Whether you are taking your pups for a stroll at the park, watching the sky light up from the shore, or partaking in a sunset boat party, Long Beach has an array of 4th of July events that are packed with fun and, of course, fireworks. Here is a list of family-friendly events, fireworks shows and boat parties happening across town this weekend.

July 2

Kick off the long weekend with your pups by attending the inaugural Independence Day Dog Parade at Lincoln Park in Downtown from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 2. Hosted by City Council District 1, the event will honor the city’s veterans and service pets and recognize them for their service to the country. The Long Beach Police Department’s K9 unit and Long Beach Fire Department’s search and rescue dogs will also be honored. Attendees can enjoy the parade and take advantage of pet resources available including free microchipping from Fix Long Beach Pets and booths from Long Beach Animal Care Services and Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue. Veterans resources will also be available.

July 3

The local Independence Day Eve party, Big Bang on the Bay, will light up the skies of Alamitos Bay, Naples and the Peninsula once again with a block party and fireworks show at Boathouse on the Bay from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Tickets to attend Boathouse’s Block Party, featuring up-close views of the fireworks and entertainment including several aircraft flyovers, skydivers and a demonstration by the Coast Guard’s Dolphin Search and Rescue team, are $75 for adults and $30 for children 10 and younger. Proceeds from the Boathouse party will go to local charities, with the main benefactor being Long Beach-based Children Today. Harbor Breeze Cruises will also be offering ticketed cruises for viewing, more information can be found here.

July 4 

Join Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team for the Great American 4th of July Kids Bike Parade at 10 a.m.  at 1 Granada Avenue Beach in Belmont Shore. The event will be jam-packed with contests for speech-writing and costumes, cash prizes and more. The event is free but attendees are encouraged to bring a jar of peanut butter, breakfast cereal, tuna, or other non-perishables to donate to local food banks. Visit Rudd’s Facebook page for more details.

Fourth of July fireworks are returning to the Downtown waterfront at Queensway Bay for the second time since the pandemic began, thanks to sponsorship from Harbor Breeze Cruises and the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. The free 9 p.m. show will take place in Queensway Bay, with scenic viewing points throughout the area, such as Lions Lighthouse for Sight, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and Marina Green. Parking will be available at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and at public lots throughout the area, including Shoreline Village and adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Harbor Breeze Cruises will also be offering ticketed cruises for viewing. More information can be found here or by calling 562-432-4900.

You can bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base for the 35th Annual Universal Waste Systems (UWS) 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The free event is hosted by the cities of Los Alamitos and Seal Beach, and will feature a food court, vendor booths, musical entertainment and a beer garden. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday but make sure you’re inside by 8:45 p.m. to enjoy the “the best fireworks show display in the area” at 9 p.m. on the dot.

For those 21 and over, hop on a boat at the port for the Deep House Brunch 4th of July Sunset Boat Party hosted by Orlove Entertainment. The boat will depart from Catalina Classic Cruises at 1046 Queens Highway at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $55. The event will feature an extended set by deep house DJ Miguel Migs along with sets from DJs Jay-J and Scotty Boy.

For the soccer aficionados, head up to Carson where LA Galaxy will host their annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show on Legends Night after their match against CF Montréal as the two clubs square off on Independence Day. Score tickets to the game here.

IN PICTURES: July 4 comes a day early with Big Bang on the Bay fireworks show