Community events in San Diego County: From parade on Main Street to Spirit of the Fourth Fair

CARLSBAD

Discovery Days at mall

Discovery Days with free family-friendly entertainment and activities are from 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays throughout July at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, in the garden area near Yeti. On July 2, a patriotic celebration will feature Captain America and vocal performances by the Star-Spangled Sisters along with a patriotic bracelet craft in honor of Independence Day. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.

CHULA VISTA

Village Walk Summer Sundays

The music of the Breez’n band will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. July 5 at the Summer Sunday celebration at Village Walk at Eastlake, 884 Eastlake Parkway. There will be a display of cars by the San Diego Air Cooled Car Club. Children can decorate a small wind chime and get balloon sculptures and glitter tattoos. Visit shopvillagewalk.com/special-events.

CORONADO

Concerts set for July 4 at Spreckels Park

The Coronado Concert Band will perform a Patriotic Concert from 4 to 5:15 p.m. July 4 at Spreckels Park, 601 Orange Ave. There will be a Kids Concert from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. the same day with Katleen Dugas performing Disney songs. Visit coronadofourthofjuly.com/schedule.

Crown City run

The Crown City Classic 12K & 5K Run is from 7 to 9 a.m. July 4, starting and finishing at Coronado Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex Drive, and going along Coronado Bay with views of the San Diego–Coronado Bridge. A costume contest is at 6:45 a.m. Register at crowncityrun.com.

DEL MAR

Independence Day parade

An Independence Day parade starts at 9 a.m. July 4 at Powerhouse Park with the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem. Del Mar Junior Lifeguards, Uncle Sam and city leaders, along with a Del Mar Fire Department fire truck will lead the community parade, including kids on decorated bikes and dogs in costumes, down Coast Boulevard and back to Powerhouse Park. Cookies and lemonade will be served in the park. The community celebration is hosted by the Del Mar Foundation. Coast Boulevard at 15th Street and north will be closed to traffic from about 8:30 a.m. until after the parade.  Visit delmarfoundation.org.

EL CAJON

Summer in Harmony concert

The nonprofit California Note Catchers, a women’s barbershop chorus, hosts a concert, themed Celebrate Summer in Harmony, at 2 p.m. July 25 at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way. Come early for the bake sale and drawing. Donations will be accepted at the door. Visit californianotecatchers.com.

ENCINITAS

Teen foster volunteers sought

The Teen Foster Program at Rancho Coastal Humane Society gives teenagers 15 and older an opportunity to work hands-on with homeless animals while they earn service hours for their school or other organization. The average length of stay in foster care is four to six weeks. Training and parental approval are required. Call 760-753-6413 or visit sdpets.org.

ESCONDIDO

Concert and fireworks

“Honoring 250 years of American Spirit” is the theme of a community Independence Day celebration from 4 to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at Grape Day Park, 321 Broadway, hosted by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. There will be live music by the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, The Prairie Moons and Band of Gringos. The event culminates with the fireworks display at 9 p.m. There will be food trucks, an artisan market, a Hula-Hoop contest and arts and crafts and face painting along with a craft beer garden. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Admission is free; VIP table for four is $80, including a beer and Great Green Canteen meal. Visit artcenter.org/event/61stindependecedayfestival.

‘Small and Mighty’ art show seeks entries

The Escondido Art Association is accepting entries for its “Small and Mighty” July Gallery Show from July 11-31. Take-in of art will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 at EAA Gallery, 121 W. Grand Ave. Up to three entries of 2D and 3D art per artist are accepted with a maximum size of 12-by-12 inches on any side for 2D art (including frame). Entry fees are $30 for first entry; $20 for members and $5 each for second and third entries. The show judge is Julia Fister, executive director of Studio ACE. Visit escondidoartassociation.org.

Cruisin’ Grand car show Fridays

The Cruisin’ Grand car show features pre-1974 classics, hot rods, muscle cars and other vintage cars from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 25 along Grand Avenue and nearby side streets. Typically the car owners will show off their engines and modifications and cruise around. Each week is hosted by a different car club and follows a different theme. Weekly awards are given and there is live music from local bands and DJs. Visit cruisingrand.net.

FALLBROOK

Pancake breakfast with dog show

Rotary Club of Fallbrook’s pancake breakfast is from 8 to 11 a.m. July 4 at the Fallbrook Community Center, 341 Heald Lane. Tickets are $12; $5 for children ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. Proceeds benefit community programs. A dog show is from 11 a.m. to noon. Visit business.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.

Climate action group meets

The Fallbrook Climate Action Team holds an online meeting via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. June 30 featuring guest speaker Will Shakespeare, who will discuss the history and activities of Save our Forest. Register at fallbrookclimateactionteam.org.

Democratic club meets

The Fallbrook Democratic Club meets at 6:30 p.m. July 2 at the Fallbrook Public Utility District Community Room, 900 E. Mission Road. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. The meeting also can be attended virtually via Zoom by registering at  fallbrookdemocrats.org/zoom.

IMPERIAL BEACH

Marine Band to perform before fireworks

A fireworks show commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States will start at 9 p.m. July 4 off the Imperial Beach Pier. The Marine Band San Diego is playing from 6 to 7 p.m. and there will be live music by IB Waves Band. Seacoast Drive will be closed from Imperial Beach Boulevard to Palm Avenue from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the event. Visit imperialbeachca.gov.

JULIAN

Parade on Main Street

An Independence Day parade will be at noon July 4 on Main Street, honoring the nation’s birthday. Attendees can join in carrying a huge American flag down Main Street before the start of the parade. The theme is “As American as Apple Pie” and the grand marshal is the pie shops of Julian. Pre-parade activities start at 9:30 a.m. including the “524” Brass Band and Sidle Entertainment Drumline Band, History with Patrick Henry and pie-eating contests. The flyover by vintage aircraft will be at noon to kick off the parade. Visit julianparade.com.

LA JOLLA

Independence Day drone show

An Independence Day drone show is at 9 p.m. July 4, hosted and launched by La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and La Jolla Shores Hotel, featuring 500 drones soaring 350 feet above the shoreline with patriotic imagery. The main public viewing of the show will be at the south end of Kellogg Park, 8277 Camino del Oro, and the surrounding beach and park along with areas near La the Jolla Shores Hotel and La Jolla Cove. Admission is free to the public. Visit ljshoreshotel.com/july4droneshow.

NORTH COUNTY

Emmy Award-winning artist hosts art camps

Academy Award contender and Emmy Award-winning PBS artist Mark Kistler hosts summer art camps in North County. Kistler, creator and star of the educational TV series “The Secret City” and “The Imagination Station,” is known for his “Draw! Draw! Draw!” philosophy, which he will share through hands-on camps and San Diego County Fair appearances, including June 28 and July 4-5 at the fair’s Arts/Crafts Pavilion Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds; June 29 to July 3 and July 23-27 at the city Vista’s Thibodo House Summer Arts Camp in Vista; July 6-10 at the Studio ACE Summer Arts Camp in Oceanside; July 27-31 at the city of Encinitas Arts Pavillion Summer Arts Camp; and Aug. 3-7 at Oceanside Museum of Art’s Summer Arts Camp. Visit markkistler.com.

NATIONAL CITY

Lions Club puts on annual carnival

National City and its Lions Club are hosting the annual Fourth of July Carnival from July 1-5 at Kimball Park, 12th and D streets, with fireworks at the park at 9 p.m. July 4. The carnival, featuring rides and games, food and drink and entertainment, is open from 5 to 11 p.m. July 1-3, noon to midnight July 4 and 1 to 11 p.m. July 5. The Miss National City Pageant is slated for 7 p.m. July 3. Visit nationalcityca.gov.

OCEANSIDE

‘Growing Good Saturday’

A free Community Farming Day, “Growing Good Saturday Weeding & BBQ,” will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 4  at the nonprofit Barron Creek Farm behind the North Coast United Methodist Church, 1501 Kelly St. There will be foraged tea micro-training by Miri of Fallow Feasts Wild Foraging, then weeding, followed by a simple farm barbecue lunch. Register at barroncreekfarm.org.

Screwball to Spoof movie series

A free movie series, From Screwball to Spoof, continues at 6 p.m. July 1 with the 1980 featured film “Airplane!” at the Oceanside Civic Center Library’s Community Room, 330 N. Coast Highway. The summer series showcases how movies make us laugh and discussions will be led by professor Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, who teaches cinema studies at Palomar College. Chaffin-Quiray will discuss the artistic and sociological character of the films after the screening. Visit oceansidelibrary.org.

Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade

The Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade begins at 1 p.m. July 4 in the Oceanside Harbor at the Oceanside Yacht Club and continues on to the south end of the harbor. Decorate a patriotic dinghy 12 feet and under and enter the parade. Trophies will be awarded. Register at the skippers meeting at 10 a.m. July 4 at the yacht club, 1950 Harbor Drive N. Entry fee is $5. Call 760-722-5751 or visit oceansideyc.net.

Lunch for kids at library

Lunch at the Library is free for kids from infancy to age 18, weekdays through Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Highway, and at noon at the John Landes Community Center Library, 2855 Cedar Road, and Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St. Visit oceansidelibrary.org.

POWAY

Independence Day fireworks

Two Independence Day fireworks displays will run simultaneously starting at 9 p.m. July 4 from Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road, in the school’s football field and the Sportsplex in the Poway Business Park, 12349 McIvers Court. The Poway Sportsplex will not be open for fireworks viewing, but there is street parking throughout the South Poway Business Park and fireworks can be seen throughout the valley. Gates open at the Poway High School football field at 6 p.m., with games, activities and a DJ. Entry costs $6 per person at the gate; free for children 11 and younger. Lake Poway is open to the public on July 4 and will stay open for the fireworks, but viewing is limited because the ballfield is temporarily closed. Parking is $10 for nonresidents; free for residents and military with ID. Visit poway.org/fireworks.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July

The annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July community celebration is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, with patriotic entertainment, old-fashioned games, children’s crafts and model train displays. Treats and train rides will be sold. VFW Post 7907 and the Poway Veterans Park Committee host a ceremony honoring service members at Veterans Park (adjacent to Old Poway Park) beginning at 11 a.m. Free shuttles are available starting at 9:30 a.m. from Poway Adult School and Poway City Hall. Visit poway.org.

RAMONA

Car show, fireworks

A community picnic and fireworks is from 1 to 9 p.m. July 4 at 421 Aqua Lane. There will be live music, a fun zone, a cornhole tournament and a car show, including motorcycles and tractors, along with food and craft vendors. Fireworks will be at 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets; service dogs only. Admission and parking are free. Visit ramonachamber.com/fireworks.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Spirit of the Fourth Community Fair

The annual Spirit of the Fourth Community Fair, themed “Celebrate CommUNITY,” starts at 9 a.m. July 4 in Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place. Highlights include games and activities for kids, a veterans memorial service, a Quilts of Valor display and a Wheels of Freedom Motor Show along with food trucks and food booths. The parade is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The parade map is at spiritofthefourth.org.

Bell ringing ceremony at veterans memorial

The Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association will host a National Bell Ringing Ceremony featuring Don Hershberger, U.S. Navy veteran, at its annual Independence Day Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. July 4 at the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial at Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place. The keynote speaker is Dave Brooks, Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame member and president of the Spirit of the Fourth Committee. Miss Rancho Bernardo 2025, Ava Wang, will sing the national anthem. Scout Troop 685 will present flags of the 13 original U.S. colonies and the color guard. Bring lawn chairs. Visit rbvma.org.

RANCHO SANTA FE

Summer study series to rediscover the Bible

The Village Church starts a summer study series July 12 on “Scripture: The Word Made Flesh” that helps people rediscover the Bible. The series includes guided video teaching and discussion, where participants explore practical ways to read, understand and embody Scripture in everyday life. The free study group meet Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in the church parlor, 6225 Paseo Delicias, and is open to all. For questions, email [email protected].

SAN DIEGO

Anchored in Freedom Parade

Liberty Station’s free community Independence Day parade and festival, Anchored in Freedom, celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the U.S. Navy’s history at Liberty Station, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. July 3, presented in partnership with Love Thy Neighborhood. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. along Cushing Road with themed floats from local businesses, community groups and nonprofits. Festivities continue at Ingram Plaza featuring live music from Navy Band Southwest and letter writing to active military troops, along with a wing-eating contest, a costume contest and family-friendly activities for all ages. Admission and parking are free. Float registration is at lovethyneighborhood.world/freedom-parade.

Navy Band gives free concert

Navy Band Southwest’s Wind Ensemble will give a free community concert at 7 p.m. July 1 at the Embarcadero, 999 N. Harbor Drive. The ensemble performs wind band classics, patriotic music and songs arranged by members of the band. Highlights include traditional marches to modern favorites as the band celebrates the 250th anniversary of the country. Visit cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/About/Navy-Band.

Old Town Fourth of July

An “old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration” is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4, with festivities such as a patriotic flag-raising ceremony, music, lawn games, a watermelon-eating contest, crafts and living history demonstrations at Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. Admission is free. Visit parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

Freedom Fest at Belmont Park

Belmont Park in Mission Beach offers attractions ranging from classic roller-coasters like the Giant Dipper to merry-go-rounds, bumper cars and arcade games to laser tag and a zip line. The annual Almost Nakey Freedom Fest with live music and a DJ is from 5 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Belmont Park, 3125 Ocean Front Walk. Tickets are at belmontpark.com and almostnakey.com.

Big Bay Boom

The free Big Bay Boom fireworks show will be displayed simultaneously from barges on San Diego Bay starting at 9:15 p.m. July 4. Barge locations will be off the shorelines of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District and Coronado Ferry Landing. Bring lawn chairs or get in a boat to watch. The fireworks show will be telecast live on Fox 5 San Diego and KTLA 5 starting at 8 p.m. A musical simulcast will be broadcast live on 91X FM radio starting at 9:15 p.m. The Metropolitan Transit System will increase train, trolley and bus services, and it will offer “Friends Ride Free,” where a friend may ride free with a fare-paying customer on MTS routes on July 4. Visit bigbayboom.com.

Symphony performs July 4

The San Diego Symphony presents “America The Beautiful: 250” at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The program includes classics such as “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” The concert is followed by the Big Bay Boom fireworks display on San Diego Bay. Tickets are at theshell.org.

Free Valley Vibes concerts

Mission Valley Mall’s free Valley Vibes summer concert series continues at 5 p.m. June 29 with Orion Song featuring ukulele, R&B and pop; 5 p.m. July 1 with David Rosales featuring surf rock, folk Americana and country music; and 3 p.m. July 4 with Freddie Walton featuring soul, blues, folk, pop and beach vibe. The free concerts are from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 7. Visit mission-valley.com/event/38454-valley-vibes-summer-concert-series.

SAN MARCOS

Model A Ford Club meets

The Palomar Model A Ford Club will hold its monthly membership meeting at 7 p.m. July 1 at the Palomar Estates East Clubhouse, 650 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. Refreshments and socializing will follow the program. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month except in December.

SANTEE

Santee Salutes

Santee Salutes, a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, is from 2 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive. Parking lots open at 2 p.m. Food vendors open at 4 p.m., and a patriotic ceremony is at 6 p.m. Those Guys band performs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The event caps off with fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Free shuttles will run from the Santee Costco parking lot, 101 Town Center Parkway, to the event from 3 to 11 p.m., except during fireworks from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Last pickup from Costco to the event will be at 8:30 p.m. Parking is limited and must be purchased in advance online for $11.89 at cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/santee-salutes—america250/46207.

SOLANA BEACH

Free concert at Fletcher Cove

The Concerts at the Cove series, hosted by the city of Solana Beach and the Belly Up, features local musicians performing from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 6 for all ages at the Fletcher Cove Park stage, 111 S. Sierra Ave. The July 2 concert features Betamaxx from 7:30 to 9: p.m. and Atomic Groove from 6 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. The public is encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, ground cover and picnics. No alcohol, tobacco, pets or personal barbecues are allowed during concerts. Visit cityofsolanabeach.org.

VISTA

Community tour of Solutions for Change

Solutions for Change, a nonprofit that equips families with skills to overcome homelessness, will hold a group tour for the community at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. June 30 at the nonprofit’s campus, 722 W. California Ave. A team member and a program participant will guide visitors through Solutions for Change and share information about upcoming events, programs and volunteer opportunities. RSVP by the morning of June 30 at solutionsforchange.org; click “Take Action.”

If your nonprofit would like to submit an event listing or photos of events that have happened recently, please email [email protected]. Include the name of the group, date and time of event, address, cost and contact information for readers within the email text. Event listings should be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Photos should be sent as JPEGs. Include the names of those in the photos from left to right along with the photo credit and permission from the photographer to use the photo in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

©2026 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Disclaimer - All celebrity-related content, information, and images on this website are based on publicly available online sources and AI-generated insights/data. Information such as biography, age, career, personal details, and images may change without notice over time. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of any information or imagery displayed on this website. This content is provided for general informational purposes only.