Newport Beach minors will face a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on the Balboa Peninsula during three major holiday weekends. The City Council passed the ordinance unanimously Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The new law covers Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. It is the city's direct response to the July 4 "teen takeover," when social media posts drew thousands to the peninsula. That night saw multiple fights, fireworks shot into streets and the looting of a Pavilions grocery store, Voice of OC reported. More than 400 people were arrested, with 328 of those arrests occurring shortly after midnight on July 5.

Over 97% of those arrested were from outside Newport Beach. About 20% were between ages 13 and 18, according to a city staff report cited in the ordinance.

Beyond the curfew, the ordinance grants the police chief or city manager broad new authority during the three holiday periods. Officials can now restrict pedestrian and vehicle access, close piers, parks and beach sections, and designate rideshare drop-off and pick-up zones.

"This gives us an additional piece of armor on these holidays," Councilmember Erik Weigand said at the meeting.

The curfew includes exceptions for minors who are employed, responding to emergencies, traveling, attending religious activities or school functions, or accompanied by a parent.

Enforcement numbers had already been climbing. Police made 33 arrests and issued 63 citations over Labor Day weekend in 2025. Over Memorial Day weekend in 2026, those figures jumped to 60 arrests and 287 citations.

The city already triples fines in two "safety enhancement zones" covering Corona del Mar and the Balboa Peninsula during holiday periods.

The council split on a second measure. Members rejected 4-3 a proposal to form an ad hoc committee on holiday public safety. Councilmembers Michelle Barto, Joe Stapleton and Robyn Grant voted in favor.

Grant, who supported the curfew, said she still wanted a broader review. She said she was "hopeful that, as we move forward, that we will have an opportunity to bring together a group of council members or others to go through all of these measures … so that we do have a comprehensive approach."

Councilmember Noah Blom pushed back, calling the committee unnecessary. He said the council had already put new ordinances on the books and called the speed of the response some of the most efficient government he could imagine.

More than 420,000 people visited Newport Beach over the July 4 weekend, including roughly 160,000 on July 4 alone, according to figures shared at a July 14 study session, Stu News Newport reported. The ordinance's effective date was not stated in the council's public action.