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Best things to do this 4th of July weekend in Los Angeles and Southern California
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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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?
Elsewhere on LAist, you can get tips on going “plastic-free” this July, meet the Street Fighter players who’ve taken over a secret Koreatown spot and find the best moules frites at this San Clemente restaurant.
Events
Angel City FC v. Orlando Pride
Friday, July 3, 7 p.m.
BMO Stadium
3939 S. Figueroa St., Expo Park
COST: $23.90; MORE INFO
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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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Criterion Collection
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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.
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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
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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 bBwl. 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.
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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.
July 4 + America 250 Events
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queenmary.com
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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.
Two World Cup games overlap with the big July 4 holiday, and Magic Johnson Park is hosting the official L.A. Fan Fest for the long weekend.
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.
Fireworks and the Beach Boys — celebrate in the most American and Californian way possible at the Hollywood Bowl. Surf’s up!
Gloria Molina Grand Park Celebration
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.
Finally, the Palisades’ wholesome July 4 parade is back and open to all.
Newport Beach’s American Legion Yacht Club hosts its annual boat parade from Lido Isle through Newport Harbor.
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