Celebrate independence with plenty of patriotic fun this 4th of July. Plan a boat trip to the shores of Southern California and Coronado that includes plenty of fun in the sun and patriotic activities – including parades. There will be a number of activities, like the parade itself and many pre- and post-parade events. Make sure to make the Coronado 4th of July Parade part of your Independence Day celebration this year! 

Pre-Parade Entertainment

Start Independence Day activities early. Activities will take place at each of the announcer stations along the parade route. Activities include MCs, music, dancing, chalk, and other festive giveaways for the kids. The entertainment is available 7:30-10 a.m. 

Parade

The 4th of july parade in coronado, CA is in its 75th year in 2024! Watch as bands, performers, dignitaries, and others walk the parade route accompanied by cars, floats, and more. The parade steps off on Orange Avenue at 1st Street and ends at Churchill Place. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. You can start setting up for the parade as early as 5 a.m. If you can’t make it to the parade site, or can’t get a good spot, you can opt to watch a live stream on the City of Coronado YouTube site. 

Crown City Classic 12K

If you want some exercise before all the festivities of the day, make the event part of your itinerary. The race starts at Tidelands Park. Dress in your patriotic best and register for the route that suits your abilities. There’s even a kids’ half-mile race. 

You can register online at the Crown City Run website, or register on race day beginning at 5:30 a.m. The 12K and 5K start at 7 a.m., and the kids’ race starts at 8:30 a.m. on July 4th. 

Adrian Empire Demonstration and San Diego Star Wars Society Photo

The 4th of July event features a chance to get your picture taken with characters from the worlds of both Adrian Empire – a group that focuses on Western European culture until the 1600s, and the San Diego Star Wars Society characters. The event takes place 12:30-2 p.m. at Star Park. 

Navy Leap Frogs Aerial Demonstration

Look to the skies above Coronado Golf Course’s 17th fairway. Zooming past you’ll see the Navy Leap Frogs showing off their abilities during an aerial demonstration this 4th of July.  Turn your gaze skyward starting at 2 p.m. on July 4th. 

Kids Concert

Coronado celebrates the 4th of July with fun, parades, events – and music. Kathleen Dugas will be playing children’s music at Spreckels Park. The public concert is free and takes place 2:30-3:15 p.m.  

Patriotic Concert

Stick around Spreckels Park for another concert. Not long after the children have had their concert fund, the Coronado Concert Band will be presenting a concert filled with patriotic favorites. The concert is 4-5 p.m.  

Dance Concert

By the time the concert comes around you may be partied out for the day. One last concert takes place at Spreckels Park, where you can see The Mighty Untouchables. They’ll be playing popular dance party hits that will give you a second wind to groove the night away. The concert is 5:45-8:30 p.m. and is the perfect way to end the day before the evening’s fireworks display. 

Fireworks

After all the 4th of July fun, cap the day with a dazzling fireworks display. The night ends with a bang above the Coronado Golf Course. Fireworks are launched over Glorietta Bay near Stingray Point, and the course is one of the best alternate viewing areas. Tune in to the soundtrack available on KYXY Radio 96.5 FM. 

Transportation

The free summer shuttle will be operating all day in 30-minute intervals. It’s a great way to get where you need to go without putting miles and draining gas from your rental vehicle. Catch the shuttle at the northeast corner of Coronado Cays and Grande Caribe and the southernly corner of Avenue De Lass Arenas and Silver Strand Boulevard. The shuttle runs 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. 

Liberty Celebration Swim

Take a day to rest after a busy 4th of July, then get moving again. The event, formerly known as the 4th of July Swim, is in its 66th year in 2024. Adult categories include ½ mile (18+), 1 mile (active military), and a new 3K (18+). Youth races include a 250M dash for 12 and under, ½ mile, 1 mile, or 3K distances for 17 and under. 

Register on the Coronado Rough Water Swim website. Check in starts at 7 a.m. at Glorietta Bay Park, and the first race starts at 8:30 a.m. 

4th of July Boating Fun

Have your Coronado 4th of July boating adventure bases covered with a membership to Carefree Boat Club. There are locations all across the U.S., including Coronado Island. Avoid things like the hit-and-miss availability of small rental companies, as well as the hassles of storage, maintenance, trailering, covering, cleaning, or extra fees like insurance and mooring that come with owning and transporting your own boat.  

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