Four free Fourth of July events from across Orange County | Lifestyle

July 4 is rapidly approaching, and Americans across Orange County are looking for ways to celebrate the country’s 248th birthday.

If you’re in need of a fun destination this Independence Day, look no further than these four free spots to celebrate freedom on the Fourth.

Whether you want to stay close to home, get away for an extended weekend or simply save yourself the stress of planning your own party, there are plenty of destinations ready-made to pack your day with exciting activities, so you don’t even have to bring your own sparklers!

City of Fullerton’s July 4th Celebration

If you just want something close to home, walk over to the Fullerton Downtown Plaza for the city’s July 4th Celebration.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a classic car show. Following the car show, at 2 p.m., there will be a carnival in the plaza, complete with games, rides, food, vendors and live music, including a headlining concert by the Scotty Mac Band at 6 p.m.

The OC Mustang Club will also be present from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to display around 40-50 Mustangs. Finally, the event will conclude with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Admission to the celebration is free.

City of Brea’s 44th Annual Country Fair

If you want a small change of scenery this holiday, visit Brea’s City Hall Park for their Annual Country Fair.

This event starts bright and early at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast provided by the Kiwanis Club in Brea. Afterwards, the park will be home to food, game and handmade product vendor booths hosted by various Brea-based nonprofit organizations.

The fair also promises live entertainment, a car show at 9 a.m., a dog parade called the Most Beautiful Bow Wow at 10:15 a.m., a kiddie parade at 10:45 a.m. and a patriotic baby contest. There will also be opportunities to go swimming at the city’s public swimming pool, the Plunge, starting at 12 p.m.

Admission to the Country Fair, as well as the Plunge, is free.

4th of July Street Faire & Fireworks Spectacular

If you want to keep the fun going after the Brea County Fair is done, drive to Mission Viejo for the annual Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular on Olympiad Road starting at noon.

Much like the other celebrations, the Street Faire will host live entertainment on two stages, games, rides, food trucks and over 30 craft vendors. In addition, a complimentary shuttle service will take riders to 12 different locations around Lake Mission Viejo starting at 1 p.m. The fireworks will go off at 9 p.m. and bring the event to a stunning close.

Admission to the Street Faire is free. The event will not permit attendees to bring pets, skateboards or rollerblades, bikes or barbecue grills.

Old Glory Boat Parade

If you’re willing to drive a greater distance for Fourth of July fun, head to Newport Beach Harbor for the annual Old Glory Boat Parade. 

Held since the 1950s and hosted this year by the American Legion Yacht Club, parade-goers are encouraged to dress up their boats in accordance with the theme of “Stars, Stripes and Sails.” Beginning at 1 p.m., the parade will leave from Lido Island and sail around the harbor for two and a half hours.

Boaters who participate in the parade will automatically be up for awards like Most Creative and Best Decorated, all to be given out at an award ceremony on July 16. 

Registration for boaters is free online at the American Legion Yacht Club’s website, and spectating the parade is also free.