Enjoy South Bay July 4th Fireworks

Editor's note: This article was originally published July 2, 2012. An updated list of fireworks shows around Los Angeles County for 2013 is available here.

Independence Day is Wednesday, and what's more representative of the Fourth of July than fireworks? Amateur fireworks—even the so-called "safe and sane" ones—are banned in Redondo Beach, so those who want to see explosions of light will have to attend a professional show.

Though in recent years, many cities—including Torrance—have canceled their fireworks shows, Redondo Beach's at is still going strong.

• Complete Coverage: Fourth of July in Redondo Beach

The gates open for the annual community celebration at 2 p.m., and arts and crafts for kids start at 3 p.m. Other highlights include the Beach Sports Piano Run at 4:30 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue demonstration at 6 p.m. (if the Coast Guard is not called out on a real emergency), the sixth annual Kids Freedom Parade at 6:30 p.m., and the Shari Puorto Band live at 8 p.m.

The fireworks show, which will be simulcast on JACK FM radio at 93.1 FM, will begin at 9 p.m.

For tickets to the Seaside Lagoon celebration, visit redondofireworks.com. Order tickets now, as the show has sold out all six years.

Of course, there's another fireworks show in the Hollywood Riviera. Every year, a Torrance couple hires a barge and puts on a free fireworks show off Torrance Beach, and according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's list of fireworks shows in the county, this year is no different. The unofficial Torrance Beach fireworks show starts at 9 p.m.

There will also be fireworks shows off a barge in Marina del Rey at 9:15 p.m. and at Rowley Park (13220 S. Van Ness Ave.) in Gardena at 9 p.m.