EVENT DETAILS

Event Details / FAQ

120th Independence Day Event Info – 2024 Theme: Through The Decades


Happy Independence Day, Surf City, USA!


On this day, we celebrate what is essentially the start of American history; the day our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the 13 colonies declared themselves free of the British Empire. We come together to celebrate America's birthday, where a new nation was born. This year we celebrate 120 years of our beloved 4th of July Parade & Festivities!


The City is excited to feature the following as part of the holiday weekend celebration:


Home Decorating Contest – June 30, 2024

Huntington Beach residents are encouraged to decorate their home and enter the Home Decorating Contest. There are two contests: Main Street Parade Route (Main Street residential addresses only, 600 block of Main Street to 17th Street. Awards: Mayor’s Award, Best in Show, Best Use of Theme) and the HB City Wide (one winner from each HB zip code: 92646, 92647, 92648, 92649).


Deadline to submit your home is June 29, 2024. Judging will be Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and awards will be given out on Sunday, June 30, starting at 3 p.m.


Surf City 5K Run – Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.

For many, Independence Day starts with a family-friendly run along the 4th of July Parade route. For additional details regarding the race, or for registration information, please visit the Run Surf City 5K website. To accommodate the race, the following street closures will be in place beginning at 5 a.m.:

  • Pacific Coast Highway (Goldenwest Street to Beach Boulevard)
  • Main Street (Pacific Coast Highway to Gothard)


Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach Annual Pancake Breakfast at Lake Park, Thursday July 4, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Come get the best pancakes, hot sausage links and a drink for $10 at Lake Park to support the Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach. All proceeds benefit the Children in need in HB, because that’s the mission of Kiwanis!


120th Annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade - Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 10 a.m. The HB 4th of July Parade is expected to feature more than 100 groups including elected officials, military veterans, public safety personnel, marching bands, community groups, and others, making their way down Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach. Please review the following information regarding the parade route, street closures, parking, and staking viewing locations. The parade will start on Pacific Coast Highway and 9th Street, going from 9th Street to Main Street where it will proceed up Main Street through downtown and residential areas, ending just past Yorktown Avenue. Tickets are available for parade viewing at Main & PCH for $27 per person. To purchase, visit HERE.


Can’t make it to the parade? Watch live on KABC Channel 7 or livestreamed as they will broadcast from Main Street & PCH at 10 a.m.


Live Entertainment at Pier Plaza (sponsored by Rockstars of Tomorrow) – Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

See schedule HERE


Fireworks Over the Ocean, Presented by the Mayer Family Foundation– Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 9:00 p.m.

Closing out the day celebration will be an awe-inspiring fireworks show presented by the Mayer Family Foundation. The show will take place over the iconic Huntington Beach Pier and is free for all to view from the beach or downtown. Early entry and general admission seating options are available for purchase.


As a reminder, only safe and sane fireworks are legal in Huntington Beach and may only be discharged on July 4 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on residential streets. More information and safety tips on fireworks can be found on the City’s website. To report illegal fireworks, please use the MyHB app or call (714) 536-LOUD (5683). Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.


Main Street Block Party – (sponsored by Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District and HB Propane) Friday, July 5, 2024 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

This year’s Independence Day festivities end with a downtown Huntington Beach block party on Main Street. Join Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns, Independence Day Board Liaison Council Member Casey McKeon, and the Independence Day Board for an evening of live music featuring The Ramsey Brothers & Redneck Rodeo.  Details HERE.

FAQ


Staking a Parade Viewing Location

As in past years, staking out areas for the purpose of obtaining a viewing location for the Fourth of July Parade may not occur prior to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3. There will be areas on the parade route that will be specifically marked "City of HB, no staking allowed” - these spaces are needed for event production and/or public safety and staking is not allowed within those zones.


It is important that no materials used to reserve public areas shall block or interfere with pedestrian access or vehicular traffic, or block those portions of sidewalks used for pedestrian access prior to 6 a.m. on July 4. Any items placed prior to that time will be removed.


Items placed on public property (including parking strips) are left at the owner’s risk and do not create a guarantee that the “staked out” area will remain available to whomever marked off the area.


When marking off sidewalk and roadway areas, non-defacing material must be used. Any adhesive material, including adhesive tape, is prohibited for use in reserving space for parade viewing. This includes, but is not limited to the use of tape or other adhesives on trees, poles, and signs. All materials used to designate “stake out” areas must be removed by 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. With these rules in mind, you can be prepared and find that perfect spot for the entire family.


Event Street Closures and Impacts

To accommodate the Parade, the following street closures will be in place from 5 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.:

  • Pacific Coast Highway (Goldenwest Street to Beach Boulevard)
  • Main Street (Pacific Coast Highway to Gothard)
  • Portions of: Walnut Avenue, Orange Avenue, 8th Street, 9th Street, and 10th Street


Through traffic on Pacific Coast Highway will be detoured at Goldenwest Street and Beach Boulevard up to Garfield Avenue. Pacific Coast Highway will be completely open to traffic no later than 2 p.m. Residents and guests coming into the downtown area off Goldenwest Street should enter at Palm Avenue or Orange Avenue. City beach parking is only accessible at Beach Boulevard and gates open at 5 a.m. Twin Dolphin Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m.


The Pier will be partially closed to the public all day and completely closed at 5 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the end of the Pier. The fireworks will start at 9 p.m. Please remember to allow extra time for traffic to clear. Pacific Coast Highway will be heavily congested prior to, during, and especially after the fireworks show. Motorists can expect significant delays. Those that park in the parking structure and beach lots can expect to spend at least 90 minutes waiting to exit due to the volume of attendees. Please be patient and plan accordingly.


Event Parking

Parking at the Main Promenade parking structure will be $30 (cash only) all-day flat fee. Pay as you enter and no customer validations will be honored. Yearly and monthly pass holders will be charged. Parking is NOT guaranteed. In the City Beach Parking Lot, parking will cost $30 per space that the vehicle occupies and no spaces may be purchased for chairs, tables, or any other activity. The only entrance to the parking lot will be at Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. The gates will open at 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024 and the public will not be allowed to line up in front of the parking lot gates until after 12 a.m. Until that time, you must find a legal parking space. Additionally, any vehicle, including RV’s, attempting to remain in the parking lot from July 3 will be towed out of the parking lot at the owner’s expense.


People will not be allowed to occupy or place chairs and barbecues on the beach or in the parking lot until after 5 a.m., which is the beach curfew, on July 4, 2024.



Thank you to our Independence Day Committee for their hard work and dedication to make this parade the biggest celebration west of the Mississippi! We wish everyone – residents and visitors alike –a safe and entertaining 4th of July at our City’s best community event. What a better way to celebrate our Independence in Huntington Beach than with a parade, fireworks show off the pier, and bonfires on the beach?

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