Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade

4th of July Parade July 4, 2023, 10 a.m., Fireworks July 4, 2023, 9 p.m.

Biggest 4th of July Parade West of Mississippi in Huntington Beach, CA

Parade route: Main Street at Pacific Coast Highway to Main Street at Gothard. Approx. 2 hour length

The biggest 4th of July Parade in the Western United States is hosted in Huntington Beach, California. The parade last 2 1/2 hours, includes the usual floats, bands, equestrian units, clowns, and celebrities, local dignitaries and enjoys a beautiful seaside setting.

Before it begins, there route along Main Street is filled with runners participating in a 5-10K run. As they finish their race the streets fill up with crowds coming to watch the parade.  There is also a fundraising Pancake Breakfast in Lake Park, along the Parade route.

Some years the weather is cool and completely overcast till afternoon, and others the sun is out and shining early on.

The parade (which celebrates a 100+ year tradition) begins each year on July 4 at 10 a.m. with a fly-over a military craft and skydivers landing at the launch of the parade route on Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. It progresses along Main Street for over one mile to the intersection of Gothard Street.

After the event, Main Street near the Huntington Beach Pier remains closed for the day and is a bustle of families, bicycles, youth and adults attending vendor expos, dining, and finding places on the beach.

Beginning in 2004 a free, over-the-ocean fireworks show became a tradition for all to enjoy. It is usually held from 9 to 9:30 p.m.

If you are thinking of attending this event, it is free to attend and combines the best of small town hospitality with a big beach setting. Usual beach attendance during this single day can be well over one million people in Huntington Beach.

If you want to snag a free bonfire ring, they are first come first serve. The city beach department states that just putting your items on or next to a fire ring to reserve it isn't a guarantee. You have to physically be on premise to stake it out, or others can claim it and use it.

Parking is at a premium during the 4th of July. If you arrive in town around 8-8:30 a.m. you can still find parking within parking distance of the parade route. The city has shuttles most years if you look at their website surfcity-hb.org

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.