Ready the red, white and blue! Independence Day falls this year on Tuesday, July 4. And communities throughout San Diego County, including Encinitas, are prepping such star-spangled celebrations as carnivals, concerts, parades, picnics and, of course, firework extravaganzas. Here are some of the local celebrations where you can get in on the fun!

CARLSBAD: Legoland’s “Red, White and Boom!”: Throughout the day on July 4, kids of all ages can participate in all-American family picnic games and building activities. The evening fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. combines patriotic music with fireworks; included with cost of park admission. Visit legoland.com

ENCINITAS: Olivenhain Fourth of July Parade. Annual family event at Olivenhain Meeting Hall.

DEL MAR: Fourth of July Celebration at San Diego County Fair: Patriotic celebration all day on July 4 topped off with fireworks at 9 p.m., which can be viewed throughout the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Parking is $15; admission is $12-$20 for ages 6 and older. Visit sdfair.com.

MISSION BAY: SeaWorld fireworks: SeaWorld San Diego puts on a 15-minute fireworks show set to a patriotic soundtrack starting at 9:30 p.m. July 4. The park offers entertainment ranging from new shows, including the debut of a pirate stunt show on the water, a “Splashtacular” parade of floats with music, to light displays and a summer concert series. The new FantaSEA of Dreams Fireworks Spectacular is also offered nightly through the end of summer. Visit seaworld.com/san-diego seaworld.com/san-diego.

MISSION BAY: Fireworks on Mission Bay: Taking place at Mission Bay at 9 p.m. July 3, the show will launch from near Mission Bay Yacht Club, thanks to community donations. Radio station partner 100.7 BIG FM will provide a custom soundtrack. Public viewing areas include Sunset Point Park, Santa Clara Point to Fanuel Street Park, and along Rivera Drive and the shoreline areas with a view of Sail Bay. Boaters can get out on the water from several areas in Mission Bay or reserve a spot on the William D. Evans sternwheeler cruising Mission Bay. Visit fireworksonmissionbay.com.

OCEANSIDE: Fireworks celebrate city’s 135th birthday: 9 p.m. July 3 at SoCal Soccer Complex at El Corazon, 3300 El Corazon Drive. There will be entertainment and food vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Parking at the SoCal lot for $12 per car; parking lot entry closes 8:30 p.m. Free parking at nearby Ocean Ranch Business Park. RVs and buses not permitted. Gates open at 5 p.m. No alcohol or dogs. Call (760) 435-5041 or visit ci.oceanside.ca.us.

OCEANSIDE: Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade: Boat parade starts at 1 p.m. July 4 in the Oceanside Harbor at the Oceanside Yacht Club and continues on to the south end of the harbor. Decorate a patriotic dinghy 12 feet and under and enter the parade. No entry fee; trophies will be awarded. Register at skippers meeting at 10 a.m. July 4 at the yacht club, 1950 Harbor Drive North. Call (760) 722-5751 or visit oceansideyc.net.

OCEANSIDE: Oceanside beach and pier: Additional vendors will be open selling food and beverages and renting water sports equipment in Pier Plaza and parking lot south of the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre. The Strand roadway by the beach will be closed to cars from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. Visit mainstreetoceanside.com.

RANCHO SANTE FE: Independence Day Parade: Starts at 1 p.m. July 4 and runs along Paseo Delicias and other downtown streets. Features U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, grand marshall and local resident, retired Navy Rear Admiral Russ “Boot” Penniman, along with floats, vintage cars, equestrians, firetrucks and the town’s parade princess. Decorated bikes, golf carts and convertibles can join. A picnic lunch starts 11 a.m. on the Village Green with hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches for sale by the RSF Golf Club to benefit the RSF Community Center. After the parade, there will be music by the Harmony Grove Band. Free ice cream, first come, first served, hosted by The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. ADA parking is in the Wells Fargo parking lot on El Tordo.

SAN DIEGO: Big Bay Boom: The free fireworks show will be displayed simultaneously from four barges on San Diego Bay at 9 p.m. July 4. Barge locations will be off the shorelines of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero Marina Boat District and Coronado Ferry Landing. Bring lawn chairs or get in a boat to watch. The 20-minute fireworks will be telecast live on Fox 5 San Diego and affiliates in Los Angeles and on Fox 40 in Sacramento., starting at 8 p.m. A musical simulcast will be broadcast live on KGB 101.5 FM radio, starting at 9 p.m. The Metropolitan Transit System will increase train, trolley and bus services, and will offer “Friends Ride Free,” where a friend may ride free with a fare-paying customer on MTS routes on July 4. Visit bigbayboom.com.

SAN DIEGO: Maritime Museum fireworks viewing: July 4 fireworks viewing on the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s America, Berkeley and the Star of India, moored by the North Embarcadero. Bay cruises also offered. Visit sdmaritime.org.

SAN DIEGO: Fireworks viewing from cruises: Hornblower’s July Fourth dinner cruises include three hours on the yacht with buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, and sky deck viewing; visit cityexperiences.com/san-diego. Also, among the options, Flagship offers the Star-Spangled Dinner Cruise or the Fireworks Spectacular Spectator Cruise, leaving from 990 N. Harbor Drive next to the USS Midway; reserve at flagshipsd.com/cruises/4th-july-fireworks-cruises.

SAN DIEGO: Old Town Fourth of July: Festivities are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4, including games, wheelbarrow races, crafts and live music from Big Mountain Bluegrass Band at Old Town State Historic Park as part of an ‘old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration’ like what early San Diego residents did in the 1800s. The park will offer its usual museums and living history demonstrations. Visit parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

SAN MARCOS: Fourth of July at Lake San Marcos: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4. The “Freedom Singers” will lead in singing patriotic music. Veterans will be recognized and there will be guest speakers. Highlights include a 10 a.m. patriotic dog contest, 10:15 a.m. children’s games, bounce house, food and drinks and information tables hosted by local clubs and groups. The annual July 4 Yacht Club Boat Parade will be at 4 p.m. on the lake. Sponsored by the Lakehouse Resort, Lake Church and LSM Kiwanis. Visit lsmkiwanis.org.

July 4th Events Near Encinitas: Fireworks, Parades and More…