Celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday at one of the many festivities taking place throughout the Bay Area. All events are on July 4 unless noted.
Alameda County Fair Fireworks Spectacular. Celebrate the Fourth at the fair with a Blues Fest and Silent Disco, capped off by fireworks at 9:30pm. (Gates close at 6pm and parking at 5:30pm.) Admission $19.80, $16.50 ages 6-12, 5 and under FREE; parking $15.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2500 Valley Ave., Pleasanton
Alameda Fourth of July Parade. Billed as the longest parade in the nation at 3.3 miles, this beloved Alameda tradition draws over 60,000 spectators to watch 2,500 participants including equestrian units, dancers, school bands, antique cars and creative floats. 10am. FREE.
Starts at Park Street and Lincoln Avenue, Alameda
California’s Great America. ALSO JULY 5.The park hosts Star-Spangled Nights with fireworks lighting up the sky, accompanied by patriotic music. 9:40pm. Included with admission of $55 (advance purchase).
California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara
sixflags.com/cagreatamerica/events/star-spangled-nights
Concord Fourth of July Celebration. Start the day with a fun run and walk at 8am, followed by a parade at 9am at Todos Santos Plaza. An evening festival kicks off at 4pm at Mount Diablo High School with live music at 5:30pm, a midway, food and more, and ends with fireworks at 9:15pm. FREE.
Todos Santos Plaza and Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord
Cupertino Fourth of July Celebration. Cupertino’s full-day celebration begins with a pancake breakfast at 8am, with a flag-raising and children’s parade at 10am at Memorial Park, followed by kids’ activities and a concert, and culminating in a fireworks display launched from Hyde Middle School at approximately 9:30pm, viewable from Creekside Park, Sedgwick Elementary School, and Miller Avenue near Bollinger Road. FREE.
Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
Downtown Martinez Fourth of July Parade. The annual parade willpaint Main Street red, white and blue as over 40 spirited entries march down the heart of downtown Martinez. 10am. FREE.
Parade begins at Court and Main streets, Martinez
celebrationdowntownmartinez.org/4th-of-july-parade
Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July Parade and Festival. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, parade at 12pm and a festival with live music, food, a Kids Corner and more from 10am-4pm. FREE.
Downtown Half Moon Bay, 500 Main St., Half Moon Bay
Livermore Fourth of July Celebration. This family-friendly event features a variety of military aircraft, remote-control aircraft demonstrations, and displays of emergency vehicles, jets and helicopters. Time TBA.
Livermore Municipal Airport, 680 Terminal Circle, Livermore
Moraga Fourth of July Celebration. There’s a dog parade at 11am, family activities and live music starting at 12pm, Neon Velvet playing at the Bandshell at 7pm and fireworks at 9:30pm.
Hacienda de las Flores Park, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga
moraga.ca.us/419/July-4-celebration-fireworks
Orinda Fourth of July Parade & Celebration. The day kicks off with a burrito breakfast at 7:30am, a flag-raising ceremony, a fun run at 8am and the 10am parade through the Theatre and Village Districts, ending near Community Center Park with a carnival, live music, food trucks and beer booths at 11:30am. FREE.
Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda,
orindaassociation.org/4th-of-july-parade
Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Celebration. It’s the 50th anniversary for this annual celebration, starting with a Firecracker 5K and Kids’ 500-yard dash at 7:45am, followed by a Downtown Parade at 9:30am, a party in the park at 10:30am with live music, BBQ, shaved ice, kids’ activities and a watermelon eating contest, then a fireworks show at College Park High School at 9:15pm. FREE, $4 suggested donation for fireworks.
Downtown, Pleasant Hill
Redwood City Family Fourth of July Parade and Festival. Billed as the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California and running since 1939, this year’s celebration carries the theme “Celebrating America 250” with floats, bands and hometown pride, followed by an all-day downtown festival with arts, crafts, food and entertainment. The evening ends with fireworks at 9:30pm over the Port of Redwood City. Pancake breakfast 8am (extra charge), parade 10am, festival 9am-5pm. FREE.
Downtown Redwood City and Port of Redwood City, Main and Marshall streets, Redwood City
Richmond Third of July Fireworks. JULY 3. Kick off the holiday early with live music, games, food vendors and festive activities, followed by fireworks at 9:15pm. 5-10pm.
Marina Bay Park, Regatta Boulevard and Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond
ci.richmond.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=21400
Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival. The parade kicks off near Lincoln High School withclassic cars, bands, dance groups, community troupes and kids with decorated bikes.The festival includes live entertainment, lucha libre wrestling, a creative kids zone, face painting, games, book giveaways, vendors and food trucks.9:45 am parade, festival 11am-2pm. FREE.
The Alameda, San Jose
San Francisco Fourth of July Fireworks and Waterfront Festival. San Francisco’s signature Independence Day celebration features synchronized fireworks launched from two barges marking America’s 250th birthday. 2pm musical entertainment, 9:30pm fireworks. FREE.
Pier 39 and Aquatic Park, San Francisco
San Francisco Symphony Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. The symphony lights up the night with “Summer of 1969: The Soundtrack of a Generation,”a festive outdoor concert concluding with a fireworks finale. 7pm. $33 and up.
Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
San Jose Giants Fireworks. JULY 3 and 4.Watch the San Jose Giants’ take on the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and stay for the fireworks after the game. 6:30pm. $21 and up.
San Jose Excite Ballpark, 588 E. Alma Ave., San Jose
milb.com/san-jose/tickets/fireworks
Santa Clara Fourth of July Community Celebration. Thiseventfeatures live entertainment, kids’ activities, food trucks, lawn games and the chance to view the fireworks from Great America at 9:40pm. 5-10pm. FREE.
Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara
Sausalito July 4 Festivities. There’s a full day of events starting with a parade at 10am in Old Town, a picnic in Dunphy Park from 12-4pm, and an evening celebration at 6:30pm in Gabrielson Park, followed by fireworks at 9:15pm. FREE.
Various sites, Sausalito
worldOne Fourth of July Festival. This annual festival features world-class music, local groups, a classic car showcase, rides, bounce houses, food and vendors. 11am-5pm. FREE admission.
Cerrito Vista Park, 950 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito
