This Independence Day, let LA.com be your Bill Pullman, and together we will celebrate our sunburn!  I mean, freedom.

The fourth has always been first for quality summertime-partying, and this year does not disappoint. Eat, drink and relax your way through our nation's birthday with this handy guide of festivities.  --LA.com

PARTY

|||  liquor, sun, and good music never felt so patriotic  |||  


MyHouse 4th of July
Make like Will Smith and head to Bel Air for this daytime (noon-8pm) Belvedere-sponsored event set on 2 acres of private estate, replete with an infinity pool (of course) with stellar views from downtown to the beach. Expect a similar vibe to MyHouse with poolside furniture (cabanas, lounge chairs, towels and food) all inspired by the Hollywood club. Also expect a similar crowd, as the party is hosted by Syndicate Hospitality Group and MyHouse Wednesday-night promoter Michael Bellisario. TIP: you'll have to schmooze your way onto the list, so stop by the club Wednesday night.  

Ping Pong Tournament @ The Standard Hollywood
If you're looking for ways to burn off some of those Mojito calories, sign up for this week's ping pong tournament at The Standard Hollywood. The weekly (free) event brings in hipsters and Balls of Fury fans alike. So practice that backhand slice while grazing on the organic hot dogs courtesy of the poolside BBQ. DJ Max Vanville will be providing the background soundtrack. Party goes from noon to 5pm.  

Cirque Berzerk
Let loose your inner performer and have a mind-bending Fourth. Cirque Berzerk, the goth-tinged big top, channels Criss Angel and Cirque du Soleil's lovechild with its sexy but twisted acts. If all the fratastic Fourth of July hoopla turns your stomach, definitely give this a shot.  

Bootie LA
This now-institutional monthly party at the Echoplex where the mashup is king is celebrating the 4th with jaw-dropping mixes of Beyonce vs. Andy Griffith, Flo-Rida vs. Chromeo and even Rick James vs. Queen all courtesy of DJs Paul V. and Shyboy.  Totally stellar. There will also be special Independence Day performances by the resident dance crew R.A.I.D. (Random Acts of Irreverent Dance). Free Bootie mashup CDs for the first 75 people.  

Suicide Girls' host Cherry Bomb @ Monte Cristo
A collab between the notorious Suicide Girls and La Dead means: Go-Go dancers, fire performers, electro/'80s/post-punk, photobooth, midnight fireworks and an absinthe bar (not to mention drink specials: $1 Tequila Shots Before 11, $5 Wells Before 11 and $4 Domestic Beers Before Midnight).  

Allison Melnick hosts the W's Sunday Pool Party Spend the day after recuperating with club owner and promoter Allison Melnick (Apple Lounge) as she hosts this Sunday's pool party at the W. The weekly event brings in local tastemakers for a sun-filled afternoon of schmoozing and networking, with drink in hand. Noon-6pm      


NOSH

|||  kitschy, uncle sam-themed food  |||  


SusieCakes Have a nostalgic holiday with SusieCake's festive foods, which are the perfect party-crashing gift. Check out "The Fireworks" vanilla cupcake (red, white and blue sprinkles baked into vanilla batter) or the star-shaped sugar cookies, edged with red or blue sugar.  

BLVD 16 From July 1-5 enjoy exec. chef Simon Dolinky's 'red, white and blue' menu. Try the Ahi tuna and watermelon, the Maine lobster ragu or the white corn raviolis with shitake mushrooms. For dessert, sample the panna cotta with strawberries and candied kumquats, all topped with basil. Also, check out the resto's holiday 4x4 special: four appetizer for $4 each, with the purchase of a cocktail. Possible apps include Carolina-style BBQ pork sliders with coleslaw, grit fries with spicy Creole mustard or beef sliders with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. Finger-licking delish!  

Yogen Früz Free yogurt in Tarzana, sorta. Buy one, get one free on all signature or soft serve yogurts from 10am-noon on Saturday.    


FIREWORKS

|||  it doesn't matter how old you are, fireworks are a must  |||  


Hollywood Bowl with John Fogerty
If you can't get here on Saturday, the fourth, the legendary rock 'n' roller will be performing with the L.A. Phil Thursday and Friday as well (all three nights will have a fireworks finale).  

AmericaFest @ The Rose Bowl
Fireworks start at 9pm (it's the biggest display in Southern California). Before then? Tons of food vendors, musical acts and marching bands. But beware: 25-30,000 people attend.  

L.A. Coliseum
This free event means 60 minutes of fireworks (um, amazing?!) and is the city's largest Independence Day display.  

L.A. Galaxy
Celebrate with the home team after its match against the New England Revolution. Even if there aren't fireworks on the field, there will definite be some afterward.  

Marina del Rey
Zambelli Pyrotechnics will launch fireworks from a barge between Fisherman's Village and the Breakwater, in the main channel of the Marina.  

Redondo Beach
Set up shop on the beach Saturday afternoon and catch some rays while the kids attend puppet shows and science workshops. Live bands will play throughout the afternoon. Gates open at 2pm, with fireworks happening around 9.30pm.

 

GIVEAWAY / CONTEST

|||  win tickets to the british in(your face)vasion of the standard rooftop  |||


C'mon people now, smile on your brother. And let's let bygones be under the bridge of spilled milk.  British! Yay! 

LA.com is giving away 2 pairs of tickets for The Standard rooftop party on July 5th with Fabric resident Ewan Pearson, and LA.com's favorite dwarf-obsessed interviewee, Damian Lazarus.  It your best bet, 'Best of British,' day-after, pool party recovery treatment and dance party.

Enter to WIN TICKETS, by sending us an email with the word STANDARD in the subject line.

Deadline to enter is Friday at 4pm. We'll get in touch with the winner, so remember to check your inbox!