Cerritos National Night Out is one of the many community events that shows why people love calling Cerritos, California home. Throughout the year, the City of Cerritos hosts events that bring neighbors together, celebrate local pride, and strengthen the relationships that make our city such a wonderful place to live.
One of those special events is National Night Out, and it’s returning to Heritage Park on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Whether you’re a longtime Cerritos resident, new to the neighborhood, or simply looking for a fun family-friendly event this summer, National Night Out is a great opportunity to connect with your community while enjoying an evening of entertainment, food, and activities.
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Park, 18600 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703
Admission: Free
Highlights: Live Bruno Mars tribute concert, public-safety displays, children’s activities and opportunities to meet local first responders
National Night Out is an annual nationwide community-building campaign that promotes partnerships between residents and local law enforcement while encouraging neighbors to get to know one another.
The event helps strengthen relationships between police officers, first responders, and the community they serve while creating safer, more connected neighborhoods.
It’s a reminder that strong communities are built not only through great schools, beautiful parks, and well-maintained neighborhoods—but also through the people who live there and the relationships they build.
Here in Cerritos, National Night Out has become a favorite annual tradition that celebrates exactly that.
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📅 Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Heritage Park
18600 Bloomfield Avenue
Cerritos, CA 90703
Admission is FREE, and everyone in the community is invited to attend.
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Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or neighbors, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Get ready for an evening of music with THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – The Ultimate Bruno Mars Tribute Experience.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, relax under the summer sky, and enjoy one of Bruno Mars’ biggest hits performed live in the beautiful setting of Heritage Park.
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One of the highlights of National Night Out is the opportunity to meet the dedicated men and women who help keep Cerritos safe every day.
Residents can interact with local first responders, ask questions, and learn more about the important work they do throughout our community.
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Visitors can also explore several informative public safety exhibits, including:
These interactive displays offer valuable safety information for families while highlighting programs available to Cerritos residents.
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Come hungry!
A variety of food trucks will be on-site serving delicious food throughout the evening, making it easy to grab dinner while enjoying all the festivities.
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National Night Out is truly a family event.
Children can participate in fun activities while parents meet neighbors, visit the public safety exhibits, and enjoy the live entertainment.
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As a local Realtor, one of the questions I’m asked most often is,
“What’s it really like living in Cerritos?”
Of course, people know Cerritos for its award-winning schools, beautiful parks, convenient location, and well-maintained neighborhoods.
But what truly makes this city special is its sense of community.
Events like National Night Out remind us that buying a home isn’t just about square footage or the number of bedrooms.
It’s about choosing a community where neighbors know one another, families gather together, and local law enforcement actively engages with residents.
Those are the things that transform a neighborhood into a place people are proud to call home.
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If you’re planning on attending National Night Out, I’d love to meet you!
I’ll be there enjoying the festivities along with many other Cerritos residents, so if you see me walking around Heritage Park, please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello.
Whether we’ve worked together before, you’ve been following my market updates, or you’re simply curious about the Cerritos real estate market, I’d love the opportunity to meet you in person.
There won’t be any sales pressure—just a friendly conversation with a fellow community member.
If you have questions about buying a home, selling your property, the current market, or even what it’s like living in Cerritos, feel free to ask.
One of my favorite parts of serving this community is getting to know the people who make Cerritos such a wonderful place to live.
I hope you’ll introduce yourself—I always enjoy meeting new neighbors.
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Community events like National Night Out give you a glimpse into the lifestyle that makes Cerritos one of Southern California’s most desirable places to live.
As someone who specializes in the Cerritos market, I believe my job goes beyond helping people buy and sell homes.
I enjoy helping families discover everything that makes this community special—from local parks and schools to restaurants, community events, and neighborhood traditions.
Whether you’re considering moving to Cerritos, planning to sell your current home, or simply wondering what your property might be worth, I’m here to help.
I’d be happy to prepare a complimentary personalized home value report based on your home’s location, condition, upgrades, and the latest comparable sales—not just an automated online estimate.
Every home is different, and a personalized analysis provides a much more accurate picture of your home’s value.
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For more information about National Night Out 2026, please contact the City of Cerritos Recreation Services Division at (562) 916-1254.
I hope to see you, your family, and your neighbors at Heritage Park on Thursday, August 6, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
And remember…
If you see me there, please come over and say hello! I’d love to meet you.
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National Night Out is an annual community-building event that promotes partnerships between residents, law enforcement and first responders while encouraging neighborhood involvement and public safety.
Cerritos National Night Out will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The event will be held at Heritage Park, located at 18600 Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos, California.
Yes. The event is free and open to the community.
The evening will feature a free concert featuring THAT’S WHAT I LIKE – The Ultimate Bruno Mars Tribute Experience.
CHRISTINE ALMARINES
Real Estate Agent | CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
📱 714-476-4637
📧 christine@carealestategroup.com
DRE #01412944
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
Looking for a memorable way to spend a summer evening in Orange County? The Water Lantern Festival Orange County is returning to Santa Ana for three nights this summer, bringing glowing lanterns, live music, food, activities, and a beautiful community lantern launch to Centennial Park.
The 2026 Orange County Water Lantern Festival is scheduled for Friday, July 31; Saturday, August 1; and Sunday, August 2, with gates opening at 5:00 PM each evening. The event takes place at Centennial Park in Santa Ana.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, date night, evening with friends, or simply looking for something different to do in Orange County, here’s what you should know before you go.
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Dates:
Friday, July 31, 2026
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Time:
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location:
Centennial Park
3000 W Edinger Ave
Santa Ana, CA 92704
The official event schedule lists gates opening at 5:00 PM, with food, music and activities available throughout the evening. Lantern decorating begins around 7:30 PM, followed by the lantern launch from approximately 8:00–9:00 PM.
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The Water Lantern Festival combines an outdoor community festival with a personal lantern-decorating experience.
When you arrive, you’ll receive the supplies needed to create your lantern. Guests can decorate their lanterns with anything meaningful to them — hopes, dreams, messages to loved ones, memories, celebrations or simply something fun.
As sunset approaches, everyone gathers near the water for the main event: the lantern launch.
Hundreds of glowing lanterns floating across the water together create the signature experience the festival is known for. The organizers describe the evening as one centered around reflection, connection and celebration.
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There’s plenty to do before the lanterns ever touch the water.
Arrive early, find a comfortable spot and explore the festival.
Enjoy food trucks, live music and other festival activities while you wait for sunset.
This is your opportunity to personalize your lantern with drawings, messages, names, wishes, memories or whatever has special meaning to you.
The highlight of the evening begins as guests launch their illuminated lanterns onto the water.
The festival concludes after the lantern launch.
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According to the festival organizers, admission includes the materials needed to participate in the lantern experience.
Your ticket includes a:
The event website currently lists general admission beginning around $30.99, with prices increasing as the event approaches. Ticket prices and availability can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official festival website before attending.
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Yes. This is definitely one of the reasons we’re featuring it for our Family Fun Friday series.
The Water Lantern Festival is designed to be family-friendly, and children can participate in decorating lanterns alongside their parents.
Even better for families: children under 8 are admitted free and do not require a ticket. Children ages 8 and older need admission.
It could make a particularly fun summer memory for kids — especially once they get to see the lantern they decorated glowing out on the water.
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Although this makes a great family outing, there are plenty of other reasons to go.
Grab something to eat, decorate lanterns together and enjoy the waterfront atmosphere as the sun goes down.
Bring a group, blankets and lawn chairs and turn it into a relaxing summer evening together.
The festival can also be a meaningful way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or milestone.
Some attendees use their lantern to write a message or memory honoring someone important to them.
The festival specifically encourages guests to personalize their lanterns with meaningful messages or intentions before the community launch.
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The festival recommends bringing a few things to make the evening more comfortable:
Your event ticket
Have your ticket ready when you arrive.
Lawn chairs or a blanket
You’ll likely want somewhere comfortable to relax while enjoying the music and waiting for the lantern launch.
Sunscreen and bug spray
You’ll arrive while it’s still daylight and remain outdoors into the evening.
Weather-appropriate clothing
Orange County evenings can cool down after sunset, so consider bringing an extra layer.
Our tip: Get there early. You’ll have more time to find a spot, grab food, enjoy the entertainment and decorate your lantern without feeling rushed.
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One of the first questions that comes to mind when you see lanterns floating across a lake is understandably: What happens to them afterward?
According to Water Lantern Festival, its crews collect the lanterns following the event and clean the venue afterward. The festival says the lantern covers are biodegradable, their bases are made from natural wood, and reusable LED candles are used instead of an open flame.
That means you can enjoy the experience knowing the lantern launch isn’t intended to leave hundreds of lanterns behind in the water.
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We think this one deserves a spot on the summer calendar.
There are plenty of concerts, fairs and festivals around Orange County, but watching a lake slowly fill with illuminated lanterns offers something a little different.
And you don’t necessarily need a special occasion.
Bring your kids. Make it a date night. Meet up with friends. Celebrate something. Remember someone. Or simply write a wish on your lantern and enjoy a beautiful Orange County summer evening.
📅 July 31 – August 2, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Centennial Park, Santa Ana
🎟️ General Admission currently from approximately $30.99
For current ticket prices, availability and event updates, visit the official Water Lantern Festival Orange County event page before heading out.
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At CA Real Estate Group, we don’t just help people buy and sell homes throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County — we love sharing the communities, events and local experiences that make Southern California such a great place to call home.
Follow our Family Fun Friday series for more local events, weekend ideas and things to do around Cerritos, Buena Park, Anaheim, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Long Beach and surrounding Southern California communities.
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The Orange County Water Lantern Festival will be held July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2026 at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Gates open at 5:00 PM each evening.
The festival takes place at Centennial Park, 3000 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704.
Lantern decorating begins around 7:30 PM, and the official lantern launch is scheduled from approximately 8:00–9:00 PM.
The official Orange County event page currently lists general admission from approximately $30.99, with prices increasing as the event gets closer. Check the festival website for current pricing and availability.
Tickets include a floating lantern, decorating kit, LED candle, marker, wristband and access to festival entertainment and the lantern launch experience.
Children under age 8 are admitted free and do not need a ticket. Children ages 8 and older require admission.
The organizers state that every lantern is collected after the event. The lanterns use biodegradable paper covers, natural wood bases and LED candles rather than open flames.
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If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
>> How Much Is My Southern California Home Worth?
CHRISTINE ALMARINES
Real Estate Agent | CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
📱 714-476-4637
📧 christine@carealestategroup.com
DRE #01412944
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
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