From parades to car shows to concerts and picnics—let 2023 be THE July 4th to remember

No summer is complete without a proper Fourth of July celebration! This year July 4th the Bay Area is ready to celebrate with parades, concerts, and fireworks all up and down the Bay Area. Whether you join a festive celebration or head to the beach or a splash pad to cool down in, make sure to include ice cream … lots of it!

San Francisco 4th of July Events

A boy smiles as he wears July 4th sunglasses
iStock

Golden Gate Bandshell Independence Day Concert
Independence Day performance includes Shenandoah, American Overture, Copeland’s Hoe-Down from Rodeo (known popularly as “the beef song”), Salute to American Jazz, and an Armed Forces medley. Event details

Pier 39
The pier celebrates Independence Day with an entire day of fun for the whole family including exhibits, BBQ, walking tours and live music on the Western side of the pier. Event details

Hornblower Cruises
Spend an unforgettable evening on the water with spectacular front-row seats for the fireworks show. Choose from the dinner cruise or a brunch daytime cruise for the most memorable Fourth yet! Event details

East Bay 4th of July Events

City of Bothell

July 4th Celebration on the USS Potomac
Climb aboard FDR’s “floating White House” for a cruise around the Bay. Leaving from Jack London Sq, this three hour cruise will include a narrated history lesson while you take on the sights from the water. Event details

Concord Independence Day Parade
Celebrate Family, Community, and Business while joining in a 5k run, pancake breakfast and parade all before watching the fireworks in Concord! Event details

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Celebration
The party is an all-day event starting with a 5k followed by a parade, festival in the park and capping it all off with fireworks.  Event details

The Hornet Museum’s 4th of July

The event features a flyover from the Memorial Squadron, two no-host bars, Food Truck Mafia, DJ Samoa Boy, the Swinging Blue Stars and more! The museum will close in time to allow you to get to your favorite fireworks location. Event details

Waterways Homeport

Fourth of July Concert, San Ramon

Bring those dancing shoes! The Boys of Summer will be providing entertainment as you celebrate San Ramon's 40th anniversary Event details

Fremont Fourth of July Parade and Flyover
Share what “Happiness is...” and join the community of Fremont in celebrating the 4th of July! The parade begins with a Flyover by the Commemorative Air Force and the Beech Boys. Event details

Alameda 4th of July Parade
Alameda hosts one of the longest parades in the country, 3.3 miles to be exact! This beloved hometown celebration starts off with a race so you can run the route first before enjoying the parade. Dress in your patriotic red, white and blues and stay for the parade after. Event details

Independence Day at Meek Mansion
Meek opens its doors for a July 4th celebration. Live music by The Blue Bottle Band, mansion tours, outdoor activities and crafts for families will all be on hand to welcome you back. Note the event is on July 1. Event details

Pleasanton Community Concert
The band is ready to ring in the Fourth in this free community event at Lions Wayside Park so pack a picnic and make a day of it! 
Mon., Event details

Peninsula 4th of July Events

Woodside Junior Rodeo & 4th of July BBQ
The entire family will love the rodeo and western family activities that includes pony rides, petting zoo, mechanical bull and 4th of July Bull Riding. Event details

Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Festival, Half Moon Bay 
The parade starts at 12 pm, transforming the charming downtown along Main Street into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration. Event details 

July 4th Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off
Bring the whole family out to the park for live music, food trucks, games and activities for kids and a Chili Cook-Off! Event details

Redwood City’s July 4th Parade, Festival and Fireworks
One of the largest parades in Northern California this parade has entries from all over the state. Stay for the festival’s art and crafts booth, battle of the bands and kids zone. Also, check out the chalk festival all weekend long and cap off the celebration with a fireworks spectacular. Event details

 

A girl waves a flag at a July 4th parade
Unsplash

Foster City 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and BBQ
We love this event because in addition to the usual July 4th festivities with food, music and fireworks, a dog parade means all furry friends can join in on the fun, too! Event details

Millbrae Beats, Brew & Vine Concert
Millbrae always serves up an exciting, boot-stomping concert on Fourth of July and this year will be no exception so get ready to boogie! Event details

Los Altos Hills Independence Day Parade
Gather at the Town Hall for the Red, White and Blue march to Bullis Gardner school where refreshing beverages and juicy watermelon await. Event details

South Bay 4th of July Events

Shoreline Lake Fireworks Viewing from the Water
Reserve a pedalboat, rowboat, canoe, or kayak with friends and family to have the best view of the Shoreline Amphitheatre fireworks show. You can also set up your picnic blanket in the park if you prefer to watch on land. Event details

Santa Cruz Firecracker 1k/5k/10k
Why not kick off the Fourth with a footrace? This race has distances for everyone so get ready to run the streets of Santa Cruz in celebration of Independence Day. Event details

Mountain View Fireworks Spectacular, Shoreline Amphitheater 
Accompanied by the San Francisco Symphony, this July 4th celebration is the one you don’t want to miss! The doors of the amphitheater open early for games and family activities so make an evening out of it. Free and discounted tickets are available for Mountain View residents. Event details

Rose, White, and Blue Party Parade and Festival, San Jose
This historic community celebration brings together the San José and the greater Bay Area community in celebration of diversity, public spirit, and our floral and agricultural heritage. Event details 

Milpitas July 4th Red, White & Boom
Concert by Sacred Fire Band with kids activities, including climbing wall, game truck, RC cars and bounce houses. Event details

4th of July All-City Swim and Picnic, Santa Clara
Central Park will be the center of all the hubbub with kids cooling off in the pool, games, food and live entertainment. Event details

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Saratoga July 4th Celebrations
This annual, old-fashioned family celebration of Independence Day is back! Enjoy the patriotic concert by the McCartysville volunteer band and music by the youth chorus. Free popsicles and flags for all the kids! Event details

Morgan Hill Freedom Festival
The all-day event will include a family street dance, freedom fun run, parade, car cruise n’ show and end with spectacular fireworks. Bring the family and stay for the entire day! Event details

Independence Day Celebration, Cupertino
The De Anza Optimist Club will host their annual pancake breakfast event at the Quinlan Center starting at 7:30 AM followed by flag raising, a parade and concert at Memorial Park and fireworks in the evening. Event details

Scotts Valley Fourth of July Celebration
Join in the celebration with a parade followed by a dramatic flyover brought to you by Little Tampico. Event details

Marin & North Bay 4th of July Events

4th of July Brothers and Sisters Yacht Race
Tiburon Yacht Club invites you to participate in or spectate the yacht race. After the race, the yacht club will be open with a roaring BBQ to welcome all. Note the event takes place July 1, 2023 Event details

July 4th Festival & Parade, Corte Madera-Larkspur
Kick off the Fourth with a parade featuring several incredible bands followed by a full-day festival with live music, food, arts and crafts, and childrens’ activities. Event details 

Sausalito July 4th Parade
Catch a parade followed by a picnic, live music, and parade for a full day of festivities. Event details 

Novato’s 4th of July Breakfast and Parade 
One of the Bay Area’s largest parades boasts a contingent of vintage military vehicles you won’t find anywhere else. Event details 

July 4th Picnic and Drone Show, Benicia
Start the day with a parade and picnic and end it with a drone show! "From America’s Got Talent to July 3rd in Benicia Gene Pedrotti was looking for the “wow!” factor to help celebrate Pedrotti Ace Hardware’s 100th anniversary during Benicia’s Independence Day Weekend". July 3rd Event details Drone Show and Parade

Danville 4th of July Parade
Join the Kiwanis club as they partner with the city of Danville for a parade while celebrating local Olympians. Event details

American Canyon 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate America’s birthday with a concert in the park, parade and finish the day off with one of the best firework shows in the North Bay. Event details

Sonoma’s Hometown 4th of July Celebration
Partnering with the Volunteer Firefighter Association, this year’s fabulous July 4th party starts with a parade, moves on to a festival and ends with a fireworks show in the ultimate July 4th celebration. Event details 

Calistoga 4th of July Festivities
This 100 plus year old parade has returned. Starting at 11:00 am along Lincoln Avenue, cheer on floats, dancers, horses, and more as they travel through town showcasing their creativity and patriotic spirit. Event details

Kenwood July Fourth Celebration
Start the day with a pancake breakfast and silent auction, hop in a footrace then enjoy a parade followed by festivities and BBQ in the perfect July 4th party. Event details

 

Additional reporting by Christine Lai & Kate Loweth

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