Q: The Fourth of July is one of our community's favorite holidays.
What can we expect this year?
Every Fourth of July, families, friends and neighbors line the streets of Old Town Newhall to celebrate one of Santa Clarita's favorite community traditions - the Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade. Lawn chairs fill the sidewalks early in the morning, children wave flags along the route and the community comes together in their red, white and blue to celebrate America's birthday. This year's celebration is especially meaningful as the nation marks its 250th birthday! The Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade begins at 9am on Saturday, July 4, featuring this year's theme: "Celebrating 250 Years of America's Freedom, its People, Places and History." The parade will begin at the Newhall roundabout, travel along Main Street, continue west on Lyons Avenue to Orchard Village Road and conclude on Avenida Dalbey. From marching bands and scout troops to classic cars, local organizations and hometown heroes, the parade celebrates the spirit of the Santa Clarita Valley. As the day continues, residents are encouraged to enjoy time with family and friends before ending the holiday with another patriotic tradition: fireworks! As the sun sets, the sky above Valencia Town Center will illuminate with a dazzling fireworks display, creating the perfect finale to a day dedicated to celebrating America and the community we proudly call home.

Q: Another summer tradition that Santa Clarita residents look forward to all year long is Concerts in the Park. What bands are taking to the stage this year?
This year's Concerts in the Park lineup, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, is one of our most exciting yet! Residents can look forward to performances by Dreaming of You, a Selena tribute band; The FABBA Show, celebrating the music of ABBA; RagDolls, an Aerosmith tribute; Gold Rush Country performing Top 40 country hits; the Blue Breeze Band bringing Soul, Motown and R&B favorites; Paramore! At the Disco featuring music from Paramore and Panic! At The Disco; Kenny Metcalf as Elton John; and The Police Experience. Every Saturday night, from July 11 through August 29, residents will gather at Central Park for evenings filled with live music, dancing, food trucks and unforgettable summer memories. What makes Concerts in the Park so special is the way it brings people together. Families spread out blankets and lawn chairs, kids dance in front of the stage and neighbors connect while enjoying music under the stars. No matter your age or musical taste, there is something for everyone in this year's lineup. We look forward to spending another amazing summer with the community at Central Park. For more information, visit santaclarita.gov/concerts.

Q: All these events are hosted by the city and beloved by residents. What goes into deciding what the City of Santa Clarita funds each year?
Every year, the City of Santa Clarita carefully develops a budget that reflects the priorities of the city council, while continuing to provide the high-quality services, programs and events residents have come to expect. Over the past six months, city staff has worked closely across departments to prepare the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget with a strong focus on community needs, long-term planning and fiscal responsibility. One of the guiding principles behind every funding decision is ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested in programs and services that directly enhance quality of life for residents. That includes everything from beloved community events like Concerts in the Park, Celebrate and SENSES Block Party to public safety, parks, infrastructure improvements and environmental conservation. The city's budget totals approximately $361.4 million and continues the city's long-standing tradition of maintaining a balanced budget while preserving a healthy emergency reserve. Santa Clarita's conservative financial practices and AAA credit rating allow the city to continue investing in the community even during changing economic conditions. The budget is guided by the city's strategic framework, Santa Clarita Pathway Forward, which helps identify priorities that support a growing and connected community. This year's proposed investments include recreation programming, park improvements, roadway maintenance, transit upgrades, public safety technology, open space preservation and planning for future growth. You can view all the items included in the FY 2026-27 budget by visiting santaclarita.gov.