Feting Our Nation’s Freedom : Concerts, carnivals--and fireworks--mark the country’s birthday.

Maybe Thomas Jefferson didn’t know what he was starting with the Decla ration of Independence.

It’s the Fourth of July, 1994. It’s the only 218th birthday the United States of America will ever have. You could treat it like just another day off. Or you could grab some friends and celebrate your freedom. Here are some local places to show your true colors:

* The city of Burbank plans its annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Starlight Bowl, 1246 Lockheed View Drive, featuring the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Danbury Band and children’s entertainers Bobbo and Kookee. Gates open for picnicking at 6 p.m.; entertainment starts at 7. The fireworks show begins about 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 for box seats, $7 to $10 for reserved seats, $5 for seniors and children 12 and younger, $5 for space on the grass. Call (818) 953-9572.

* The Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Fourth of July extravaganza starts at 5:30 p.m. at Pierce College Stadium, 6201 Winnetka Ave. Scheduled entertainment includes country-Western music by the Doo Wah Riders, the Rock Around the Clock show with Bobby Cochran and the Rhythm Rockers, the Great American Dancers, the Li-Ning Gymnastics Team and the Ted Barba Skydivers.

The fireworks display begins about 9:20 p.m. Entertainment includes games, prizes and refreshments. Tickets are $9 in advance, or $12 at the gate; for children or seniors, $7 advance and $10 at the gate. Parking on campus will be an additional $5. Call the chamber’s Fourth of July hot line, (818) 703-7859.

* Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fourth of July Weekend fireworks show, “Celebrate America,” begins at 9:30 p.m. each night from July 1 to 4 with lasers and special-effects displays at the Mystic Lake section of the park. After that, patriotic music and fireworks will be visible all over the park. Magic Mountain’s regular fireworks display, Batman Nights Fireworks and Laser Extravaganza, resumes July 5 and run nightly through Sept. 5.

The park is on Magic Mountain Parkway, Golden State Freeway near Valencia. Admission is $29 general, $15 children under four feet tall, $18 people 55 and older, free for children 2 and younger, $5 parking. Call (818) 367-5965 or (805) 255-4111.

* The Hollywood Bowl’s 22nd annual Fourth of July Fireworks show, “America the Beautiful,” starts at 7:30 p.m. July 2, 3 and 4, and features Broadway and screen star Patti LuPone with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a tribute to songwriter Irving Berlin. Sousa marches, including “Stars and Stripes Forever,” accompany the fireworks finale. Tickets are $3 to $55. Parking near the bowl costs $9 to $12 and is very limited. Concert-goers can park for free in lots on Ventura or Barham boulevards and take a shuttle bus to the bowl for $2 round trip or take the Bowlbus from stops in Sherman Oaks or Canoga Park for $4 round trip. Call (213) 850-2000.

* The Conejo Recreation and Park District has a program of Fourth of July events planned at various locations throughout the day.

Pools at Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N. Moorpark Road, and Newbury Park High School, 456 N. Reino Road, will open from noon to 4 p.m. for a free family swim.

A free holiday concert featuring the Conejo Concert Band starts at 5 p.m. in Conejo Community Park. And the fireworks show, from behind The Oaks shopping mall, starts at 9 p.m. KNJO-FM will broadcast music to accompany the pyrotechnic display. Call (805) 499-4355.

* Lancaster sponsors its annual free Fourth of July show from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Entertainment features carnival games, magicians, jugglers, clowns, puppets, mimes and music. The fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. Call (805) 723-6077.

* The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce presents its Fourth of July Family Festival at Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta. Gates open at noon. The festival features games, rides, live music and other entertainment, barbecue and other foods, plus a fireworks show at about 9:15 p.m. Admission is $5, and children under 5 are free. Call (818) 248-4957.

* San Fernando’s Recreation Park, 208 Park Ave., is open all day. The pool, open 12:30 to 5 p.m., costs $1 for adults and 50 cents for youngsters under 18. Fireworks begin at dusk. Admission is free. Call (818) 361-7155.

* Santa Clarita’s Annual Stars and Stripes Festival and Arts and Crafts Fair runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Newhall Park, 24933 Newhall Ave., and features a parade, games, contests, arts and crafts and entertainment but no fireworks. Admission is free, but there is a $2 entry fee for cake-decorating, pie- and bread-baking and vegetable-growing contests. Call (805) 298-ARTS.