Independence Day celebrations will take place all across the L.A. area this weekend.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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In this edition:
Fireworks and drone shows, rubber duckies, a food fest and more of the best things to do over the July 4 weekend.
Highlights:
A trip to the annual Rubber Ducky Race in the Venice Canals is a must. Pick and decorate your duck and watch as it floats through the canals. Truly the weirdest and most wonderful of the July 4 traditions.
The biggest July 4 party on the West Coast will shut down six blocks of downtown and will feature music, food, a drone show, and more at the Gloria Molina Grand Park celebration.
Stalls from dozens of local favorites will put your regular burger and dogs to shame over the holiday weekend – but of course you can find those, too, at the Rose Bowl's Foodieland Food Festival.
Happy 250th, America! If you’re looking for all the fireworks and drone shows you could want, look no further than our local roundup. And read on for more fun July 4 festivities.
To celebrate with more than the 1812 Overture, Licorice Pizza has your music lineup for the long weekend, including the big Hollywood Bowl fireworks night with the Beach Boys, Friday dance parties with GorillaT and friends at Academy L.A. and Kayzo at Exchange L.A. You can also check out Primus with Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade and Lennon Delirium at Long Beach’s F&M Bank Amphitheater.
The celebration continues Saturday with the L.A. Memorial Coliseum’s big America250 show with Chris Stapleton, the Smashing Pumpkins and Queen Latifah. Finally, on Sunday, what better way to wind down than with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass at the Hollywood Bowl?
Friday, July 3, 7 p.m. BMO Stadium 3939 S. Figueroa St., Expo Park COST: $23.90; MORE INFO
Sarah Gorden of Angel City FC prepares to kick the ball during a game between Portland Thorns and Angel City.
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Liza Rosales
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ISI Photos/Getty Images
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Can’t score a World Cup ticket? Head to BMO and see the hardest-working women in soccer, Angel City FC, take on the Orlando Pride. It’s L.A. Sports Night theme at the game, so get in the football spirit with our local faves.
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Sunday, July 5, 1 p.m. Fine Arts Theatre 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills COST: $10; MORE INFO
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IMDB
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Spencer Tracy and company go on a wild goose chase in Stanley Kramer’s classic comedy from 1963. See it in 70mm Ultra Panavision at this special screening, where Kat Kramer, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Jeff Garlin and Barrie Chase will be on hand for a Q&A.
Asian America the Beautiful
Through Sunday, July 5, sunset to sunrise JANM 100 North Central Ave., Little Tokyo COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy JANM
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While you’re cruising around town this weekend, make sure to swing by the JANM wall, where a powerful slideshow featuring Asian American life and history will be live each night through the holiday weekend.
We the People
Through Sunday, July 19 LADC Studios 5955 S. Western Ave., South L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A new multimedia exhibit from Community Coalition and Sankofa.org brings together 35 artists celebrating America through the stories of Black, brown, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized communities. We the People asks, “Who gets to define America?” 250 years in.
Foodieland Food Festival
Friday to Sunday, July 3 to 5 Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena COST: $12; MORE INFO
From dirty soda to a potted ice cream plant, try all the latest in food trends at the weekend-long Foodieland Food Festival at the Rose Bowl. Stalls from dozens of local favorites will put your regular burger and dogs to shame over the holiday weekend — but of course you can find those, too.
Anime Expo
Through Sunday, July 5 L.A. Convention Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $97; MORE INFO
If you’d rather be in Tokyo than in America watching fireworks, all you have to do is head to the Convention Center for the massive Anime Expo. Celebrating all things Japanese anime, the fest features fan meet-and-greets, cosplay events, autograph sessions, conversations with creators and much more.
There are countless events around L.A. to celebrate America's 250th birthday, so be sure to check out our full guide to the holiday. Here are a few other highlights to explore:
Torrance is celebrating Independence Day at the L.A. Galaxy Sports Complex with live music by the Satin Dollz, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a fireworks show. And decorate your wagon or stroller for the inaugural Stroller and Wagon Parade.
I refuse to leave the beach on July 4, so a trip to the annual Rubber Ducky Race in the Venice Canals is a must. Pick and decorate your duck, then watch as it floats through the canals. Truly the weirdest and most wonderful of the July 4 traditions.
Possibly the most eclectic concert lineup you can find, featuring Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Stapleton and Chaka Khan, hosted by Queen Latifah. Sure, why not? Tickets are only $17.76.
Shoppers browse vendors inside Un-Other Space during the first Friends & Family Flea in Koreatown on Sept. 26, 2026.
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Courtesy of Friends & Family Flea
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Topline:
Friends & Family Flea is returning to Koreatown. Organizers plan to make the flea market a monthly event in the neighborhood and offer reduced registration fees for local vendors.
Why it matters: The first market was held in September and drew more people to the space than organizers expected. Friends & Family Flea co-founder Kioh Park said more than 400 people RSVP’d but roughly 650 to 700 people attended.
The backstory: The flea grew out of Park and Byun’s experience building MAUM Market, a traveling market for Asian and Asian American makers. Park, who grew up in South Korea, first visited Los Angeles in 2016 and later moved to Koreatown, where the two met and developed their business.
Friends & Family Flea is returning to Koreatown. Organizers plan to make the flea market a monthly event in the neighborhood and offer reduced registration fees for local vendors.
The market will take place on Nov. 21 and Dec. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. at Un-Other Space at 524 S. Western Ave.
The first market was held in September and drew more people to the space than organizers expected. Friends & Family Flea co-founder Kioh Park said more than 400 people RSVP’d but roughly 650 to 700 people attended.
Some attendees told Park they lived just a few blocks away and had learned about the market through social media or The LA Local’s coverage.
The response convinced the organizers to continue.
“It was a trial, but definitely we saw the demand from the vendors and attendees,” Park said. “That’s why we want to keep pushing this.”
Organizers plan to invite back vendors from the first market while bringing in new vendors.
They plan to keep the market at Un-Other Space as vendors and attendees responded well to the indoor venue, Park said.
Attendees play Go-Stop with the LA Hwatu-Hanafuda Club at the first Friends & Family Flea in Koreatown on Sept. 26, 2026.
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Courtesy of Friends & Family Flea
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The organizers are also trying to make the market more accessible to neighborhood businesses. Vendors based in Koreatown can qualify for a reduced registration fee by providing proof of their address, such as a driver’s license or mailing address. Vendors from outside the neighborhood pay a different rate.
“Just so we can have more people who live in that neighborhood and then who do small business there join,” Park said.
The resident-rate program is part of their broader goal of building markets around individual neighborhoods, Park added.
The flea grew out of Park and Byun’s experience building MAUM Market, a traveling market for Asian and Asian American makers. Park, who grew up in South Korea, first visited Los Angeles in 2016 and later moved to Koreatown, where the two met and developed their business.
“L.A. Koreatown was really, it was really kind of a shock. It feels like a late 1980s, early 1990s, Korea vibe. So it reminds me of my childhood. And there’s a lot of mom and pop shops, so it was really an interesting experience for me,” he said.
Park said he had struggled to apply to established flea markets as a vendor because of language barriers and complicated paperwork.
“Back in the day, I didn’t speak English well, I wasn’t able to understand English well, and the process, paperwork was all very complicated,” he said.
Park said organizers plan to continue their partnership with the Koreatown Youth and Community Center, with proceeds from sales of Friends & Family Flea hats going to the nonprofit.
Kavish Harjai
writes about how people get around L.A.
Published October 20, 2026 1:23 PM
The protected bike lanes are just one part of a longer-term project to increase mobility on Fountain Avenue, including sidewalk widening.
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Courtesy City of West Hollywood
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Topline:
The West Hollywood City Council has rejected an effort that could have delayed plans to add protected bike lanes to Fountain Avenue.
The vote: The motion failed in a 3-2 vote on Monday night. It would have directed staff to evaluate an alternative plan for the road that maintained street parking but didn’t include bike lanes. West Hollywood City Councilmembers Chelsea Byers and John Erickson and Vice Mayor Danny Hang voted to reject the motion. Mayor John Heilman and City Councilmember Lauren Meister, who introduced the motion, supported the effort.
What happens next: The first phase of the project is set to begin construction before the end of the year. The plan includes reducing traffic lanes, pedestrian improvements and protected bike lanes.
The motion: Meister’s motion, which critics said came at the last minute, aimed to avoid the loss of 60% of the street’s parking as a result of the roadway changes. Meister said on Monday her motion was an attempt to weigh the approved plan against an alternative that “might accomplish the same safety objectives while preserving parking.”
Reaction to the vote: Michael Schneider is the founder and CEO of Streets for All, a transportation advocacy group that mobilized bike lane supporters before Monday’s meeting. In a text to LAist, Schneider said “common sense prevailed” and that he looks forward to construction starting.
Watch the meeting: If you’re looking to hear impassioned public comment and West Hollywood City Council members trade jabs, the Fountain Avenue item begins at around 2:06:20 in the meeting recording.
Read more: LAist previewed last night’s meeting with additional context, which you can read here.
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Elly Yu
covers issues facing the youngest Angelenos and their families.
Published October 20, 2026 1:17 PM
A damaged tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove forced thousands of nearby residents to evacuate.
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Ethan Swope
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AP Photo
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Topline:
An Orange County judge has approved a $125 million settlement with the company that owns a chemical tank in Garden Grove that malfunctioned earlier this year.
What’s new: The agreement sets aside up to $100 million for a claim program for residents and businesses who were forced to evacuate. Those affected can be reimbursed for expenses like hotel stays and loss of wages.
What’s next: GKN Aerospace, the company that owns the tank, said the claims program will open up as soon as possible and that it will hold a community event on Oct. 27.
The agreement between the Orange County District Attorney and GKN Aerospace sets aside up to $100 million for a claim program for residents and businesses who were forced to evacuate.
What’s covered in the claim program?
Those affected can be reimbursed for expenses like hotel stays and loss of wages. That includes:
Up to $300 a night for lodging, up to five nights
A $500 payment per household for the loss of using their home
Up to $500 per day in lost wages for hourly employees who missed work due to the evacuation, up to three working days
Up to $5,000 per day in lost profits for businesses that had to close during the evacuation
An additional $8.5 million will be used to reimburse government agencies that responded to the emergency.
The company has agreed to a safety plan, which includes new equipment and upgrades to existing equipment, and monitoring and oversight for at least the next seven years.
What’s next?
GKN says it will hold a community event on Oct. 27 so residents can learn about the claim program, though details about the event haven’t yet been released.
The company says now that the agreement has been court-approved, the claim program will open “as soon as possible.” To prepare, GKN said residents should keep receipts related to their expenses during their evacuation.
"Additional guidance on acceptable documentation will be provided when the program opens," according to a company FAQ site.
Packets of Pokemon cards are displayed for sale during the Insomnia Gaming Festival #I71 at NEC Arena on Sept. 8, 2023.
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John Keeble
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Getty Images Europe
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Topline:
Police in California are investigating the theft of trading cards worth at least $963,000 that were taken from a FedEx truck parked outside of a company that verifies memorabilia. The truck was broken into on Oct. 13 near Professional Sports Authenticator, also known as PSA, which authenticates trading cards, autographs, comic books, and other memorabilia and grades their condition, Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson Natalie Garcia said in a news release. Pokémon and sports cards were among the items that were stolen, the release said.
The backstory: The driver had left the truck unattended, Garcia said in a follow-up email Tuesday. How long the driver was gone is part of the investigation, she said. The truck’s lock was gone and two pallets were taken, she said. A third pallet was disturbed. “The estimated value of the stolen cards at the time of the incident was $963,000. However, the exact value of the stolen items has not yet been determined,” Garcia said in the news release.
What's next: PSA’s parent company, Collectors, said it has “deactivated the certificates for the stolen cards and notified marketplace partners so they can be on the lookout for rare and serialized items.” The company also said it contacted affected customers directly and arranged for compensation based on fair market value. Both FedEx and Collectors said they are working with law enforcement.
Police in Santa Ana are investigating the theft of trading cards worth at least $963,000 that were taken from a FedEx truck parked outside of a company that verifies memorabilia.
The truck was broken into on Oct. 13 near Professional Sports Authenticator, also known as PSA, which authenticates trading cards, autographs, comic books, and other memorabilia and grades their condition, Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson Natalie Garcia said in a news release. Pokémon and sports cards were among the items that were stolen, the release said.
The driver had left the truck unattended, Garcia said in a follow-up email Tuesday. How long the driver was gone is part of the investigation, she said.
The truck’s lock was gone and two pallets were taken, she said. A third pallet was disturbed.
“The estimated value of the stolen cards at the time of the incident was $963,000. However, the exact value of the stolen items has not yet been determined,” Garcia said in the news release.
Nick Andrews, a card collector near Boston, told The Associated Press the value of what was taken could be much higher.
PSA’s parent company, Collectors, said it has “deactivated the certificates for the stolen cards and notified marketplace partners so they can be on the lookout for rare and serialized items.”
The company also said it contacted affected customers directly and arranged for compensation based on fair market value.
Both FedEx and Collectors said they are working with law enforcement.
“The security of our customers’ shipments is a top priority,” FedEx spokesperson David Westrick said in a statement.
FedEx referred additional questions to police.
Some people who identified themselves as customers posted online that they got an email from PSA explaining what happened to their cards. They were worried they would never see them again or receive proper compensation.
Andrews, who collects vintage sports and Pokémon cards, told the AP in a phone interview that he was not affected by the theft but has heard from at least two dozen people who were.
“Thousands of cards, most likely, and millions of dollars, most likely,” he said of the losses collectors suffered.
He said one person who submitted cards for grading on behalf of several people told him that they lost half a million dollars in declared value.
PSA’s parent company did not get into specifics on losses in its statement.
“We understand the impact this has on collectors involved, many of whom see these cards as far more than a financial asset,” the statement from Collectors said. “Our team is focused on supporting them. We take this incident seriously, and we will continue working with law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.”
