July 4th is one of our favorite holidays here in Mammoth Lakes! And this year, we’re extra excited for a sunny, warm kickoff to the summer season.
If you’ll be joining us this Independence Day, you might be wondering what the locals do to celebrate the 4th. Here’s our insider guide to the can’t-miss events taking place from now through Tuesday.
July 1-4th: Mammoth Lakes Arts on the 4th
Mono Arts Council will start off the July 4th celebrations with their annual art festival, Mammoth Lakes Arts on the 4th, in the Footloose Sports parking lot. This gathering of local and visiting artists acts as a fundraiser for the MAC’s many art education programs. And you’ll find a wide range of art styles, including jewelry, stained glass art, photography, Zapotec weaving, and more. There will also be live music, food vendors, a splash art booth, and kids art activities.
Festival hours will go from 10am to 6pm on July 1-3rd and 9am to 4pm on July 4th.
July 2nd: Mammoth Mountain Freedom Bash
Sure, fireworks are great. But they’re even better at 11,000 feet! The Mammoth Mountain Freedom Bash is the highest fireworks show in the nation, and there are a few different ways to enjoy it. You can hitch a gondola ride up to McCoy Station, join the viewing party at Mountainside Bar & Grill, or enjoy the view from the Tusks Sundeck. Each option requires tickets for entry, so make sure you grab your spot before they sell out!
All options will be open starting at 6pm, with the firework show kicking off at 9:15pm.
July 3rd: The Village Independence Day Celebration
Every year, the Village organizes a list of fun-filled activities to ramp up the mood the day before 4th of July. Here are a few of the exciting things they’ve got planned on July 3rd:
3pm: Chihuahua races
They’re small but they are mighty, and they’re ready to race for the ultimate title of Chihuahua Champion! The friendly race will begin at 3pm, but get there are 2pm if you want to register your paw-ticipant.
8pm: Live music
Rest up after the Chihuahua race because the party starts up again at 8pm. There will be live music and dancing leading up to the fireworks show.
9pm: Fireworks show
That’s right, this is the second of three fireworks shows that you can enjoy in Mammoth Lakes for 4th of July! You can see this one in the main patio at the Village near the gondola.
4th of July Activities
7-11am: Mammoth Lakes Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
There’s no better way to start off the 4th of July with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. For just $12 per person ($8 for kids under 12), you can enjoy coffee, orange juice, breakfast sausages, and of course, many, many pancakes! Head to 106 Old Mammoth Road (the Good Life Cafe parking lot) for this delightful breakfast.
10:30am: Freedom Mile
The Footloose Freedom Mile is a quick fun running race to get the blood pumping before the 4th of July parade. Registration opens up at 8:30 and the race will start at 10:30 at the driving range on Old Mammoth Road. Feel free to dress up, go at your own pace, and enjoy the stunning views.
11am: Parade
Every year, our town gathers to watch the hour and a half long treat that is the 4th of July Parade. The procession starts at the Old Mammoth Road and Chateau Road intersection and finishes at the intersection of Main Street and Manzanita. Make sure to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and sunscreen and get ready to wave to floats featuring our town businesses and community organizations!
11am (until we run out!): Free Hotdogs at Mammoth Mountain Reservations
If you’ve attended the 4th of July Parade in the past, you might have asked yourself, “Where is that smell of delicious hotdogs coming from?” From the Mammoth Mountain Reservations office!
You can find our team grilling up 250 hotdogs and homemade chili at our office at 3310 Main Street, right next to the post office. We’re giving ‘em out for free so stop in before they’re gone!
2-3:30pm Pops in the Park
Enjoy some sunshine and symphony music with the Eastern Sierra Pops Orchestra at Shady Rest Park.
9pm Crowley Lake Fireworks Spectacular
And finally, the event to cap it all off: the Crowley Lake firework show! The entrance fee is $30 per car and seating is first-come-first-serve. Make sure to bring camping chairs, bug spray and lots of layers for this lakeside show.
Get there early to catch a live performance of one of our favorite local bands, the Felt Cut Outs! They go on at 6pm on the Front Lawn at Crowley Lake Fish Camp.
Will you be joining us for 4th of July?
There’s something really special about celebrating the 4th in a tight-knit community like Mammoth Lakes. So, if you’re looking for fun activities with a small town spin, you really can’t go wrong with a trip up here.
If you’re still looking for lodging, either for the holiday weekend or the rest of the summer, take a look at what we still have available at Mammoth Mountain Reservations!
