The Best Places To Celebrate The 4th Of July
Crowds turn out all over the Bay Area to celebrate the Fourth of July. From parades, to craft fairs, festivals and live music, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
MARIN
Angel Island Fourth of July Experience! Leave the crowds behind and celebrate the Fourth of July on Angel Island. Kick back in Ayala Cove to enjoy live music, food and drinks. This special ticket includes round trip ferry service to Angel Island and round trip tram ride from the cove to Battery Ledyard for an unforgettable view of the fireworks show.
Corte Madera-Larkspur Fourth of July Parade & Festival. The parade will feature many incredible bands including the Famous Corte Madera Town Band, McIntosh Pipe Band, and the Freedom Band, Crafts, Children's Activities, Food and more.
Small fun local event in the town of Inverness with foot races for everyone from toddlers to adults. See a slice of old fashion 4th of July fun at Inverness.
Marin County Fair, San Rafael, The fireworks take place every day of the Fair, shot from three barges over the lagoon in a low-level, safely choreographed extravaganza of music, rockets, Roman candles, comets, meteoric showers and spectacular bursting cascades – all beautifully reflected in the water below. Bring the entire family and enjoy this amazing show every night of the Fair.
The annual Homestead Valley 4th of July Parade and BBQ Picnic is a wonderful family oriented event that celebrates our nation’s independence . . . . The day starts at Volunteer Park (the corner of Evergreen and Melrose) where we all gather for the beginning of a community parade to Stolte Grove. Led by a bright red fire truck, the meandering array of kids on bicycles, tricycles, scooters, strollers, dogs, and goats, all decked out in red, white and blue the joyful parade gets underway.
The Novato 4th of July Parade, 8am The Firecracker Run, 7-10am Buckaroo Breakfast, 10am Vintage Military & WWII Sherman Tank Parade.
The Town of Ross celebrates the 4th of July every year with a parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by a picnic on the Ross Common from 12:00-2:00 p.m. There are children's games and face painting, live music, food, and much more. This beloved event is not to be missed.
San Geronimo Valley & Woodacre, pancake breakfast at the fire station 8-11am, parade and fun day at Dickson Ranch.
4th of July Festivities 2018 Parade, Floats, bands, clowns, classic cars, acrobats, flowers, balloons and fun for the entire family. Everyone is encouraged to add to this traditional favorite, enjoy Community Picnic and live music at Dunphy Park. Food, dancing, family games, tug-of-war and the famous egg toss help to make this an exciting event for the whole family. Come and enjoy a good old-fashioned 4th of July celebration! And Fireworks.
Tiburon Yacht Club July 4th BBQ. Lots of fun games for kids, live music, free face painting and more!
Sleepy Hollow, 11am parade
SAN FRANCISCO
Witness the skies sparkle red, white and blue as PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with a day of fun for the whole family! Start your day with live entertainment on Entrance Plaza Stage featuring Tainted Love — the best of the 80s LIVE! At approximately 9:30pm, look to the sky for the City & County of San Francisco’s spectacular fireworks display.
The San Francisco Mime Troupe, Wed, Jul 4th @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30) 19th St. & Dolores St., San Francisco, FREE.
EAST BAY
The Berkeley Marina hosts one of the best 4th of July parties from noon until 10PM. There are all kinds of free family fun in an alcohol-free environment culminating with fantastic fireworks.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Concord with a 5K/Kids Run, Parade, Festival, Fireworks and much more.
The Alameda County Fair 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular promises to live up to its name with non-stop, razzle-dazzle fireworks set to music.
The Inaugural Coast Guard Festival at Alameda Point! Enjoy music, parade, food, activities, games and more. View floats from the parade and experience Coast Guard mission displays including CG Helicopter, MSST and Whaleboat displays, CG Cutter, CG Rescue Swimmer demos and CG Silent Drill Team demos.
The Fremont 4th of July Parade and celebration for and by the citizens of Fremont and surrounding cities. The parade and related events are completely funded by community sponsorship and donations, there is no public/government funding of this parade.
Pleasant Hill Parade is celebrating their 41st Anniversary this year and hope you can celebrate this amazing milestone with us. Join us early as we kick off the celebration with a 5K Run. Then shortly after the run the parade moves through the downtown area. Once the parade is over, families and all are encouraged to join us at Pleasant Hill Park where there will be food and entertainment.
PENNISULA
The City of Menlo Park Menlo Park is hosting its annual 4th of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Burgess Park.
NORTH BAY
Petaluma Annual Bell Ringing! Starting at 10:30 am with the Flag Ceremony by the Boy Scouts; Learn about the bell-ringing tradition inacted by President Kennedy and the history of the Korbel Bell; Mayor will read the proclamation; At 11am, everyone rings the bell and adjourns to the Garden Court for lemonade and cookies.
July 3rd Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza and Music Festival in Sebastopol. Featuring live music, dancing, free games and relays, food, a fun raffle for prizes, the community comes together, with blankets and picnics, to celebrate Independence Day.
Bodega Bay Over Fireworks, Fireworks show produced by Pyro Spectaculars will start at dark (9:30PM) on Sunday, July 1. The display can be seen from all around Bodega Bay.
Red, White & Boom, More than just a fireworks show – come join us for an afternoon and evening of food, live music, kid’s activities, and fun for the whole family! Check out our fantastic lineup of local bands and enjoy great food from the many local vendors who will be serving up their specialties. For the kids, we’ll have jumpy houses, face painters and more. The evening will conclude with amazing fireworks show simulcast live to music by our friends at KZST 100.1 FM. Don’t forget your blankets, folding chairs, and jackets. Santa Rosa.
4th of July in KenwoodEntries are free! We love floats, boats, bands, unicycles, goats, horses, dogs, classic vehicles, sports teams, hiking clubs, go-carts ... more creative the better! Bring your red, white and blue patriotic spirit for us all to cheer and celebrate our hometown spirit!
Sonoma’s 4th of July Celebration is a tradition that brings the community together in of all that makes Sonoma great and honors our great nations independence. The Parade begins at 10am winding its way around the town’s historic Plaza with around 60 entries. After the parade, enjoy an old-fashioned festival with food, drink and game booths by Sonoma’s non-profit organizations. The 4th of July festival concludes around 5pm when all eyes shift to the skies at dusk above General Vallejo’s field for the spectacular fireworks show that lasts approximately 45 minutes.
SOUTH BAY
The Rose, White, and Blue Parade is a much-beloved annual event in San Jose’s Rose Garden–area neighborhoods along The Alameda, which has a rich history of parades, including the Carnival of Roses and the Fiesta De las Rosas. This year, we celebrate our 11th Anniversary, making this the longest running parade in the history of The Alameda, San Jose.
* All events were checked but may change without notice. Please make sure to double-check before heading out. What is your favorite place to celebrate the 4th of July?
