400 arrested, fireworks hurled at crowds, police in chaotic July 4th in Newport Beach

A July 4th celebration that drew thousands of people to the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach for the holiday weekend erupted in chaos on Saturday evening as fights broke out, fireworks were hurled at police officers and more than 400 people were arrested, authorities said.

Young adults and minors threw explosive mortars, fireworks and other projectiles at crowds and law enforcement officers, blocked roadways and restricted emergency vehicle access, the city said in a statement on Sunday. A police officer who was struck by a mortar was treated at the scene.

Video shows police on horseback charging into a crowd on the beach to break up unruly revelers. Some people threw punches at other partygoers. A nearby Pavilions supermarket on West Balboa Boulevard was ransacked.

“The situation escalated and police issued a “999” — an officer needs help call — prompting at least a hundred officers from surrounding agencies to converge on the location,” County News Service, a freelance videographer, reported.

Some 17 law enforcement agencies assisted 350 Newport Beach police officers, the city said on Sunday. Police made 402 arrests between midnight July 3 and 6 a.m. July 5.

An unlawful assembly was declared Saturday around 8:30 p.m., and residents were asked to shelter in place.

The Newport Beach Police Association blamed a post on social media for starting the trouble.

“A large group of agitators invaded Newport Beach, spurred on by an alleged ‘TikTok Takeover,’ ” the association posted on Facebook on Sunday. “These persons came to our city with the intent on causing harm, injury, and destruction, bringing harassment, disturbances, and mayhem.”

While she didn’t point to specific posts on TikTok or elsewhere, Newport Beach Mayor Lauren Kleiman said social media played a major role in inciting the chaos Saturday night, as videos of young people lighting fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior drew more of them to Newport Beach. The number of people on the peninsula had tripled by about 9 p.m., she said.

“Late in the evening, social media posts drew a large influx of juveniles and young adults to the Newport Pier area within a matter of minutes,” the Newport Beach Police Department posted on Facebook on Sunday. “As the crowd quickly grew into the thousands, dangerous and unlawful behavior escalated, blocking roadways, preventing emergency access and putting families, visitors and first responders at risk.”

Residents on Sunday said authorities began closing down the beach from 22nd Street to 36th Street on Saturday at 3 p.m., as crowds descended on the Pavilions.

“It was absolutely potentially a volatile situation, ” Robert Burgeson said. “And it only got worse.”

Burgeson was in a golf cart with his son-in-law, Chris Schott, at 3 p.m. to pick up last-minute holiday supplies at the supermarket.

“There were probably 1,000 teens and young adults cramming the area,” he said.“I couldn’t even get out of the parking lot.”

Later, a Reddit poster wrote, “Newport (Peninsula) had a literal riot and the entire place is locked down with more cops than I knew existed, most insane I’ve ever seen down here. No one can come or go right now, it’s all shut down. Cops are out in riot gear and they had to call other cities to help.

“I had to drive through a checkpoint with heavily armed police to get home, I don’t know how it got so out of control but it’s gridlocked right now,” the poster said.

“This explains a lot,” another person wrote. “I was doing Uber and was getting insane surges from that area, and wasn’t even remotely close.”

Robert White, 60, has lived in the area his whole life. “This happens every year, only smaller, ” he told a reporter on Sunday.

There were “crazy, mass” crowds on the boardwalks and beach near 26th Street, White said.

He went back home around 3 p.m. on Saturday, he said, and could hear helicopters circling and police officers instructing people to leave the beach.

The 400 arrests included 200 people who remained near 28th Street after repeatedly refusing dispersal orders, the city said.

“Those responsible for inciting the crowd, engaging in violent and criminal behavior and threatening public safety were taken into custody and will be held accountable,” the statement added.

After past troubles with partying and disruptive behavior in areas of the city popular with vacationers, Newport Beach city leaders had instituted new rules and restrictions for “special enforcement zones.”

Over spring break in 2025, some 500 people were arrested, and last year’s July 4th holiday saw 76 arrests.

Earlier this year, the council approved stricter enforcement and upped the fines for violations in hot spots including the Balboa Peninsula, West Newport and Corona Del Mar to discourage bad behavior.

Officials said at the time a lot of vacation rentals were being used for house parties. The new rules also included stricter conditions for short-term rentals.

City News Service contributed to this report.