Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. For a full list of Fourth of July festivities, go here: Fourth of July fireworks, parades and festivities are set to go off across San Diego County Big Bay Boom: One of the state’s largest Fourth of July fireworks displays happens in the San Diego Bay. The public can watch the Big Bay Boom at the Coronado Ferry Landing, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, Shelter Island and on boats in the bay. Event organizers say spectators can bring lawn chairs to these watch locations. 9 p.m. Friday. San Diego Bay. Free. bigbayboom.com Drone show: For the third time, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and the LJ STEAM Foundation are putting on a Fourth of July drone show in La Jolla. The drone show features 500 synchronized drones 350 feet above the La Jolla Shoreline. Patriotic music will be playing in the background of the show. The public viewing area is at the south end of Kellogg Park, according to event organizers. An exclusive viewing area is available at the La Jolla Shores Hotel’s Acapulco Room. 9 p.m. Friday. Kellogg Park, 8277 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla. ljshoreshotel.com/july4droneshow Art exhibit: The San Diego Watercolor Society is hosting the opening reception for “Everybody Tells a Story” at Liberty Station. This free art exhibit contains more than 95 original paintings for sale. There will also be drinks available for guests. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Liberty Station, 2825 Dewey Road, Building 202 Suite #105, San Diego. Free. libertystation.com Fourth of July buffet: San Diegans can sample a special Mediterranean buffet, overlooking San Diego Bay, right before the Fourth of July Big Bay Boom fireworks show. Garibaldi, inside the InterContinental Hotel, is serving a buffet featuring items such as shrimp, tuna tartar, oysters, salmon, artisanal cured meats, Mediterranean cheeses and various desserts. 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. 901 Bayfront Court Suite 1, San Diego. $130. 619-436-1081, catchgaribaldi.com American buffet: Hudson & Nash is featuring a Fourth of July buffet with two dining window slots. The buffet includes various barbecue meats and sides. There are two time slots available, with each having a two-hour dining limit. Reservations are required for the terrace seating, overlooking San Diego Bay. 5 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday.1 Park Blvd., San Diego. $25-$92. 619-564-3333, hilton.com/en/hotels/sancchh-hilton-san-diego-bayfront San Diego Symphony Presents “Fourth of July: America in Song”: In celebration of Independence Day, this outdoor concert will feature conductor Ted Sperling, vocalists Morgan James, Nicholas Christopher and Bryonha Marie performing a wide range of music and songs by American composers. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $54-$125. 619-231-3848, theshell.org Brunch barbecue: Swing Social in the Gaslamp Quarter is serving a special barbecue brunch for the Fourth of July weekend. Guests can try St. Louis-style pork ribs, pilsner-braised pork shoulder, jerk chicken, cilantro slaw, potato salad, baked beans, creamed corn and roasted jalapeño cheddar cornbread. Plus on Sunday, Swing Social will have all-day happy hour with specials such as $6 draft beers, $7 well cocktails and $75 per hour sports simulator, where customers can play golf, soccer, football and dodgeball. 3 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 527 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 619-642-2652, swingsocialsd.com Maritime Museum fireworks viewing: There will be July 4 fireworks viewing on the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s Berkeley, moored by the North Embarcadero. The Maritime Museum is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4 and reopens at 7 p.m. for the July 4 barbecue dinner on the upper McKinney deck of the Victorian-era steam ferry boat Berkeley. Guests can watch fireworks from the Berkeley or barge behind the Berkeley. All other vessels in the museum fleet will be closed for this event. Daytime options also include 45-minute bay cruises aboard Pilot, which are $10 extra with purchase of general admission at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. The 75-minute Naval History Bay tours aboard the PCF 816 Swift boat are an extra $20 with purchase of general admission at 12:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Visit sdmaritime.org. Coronado Independence Day Parade: This annual parade brings together red white and blue floats, performers and community groups. It takes a path south on Orange Avenue, beginning at First Street and Orange and ending at Churchill Place and Ocean Boulevard. Pre-parade entertainment is from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Orange Avenue. 10 a.m. to noon Friday going coronadofourthofjuly.com Poway fireworks: Two Independence Day fireworks displays will run simultaneously starting at 9 p.m. July 4 from Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road, in the school’s football field and the Sportsplex in the Poway Business Park, 12349 McIvers Court. The Poway Sportsplex will not be open for fireworks viewing, but there is street parking throughout the South Poway Business Park and fireworks can be seen throughout the valley. Gates open at the Poway High School football field at 6 p.m., with games, activities and a DJ. Entry costs $6 per person at the gate; free for children 11 and younger. Lake Poway is open to the public on July 4 and will stay open for the fireworks, but viewing is limited because the ballfield is temporarily closed. Parking is $10 for nonresidents; free for residents and military with ID. Visit poway.org/fireworks. Fireworks celebrate Oceanside’s 137th birthday: Oceanside’s celebration is also a birthday celebration. Gates open at 4 p.m. and there will be family-friendly lawn games and crafts along with food trucks. At 6 p.m. a DJ will start spinning dance music. Parking at the SoCal Soccer lot is $15 per car; parking lot entry closes 8:30 p.m. Free parking at Ocean Ranch Business Park. RVs and buses not permitted. Picnics allowed; but no alcohol or dogs. 9 p.m. July 3 at SoCal Soccer Complex at El Corazon, 3300 El Corazon Drive. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us. Julian parade on Main Street: The parade will include the San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Drumline Band and the 529 Brass Band. Attendees can join in carrying a huge American flag down Main Street before the start of the parade. The Julian Beer Company is the Grand Marshal with the theme “Freedom, Peace and Prosperity.” Pre-parade activities start at 9:30 a.m. including a western re-enactment, musical performances and pie-eating contests. The flyover by vintage aircraft will be at noon to kick off the parade. Noon Friday. Main Street in Julinan. Visit julianparade.com. Independence Day concert and fireworks: This event is hosted by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Live music by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Kimmi Bitter and the Back to the Garden tribute band. The event culminates with the fireworks display at 9 p.m., which can be seen from central Escondido. There will be food trucks, an artisan market, hula hoop contest and arts & crafts and face painting along with Craft Beer Garden. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Grape Day Park, 321 Broadway, Escondido. Free admission. VIP table for four is $80, including a beer and Great Green Canteen meal. Visit artcenter.org/event/60th-annual-independence-day-festival. Tequila pop-up: Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is hosting Solento Tequila pop-ups on Saturday afternoons in July. These events include free tastings of Solento Tequila. Guests can also try Solento Eastside, a summer cocktail crafted with Solento Tequila. Plus, at the July 12 pop-up, Solento founder and filmmaker Taylor Steele will be on site for a meet-and-greet. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and July 12, 19 and 26. 2100 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. 760-452-3500, alilahotels.com/marea-beach-resort-encinitas San Diego County Fair: This year’s fair theme is, “Summer Pet-tacular,” and visitors can expect a pet parade and interactive pet-themed props. Guests can also expect to hear concerts, ride amusement park rides, play carnival-type games, win prizes and see farm animals. There are also various special events during the fair such as pig races, LGBTQ+ day and a reggae festival. The 2025 Del Mar Grandstand Stage lineup features Maxwell, Third Eye Blind, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and more. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. June 11 through July 6. sdfair.com Bluegrass Music Day: A mix of singers and bands will play string instruments and showcase their talent at the Bluegrass Music Day at the San Diego County Fair. The Michelob ULTRA Avenue Stage will host seven live music performances from artists such as Muddy Mountain West, Sunnyside Strings and Gone Tomorrow. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. June 11 through July 6. sdfair.com K-Pop Festival: Korean pop music and culture are headlining the Chevrolet Paddock Stage at the San Diego County Fair. The K-Pop Festival will feature DJs, live music, interactive activities and dance performances. It kicks off with DJ Alvin Fabuloso at 11 a.m. and is followed by various dance performances from crews such as the San Diego Korean Pungmul Institute. DJ Dwin caps the festival, which ends at 5 p.m. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. June 11 through July 6. sdfair.com “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”: Broadway San Diego presents the national touring production of this Tony-winning musical based on the 2001 film about a dying Parisian nightclub singer and her final love affair, featuring a score of hit pop songs from the 1980s and ’90s. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $56.25 and up. broadwaysd.com Dog fun run: Dog owners can take their four-legged friend out for a fun run the morning after the Fourth of July, on the Del Mar Fairgrounds racetrack. The Pet-Tacular Pooch Fun Run features contests and a dog-centric vendor village with products, accessories and services for canines. Participants must register in advance at sdfair.com/p/what-to-do/pet-tacular-pooch-fun-run. The cost is $50 and includes admission to the fair without a dog. The event occurs in Family Funville from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. on July 5. ‘History of Ship Building’ topic of talk: The Heritage of the Americas Museum will host a presentation on “The History of Ship Building,” led by retired Capt. Terry Titon. The presentation will discuss U.S. shipbuilders plates, and the shipyards that built them. 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. Regular admission applies; free to members, students, military and kids younger than age 17. The museum is on the Cuyamaca College Campus, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West. heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com. Freedom Fest at Beach House: The annual Almost Nakey Freedom Fest includes entertainment on three stages, massive inflatables and disco, among other highlights. 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Beach House, 3125 Ocean Front Walk. $45-$225. The event is for ages 21 and older. almostnakeyfreedomfest.com “All’s Well That Ends Well”: The Old Globe opens its summer Shakespeare season with this comedy directed by Peter Francis James about a strong-willed woman who won’t take no from the aristocratic man she loves. 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $42-$129. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org “Birthday Candles”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the final weekend of Noah Haidle’s play about the passages of time, relationships and changes that occur in one woman’s extraordinary life. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $52-$74. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org “The Janeiad”: The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Anna Ziegler’s contemporary twist on Homer’s Odyssey, where a Brooklyn housewife must decide whether to move after her husband disappeared on his way to work 20 years before. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. $44-$218. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org “Oklahoma!” Cygnet Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical about love, betrayal and changing times in the early 1900s Oklahoma Territory. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 2. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $39-$73. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org “The ’70s, the Golden Age of the Album”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents this all-new song revue of the musical history of the 1970s. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 14. 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $48-118. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org Gustavo Romero Summer Festival: The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla hosts its 26th Athenaeum Summer Festival featuring four consecutive Sunday afternoon concerts by the native San Diego pianist. First up this weekend, Romero will perform works by Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Scriabin. 4 p.m. Sunday. 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Tickets for the four-concert series are $212. ljathenaeum.org/events/summer-festival-2025-series “A Streetcar Named Desire”: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ searing 1947 drama about an aging Southern belle seeking refuge with her younger sister and her brutish husband in New Orleans’ French Quarter. 2 p.m. Sundays. Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. backyardrenaissance.com “Indian Princesses”: La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Eliana Theologides Rodriguez’s play that follows the lives of five young girls of color and their White dads who meet in a community father-daughter bonding program. 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Forum Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, UC San Diego. $30-$64. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org