Fourth of July & Summer Fun: Your Guide to Museums Across San Diego County
Looking for fun and family-friendly things to do this Fourth of July weekend—and throughout the summer? We’ve got you covered! Here’s our brand-new Museum Fun Guide for the patriotic holiday and beyond across San Diego County. From immersive exhibits and historical reenactments to live music, rooftop views, and fireworks by the bay, there’s something for everyone to explore.
San Diego offers a variety of exciting ways to celebrate Independence Day, including the legendary Big Bay Boom fireworks show, festive parades in Coronado and Old Town, and engaging, family-friendly events at museums, parks, and cultural destinations across the region. Whether you’re honoring veterans, enjoying a day at the waterfront, or discovering a new favorite exhibit, these events offer a perfect mix of celebration, learning, and community spirit.
So grab your red, white, and blue—and get ready to celebrate freedom, fun, and San Diego’s vibrant cultural scene all weekend long!
USS Midway Museum
Maritime Museum of San Diego
San Diego Bayfront
Celebrate the Fourth of July all week long at the San Diego Bayfront with visits to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and USS Midway Museum open daily from 10 a.m. to last admission at 4 p.m. Explore naval history with Maritime Museum tickets here and USS Midway tickets here (July 4 evening events are sold out at the USS Midway).
Fun Tip: San Diego offers a variety of exciting activities to celebrate the 4th of July, including the Big Bay Boom fireworks show, parades, and historical celebrations. The Big Bay Boom, a spectacular fireworks display over San Diego Bay, is a major highlight. Visitors can also enjoy parades in Coronado and Old Town, and a variety of family-friendly events at one of fireworks and events throughout San Diego County.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
An Old-Fashioned Fourth
July 4
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Old Town State Historic Park on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music on three stages along with more than a dozen games and activities like a watermelon-eating contest, corn husk doll making, and pioneer demonstrations like blacksmithing and weaving.
This family friendly event offers a unique opportunity to experience Independence Day as early San Diego resident did in the 1800s. Admission is free, although some activities may require additional purchase. Get more information here.
Fun Tip: Summer is a great time to visit all 13 California State Parks of the San Diego Coast District including parks and beaches at Cardiff, Carlsbad, Torrey Pines, and Tijuana Estuary
San Diego Natural History Museum
Nat at Night.
July 4
Keep the Fourth of July fun going at the San Diego Natural History Museum with Nat at Night on Friday, July 4 (and Fridays through Sept. 2). The museum will be open until 10 p.m. so you may explore its a Summer of Wonder after hours.
Experience the rooftop deck with amazing views of Balboa Park and beverages paired with small plates by Wolf in the Woods. During Nat at Night admission is half-price after 5 p.m. Get museum tickets here.
Fun Tip: Recently highlighted in the Sunday Arts & Culture section of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Natural History Museum’s all-new exhibition, Amazement in the Basement, is the biggest and most expansive in years. This immersive experience opened on Friday, June 6, and kicked off The Nat’s Summer of Wonder 2025 and offers visitors an exciting peek behind the scenes. Explore rarely seen collections, discover hidden treasures in museum drawers, and meet real scientists at the new Paleo Center—it’s your chance to uncover the natural wonders that have been tucked away below ground! Discover more here.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Independence Day Celebration
Escondido, July 4th
Bring the whole family to the 60th Annual Independence Day Festival in Grape Day Park at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Enjoy live performances by celebrated artists along with delicious offerings from local food trucks from 4 – 9:30 p.m. Find local craft beers and spirits, explore the artisan market, enjoy exciting games and activities for all ages, and get ready for a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky.
Fun Tip: Make your way to the celebration early and catch an incredible lineup of FREE live entertainment on stage! From the groovy 60s vibes of Back to the Garden to a twangy retro set by rising country star Kimmi Bitter, and a powerful patriotic performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band — there’s something for every music lover. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and festive spirit — this free, family-friendly event is your all-day pass to fun, music, and celebration under the stars!
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Patriotic Toy Train Gallery
Balboa Park
Kids 12 and under get free admission to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum which is open on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spanning over 27,000 square feet of trains, trestles, and tracks, the museum researches, collects, preserves and presents the heritage of American railroading. Don’t miss the patriotic display in the Toy Train Gallery. You may purchase regular tickets here.
Fun Tip: GOING TO COMIC-CON THIS YEAR? Show your Comic Con 2025 badge when you visit the San Diego Model Railroad Museum and get 50% OFF admission! You can take advantage of this exciting discount beginning Wednesday, July 23 (preview night) through Sunday, July 27.
Blue Star Museums
FREE Access for Active Duty Military
This Fourth of July week and through Labor Day, active-duty military and their families can enjoy free admission at participating museums thanks to a collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Blue Star Museums in San Diego include Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, Coronado Historical Association, JA Cooley Museum, Museum of Making Music, Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, San Diego Archaeological Center, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, and San Diego Museum of Art.
Find more discounts and deals for veterans and active-duty military here.
Fourth of July in Coronado
Parades, Patriotism & Fireworks
Coronado Island
Celebrate Independence Day island-style at one of San Diego’s most beloved 4th of July traditions! The Coronado Independence Day Celebration returns on Friday, July 4, with a full day of festivities including the Crown City Classicrun, a star-spangled parade down Orange Avenue, concerts in the park, Navy parachute jumpers, and fireworks over Glorietta Bay.
Thousands line the streets for the hometown parade—complete with bands, floats, vintage vehicles, community groups, and local institutions. Keep your eyes peeled for the Coronado Historical Association’s Laundry Truck, a beloved entry that honors the island’s colorful past in true Coronado fashion!
Finish the day with a family picnic at Spreckels Park while enjoying live music, and don’t miss the grand finale—fireworks at 9:00 p.m. lighting up the bay.
🎉 July 4 Highlights Include:
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7:00–9:00 a.m. – Crown City Classic Run, starting at Tidelands Park
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10:00 a.m. – Parade down Orange Avenue
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2:00 p.m. – FROG-X Navy Parachute Demo, Coronado Golf Course
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Afternoon & Evening Concerts at Spreckels Park
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9:00 p.m. – Fireworks Show over Glorietta Bay
For full event details, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support this cherished tradition, visit Coronado’s Fourth of July website.
Fun Tip: Don’t miss your chance to wave at local museums in action—watch for the Coronado Historical Association’s Laundry Truck in the parade! It’s a quirky, crowd-favorite float that honors Coronado’s history with a splash of humor.
LEGOLAND® California
4th of July Flash Sale!
Now through July 4, Carlsbad
Celebrate the 4th of July with big savings at LEGOLAND® California! Now through July 4, take advantage of the limited-time 4th of July Flash Sale and enjoy a 1-Day 2-Park Hopper ticket for just $49 per park. This includes full access to both the LEGOLAND® Theme Park and Water Park—perfect for summer adventures. Tickets Here!
Want even more to explore? For just $6 more, you can add SEA LIFE® Aquarium to your ticket and dive into an underwater world filled with fascinating sea creatures, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly fun. Tickets are valid for visits now through August 24, 2025—with no blockout dates. Don’t miss your chance to experience three amazing attractions at one incredible price. Get your tickets at legoland.com/california/deals/fourth-of-july-sale.
New July Events & Exhibitions
Birch Aquarium
Living Seas
NEW! Now Open in La Jolla
Explore the wonders of our ocean planet at the Birch Aquarium‘s all-new Living Seas gallery opening today. Take an unforgettable journey through the ecosystems of the Pacific — from the colder waters of the Pacific Northwest, to the beauty of Coastal California, to the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.
You’ll see the hidden world of the Giant Pacific Octopus, experience the habitat under the Scripps Pier, and find an Open Ocean featuring schooling fish and a Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Advanced reservations required. Get your tickets here.
Fun Tip: See the Little Blue Penguins, the world’s smallest penguins, including daily feedings at 10 a.m., real-life feedings of sharks and rays on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 1:10 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 to 11:40 a.m. at Shark Shores. Be sure to see the Little Blue Penguins, the world’s smallest penguins, including daily feedings at 10 a.m.
USS Midway Museum
Step Inside a Once-Classified World
Now Open, Bayfront
Get ready for an unforgettable new experience aboard the USS Midway! Opening Friday, June 27, Top Secret: Inside the High-Stakes World of Naval Intelligence takes you deep into the newly restored Carrier Intelligence Center—an area never before open to the public. This immersive exhibit reveals where real air combat missions were planned during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. From strategy to surveillance to split-second decision-making, you’ll step inside the hidden heart of military intelligence. This is where history happened—and now, you’re cleared for access. Exhibit included with general admission. Learn more here.
Fun Tip: Don’t miss the Midway’s hands-on exhibits like “Fire! Fire! Fire!”, where you can experience what it’s like to fight fires at sea, and the “Engineering Experience,” which puts you right in the heart of the ship’s massive power systems. These interactive displays are a hit with kids and adults alike!
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum
Where History Meets Hospitality
Carlsbad
This 4th of July weekend is the perfect time to visit Green Dragon Tavern & Museum in beautiful Carlsbad with the whole family!
Inspired by the original 18th-century tavern in Boston—where revolutionaries like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams once gathered—the Green Dragon brings the spirit of America’s founding era to life right here on the West Coast.
Wander through the museum’s fascinating exhibits honoring the ideals of liberty and the brave individuals who helped shape our nation. Then enjoy a hearty colonial-style lunch or dinner in the cozy tavern that blends history with hospitality.
Make it a patriotic family outing, or holiday tradition—because there’s no better way to honor America’s past than by experiencing it together.
Plan your visit: https://www.greendragontavernca.com/museum/
The New Children’s Museum
Disco Rainbow Cave
Just Opened!
An exciting new toddler space just opened at The New Children’s Museum. Get ready to shake, bop, and groove on the museum’s upper level with spinning “lava lamps” and a special dance studio. This unique installation for ages 4 and under is brought to life by award-winning artist Tanya Aguiñiga. Get your tickets here.
Fun Tip: Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Museum all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cabrillo National Monument
Explore History by the Sea
Guided Walking Tours
Sunshine, sea breezes, and stories from the past come together on Saturday, July 5 at Cabrillo National Monument! On Saturdays through December 19, park volunteers lead guided walking tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., offering an up-close look at the Cabrillo Statue, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and the stunning coastal views that make this site a San Diego favorite. The tour lasts about an hour and is packed with fascinating history and photo-worthy scenery—great for families, visitors, and curious locals alike. No need to book ahead—just meet at the Visitor Center and get ready for a short uphill walk and a whole lot of discovery. Explore the FUN here.
Fun Tip: Every Thursday at 1 p.m., head to Cabrillo National Monument for a Snake Meet ‘N Greet! Held in the breezeway by the Visitor Center, this weekly event is a great way to meet one of Cabrillo’s live, native snake ambassadors and learn more about these fascinating reptiles.
Museum of Making Music &
Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
Carlsbad
Kids will love visiting Carlsbad’s captivating Museum of Making Music and the equally amazing Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum. Nurture the budding musician with multimedia displays and plenty of hands-on play. Then switch to left-brain learning with more than 200 intricate miniature engines, ships, circus acts, tools, and toys.
Don’t miss a live concert at the Museum of Making Music featuring the California Guitar Trio on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are priced between $35–$40.
Fun Tip: Both museums are open all weekend—except on July 4, when you can visit LEGOLAND® California Resort for its Red, White & BOOM! fireworks event set to music. And while you’re in Carlsbad, grab dinner and a dose of history at the nearby Green Dragon Tavern & Museum, where America’s founding era comes to life with exhibits and hearty colonial-style fare!
Comic-Con Museum
Two New Exhibits
Now Open / Balboa Park
Kick off your weekend with a pop of color and creativity! Comic-Con Museum presents: tokidoki — 20 Years of Kawaii and Chaos in Balboa Park.
Step into the whimsical world of tokidoki, the cult-favorite lifestyle brand that blends Japanese-inspired “kawaii” with bold, edgy design. This all-new exhibit celebrates two decades of art, fashion, and unforgettable collaborations—from Hello Kitty to Marvel, Barbie, and beyond.
Fun Tip: Comic-Con is just a few weeks away! Want year-round perks and early access to all the pop culture magic? Grab a Legends Membership to the Comic-Con Museum and enjoy VIP access, exclusive previews, member-only merch, and more. It’s the ultimate way to gear up for Comic-Con season and beyond!
Heritage of the Americas Museum
History of Ship Building
Cuyamaca College Campus, July 5
Ahoy, history lovers! On Saturday, July 5 from 1 to 2 p.m., the Heritage of the Americas Museum invites you to a special Independence Week presentation: “The History of Ship Building” with retired Capt. Terry Titon. Discover the story behind America’s great shipyards, the iconic builder’s plates that marked our naval legacy, and how these vessels helped shape our nation’s maritime might.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate freedom, craftsmanship, and sea-faring adventure!
Admission is free for members, students, military, and kids under 17. Regular museum admission applies for all others.
Fun Tip: Make a day of it! After the shipbuilding talk, extend your visit and stroll through the beautiful Water Conservation Garden right next door. It’s the perfect way to enjoy nature, learn sustainable tips, and soak up some sunshine this 4th of July weekend!
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Honor & Reflection
La Jolla
This Fourth of July weekend, take time to honor those who’ve served and sacrificed at one of the most remarkable veterans memorials in the country. Perched high above the Pacific in La Jolla, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial pays tribute to more than 6,000 veterans—from the Revolutionary War through today—across all branches of the military, regardless of rank or status.
The memorial’s personalized black granite plaques tell powerful stories of courage, duty, and dedication. With panoramic views of San Diego as your backdrop, it’s a peaceful and moving place to reflect on the freedoms we celebrate this holiday.
Thanks to a special partnership with the USS Midway Museum, new and current members who join at the VALOR membership level receive two free passes to the Midway. Learn more or refer a member at soledadmemorial.org/membership.
Fun Tip: Pair your visit to Mt. Soledad with a stop at the nearby USS Midway Museum—another iconic place to explore America’s military history and celebrate the service of our veterans this Independence Day.
Marston House Museum and Gardens
History & Heritage
Balboa Park
Step into San Diego’s past this Fourth of July weekend at the beautifully preserved Marston House Museum and Gardens, a hidden gem nestled at the northwest edge of Balboa Park. Built in 1905 for civic leader and philanthropist George W. Marston, this Arts and Crafts-style home offers a rare glimpse into the life and legacy of one of the city’s most influential families.
Stroll through five acres of meticulously maintained gardens, tour the historic home’s original furnishings, and discover the story of a man who helped shape San Diego’s park system, cultural institutions, and civic landscape. It’s a peaceful, enriching way to celebrate the ideals of community, conservation, and civic pride that echo through Independence Day.
Fun Tip: Pack a picnic and enjoy the tranquil gardens before or after your tour—or use the nearby trailheads to explore Balboa Park’s scenic West Mesa.
Barona Cultural Center & Museum
Cultural Heritage & Renewal
Barona Reservation
🎉 Exciting News! The Barona Cultural Center & Museum proudly reopens to the public on Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 a.m. following a series of thoughtful upgrades. Visitors will enjoy a refreshed experience featuring new flooring and updated lighting, carefully designed to enhance both the preservation of the museum’s collections and the comfort of guests.
Nestled on the Barona Indian Reservation, the museum plays a vital role in preserving and sharing the history, culture, and language of the Kumeyaay/Diegueño people. Through its exhibitions, educational programming, and community outreach, Barona Museum is a powerful cultural resource for all ages.
🕒 Museum Hours (resuming July 5):
• Wednesdays: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Thursdays: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Fridays: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission is always free, and everyone is welcome. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning guest, this is the perfect time to experience one of the region’s most meaningful cultural treasures.
🔗 Learn more at baronamuseum.com/current-exhibits
Fun Tip: Make it a family day—after your museum visit, explore the beautiful surrounding landscape and consider dining at the Barona Resort for a full day of culture, history, and community connection.
Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego – Central
Emerging Art & Bold Voicesl
Balboa Park
Celebrate creativity and fresh perspectives this Fourth of July weekend with a visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego / Central in Balboa Park. Now on view is NextGen 2025, an exciting annual exhibition that showcases the work of seven rising stars in the regional art scene.
Juried by a panel of art-world professionals, NextGen 2025 features outstanding work from recent graduates of UC San Diego and San Diego State University. These emerging artists are pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas through a range of media and powerful narratives.
🎨 Featured Artists:
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Maddie Butler, MFA, UC San Diego
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Coralys Carter, MFA, UC San Diego
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Nykelle DeVivo, MFA, UC San Diego
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Adele Gaburo, BA, San Diego State University
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Emily Greenberg, MFA, UC San Diego
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Nanzi Muro, MFA, San Diego State University
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Maya Rosado, BA, UC San Diego
📍 ICA / Central is open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
(Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Admission is free—making this the perfect way to celebrate local talent and explore the region’s vibrant contemporary art community.
🔗 Learn more: icasandiego.org
Fun Tip: After your visit, enjoy a stroll through nearby gardens or grab a bite at one of Balboa Park’s scenic cafés—it’s an inspiring way to spend your holiday weekend immersed in creativity and culture.
