From Redlands' longtime traditions to fireworks and community festivals, here's where to celebrate Independence Day this weekend.
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From Redlands' longtime traditions to fireworks and community festivals, here's where to celebrate Independence Day this weekend.
Independence Day weekend offers no shortage of ways to celebrate across Redlands and neighboring communities, with patriotic concerts, parades, family festivals and fireworks displays planned throughout the region.
Here's a look at some of the biggest events.
The holiday weekend begins Friday, July 3, with the Redlands Bowl's annual A Star-Spangled Evening of Patriotic Pops. The free concert features the Redlands Bowl Festival Orchestra and Inland Master Chorale performing patriotic favorites beneath the stars.
This year's performance will also debut a commissioned work honoring Abraham Lincoln and Redlands' Lincoln Memorial Shrine. The concert is one of the Bowl's signature annual traditions and does not include fireworks. Learn more here.
Redlands' annual Fourth of July celebration returns Saturday with a full day of activities beginning at 9 a.m. at Sylvan Park.
The free daytime festivities include live music, food vendors, games, community booths, a flag-raising ceremony and the annual parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. Entertainment continues throughout the afternoon.
The celebration concludes with the city's ticketed fireworks show at Moore Middle School, where gates open at 5:15 p.m. The evening program includes skydivers, airplane flyovers, live music by Pulp Vixen Band and a fireworks display produced by Pyro Spectaculars. Advance tickets are available online and at local vendors. Learn more here.
Looking beyond Redlands? Several nearby communities are also hosting Independence Day celebrations throughout the weekend.
Kick off the holiday weekend Friday with Crestline's annual Jamboree Days celebration, which begins with a fireworks show over Lake Gregory.
The lake will reopen to the public at 6:30 p.m. for free viewing, with fireworks scheduled for 9 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to watch from the lakeshore. The celebration continues Saturday with a parade, family activities, local vendors and live entertainment throughout downtown Crestline. Learn more here.
Highland residents can celebrate Saturday evening at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28355 Base Line St.
The free community event begins at 6 p.m. and includes live music, food vendors and family activities before a fireworks show around 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Learn more here.
Yucaipa's annual Independence Day celebration returns to Yucaipa High School, with gates opening at 6 p.m. before a fireworks show around 9 p.m. The family-friendly event includes entertainment and food vendors. Tickets are required. Learn more here.
For those heading to the mountains, Big Bear Lake's annual Stars, Stripes and Big Bear Nights celebration culminates with a fireworks spectacular over the lake Saturday evening. The show begins between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m. and lasts about 30 minutes. Viewing is available from shoreline parks, boats and surrounding businesses. Learn more here.
Lake Arrowhead Village offers a full day of Independence Day festivities on Saturday.
The celebration includes a Freedom Fly-Over featuring military and vintage aircraft beginning at 11 a.m., live music and entertainment throughout the day, and the annual Arrowhead Lake Association Fireworks Spectacular over the lake at 9 p.m. Fireworks can be viewed from Lake Arrowhead Village and other public areas around the lake. Learn more here.
As residents prepare to celebrate, city officials are reminding the public that all consumer fireworks, including those labeled "safe and sane," remain illegal in Redlands. Officials encourage residents to attend professionally organized fireworks shows instead.
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