Additional Homegrown Musical Artists Include BARDO, Latin GRAMMY® Nominee Ceci Bastida and Electronic Violinist QVLN, with Live DJ Sets by Discos Rolas, Black House Radio and KCRW’s Boogie Boudreaux; Plus the Park’s Iconic 75-Foot Ferris Wheel, 90-Foot ‘Super Slide,’ Spectacular Drone Show and Food Trucks Galore
NEW EVENT NAME, SAME UNFORGETTABLE FUN FOR ALL!
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025
4:00 – 9:30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES (May 12, 2025) – There’s a new party in town! Gloria Molina Grand Park is thrilled to announce the details of Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party (formerly known as Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Fourth of July Block Party), which will be held on Friday, July 4, 2025. With gates opening at 4:00 p.m., the nearly six-hour jubilee will include two performance stages with an electrifying lineup of L.A.-based music artists and DJs, among them BARDO, QVLN & Sunny Z, Ceci Bastida, Discos Rolas, KCRW’s Boogie Boudreaux and Black House Radio. GRAMMY® nominated rapper D Smoke headlines this year’s fête, which will end with a jaw-dropping 3-D drone show buzzing above the massive crowd. Angelenos and visitors of all ages can take their exhilarating experiences up a notch by riding on the park’s towering 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel, sliding down a 90-foot ‘Super Slide,’ indulging in the dozens of food trucks that will whet anyone’s appetite, and so much more.
Following a difficult year marked by the unimaginable wildfires, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party will offer more than music, lights, food and drones—it is a powerful reminder of what makes Los Angeles home: its people. The theme of this year’s not-to-be-missed free celebration is “Homegrown,” a reflection of L.A. County’s resilience in the wake of devastation and a bold reimagining of what Independence Day means for a region built on creativity, diversity and unity.
“Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party is where L.A. comes together, not just to celebrate but to connect, create and reclaim joy as a resilient community,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “This is a moment for every Angeleno to feel seen, heard and inspired—and to just feel good again. When visitors and people from around the world watch us celebrating, they will know that L.A. is bouncing back better than ever. Join us on July 4 in Downtown L.A. where Angelenos will embrace the power of unity and strength in the truest forms.”
L.A.’s ultimate neighborhood block party will span the six city blocks that comprise Gloria Molina Grand Park and its surrounding streets. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic or enjoy delectable food and snack options for purchase from L.A.’s favorite gourmet food trucks, including a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, American, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Central American, Italian and Salvadoran offerings along with several dessert, coffee and beverage vendors. The park does not permit alcohol consumption onsite; alcohol will not be sold at the event. For a complete list of Gloria Molina Grand Park’s prohibited items and activities, visit grandparkla.org.
The Summer Block Party culminates with Gloria Molina Grand Park’s reimagined Fourth of July tradition: an eco-conscious drone show flying above The Music Center, located directly across the street from the park, which will form larger-than-life 3-D configurations. Programmed by Grizzly Entertainment for the third consecutive year, the dynamic drone show will light up the sky with the stories of L.A.’s residents.
“This July 4, we’re not just lighting up the sky with drones—we’re renewing the spirit of Los Angeles,” said Gloria Molina Grand Park Director Robert Gonzalez. “With music, art and collective joy, we celebrate freedom in Los Angeles as something we create together, and we pay tribute to Angelenos who rise in the face of challenge. We honor the neighborhoods, cultures and voices that make L.A. strong, vibrant and uniquely our home. This year, and every year moving forward, we are not just celebrating a date on the calendar—we are celebrating summer, and we are celebrating us.”
Guests may enter the event through three specially marked park entrances:
- Grand Avenue and 1st Street
- Hill and Temple Streets
- Main and 1st Street
- Hill and 2nd Streets
Geared for the entire family and their four-legged friends on leashes, the free festivity includes music performances on two stages showcasing L.A.’s global and diverse sounds. KCRW’s Francesca Harding will host the Backyard Stage (the park’s Event Lawn next to City Hall, between Broadway and Spring Street), which includes a stellar lineup of locally grown, globally known performers including BARDO, lead songwriter and vocalist for Chicano Batman, who is gearing up to release his solo debut with soulful vocals and introspective lyrics that explore themes of identity and cultural heritage. Additional performers include Latin GRAMMY®-nominated artist Ceci Bastida, the former member of the iconic Mexican ska-punk band Tijuana No!, who will bring her own music artistry, and QVLN & Sunny Z, who is known for violin-led fusion of Latin soul, funk and electronic music. Inglewood native and rapper D Smoke headlines this year’s summer block party, showcasing his GRAMMY®-nominated music that bridges cultures and challenges norms.
The Front Yard Stage, curated by KCRW and hosted by KCRW radio deejay and native Angeleno Raul Campos, will feature some of L.A.’s most popular DJs—Discos Rolas, KCRW’s Boogie Boudreaux and Black House Radio—who will keep the crowd jumping all night long.
The park’s Family Fun Zone returns in full force with crowd favorites, such as the 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel that will thrill partygoers of all ages high above DTLA’s green oasis as well as a giant 90-foot-long fiberglass “Super Slide” designed for three riders at a time side-by-side. Art takes center stage at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party with bold visual installations by South Central L.A. native Terrick Gutierrez, whose work reflects the strength of immigrant and working-class communities; tactile art-making with Las Fotos Project and Side Street Projects; and a powerful immersive installation led by Bruce Lemon & Cornerstone Theater Company that invites participants to connect, spark conversations about Los Angeles County, its identity and shared values deeply through storytelling, reflection and play.
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party 2025 Line Up*
- THE BACKYARD STAGE (Block 4 – Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Event Lawn next to City Hall, between Broadway and Spring Street)
Host: Francesca Harding
Performers: BARDO, Ceci Bastida, QVLN & Sunny Z
Headliner Performer: D Smoke
- THE FRONT YARD STAGE Curated by KCRW (Block 2 – Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Performance Lawn between Grand Avenue and Hill Street)
Host: KCRW’s Raul Campos
Live DJ Sets by: Discos Rolas, KCRW’s Boogie Boudreaux
Headliner DJ: Black House Radio
* All artists and set times subject to change.
Public parking will be available at the main Music Center garage (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) and in The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall garage (111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) at a flat rate of $10 per vehicle. Given the large number of guests expected at the event, members of the public are highly encouraged to take public transportation. Gloria Molina Grand Park is located conveniently at the Civic Center/Grand Park station along the Metro B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple). Additionally, the park is easily accessible by taking Metro’s Regional Connector to the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway and Little Tokyo/Arts District stops along the Metro A Line (Blue) and E Line (Expo).
For the latest information, visit grandparkla.org and follow Gloria Molina Grand Park on social media (Facebook: @GrandParkLosAngeles; X, Instagram and TikTok: @GrandPark_LA).
CALENDAR LISTING
WHAT:
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party
The West Coast’s largest free celebration on the Fourth of July has a new name but offers the same unforgettable fun for all! A bevy of locally grown, globally known performers will keep Angelenos partying all night long: GRAMMY®-nominated L.A. rapper D Smoke; Chicano Batman’s lead songwriter and vocalist, BARDO; Latin GRAMMY®-nominated ska-punk singer Ceci Bastida; DJs Discos Rolas, Black House Radio and KCRW’s Boogie Boudreaux; and more! The park’s iconic 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel, 90-foot Super Slide, Family Fun Zone, Community Alley, Snack Alley and food trucks will create lasting memories for families. For the third consecutive year, the night ends with another spectacular drone show that will light up the night sky. Bring the family, bring the pets (on leashes) and bring the love!
WHEN:
Friday, July 4, 2025
4:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Gates open: 4:00 p.m.
Drone show: 9:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Gloria Molina Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles 90012
For a complete list of Gloria Molina Grand Park’s prohibited items and activities, visit grandparkla.org.
TRANSPORTATION:
Public parking will be available at two locations for $10 per vehicle:
The Music Center garage Walt Disney Concert Hall garage
135 N. Grand Ave. 111 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles 90012 Los Angeles 90012
Public parking will be available at the main Music Center garage (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) and in The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall garage (111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) at a flat rate of $10 per vehicle. Additional parking lots near Gloria Molina Grand Park will be available.
Given the large number of guests expected at the event, members of the public are highly encouraged to take public transportation. Gloria Molina Grand Park is located conveniently at the Civic Center/Grand Park station along the Metro B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple). Additionally, the park is easily accessible by taking Metro’s Regional Connector to the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway and Little Tokyo/Arts District stops along the Metro A Line (Blue) and E Line (Expo).
ABOUT GLORIA MOLINA GRAND PARK
A vibrant outdoor gathering place, Gloria Molina Grand Park is a beautiful public park for the entire community in Los Angeles County. With expansive green space for gatherings large and small, Gloria Molina Grand Park celebrates the county’s cultural vitality and is host to community events, cultural experiences, holiday celebrations and many other activities that engage and attract visitors from all communities. The 12-acre Gloria Molina Grand Park, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022, stretches from The Music Center on the west to City Hall on the east and is easily accessible by Metro via the B/D (formerly Red/Purple) line to the Civic Center/Grand Park station. The park was named one of American Planning Association’s 10 “Great Public Spaces” in the U.S. for 2013. Working closely with the county, The Music Center is responsible for all operations and programming for the park. For more information, visit grandparkla.org. Follow Gloria Molina Grand Park on Instagram, X, Twitch, TikTok, Spotify and Mixcloud (@grandpark_la) as well as YouTube and Facebook (@grandparkLosAngeles).
ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER
The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $80 million non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza, outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park—a 12-acre adjacent green space—in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, live and digital K–12 arts education programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, the Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $3 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil. For more information, visit musiccenter.org. Follow The Music Center on social media @MusicCenterLA.
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