Fireworks Near Me: San Diego County July 4th 2025 Events

SAN DIEGO, CA — Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun in and around San Diego.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what's going on in Santee and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2025

July 4: 4th of July BBQ and Fireworks on the Bay: Maritime Museum, San Diego

July 4: 4th of July Fireworks Viewing Party: USS Midway Museum, San Diego (sold out)

July 4: 4th of July UC Celebration: Standley Recreation Center, University City, San Diego

July 4: Big Bay Boom: San Diego Bay, San Diego (displayed from four barges on San Diego Bay)

July 3-July 6: Fourth of July Celebration: SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego

July 4: Fourth of July Drone Show: La Jolla Shores Hotel, La Jolla, San Diego

July 3: Mira Mesa Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks: Hourglass Field Community Park and Wangenheim Middle School, Mira Mesa, San Diego

July 4: Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade: Scripps Ranch, San Diego

July 4: Scripps Ranch 4th of July Run and Ride: Scripps Ranch, San Diego

July 4: The Spirit of the Fourth Fair, Parade, Concert, Fireworks: Webb Park and Rancho Bernardo High School, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego

See our complete guide to Fourth of July events in San Diego County: July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around San Diego County

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In that document, the 13 original colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Today, Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

Patch has rounded up the biggest July 4 fireworks displays and other events happening in California in celebration of Independence Day. Click here to see our full California list.

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RELATED: These CA Cities Near You Allow 'Safe And Sane' Fireworks