Dana Point
July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
@Dana Point Harbor & Doheny State Beach
@9pm; Cost Free; danapoint.org
Don’t miss one of South Orange County’s best aerial fireworks displays over Doheny State Beach. The fireworks are synchronized to a captivating musical score-tune your radio to 88.5FM KSBR. Free shuttle buses will make round trips from Dana Hills High School to Dana Point Harbor from 10am to 11:30pm, stopping at the corner of Dana Point Harbor and Golden Lantern. Shuttles do not run during the fireworks show. The last shuttle leaves the harbor at 11:30pm.
Ladera Ranch
Freedom Run At The Beach
@Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Blvd; 6-10am; Cost: $15-35; laderalife.com
The Freedom Run on the Ranch is returning to an in-person event with the regular 1K, 5K, and 10K runs. Support local charities through the race registration proceeds. Enjoy this great opportunity to celebrate our national holiday and have a little fun while running the streets of Ladera. The event will offer a pancake breakfast and a sponsor vendor area during the morning event.
July 4th Community Parade
@28275 Avendale Blvd; 10:30am-11:30am; Cost: Free; laderalife.com
This year’s parade will begin at 10:30am at the corner of Sienna Parkway and Daisy Street. The route will continue down Sienna Parkway to Sellas Road North, to Avendale Boulevard, and will conclude at the Avendale Clubhouse. The route is approximately 1 mile. This is a non-motorized parade. E-bikes, cars, trucks, GEM/EV, and motorcycles are prohibited. Dogs are allowed in the parade if they are leashed and you clean up after your dog. Ladera Ranch residents can register for the parade at laderalife.com
July 4th Celebration
@Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Blvd; 3-9:30pm; Cost: Free; laderalife.com
Ladera Ranch Community Services will present a fun-filled day of activities, including a cupcake bakeoff, a teen zone, food trucks, a concert (Undercover-Top 40), and fireworks. Games and activities require purchase of wristband or individual tickets and include Euro bungee, inflatable slide, giant slide, the Wizzer, carnival games, rock wall, airbrush artists, caricature artists, face painters, the Orbitron, zip line, and race game trailer. Cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks show.
San Clemente
4th of July Fireworks Show
@San Clemente Pier; 9pm; Cost: Free; scchamber.com/events
San Juan Capistrano
4th of July Celebration
@San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion
12-9pm; Cost: Free; sanjuancapistrano.org
The celebration will feature live music, food and beverage, family activities, carnival rides, and, of course, a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm.
Why fireworks?
Fireworks lit up the night to celebrate the first anniversary of the July 4th holiday in 1777. Founding father John Adams was responsible for initiating the tradition, and each year since Americans have enjoyed the display of shimmering colors in the night sky. Ironically, Adams died on July 4, 1826- the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence-hours after Thomas Jefferson’s death.
