Things To Know

Disability Access

The City of Irvine is committed to providing access to as many guests as possible and provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and service animals. Disabled person parking is available. Please enter at the intersection of Sand Canyon Avenue and Great Park Boulevard, and have the appropriate placard visible. Parking directors will route vehicles to the ADA parking available in Parking Lot 2. For more information on parking, visit the Parking & Directions Page.

Arrival & Parking

Park at Irvine Station to take the Irvine CONNECT shuttle, a free shuttle ride to the event, which will drop guests off at Lot 4. Shuttles operate from 3 to 11 p.m., departing every 20 minutes. For more information, visit the Parking & Directions Page. Irvine Station is located at 15215 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92618.

General parking is available in Lots 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. View a parking lot map. 

If you are arriving without a vehicle or walking, please enter at Ridge Valley and Corsair or Great Park Lot 4, located near the Tennis Courts off of Skyhawk Blvd.  

First Aid Station

If you need medical attention, please contact a staff member, or visit the red and white First Aid tent located in the center of the park on the timeline by the balloon.

Items for Purchase

Credit card and cash acceptance varies by vendor. Please plan ahead, as ATM is not available on-site.

Lawn Games

A parent signature is required to check out lawn games. 

Food and Drinks 

A variety of food vendors provide menu items, such as entrees, sweets, snacks, and more, at the event. Also available are a range of beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits, at The Layover and Hangar 244. Food and drinks are not allowed on the artificial turf fields. While we encourage guests to enjoy picnics on the grass areas, barbeques are not permitted. 

Food Trucks & Tents:

  • Burger Fresh
  • Gyudon
  • Wingspan
  • Johnny's Real New York Pizza
  • Teaspoon
  • Coda's Kettle Korn
  • Tacos & Co.
  • Scooter's Italian Ice
  • Crepes Bonaparte
  • Kona Ice Irvine
  • Bethelicious

Balloon and Carousel Rides

The Great Park Balloon will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Balloon rides are on a first-come, first-served basis at $10 per adult, and children are free. Reservations are not available. Balloon flight availability is weather-related.

Carousel rides are free. A registration waiver (available at the Visitors Center) must be signed by every potential passenger prior to riding both the Balloon and the Carousel. For more information, visit the Balloon & Carousel page. 

Drone and Firework Viewing and Staging

You are welcome to set your chairs and blankets down to save your space when you arrive at the park for the day. Enjoy everything the celebration has to offer and return to your spot for the drone and fireworks shows.

  • Fields 18-24: chairs, blankets, weighted EZ-UPs are allowed; EZ-Ups and umbrellas are not allowed to be staked or drilled into the ground. 
  • Fields 8-13: blankets only; no food or drinks allowed. 

Limited Public Forum and Open Public Forum Area

The Fourth of July Celebration is characterized as a limited public forum. Political messages, membership recruitment, evangelizing, and similar activities are discouraged, except in areas designated for such activities. An “open public forum” has been designated to reflect City support of free speech. We invite individuals and organizations who wish to share their messages to gather in the designated open public forum located on the grass area in front of the Palm Court. The area is designated by signs outlining its boundaries. 

Lost Persons

Guests are encouraged to contact any City of Irvine staff member if they become separated from their party. City of Irvine staff members will be wearing blue event shirts and will be available throughout the event site. If a member of your party is lost, please visit the Visitors Center or contact a staff member. As an added safety precaution, free ID wristbands are available at the Visitors Center and First Aid Booths. Please only include your cell phone number on the wristband, not the person's name.

Lost and Found

For lost and found assistance, please visit the Lost and Found tent located in the center of the park by the Balloon. If you realize you lost something after the event, please inquire with the Great Park Visitors Center during normal business hours at 949-724-6599. 

Pets

Dogs are welcome at the Fourth of July Celebration and remain in the charge of a person competent to restrain such dog. Owners are responsible to pick up after their pet(s) and for any damages they may cause. It is recommended that pets are not on-site for the aerial fireworks show scheduled for 9:45 p.m.

Photography

While visiting City of Irvine facilities, parks, and events, photographers working for the City may be taking photos or videos for marketing purposes. This includes general shots of visitors in groups, or photos of individuals. If you have concerns about your image being used, please tell the event photographer.

Smoke Free

The City of Irvine is proud to provide guests with a smoke-free environment. Per the City of Irvine’s Municipal Code of Ordinance, Section 4-10-512, smoking is prohibited and is unlawful in or at any park or recreation facility within the City of Irvine, except where designated.