The Best Places to Celebrate Independence Day in LA

Photo Credit: Kit Leong/Shutterstock.com

Struggling for what to do this Independence Day? Have no fear—here are some ideas on how to celebrate L.A.-style come July 4th (hint: most involve fireworks… just saying).

Photo Credit: Freedom Sculpture

PENTATONIX AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL (+ FIREWORKS, OF COURSE) 

July 4th at the Hollywood Bowl has become a right of passage for many, and this year, three-time Grammy Award winning acapella group Pentatonix are helping freedom ring. The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra will be joining in each night with the multi-platinum-selling recording artists, who are also performing on July 2 & 3. Expect fireworks, of course, come July 4.

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HOLLYWOOD FOREVER 

Pack your picnic basket chock full of red, white and blue items and head to the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a July 4th screening of Jurassic Park. Stick around for the Independence Day fireworks, which are just part of a complete evening that includes a DJ and photobooth for commemorative snapshots.

Photo Credit: Kit Leong / Shutterstock.com

HOMETOWN TEAM PRIDE WITH THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS 

The American Anthem will take on extra special meaning on the 4th, when the Los Angeles Dodgers play host to the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the first pitch scheduled at 6:10 p.m. Post-game, there will be an awesome fireworks display, which is largely considered to be one of the best in L.A.

Photo Credit: Grand Park/The Music Center

GRAND PARK + THE MUSIC CENTER CELEBRATE WITH A 4TH OF JULY BLOCK PARTY 

Grand Park and The Music Center presents downtown’s largest July 4^th celebration with the fifth annual Grand Park + The Music Center’s 4^th of July Block Party.  The event will cover more than five city blocks, from Spring Street to Grand Avenue and from Temple Street to 2^nd Street, with two high-profile stages featuring the sounds of America, from Jazz and Classical, to Funk and the Blues.  Families will enjoy a dedicated play area on Grand Park’s Event Lawn where children age 5-12 can join in themed tag, soccer and parachute play.  Guests will find many summer food choices for purchase from more than 45 gourmet food trucks, including tacos, barbecue, burgers, sweets and more. The celebration will be capped with Downtown L.A.’s largest fireworks show set to Pop and Classic hits along with patriotic music.  The display will be shot from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and will be visible throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

Photo Credit: Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

ALL-AMERICAN FOOD 

Nothing says Fourth of July like a great, all-American picnic. This year, take your picnic to the next level with a basket of juicy fried chicken and fluffy doughnuts from DTLA’s Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken (516 W. 6^th St.)  This special picnic basket ($55) is available on July 4^th only, by pre-order. The basket includes eight pieces of fried chicken, four biscuits, one large coleslaw, two birthday cake doughnuts, two cherry pie doughnuts and two special USA doughnuts (above). Then, two L.A. mainstays synonymous with the city—Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills and Pink’s Hot Dogs—will combine forces under one roof to commemorate Independence Day in classic Angeleno fashion from Saturday, July 1 – Sunday, July 2, 2017. The luxury hotel will host a Pink’s Hot Dogs pop-up transforming Windows Lounge and the front driveway into a festive, patriotic-themed setting. The hotel will pay homage to the legendary Hollywood restaurant staple, which has served critically acclaimed hot dogs and hamburgers to the Los Angeles community, including celebrity clientele, for over 78 years. At this special 4^th of July event, Pink’s Hot Dogs will have a van and festive tables offering made-to-order All-Beef Hot Dogs, Veggie Dogs, and Turkey Dogs, accompanied by toppings, such as Pink’s Famous Chili, cheese, mustard, onions, relish, ketchup and sauerkraut ($6). In addition to the selection of hot dogs, the hotel will provide a refreshing Ice Cream Station offering double scoops of ice cream with toppings ($6) and a house-baked Apple Pie Station ($6). Special refreshments from the hotel include Peroni Beer on Draft ($7) and soft drinks ($3).