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 be held from 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 firework 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 30. To submit an entry, visit HERE. 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. Sign up to sponsor and receive updates HERE.
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, which 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 HERE.
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 procession, 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 HERE. 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 5:25PM. Beginning at about 8:50PM, a world-class fireworks extravaganza will ignite over the Huntington Beach with a patriotic soundtrack accompaniment is to broadcast live. The fireworks show will put the exclamation mark on a weekend of celebrations, widely known as the largest of such 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 HERE.
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 OC. 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.
*Photo Credit: Gus Martinez
