What organizers call the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast won’t be held Friday, one of several Los Angeles County Independence Day events postponed or canceled because of federal enforcement action against illegal immigration.
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party, which last year included 800 drones flying above The Music Center, has been postponed until an unspecified day later in the summer.
Robert Gonzalez, Gloria Molina Grand Park director, expressed disappointment over the postponement but explained in a statement, “the safety of our guests, artists, staff and volunteers will always be our number-one priority.”
South Gate canceled Thursday’s Fourth of July Festival, which was to include a fireworks show. Cudahy’s fireworks show and Huntington Park’s drone show scheduled for Thursday have also been postponed.
Several shows have joined the trend of switching from fireworks to drones including the long-running show at the Rose Bowl where a drone show will be part of the three-day Foodieland food festival.
Instead of its traditional fireworks show at Palisades High School, a drone show will be held Friday at Paul Revere Middle School, “intended for persons that were residents of Pacific Palisades and immediately adjacent streets on Jan. 7, 2025, and their designated family and friends,” organizers said.
The event is not open to the general public because “the area residents impacted by the fire outnumber the capacity of the venue,” organizers said, citing the date the Palisades Fire began.
Burbank’s annual Independence Day celebration has been shifted to McCambridge Park from the Starlight Bowl, which remains closed due to damages from January’s windstorm. The celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. will also feature a drone show.
Fireworks shows include the 20-minute display at Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza at Warner Center Park. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and also include a performance by Strange Days, billed by organizers as “a worldwide touring Doors concert experience.”
Another 20-minute fireworks show will be held in Marina del Rey. It will begin at 9 p.m., synchronized to music played over loudspeakers at Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village.
The Fourth of July celebration at the LA Galaxy Sports Complex in Torrance will include a fireworks show set to begin a approximately 8:45 p.m.
The fireworks show will be preceded by live music.
Attendees are advised to bring blankets or round-bottom chairs. Straight-legged chairs are prohibited.
The maximum capacity enforced by the Torrance fire marshal. No tickets required, but compliance with facility rules is mandatory.
The West Parking Lot of the Torrance Courthouse has also been designated as a viewing area.
Fireworks will follow the Dodgers-Houston Astros game at Dodger Stadium; the Major League Soccer game between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Dignity Health Sports Park; the Earth, Wind & Fire concert at the Hollywood Bowl; and the “Kaboom!” motocross, tuff trucks and monster show at Fairplex.
Fireworks shows are also scheduled at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Fireworks displays are also planned for 9 p.m. at:
— Artesia Park, 18750 Clarkdale Ave.;
— Cerritos High School, 12500 E. 183rd St.;
— Rowley Park, 13220 S. Van Ness Ave., Gardena;
— Crescenta Valley High School, 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta;
— La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra;
— Marie Kerr Park, 39700 30th Street West, Palmdale;
— Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch;
— Rosemead Park, 4343 Encinita Ave.;
— Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita;
— Dr. Richard Roux Memorial Park, 26233 Faulkner Drive, Stevenson Ranch;
— Walnut High School, 400 Pierre Road;
— Westlake Village Golf Course, 4812 Lakeview Canyon;
— Friendly Hills Country Club, 8500 S. Villaverde Drive, Whittier; and
— York Field, 9110 Santa Fe Springs Road, Whittier.