4th of July Celebrations in Newport Beach
With a plethora of parades, parks, and festive fireworks, Newport Beach is the ideal place to celebrate the 4th of July.
Whether it’s adults-only or you have multiple tots in tow, there are so many fun things to do in Newport Beach on the 4th of July weekend that everyone will be happy. Here are some of the best options for friends and family, with easy price points to match.
Celebrate On The Water
Don’t miss Hornblower’s Fourth of July outings this year. Each cruise will feature live entertainment and a front-row seat to the fireworks show at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. Four different cruises are offered this year and it’s definitely a memorable way experience the holiday in true Newport Beach fashion.
Enjoy history on the harbor with the annual Old Glory Boat Parade. Located off Balboa Island at Collins Island, 100-plus vessels adorned with red-white-and-blue are expected to hit the water starting at 1p.m. Sponsored by American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 and hailed as one of California’s largest and longest-running patriotic boat parades, this annual happening is free to watch from public beaches, docks and boardwalks throughout the scenic harbor area.
Party On The Water
For one of the largest and best coastal Fourth of July celebrations in all of Orange County, check out the City of Newport Beach’s annual Independence Day on the Back Bay event at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. The annual family-friendly event begins at 2:30 p.m. and is capped off by an incredible firework display at 9p.m. Don’t miss live music from The Carlos Santana and Journey tribute bands, as well as food trucks offering up tasty treats all day. The resort’s one-of-a-kind Back Bay Bistro will be open for lunch and dinner too. The entrance fee to the Dunes is $50 per car.
The City of Newport Beach also partners with the Mariners Elementary School Foundation to stage the popular Independence Day Parade & Celebration every Fourth of July. Now in its 47th year, festivities begin with a bicycle parade at 10:30a.m. on Mariners Drive and end at Mariners Park with a live DJ, rock-climbing wall, bungee run, obstacle course, carnival games, food trucks and more from 11a.m.-1:30p.m. Attraction wristbands are $10-$15. All proceeds go to the Mariners Elementary School Foundation.
Yet other fun Independence Day events around town include the Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Community Festival — starting on Balboa Boulevard at 9a.m. and concluding at Channel Place Park with a community festival from 9:30-11a.m. featuring arts and crafts, carnival games, food for sale and a costume contest.
Learn more about these holiday events here.
Make A Weekend of It!
Fourth of July Poolside BBQs are planned for overnight guests spending the holiday at The Resort at Pelican Hill. Bring the whole family to the Pelican Grill for Chef Marc’s featured house-smoked meats and book a cabana to lounge poolside. Plan your holiday weekend at the resort for the full California experience.
Wake up with a view at Balboa Bay Resort. This resort overlooks the Newport Harbor and with a bay view suite, your holiday weekend can turn into your dream vacation. To set the scene, you will want to stroll down to A&O Kitchen + Bar at around 7p.m. to enjoy live music and watch the sunset with a craft cocktail in hand. This is the best possible way to set your holiday off right.
Don’t forget the Balboa Peninsula Trolley will be running on July 4th! This free service will get you to where you want to go on the peninsula without having to worry about finding a parking spot or paying for parking! Learn more here.
Written By: Wendy Bowman
