A Red, White and Blue Weekend

The night sky will be a bit darker than usual this Fourth of July. Santa Monica and Culver City both have canceled their traditional fireworks displays in an attempt to balance their city budgets. Even so, there are plenty of places on the Westside to enjoy the holiday. Among the celebrations:

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra will begin celebrating the Fourth a little early this year at the Hollywood Bowl. Music and festivities begin tonight and continue through Saturday with performances at 7:30 p.m. Each performance will end with a fireworks display.

On Friday, Santa Monica College will feature its annual “Celebrate America” with live entertainment. The free show will be at 6 p.m. on the grounds of Corsair Field. The Air Force rock band Final Approach and New Orleans Dixieland band Side Street Strutters will perform before the fireworks display.

In Pacific Palisades, the Palisades Americanism Parade will march along Via de la Paz Avenue, Sunset Boulevard and Drummond Street. KNBC anchorman John Beard will serve as the grand marshal. Festivities start at 2 p.m. And at 8:15 p.m., fireworks will light up Pacific Palisades High School Stadium.

Although there will not be a fireworks show in Beverly Hills, the city will feature children’s entertainer Artie Partie, games, relays, pony rides and music by the Beverly Hills Brass Quintet and a Dixieland band at Roxbury Park. The celebration will run from noon to 5 p.m.

West Hollywood will offer children a chance to build the world’s largest ice cream sundae from 2 to 8 p.m. at Plummer Park. There will be rides and games, musical entertainment, clowns and cartoon characters. A fire engine and Sheriff’s Department squad car also will be displayed.

For Westsiders who want to celebrate in the not-so-traditional way, pump up those muscles and check out the annual muscle contest starting at 2 p.m. at the Venice Beach Recreation Center.

A final reminder: All fireworks, including those classified as “safe and sane,” are illegal in Malibu, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

Free Fireworks Displays

* Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., 6 p.m. Friday

* Marina del Rey, 9 p.m. Saturday

* Pacific Palisades High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., 8:15 p.m. Saturday

Other Activities

* Orchestra--Hollywood Bowl performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by fireworks; 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; reservations, information: (213) 850-2000 (prices vary).

* Muscle Contest--Venice Beach will hold its annual muscle contest; Venice Beach Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; 2 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 399-2775 ($20 entry fee, spectators free).

* Beverly Hills--The city’s Recreation and Parks Department will hold a variety of festivities and activities; Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 550-4761 (free).

* Folk Dances--The Folk Dancer Federation of California will offer traditional dances; Lincoln Park, Wilshire and Lincoln boulevards, Santa Monica; 1 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 277-6699 (free).

* Parade--The Palisades Americanism Parade will feature marching bands, floats and celebrities; route begins at Via de la Paz Avenue and Bowdoin Street and ends at Palisades Library on Alma Drive, Pacific Palisades; 2 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 459-7963.

* West Hollywood--The city will offer musical entertainment, clowns and games; Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 854-700 (free).

* Dixieland Concert--With the Howard Rich Saturday Night Bath Band; Burton Chace Park, western end of Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey; 2 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 305-9545 (free).

* Arts Festival--The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Independence Arts Festival featuring art exhibits and entertainment; Third Street Promenade between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway, Santa Monica; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 451-8811 (free).

* Children’s Concert--The singing group Bumblebeez will perform in concert for children; Eatz Food Court, Santa Monica Place, 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica; 11 a.m. Saturday; information: (310) 394-5451 (free).