Huntington Beach 4th of July Weekend

Huntington Beach Gears Up for Surf City Dreamin’
117th Annual Independence Day Celebration from July 2-4.
The Celebration will Feature Neighborhood Car Parades, Fireworks Over the Ocean, Virtual and In-Person 5K Run, Pier Plaza Festival, and Home/Business Decorating Contests

117 years ago, the City of Huntington Beach hosted its first 4th of July Celebration. The City has  since grown into a world-class destination, yet its small town sensibilities and rich history continue  to take center stage during our Annual 4th of July Celebration.

This year’s Celebration will held on July 2-4, 2021 and has been modified to adhere to  statewide COVID-19 guidelines that may be in place at that time. Festivities include  Neighborhood Car Parades, an outdoor Pier Plaza Festival, socially distanced and virtual  Surf City 5K Runs, and Home/Business Decorating Contests. The events will be capped  off with an incredible Fireworks Show over the Pacific Ocean. 

“There’s no better place to celebrate the 4th of July than Huntington Beach,” says Mayor Kim Carr.  “Our residents truly embrace the spirit of independence, and we invite the community to come out  and take part in the modified Celebration. We have something for everyone and look forward to  celebrating with you this year.”

June 1-30 – Annual Home and Business Decorating Contest – Our 4th of July festivities are  well underway, as local residents and businesses begin decorating for the Annual Home and  Business Decorating Contest. Entries will be accepted through June 30th. To submit an entry,  visit https://www.hb4thofjuly.org/contest. All entries will be featured on HB 4th of July’s social  media and website (@HB4thofJuly). For those who may wish to donate in-kind prizes and inquire  about sponsorship opportunities, please email Stacey Newton.

July 2-4 – The Pier Plaza Festival – This year, Pier Plaza Festival features crafts and merchant vendor booths, food trucks, an all-new 12,000 square foot beer & wine garden (with a prime view of the fireworks show), live entertainment, and radio broadcasts, prize giveaways, amusements and a carnival with rides and 80-foot diameter Ferris wheel.

July 4 – Surf City Run 5K (in-person and virtual) – This year’s in-person 5K Run is a marathon qualifying event that will take runners through Huntington Central Park – the largest city-owned park in Orange County that covers over 350 acres of land. The event will feature staggered start times to offer a socially distanced experience. Organizers have also developed a virtual race for runners who prefer to compete in their own time and comfort level. The City encourages runners to register now to secure early-bird pricing and to attend the runners’ expo and bib pick-up event on July 3. For more info, visit www.hb4thofjuly.org/surf-city-run.

July 4 – Neighborhood Car Parade – Drivers, start your engines! At 8:00 AM, the Huntington  Beach 4th of July Neighborhood Car Parade will split into three processions winding through local neighborhoods and finishing at the Pier Plaza parking lot, where a number of the cars will remain on display throughout the day. Participating vehicles include the GHOSTBUSTERS “ambulance;”  Disney® character car Lightning McQueen; Herbie the Love Bug; a double-decker London  Transport bus; boat-towing monster trucks and more. Detailed parade routes will be published on  www.hb4thofjuly.org/parade. Visit the site to inquire about driving a family, athlete, or a dignitary in a parade car.

July 4 – Fireworks Show and Condor Squadron Flyover! And finally, the main event. The  Condor Squadron Flyover and aerial acrobatics will start at approximately 5:25 PM. Beginning at about 8:50 PM, a world-class fireworks extravaganza will ignite over Huntington Beach with a  patriotic soundtrack accompaniment broadcast live. The fireworks show will put the exclamation mark on a weekend of Celebrations widely known as the largest west of the Mississippi.

Note Regarding COVID-19 – The City of Huntington Beach will continually monitor statewide reopening guidance and implement any that are required to safely host the 4th of July  Celebrations. All updates will be available on www.hb4thofjuly.org.  

Pacific Paradise Pools has joined Huntington Beach as the event’s first major sponsor. They have developed a reputation for backyard design excellence as an award-winning swimming pool builder in Orange County. Founded in 1984 by Huntington Beach native Rich Tonti, Pacific Paradise Pools remains family-owned and operated, and committed to honest hard work, integrity, efficiency, and above all, fun!