traveldk.com

Be quick to grab the strings of beads thrown off the floats at the Masquerade Parade. The parade begins in the afternoon at Fifth Avenue, but music and revelry carries on until the early morning. The food booths serve up New Orleans-style Cajun food.

A grand parade of marching bands, bagpipes, community organizations, horses, and school groups begins at Sixth and Juniper. Afterwards, an Irish festival takes place at Balboa Park with Irish dancers, lots to eat, green beer, and fun for the entire family.

North of the Mexican border, commemorating the French defeat by Mexican troops is a serious business. Restaurants overflow, Old Town State Historic Park sponsors folkloric ballet performances and mariachi bands, and the Gaslamp Quarter hosts a musical street fair.

Nearly every San Diego community has its own July 4th festivities, such as fireworks, surfing contests, parades, and street festivals. Since the ban of home fireworks, commercial fireworks shows are the way to go. The biggest show in the county is held over San Diego Harbor.

San Diego’s gay community hits the streets in celebration of diversity. The parade begins at Fifth Avenue and Laurel in Hillcrest and moves to Balboa Park, where live bands, food booths, and a party atmosphere prevail. Outrageous costumes are the rule of the day.

Your worst nightmares may come true at “Frightmare on Market Street”, a haunted Victorian building complete with underground catacombs. You might come face to face with Freddy Krueger, the Texas Chainsaw family, and 13 ghosts at the Haunted Hotel. The Haunted Trails of Balboa Park will scare the wits out of you.

Floats, equestrian units, clowns, marching bands, and drill teams make up only part of the 200 entries in the largest single-day event in San Diego County, attended by about 400,000 people annually. A tradition since 1947, the parade changes its theme every year but always revolves around a celebration of children.

Balboa Park launches the Christmas season by opening its doors to the community. Museums are free after 5pm, carolers sing, and special food booths are set up. The park is closed to traffic, but shuttles reach the outer parking lots. Dress warmly and expect a crowd of over 50,000 people.

This is a traditional re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter for the Christ child. A candlelight procession begins in Heritage Park, passing by historic homes and businesses that have food set out, and finishing at the plaza in Old Town State Historic Park.

Yachts and sailboats vie for the title of best decorated in Mission Bay and the San Diego Harbor. The best viewing areas for the Mission Bay parade are at Crown Point and Fiesta Island; for the San Diego Harbor Parade, head to the Embarcadero.