Search for 4th of July and July Calendar Events and
Fun Things to Do
San
Francisco — 4th of July
Fourth of July Waterfront
Festival SF
— Pier 39, Beach Street,
The
Embarcadero
and
Fisherman's Wharf
Party
at Pier 39 — Enjoy a FUN afternoon of
live entertainment, dancing and evening fireworks. Live band performances begin 3pm at Pier 39 Entrance Plaza. Dancing
6–9:30pm. Cheer on talented Street Performers, appearing throughout the day on Pier 39's stage (near the carousel). 12 noon-11pm
2pm: Mobility (The Air Force Band)
6pm: Dance to Tainted Love
9:30pm: Fireworks Display
Spectacular Fireworks over the Bay
Spectacular Fireworks extravaganza takes place over the bay following the concert (at approximately 9:30pm),
launched from barges off
Pier 39 and the Municipal Pier.
Fireworks
can
be seen
from Aquatic
Park and mid-bay
near Alcatraz,
between Pier
39 and Fisherman’s
Wharf in San Francisco.
July 4th Fireworks Cruises — Red and White Fleet Cruise along the S.F.
Waterfront and see
San Francisco's amazing fireworks display from the middle
of the bay, aboard
the Red and White Ferry. There are 4 Sailings — Two
departures at 7:45pm and two at 8:15pm. Boarding takes
place 20 minutes prior to departure from Pier 43 1/2 at
Fisherman’s Wharf and will return after the fireworks, between 10pm-10:30pm. Snacks and beverages
will be available on-board for purchase. Wear layers — it can get chilly out on SF Bay. Tickets available
online.
Hornblower
Yacht 4th July Fireworks Cruises — Pier 33, Embarcadero,
S.F.
Watch the 4th July Fireworks Show from the middle
of San Francisco
Bay aboard a Hornblower Yacht. Reservations recommended. — 4th of
July San Francisco Belle Cruise
(3-hr cruise, Gourmet Buffet Dinner, Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks, Live DJ Entertainment, Fireworks and more!) — 4th
of July Premier Dinner Dance Cruise
(4-hr yacht cruise, Gourmet 4-course Seated Dinner, Premium Cocktail Bar with Champagne and After Dinner Liquors, Live Entertainment, Fireworks and more!)
Foster City "Fourth of July
Celebration" Leo Ryan Park (corner
of Shell
and Hillsdale Blvd.), Foster
City. Fun day-long 4th of July festivities include Live Entertainment,
Arts& Crafts,
Carnival Rides, Family Parade & Games,
Dog Show, Fireworks... and more! Recreation
Activities start at 10am.
Live Musical Entertainment 12 noon-9:15pm. Fireworks begin around 9:30pm. Parking Info
— Fun Activities: Family & Dog Parade, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides & Family Games
10am-5pm - Arts & Crafts at Leo Ryan Park
10am-9pm - Carnival Rides at Recreation Center (Senior Wing Parking Lot)
9:30-11am - Family and Dog Parade Registration at Recreation Center (Shell Blvd entrance)
11:05am - Family Parade & Dog Show at The VIBE Teen Center (Shell Blvd to Amphitheater)
11:15am - Opening Flag Ceremony and National Anthem at the Amphitheater
1:30-2:30pm - Family Games at Leo Ryan Park, Meadow
— Live Entertainment
at Foster City Amphitheater
Gather with family and friends at Foster City Amphitheater overlooking the beautiful lagoon.
Enjoy an afternoon of fun Live Entertainment:
12 noon-12:45pm - Andy Z (Family Concert)
4:15-5:45pm -Buck Ford Pure Country Band
7pm-9:15pm - The Bell Brothers
9:25pm - National Anthem
— Fireworks Show over the Lagoon
9:30pm - Spectacular
Fireworks Show begins at
approximately 9:30pm over the Foster City Lagoon.
Arrive early for the fireworks if
you want to get a good
view... it gets VERY crowded. Free admission.
Redwood
City Parade, Festival & Fireworks — 2012 Theme "Salute to Agriculture" Downtown Redwood
City and Port of Redwood City
— Benefit Pancake Breakfast — Redwood
City Fire Department at 755 Marshall Street.
7:30-10:30am. Benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association.
— 4th of July Parade Run (5k run and walk) — 4th of July Parade Run starts at 8:45am at Brewster & Arguello, circling along the parade route in front of 40,000+ cheering spectators.
— Car Show —"Go For It" Car Show takes place in Redwood City at Courthouse Square (Broadway, Hamilton, Middlefield Road) at 7am-2pm.
— Independence Day Parade "Redwood City Fire Dept 150 Years of Service" — This
is the largest Independence Day Parade in North America.
Parade starts at 10am at
the corner of Brewster & Winslow, then it circles
downtown, along Broadway, Middlefield
and Main Streets. See Marching Bands, Floats and the newly-crowned Miss
California. 10am-12:30pm.
— Independence Day
Downtown Festival — Fun Independence Day Festival features Arts & Crafts, Food
and Beverages, Live Entertainment and Kid's Area (Jump House,
Clown and Face-Painting). Battle of the Bands starts at 1pm — watch
as UC Davis and Stanford Marching
Bands compete (located on Winslow
bet Broadway and Marshal). The Independence Day Festival
runs from 9am-5pm.
— Fireworks Display — The Fireworks are back again this year! Due to budget restrictions last year (2011), Redwood City's annual Fireworks
Display did not take place. The Fireworks Display fireworks begins at 9:30pm at the Port of Redwood City. The fireworks can
be seen from downtown and anywhere west of Highway 101 where
there
is
a clear view of the skies above the Port.
Mountain View — Shoreline
Amphitheater
"Gold Medal Music"
— 4th
of July Fireworks Spectacular with the San Francisco Symphony Don't miss this FUN 4th of July program featuring the amazing San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Randall Craig Fleischer — and vocals by Rob Evan. 4th of July Concert starts at 8pm.
Rain or shine.
5pm — Doors open for the pre-concert entertainment at Shoreline Amphitheater.
Live entertainment on the Family Fun Stage.
8pm — San Francisco Symphony Concert, followed by 4th
of July Fireworks Spectacular (accompanied by a medley
of Patriotic music performed by the SF Symphony).
San Jose
— July 4th "Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival" San Jose's "Rose, White & Blue Parade & Festival" is held annually on the 4th of July — drawing more than 22,000 visitors every year. The old-fashioned family-style parade features live bands, dance groups, creative home-made floats, kids on bikes, antique cars... and more!
10am — Parade begins at corner of Shasta Ave and Martin Ave (near intersection of West San Carlos Street), then winds through the Rose Garden neighborhood and ends on The Alameda.
11am-3pm — Picnic on The Alameda. Special "Picnic" menus. Fun Festivities include anAntique & Classic Car Show, Fun Arts & Crafts, Dancing and Live Music featuring classic Rock 'n Roll and R&B performances by Off The Record.
Santa Clara 4th July
— City of Santa Clara 4th of
July All-City Picnic
Picnic — Old-fashioned festivities of the traditional All City Picnic
includes a
Pancake Breakfast, followed by FUN family activities, Live
Entertainment throughout the day at the Pavilion. Carnival
and Face-painting near the softball field. Swimming
at
the International
Swim
Center. Flag Ceremony at 12 noon.
8am-5pm at
Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara.
NO Fireworks Display for 2012
Due to budget restrictions, Santa Clara's Fireworks Display were canceled in 2011 and will NOT take place again this year (2012).
June 30-July 1 — California's
Great America Independence Weekend
Celebration & Fireworks California's Great America Independence
Weekend Celebration and Fireworks in Santa Clara returns again this year — on June 30 and July 1 (Saturday and Sunday) at 9:30pm. It is one of the largest fireworks displays in the Bay Area.
Note: There will be NO Fireworks on July 4th
— it's still a FUN place to celebrate the 4th of July with your
family and friends.
Morgan Hill — "Happy Birthday America" 2012 Freedom Fest, Parade & Fireworks Celebrate Morgan Hill's 2012 Freedom Fest, 4th of July Parade & Fireworks. The parade, featuring marching bands and colorful floats, draws over 50,000 spectactors every year.
Tuesday, July 3
Patriotic Sing - 6pm-7pm
Family Music Fest at the Community Cultural Center - 7:15pm-11pm
Dance to The Usual Suspects.
Gourmet food, beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase.
Wednesday, July 4
Freedom 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk - 7:45am (1-mile start); 8:15am (5K start)
Liberty Car Cruise & Show
- Car Cruise @ 9:30am; Car Show @ 11:30am
Pre-Parade
Entertainment - 9am
4th of July Parade in downtown Morgan Hill - 10am
Pre-Fireworks
Entertainment - 6:30pm
Fireworks Extravaganza - Dark (after 9pm)
Aptos (Santa
Cruz County)
— 4th of July Parade & Celebration "50th Anniversary"
and "The
World's Shortest Parade"
Family Fun! Food, entertainment, games, arts & crafts...
and more.
Free admission. 7:30am-4:30pm.
Pancake Breakfast — 7am-9am
Parade @ 10am-12 noon'ish — "The World's Shortest
Parade"
(in distance only, not duration)
Party in the Park — Enjoy great food, live entertainment and fun games. 12 noon-4pm.
State
Park
Drive
and
Soquel Drive, Aptos Village Park.
NO Fireworks
Half Moon Bay — 4th of July
Parade, Pooches on Parade & Bark-B-Q
Celebrate 4th of July in downtown Half Moon Bay.
Ol' Fashioned "4th of July Parade" — Main Street @ 12 noon.
4th Annual Pooches on Parade — Main Street @ 12 noon.
Bark-B-Q immediately follows the Pooches Parade at Cameron's Park.
Doggie Goodie Bags, Costume Contest, Prizes, Raffle.
NO Fireworks for 2012
Due to lack of funds, there will be NO Fireworks Display in 2012. Past fireworks displays have taken place at sundown
at Pillar
Point Harbor, Capistrano
Road, Princeton-by-the-Sea.
Sausalito
Fourth of July Parade, Picnic & Fireworks Extravaganza
Fourth of July Parade begins
at 10am on the corner of Second and Main, moves along Bridgeway
to Caledonia Street and ends at Dunphy Park, Sausalito. Floats,
Bands, Walking Clowns, Acrobats, Flowers, Balloons and Fun for
the entire
family!
Following the Parade, there will be a Picnic at Dunphy Park from 12 noon-5pm. Enjoy live entertainment, food, raffles, annual tug-o-war and the famous Egg Toss!
July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza at Gabrielson
Park 6:30-9:30pm. Food, refreshments and live music. Richardson's
Bay provides a
beautiful view
and
front row
seating to a spectacular fireworks display off Spinnaker Point.
Fireworks Show begins at approximately 9pm.
Marin
County Fair, Free Concerts & Fireworks Show
The Marin County Fair takes place at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael (North Bay).
Fun Attractions, Contests, Special Exhibits,
Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides, Farm Animals, Petting Zoo, Live
Entertainment (FREE Daily Concerts)... and more!
July 4th Concerts — Free with Fair Admission. Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at 2pm and 4pm The Temptations perform at 7:30pm
Corte Madera-Larkspur 4th
of July Parade & Celebration Corte Madera and Larkspur
4th of July Festival and Hometown Parade for Marin's Twin
Cities.
Parade begins on
July 4th at 10:30am (street closure at 11:30am) at Redwood High School
in Larkspur and ends at Corte Madera Town Center.
Fun festivities, Arts & Crafts, Food, Live
Entertainment at Corte Madera Town Park. Children's activities include carnival games,
entertainment and face-painting.
9am-5pm.
Novato's Annual Fourth
of July Parade — "Celebrating Novato's Families" Novato's Fourth of July Parade is
the second-largest parade in the North
Bay — it attracts
between 15,000 and 20,000 spectators annually. This year's parade theme is "Celebrating Novato's Families."
Parade begins at 10am-12 noon. The parade route
runs east to west on the newly renovated Grant Avenue,
beginning
at
Reichert
Avenue
and ending at 7th Street.
4th Annual 4th of July Run — “Firecracker 4” (four mile road race) and a “Mayor's Mile” (one mile family walk/jog) in downtown Novato takes place before the parade. Races start at 8am.
Pre-Parade Entertainment at 9am-9:45am
— Performances by the People of Note, Banjo Dave Marty, Abe van der Meule, and other fun street performers.
Parade begins
at 11am. Free Admission.
Napa Valley
— Yountville
4th of July Celebration & Fireworks
Call Veterans Home for 2012 Updates
In the past, 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks have been held annually at
the historic Veterans Home in Yountville, Napa
Valley — it's a FUN event for families and for residents of the home. Events have included live entertainment,
food and wine, kid's activities... and more! No bicycles, skateboards, or scooters. 12 noon-9:30pm.
Fireworks have NOT been confirmed (past displays have taken place around 9:30pm).
Sonoma
County
— Sonoma
County's Annual Fireworks Show
July 4— Santa Rosa "Red,
White & Boom!" Sonoma County Fair takes place at Sonoma Country Fairgrounds Carnival Area Lawn in Santa Rosa. Enjoy fun family-friendly activities,
attractions, contests, live entertainment, food
and beverages, kid's
activities... and more! Admission: $7 ages 13+, $3 ages 5-11; free for children 4 and under. Parking $5. 3:30-10pm.
Doors open at 3:30pm; Live Music at 4pm.
Pat Jordan Band @ 4pm,
Court 'n Disaster @ 5:30pm, Wonderbread 5 @ 7pm).
Alameda — Mayor's 4th
of July Parade
Alameda's "Mayor's 4th of July Parade" is
the second longest Independence Day Parade in the nation. And
at 3.3 miles, it's the longest route in the country, featuring
over 170 floats. More than 20,000
spectators turn out to see the parade every year.
Enjoy
Marching
Bands,
Floats,
Antique Cars,
Cub Scouts
on Bikes, Politicians,
Church Groups, Fez-Wearing Secret Societies, Gymnasts,
Dancers, Martial Arts Students, Banjo Pickers, Hula Dancers...
and more. Fun for the whole family!
Alameda Race starts at 9:45am.
The
Parade starts at 10am on Park Street, at Lincoln Avenue.
Jumpin' and Jivin' Jubillee @ 12 noon-4pm at Ritter Park (Otis Drive and Grand Street).
Antioch 4th of
July Parade & Fireworks
Antioch's 4th of July Celebration takes place in its historic waterfront Rivertown District. Family-friendly (alcohol-free) event features live music, food, kids zone, and car show starting at 5pm.
July 3 — Benicia's Freedom Festival Torchlight
Parade & Dance Benecia's Freedom Festival Torchlight
Parade - 6:30-9pm.
The Independence Day Parade stretches all the way down First Street.
Parade includes
Live
Entertainment, Bands, Dancing, Floats, Decorated Horses, Clowns...
and more!
July 4 — Benicia's
"Picnic in the Park & Waterfront
Promenade Fireworks"
"Picnic in the Park" - 12 noon-7pm.
July 4th festivities include Music and
Dance performances, Arts & Crafts, Food and Beverages, and
fun Kids Activities at Benicia City Park (located on First Street
and Military).
Fireworks
Display begins about 9pm.
Fireworks Show takes place at the
foot of First Street. Enjoy the view from the First Street Green
at
the
Waterfront
Promenade.
Free
admission.
July 4 — Berkeley Marina 4th of July Fireworks & All-Day Festival 4th of July festivities are held every year at the Berkeley Marina and Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley,
California. The FUN alcohol-free event runs from 12 noon-10pm.
Activities include: Live Entertainment, Arts & Crafts,
International Food Booths, Free
Dragon Boat Rides, Kids Adventure Playground, Children's Shows, and a Fireworks Show. Free admission.
Kids Adventure Playground is open 11am-8pm
Face-Painting, Giant Slide... and more!
Live Entertainment on the main stage - 12 noon-9:30pm
(plus entertainment in smaller venues around the marina).
Free Dragon Boat Rides - 2pm-6pm
Fireworks
Display
starts at 9:30pm and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Fireworks
are launched from the Berkeley Pier at the foot of University
Avenue,
but
will
be visible from all over the Marina and elsewhere. Automobile
access is limited. Free valet bicycle parking. No cars after
7pm. Dogs permitted on a leash.
July 2, 3 & 4 — Concord 4th of July Celebration
— "The Flag" Festivities, Parade & Fireworks Show "The Flag" festivities
take place at Dave Brubeck Park, Concord. This FUN patriotic salute to America features a cast and choir
of over 150 people — the free event is a family-oriented celebration
of our country and its people. Through music, dance and drama,
the show includes encore audience favorites, movie and TV spoofs,
a celebration of faith, and a salute to the military. The
evening ends with a spectacular Fireworks Show.
Parade starts at 10am at Salvio St & Mira Vista Terrace and ends at Parkside Drive.
Free Shows (July 2, 3 & 4) at 7:30pm
Fireworks Show (July 2, 3 & 4) begins at about 9pm at Dave
Brubeck Park, Concord.
Free admission.
July 4 — Danville - Kiwani's
4th July Parade
— "Danville, Small Town Values... Big Heart" This
year's Parade theme is "Danville, Small Town Values... Big Heart." The
Parade starts at 11am and runs from the corner of Hartz Avenue and
Railroad
Avenue,
continues
down
Hartz and
San Ramon Valley Road and ends at the corner of San Ramon
Valley Road and Sycamore Valley Road. This popular
Parade typically attracts over 40,000 people. Come along
and join
in
the fun!
City of San Ramone Fun Run — 8:30am
Parade — 9am-11:30am*
San Ramone "Red, White & Blue Picnic" — 6pm-9pm in San Ramon Central Park
Fireworks Display — 9:30pm
*NOTE: Spectator chairs may not be put along parade route until 6pm on July 3rd.
July 4 — Fremont 4th of July Parade,
Fremont's patriotic Parade starts at 10am sharp in the Downtown District of Fremont (Centerville District). Parade route — begins at State Street and Capitol Avenue, then proceeds on to Paseo Padre Parkway, Walnut Avenue, California Street, ending on Beacon Avenue.
Livermore Fireworks Pending Livermore Fireworks contributions, 2012 Livermore Fireworks will return on 4th of July in a new location — Las Positas College. Due to budget restrictions in 2011, Livermore's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration 2011 and Fireworks Display did not take place.
July 4 — Moraga "July 4th at the Commons Park"
— Dog Parade, Classic Car Show & Fireworks
Moraga's July 4th at the Commons Park festivities include a Dog Parade, Classic Car Show, Children's Bike Parade, Kids' Games, Magic Show, Evening Concert and Fireworks. The fun starts at 8am.
July 4 — Oakland's Jack
London Square "July 4th Family Fun Festival"
Oakland's "July 4th Family Fun Festival" includes live music, magicians, juggling, stilt-walking, circus acts, hoola hoops, petting zoo, festival food and fun entertainment. Bike rentals and kayaking available. Free bike valet parking. Free admission. NO Fireworks.
11am-4pm.
Celebrate
July 4th onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet
Pier
3, Alameda Point. Music, Food and Crafts aboard the USS
Hornet Museum. Fun event includes Live Music and Interactive Family Activities
on the Flight Deck — Carnival Games, Flight Simulator, Food, Beer and
Wine, Fun Children's Activities, Jump House, RoboSurf, Bunjee Run... and more! 11am-10pm
Explore the Ship (3 Decks) — 11am-8pm
FUN Family Activities, Carnival Games & more! — 1pm-8pm.
Live Music & Entertainment (see bands below) — 2pm-9pm
(featuring Starboard Watch, Mighty Neptunes, Michael Sea & Island Fever,
Tempest, and The Cocktail Monkeys).
Fireworks display(accompanied by Patriotic
music) begins around 9:15pm.
Enjoy great views of Bay Area Fireworks
from the Flight Deck.
Note: USS Hornet does NOT do their
own fireworks.
Be sure to bring a warm jacket as it can get
quite chilly, especially
if the fog rolls in.
Free Parking
July 3 & 4 — Vallejo Six Flags Discovery
Kingdom "4th of July Fireworks"
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the only major Northern California
theme park to offer fireworks on Independence Day. For best fireworks
viewing, head to Chabot Stadium, alongside the park's beautiful
Lake
Chabot.
Park is open 10:30am-10pm. Fireworks event
is free with paid park admission.
Mendocino
Coast July 4th Celebrations & Fireworks Mendocino 4th of July Parade,
Point Arena Street Fair & Fireworks and Independence Day Parade, World's Largest Salmon BBQ, and
Fireworks in Fort Bragg.
— Mendocino's Annual 4th of July Parade
Parade
starts at 11:30am. Parade begins near Crown Hall on Ukiah Street
and
continues down Main Street and up Lansing Street, in downtown
Mendocino.
707-961-6300 More Info on Mendocino's Annual 4th of July Parade
— Point Arena Street Fair, Fireworks & Parade
Enjoy Point Arena Independence Day Celebration Festivities. July 7 (Saturday) — Street Fair & Fireworks at the Cove Street Fair at Arena Cove Pier at Point Arena. Enjoy live entertainment, arts & craft, food and drinks. No pets. 4-10pm; Fireworks begin at dark.
July 8 (Sunday) — Point Arena Independence Day Parade
Parade begins at 12 noon — traveling along Main Street/Hwy 1 More Info on Point Arena Independence Day Celebration
July 7 (Saturday night) — Fort Bragg Fireworks — Annual
Independence Day Fireworks Display begins
at dark (around 9pm-9:30pm) at Pomo Bluff Park, located at Todd's Point, overlooking
Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. Walk-in only after 5pm. 707-961-6300 More Info on Fort Bragg Fireworks
Lake Tahoe — Star
Spangled Fourth - "Lights on the Lake" Fireworks
and Fun Independence Day Celebrations
— South Shore, Lake Tahoe
July 4 — "Lights on the Lake" Fireworks
See the largest synchronized Fireworks Display west
of the Mississippi. "Lights on the Lake" is visible all over South Lake Tahoe; best views are from South Shore's paddle-wheelers or private boats; Nevada Beach (2 miles east of the casinos on Elk Point Road; Regan and El Dorado beaches (on the shore at Highway 50); and Edgewood-Tahoe (ticketed event) and adjacent Lakeside Beach.
July 4th Fireworks Show begins at
approximately 9:45pm.
— North
Shore, Lake Tahoe
June 30-July 1 — Squaw Valley
4th of July Fine Arts & Crafts Festival (Sat-Sun 11am-5pm)
July 3 (Tuesday) — Kings Beach
Fun festivities 6-10pm.
Fireworks begin at 9pm (Tuesday, July 3rd)
July 4 (Wednesday) — Truckee, Donner Lake
Hometown Parade
at 10am. Live entertainment and fun festivities
during the day.
Fireworks Display begins at dusk at West
End Beach, Donner Lake.
July 8 (Sunday) — Tahoe City Concert
Free Concert at Commons Beach at 4pm-7pm
We recommend calling
ahead to confirm all dates, times and locations. Every care
is taken to ensure
that all information
in Love to Eat and Travel is accurate and up-to-date;
however, information is subject to change.
Lake
Tahoe
New York
