26 Article Reads
By Karen Pearlman
June 25, 2025 (San Diego County) – Independence Day in the USA is just days away, and across San Diego County, there are myriad events to be part of to celebrate.
East County Magazine has compiled a list of various offerings to celebrate the Fourth of July, whatever part of the region you’re in.
All events are on July 4 unless otherwise noted.
El Cajon 4th of July Fireworks at Kennedy Park
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Activities include train rides, crafts, games and a DJ with fireworks at 9 p.m.
More information: https://www.elcajon.gov/discover-el-cajon/events/fourth-of-july
Santee Salutes 4th of July Celebration
Time: 2 to just after 10 p.m. (concluding with fireworks at 9) at Town Center Community Park East
Activities include live music with Full Strength band from 6 to 9 p.m., a patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m., kids zone, food vendors and more
More information: https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/santee-salutes/45842
Ramona Family Picnic & Fireworks
Time: Starts about 4 p.m. with picnicking areas available at Olive Peirce Middle School
Activities include food vendors, DJ, cornhole, face painting and more with fireworks at 9 p.m. behind Olive Peirce set to Star 94.1 FM
More information: https://ramonachamber.com/fireworks/
Julian Fourth of July Parade & Events – Main Street, Julian
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Activities include a patriotic parade, live music, pie-eating contest and vintage plane flyover
More information: https://www.julianparade.com/
Viejas Freedom Fest – Viejas Casino, Alpine
Time: 8:45 p.m. fireworks display; the event itself with dinner and entertainment is for members only but fireworks will be visible in surrounding area.
Poway “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July” at Old Poway Park
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., then fireworks at Poway High Sportsplex at 9 p.m.
Activities include vintage games, crafts, model trains and more
More information: https://poway.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4693&month=7&year=2025&day=4&calType=0
Rancho Bernardo – “Spirit of the Fourth: Keep the Spirit Alive”
Time: Starts at 9 a.m.
Activities include crafts, food booths, motor show, children’s activities, a parade from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Larry Himmel Memorial Patriotic Pet Contest from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., Veterans memorial service at 11:30 a.m., music and entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. and fireworks at Rancho Bernardo High at 9 p.m. (Donations are requested)
More information: https://spiritofthefourth.org/
Scripps Ranch Parade & Run/Ride
Time: Parade and run start at about 10 a.m.
More information: https://www.scrippsranch.org/committees/4th-of-july/
Big Bay Boom – San Diego Bay
Time: 9 p.m.
California’s largest Independence Day fireworks, launched from four barges across the bay.
Best viewing spots: Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North/South Embarcadero, Coronado Ferry Landing – also great on the waterfront from a boat or from Mount Soledad
SeaWorld San Diego – Mission Bay
When: July 3 to 6, nightly from about 8:50 to 9 p.m.
Note: Special Independence Day fireworks included with park admission, ideal to watch from adjacent beaches or inside SeaWorld
San Diego County Fair – Del Mar Fairgrounds
Time: 9 p.m. fireworks Spectacular on the Corona Grandstand Stage, gates open 7 p.m. (Fairgrounds open at 11 a.m.)
Note: Ticketed seated and standing options available
More information: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2025/fireworks
La Jolla Drone Show – Kellogg Park
Time: 9 to 9:30 p.m. at La Jolla Shores
Quieter, high-tech show with 500 drones offering patriotic formations over La Jolla Shores
More information: https://www.ljshoreshotel.com/july4droneshow/
Coronado All-Day Celebration – Orange Avenue & Glorietta Bay
Time: Fun run starts at 7:30 a.m.
Activities include a parade at 10 a.m. and concert at about 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. over Glorietta Bay and the Coronado Golf Course. Also will include Navy Leap Frogs skydiving and headline entertainment
Escondido Independence Festival & Fireworks – Grape Day Park and California Center for the Arts campus
Time: 4 to 9:30 p.m.
60th annual festival includes live music and dancing from 5:15 to 9 p.m., artisan vendors, food trucks, beer garden, kids activities, complimentary admission to the Escondido History Center from 4 to 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
More information: https://artcenter.org/event/60th-annual-independence-day-festival/
San Marcos Fireworks Extravaganza Red, White and BOOM! at Bradley Park
Time: Entertainment starts at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.
Activities include live music by Republic of Music, carnival games, jumpers food vendors
More information: https://www.san-marcos.net/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/10058/5347?curm=7&cury=2024
Chula Vista 4th Fest – Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Time: Gates open at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.
Fireworks set to a custom soundtrack on Amor 102.9
More information: https://www.chulavistaca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/35962/2854?curm=7&cury=2025
Imperial Beach Pier Fireworks – IB Pier
Time: Starts at 1 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Activities include live music from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with free beach viewing of fireworks, synced to KyXy 96.5 FM
More information: https://ibparksandrec.org/578/4th-of-July-Celebration
3 Responses
Every neighborhood will have their own self perceived Independence Day celebrants where certain people ignore the laws and safety issues while setting off personal fireworks of numerous styles while making lot’s of noise prior to, and beyond the 4th of July disturbing sensitive folks and their pets, and not caring about these issues. Perhaps these selfish jerks would abstain from their bullying activities if they suffered from PTSD, or their own dog freaked out due to the loud explosions.
The local El Cajon neighborhood “expert pyrotechnics experts” decided to “entertain” the area with loud, deep sounding explosives of some type of what I presumed to be fireworks that could be heard for miles. Hope everyone engaging in this clearly illegal activity gets caught! Their selfish actions affect many people and pets, in a variety of ways. Consequences for their stupidity: Misdemeanor for minor offenses = Potential $1,000 fine, 6 months in county jail, and probation. Felony for more serious offenses involving more dangerous fireworks, property damages or injury = Potential fines up to $10,000, up to 3 years in prison, and restitution to those who have been injured for medical expenses, property damage, etc. Punishments can be even more during fire season. Sounds fun, right?! Go to an authorized fireworks display event folks, and stop being a neighborhood nuisance / lawbreaker.
All of you inconsiderate people celebrating Independence day with your illegal fireworks, explosive devices, guns, etc. I really enjoyed being traumatized by the noise. And as an extra bonus, the loud explosions which began around 8:00 pm, and lasted until past 2:00 am interrupted my sleep. I even heard a neighbors young child crying very late after a particularly loud explosion nearby. So, I have to wonder, did the police or fire department happen to catch and punish anyone performing these illegal activities? Any fires caused by illegal fireworks? Anyone injured?