor Dr. For more information, click here.

LOS ALAMITOS

Watching “one of the best and longest fireworks displays in Southern California” at the Joint Forces Training Base is completely free and is hosted by not one, but two cities, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. Guests can expect live music, a family fun area, food vendors and to be ready and patient about heightened security taken for those entering and exiting the base. Also, bring lawn chairs and blankets since there’s no bleacher seating at this one. Gates open at 4 p.m., fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

The base is located at 11200 Lexington Dr., Los Alamitos, CA, 90720. Check out Patch Los Alamitos-Seal Beach for more info.