By Lookout Staff
July 2, 2026 -- Santa Monica will celebrate the nation's 250th birthday this weekend with a parade, Ferris Wheel light shows and the closure of numerous City facilities.
The local festivities kick off tonight with a special patriotic lighting program on Pacific Park's iconic nine-story Ferris wheel that will stretch over four nights ending Sunday.
The Pacific Wheel will join landmarks across Southern California in celebrating Independence Day, illuminating the coastline "with a dazzling 90-foot-tall animated American flag, dynamic red, white, and blue light displays, and custom America 250-inspired animations."
On Saturday, July 4, the Ocean Park Association (OPA) will hold its annual Independence Day parade, which will start at 9:30 a.m. at Beach Lot 5S on Ocean Park Boulevard and Barnard Way.
The parade will head south before turning east on Marine Street and heading north on Main Street to Pico Boulevard and Main, which is the parade's traditional starting point.
Viewers can catch the parade anywhere along the Main Street route as it makes its way toward Tongva Park across from City Hall. The official grandstand announcement location will be in front of the Ocean Park Library.
The entire parade route and some streets leading to it will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to noon. Public parking can be found at lots off Neilson to the West. Parade organizers recommend walking, biking or scooting to the parade route.
City Hall will close on Friday, along with the Colorado Yards, the Transit store and all parking services, as well as the offices at Virginia Avenue Park and the Police Activities League (PAL) Youth Center.
The Public Library will open Friday but close on Saturday, July 4, while the The Santa Monica Swim Center will open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lap and recreational swimming.
The fitness room and gym at Memorial Park will open Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but close on Saturday, while the Cove Skatepark will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday and close on Saturday.
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus lines will operate a normal weekend schedule on Friday, while the Transit Store and Customer Service will be closed until Monday.
Parking meters will not be enforced on July 4th, except for meters that are enforced daily according to posted signage. Meters that are enforced daily must be paid.
All City of Santa Monica beach lots and pay-by-space lots are enforced 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, including Independence Day. Preferential Parking (residential/visitor permits) will also be enforced.
Regular trash collection will take place on both Friday and Saturday.
The Santa Monica Fire Department reminds the community that all fireworks are illegal in Santa Monica.