LA’s Coolest Fourth of July Weekend Events

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

We're already given you the scoop on where to scope out sparklers next Monday (and a few on Sunday) and we'll soon be sharing a list of not-to-miss sales in honor of Independence Day. But besides staring up at the sky and taking advantage of savings, what else is there to do in LA on the 4th and through the weekend leading up to it?

If you're still in need of ways to celebrate the upcoming holiday, don't stress — we've taken the liberty of gathering a variety of events from poolside blowouts to straight-up how downs to suit every type of partier. Read on and check back through the 4th, as we'll be adding more worthy bashes as we hear about them.

Friday, July 1st

Photo: Au Fudge

Say cheers to an extra-long weekend with Cocktails and Calligraphy, a creative event for adults led by Dionne Christiansen of Nib and Pixel. Guests will learn this time-honored skill while sipping concoctions from a craft cocktail menu. Au Fudge (9010 Melrose Avenue), 7pm to 9pm. Tickets are $150 and include your cocktail. RSVP here.

Sunday, July 3rd

Photo: Starstruck in LA

DVS and Tavik present the We the People pool party at the iconic Hollywood hotel one day prior to Independence Day. In addition to a playlist that combines '80s, surf rock, nu disco, hip-hop, and house courtesy of Wearetreo, the bash will include a pop-up shop with goods by the shoe and swimwear brands. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Boulevard), 12pm-sunset. RSVP only.

Photo: Rony's Photobooth/The Naven Twins

For the Uncle Sam Jam, nearby businesses including Dollar Shave Club, Nibble, and 2332 Collective are co-hosting a block party with VIP areas at each address, a kiddie pool lounge, complimentary cocktails, a kissing booth, beer pong, and deejays Sebu of Capital Cities, and the Naven Twins. Zeno Place and Boccaccio Avenue, 12pm-8pm. RSVP only.

Photo: A Club Called Rhonda/Facebook

Party for independence on a sunny pool deck to a playlist courtesy of Andy Butler, Trinidad-Senolia, Roy Dank, and more at A Club Called Rhonda's latest paradise-inspired bash Rhondesia. Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel (8440 Sunset Boulevard), 12pm to 8pm. Free to attend, RSVP here.

Monday, July 4th

Photo: Burnt

For the kickoff of Burnt's semi-regular summer bashes, this barbecue includes a bar by Tromba Tequila and Peroni (cocktails in pineapples!), eats by Taste of Pace (veggie options included), a gif-producing photobooth, and Balearic-inspired music sets by Lloyski, Aaron Castle, and Panamajack. The Holding Company (3213 Beverly Boulevard), 2pm-10pm. RSVP here.

Photo: Shutterstock

The 2nd annual Family Barn Dance is an old fashioned hoe down that includes dancing, music from the likes of The Rattlesnakes and Songmakers, and family-friendly games such as pie eating and watermelon seed spitting contests, horseshoe toss, and a dunk tank. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum (419 N Topanga Canyon Boulevard), 11am-5pm. Adult tickets are $20 pre-sale ($22 at the gate), kids (ages 5 to 12) $8 pre-sale ($10 at the gate).

Photo: LA TLC

If you're craving a traditional parade vibe, this annual tradition in the Palisades will fit the bill nicely. In its 68th year, the event will be lead by Kevin Nealon and features plenty of classic cars, local celebs, marching bands, equestrian units, and more classic parade fun. You can also continue the night with a post-parade concert and fireworks display. Pacific Palisades High School (15777 Bowdoin Street), Parade starts at 2pm, concert at 6:30pm, fireworks at 9pm. Parade is free to attend (VIP seating options available), concert and fireworks show is $10.

Photo: Rony's Photobooth

Beloved summer pool party series Wavey is back for the season and the Independence Day edition features a deejay lineup of Egyptian Lover, Peanut Butter Wolf, J. Rocc, and Crew Love live artist Navid Izadi. Launched by the team behind fashionable retail/salon space The Well, this is the bash where you'll want to sport your sickest suit — this crowd is always dressed (or undressed, as the case may be) to impress. Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel (8440 Sunset Boulevard), 1pm to 8pm. Free to attend, RSVP here.