Things to Do for 4th of July in the Long Beach Area

Around Los Angeles, one of the best places to go for the Fourth of July is Long Beach in Ocean County. In this waterfront city, you can enjoy bike parades by day and see a spectacular firework show over the RMS Queen Mary by night, among other patriotic events in the area. There are a lot of unique ways to watch the fireworks from the water too, whether you board the Queen Mary or watch from the deck of a party yacht.

As of June 19, Long Beach's annual fireworks and some other events have not yet been rescheduled nor officially canceled for 2020. Check the websites of local organizers for updates.

Keep in mind that setting off personal fireworks—including "safe and sane" fireworks—in most of Los Angeles County, including the beaches, is illegal. If you take them a few blocks away from the few areas where they are sold, or if you bring them from out of town and set them off in Los Angeles, Long Beach, or other areas, you could be cited or even arrested.

01 of 07

Celebrate the 4th of July Aboard the Queen Mary

The Queen Mary in Long Beach — Kayte Deioma

The Queen Mary's All-American July Fourth Celebration is traditionally a festive all-ages party with entertainment, music, activities, and food. The All-American Fourth of July is open to the entire family and children age three and under are admitted free.

With your July Fourth Celebration ticket, you can take ship tours, view the exhibits, and check out the engine room starting at 10 a.m. Enter the ship between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and you can visit all the Queen Mary attractions before the main festivities take place. As night falls, the deck will become a front-row seat to one of the best fireworks shows in Southern California.

02 of 07

Enjoy BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific

The aquarium is open, but it has not rescheduled its July 4 party for 2020.

Normally, you can combine a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific at night and enjoy a fish-eye view of the Queen Mary fireworks. During the holiday, combination tickets typically include admission to the aquarium, plus an Independence Day BBQ buffet with home-style grilled entrees and desserts.

03 of 07

Join the Block Party

Sailboats in Alamitos Bay. Long Beach, CA — Kayte Deioma

This event has not been rescheduled for 2020.

Boathouse on the Bay on Alamitos Bay Marina traditionally sponsors an annual fireworks celebration and block party the night before the Fourth of July to benefit local charities. The block party celebration includes vintage aircraft flyovers, skydivers, a sailing regatta, music, dancing, and a fireworks show. You can park for free at the marina or restaurant, but the lot fills up quickly.

04 of 07

Decorate Your Bikes and Join the Parade

Long Beach 4th of July Bike Parade — Kayte Deioma

This event has not been rescheduled for 2020.

In Long Beach, children and adults are encouraged to decorate their bikes and themselves in red, white, and blue. This annual patriotic procession on wheels that usually takes place on the beach bike path. In addition to the bike parade, the event includes competitions for children 12 and younger including a speech contest and costume contest. The party starts on Granada Avenue and there is normally free parking in the Granada Beach lot for the event.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Take a Cruise

Harbor Breeze's Independence Day cruises are on for 2020, but passengers and crew will be required to wear a face mask and maintain a six-foot distance from each other. Each boat's capacity has also been capped to prevent crowding. Tickets ordered online must be pre-printed and brought with you to the dock—you won't be able to show your ticket on your phone. If the firework display does go on, you will be perfectly positioned to marvel at the light show while floating on the sea.

06 of 07

Enjoy Classic Cars and More

This event has been canceled for 2020.

You can normally enjoy classic cars at the annual Cars and Stripes Forever, a free community celebration typically kicks off Independence Day weekend on Harbor Boulevard and the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. Here, you'll find a classic car show, an exotic car display, motorcycles, live bands, food trucks, beer garden, and grand fireworks finale at 9:15 p.m.

07 of 07

Go Over to Catalina Island

All of Catalina Island's Independence Day events have been canceled for 2020.

The city of Avalon on Catalina Island traditionally hosts an annual Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade (no cars are allowed on the island) and golf cart decorating contest at 1 p.m. and then a patriotic dinghy parade at 4 p.m. You can watch the evening fireworks display from anywhere on the beach or spring for the Casino Ballroom dinner with the USC Marching Band and a balcony view of the sky show.