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Bay Area 4th of July 2020: Fireworks, Festivals, Parades, & More
Bay Area 4th of July activities include fireworks, festivals, and parades. You will find a variety of things to do in San Francisco, Oakland, Marin, and along the Peninsula.
Read on for ideas on the best places to have fun and a list of where you can see fireworks to celebrate America's birthday.
North Bay | South Bay | East Bay
San Francisco Events: Waterfront Festival & Fireworks
The biggest Bay Area 4th of July activities are along the northern waterfront in San Francisco. On July 4, you will find a variety of things to do in Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and venues all around the district.
You can listen to live music, enjoy family friendly activities, take a cruise, and save with food and drink specials all day long. The event ends with a large fireworks display over the water. It starts at around 9:30pm and lasts for about 30 minutes.
The event draws hundreds of thousands of people, so make sure you arrive early for the best spot!
East Bay
Several cities in the East Bay will host Bay Area 4th of July celebrations. The biggest are in Berkeley, Oakland, and Pleasant Hill.
The following cities have confirmed that they will have a fireworks display this year:
- Antioch: Contra Costa County Fairgrounds starting at around 9:30 p.m.
- Benicia: Benicia City Park around 9 p.m.
- Berkeley: Berkeley Pier at 9:30 p.m.
- Concord: Mt. Diablo High School at around 9 p.m.
- Livermore: Downtown starting at around 9:30 p.m.
- Moraga: Moraga Commons Park on St. Mary's Road at around 9:30 p.m.
- Pleasant Hill: College Park High School at 9 p.m.
- Richmond: Marina Bay Park at at 9:15 p.m.
Additional Fourth of July Activities in the East Bay
Alameda: Celebrations in Alameda this year include a race (9 a.m.) and a parade (10 a.m.).
Albany: This year's Green, Red, White, and Blue Celebration in Albany is on July 4. Festivities start with a pancake feed at the Veteran's Memorial Building from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The festival starts at around noon and ends at 4 p.m.
Antioch: This year's Antioch celebration offers a full day of fun with a parade which starts at 11 a.m. You can also enjoy family fun, live entertainment, a car show, and more at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, at 10th and L Streets, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The fireworks start at around 9:30 p.m. and will run until just after 10 p.m.
Benicia: The Independence Day celebration in Benicia starts on July 3. From 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., they host their annual Torchlight Parade along First Street, where you will see dancers, floats, clowns, and more. Their Picnic in the Park starts at noon July 4. All day long at Benicia City Park you can enjoy arts & crafts, hot food, live entertainment, and children's activities. Fireworks will start around 9pm.
Berkeley: Head to the Berkeley Marina on between noon and 10 p.m. for this year's Fourth of July Celebration. During this all day event, you will find live entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, carnival rides, free dragon boat rowing, and much more. The fireworks display starts just south of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30 p.m.
Clayton: This year's parade starts at Center and Oak, on Main Street, and will start at 10am. The parade includes fun homemade floats and a variety of other entries. It usually lasts around two and a half to three hours.
Concord: Celebrations kick off with the Stars and Stripes 5K Run and Walk/Run at 8am and a parade at 10 a.m., which starts at the Mount Diablo High School on Grant Street. The 4th of July Festival starts at 4 p.m. at Mt. Diablo High School. The festival features a carnival, food, arts & crafts vendors, and live music. The day concludes at around 9pm with a fireworks display that you will be sure to enjoy.
Danville: This year's annual parade in Danville is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The route starts at Hartz and Railroad Avenues and ends at San Ramon Valley Blvd. and Sycamore Valley Road. The parade includes over 150 entries, including bands and floats, and attracts more than 40,000 attendees each year.
El Cerrito: The City of El Cerrito/worldOne 4th of July Festival in El Cerrito is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Cerrito Vista Park. This free festival includes food, live entertainment, children's fun area, art show and sale, and vendor booths by local organizations.
Fairfield: The annual Independence Day Parade in Fairfield starts at 10am and travels down Texas Street from Taylor to Union. All activities last until around 1 p.m.
Fremont: The parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Fremont Library, continues north and concludes at Capital Avenue.
Livermore: Livermore's Red, White & Boom Fireworks and Block Party is from 4 p.m. to 10:30pm. Downtown streets will be closed for family fun as well as restaurant and shopping specials, and a large fireworks display will take place around 9:30pm, launched off the top of the downtown parking structure.
Martinez: This year's Fourth of July celebrations in Martinez will take place on July 4, beginning with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by Roxx on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The flag raising ceremony is from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building. The 4th of July annual parade starts at 10 a.m. from Court and Main Streets and makes its way to Alhambra Avenue and Main Street.
Moraga: Their pancake breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. The day continues with a dog parade at 9 p.m, a children's bike parade, inflatables, and food, wine & beer booths. Starting at 6:45 p.m., there will be activities around the bandstand with the playing of the National Anthem, a welcoming message from the mayor and a house party/concert. The day concludes with fireworks that start at around 9:30 p.m. All activities are in and around the Moraga Commons Park on St. Mary's Road.
Morgan Hill: The annual Freedom Fest kicks off at year on July 3 with the popular Family Street Dance, an evening filled with live music and dancing, food and drinks. Everything starts at 6pm and ends around 10pm. The Freedom Festival continues all day on the 4th too. This year's parade starts at 10 a.m. It ends with a concert and fireworks at dark. The Freedom Fest also includes a 5K run and a car cruise. This event started in 1876 and continues to be one of the best in the Bay Area.
Fireworks on The Green is once again being held at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center. Gates open at 4pm with food trucks, drinks, and some other entertainment while you wait. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
Oakland: From noon to 6 p.m. on July 4 at Jack London Square, enjoy a Backyard BBQ! It includes performances by magicians, jugglers, clowns and puppeteers. You can also enjoy other activities such as a special petting zoo, the Lego jeep, Kinetic Art face painters, a mobile craft workshop, and more. Admission is free for these activities.
Orinda: Their parade and celebration begin at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast at the Lamorinda Rotary in the Park/Community Center. The day continues with a flag raising ceremony, a fun run (8 a.m.), a parade (10 a.m.) and activities in the park from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pleasant Hill: The Annual July 4th Celebration in Pleasant Hill includes a parade (9:30 a.m.), fireworks display (~9 p.m.), and a 5k Fun Run (8 a.m.).
Pleasanton: This bay area 4th of July event is at Lion's Wayside Park from Noon to 2:30pm. For an hour and a half, you can enjoy music by the Pleasanton Community Concert Band. They will also pay tribute to those that served in the military.
Richmond: This city of Richmond celebrates early again this year on July 3rd. Head down to Marina Bay Park from 5 pm to 10 pm to enjoy live blues music, food vendors, and the interactive Fun Zone for kids. Fireworks begin around 9:15pm with a display that lasts around 20 minutes.
San Pablo: Fourth of July activities include live entertainment, kids games, and food & drinks. It concludes with a fireworks show. All events start at 5 p.m. at the El Portal Soccer Field on Moraga Road. Admission is free, but there is a cost for the games and activities. Festivities end after the fireworks display around 9:30 pm.
San Ramon: San Ramon hosts two events on Independence Day. Activities start at 8 a.m. with Run San Ramon. It includes a 10k, 5k and 3k run starting at Central Park. The city also hosts Celebrate America, Celebrate San Ramon, a community festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Central Park. It's a free event that will feature live, free music all evening long.
Vallejo: The annual Fourth of July parade begins at 10 a.m. on Tennessee and Broadway Streets and will last until around noon. The Waterfront Festival will be held at the Vallejo waterfront beginning at 11 a.m., featuring a beer garden, good, live entertainment, door prizes, and fun for kids. The evening ends with fireworks.
South Bay & Peninsula
The South Bay and Peninsula areas will also have a variety of Bay Area 4th of July activities. You will find the World's Shortest Parade in Aptos, Red, White & Boom in Milpitas, and a Fourth of July celebration with the SF Symphony at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View.
Here is a list of the cities that have confirmed their fireworks displays this year:
- Gilroy: Gilroy High School at 9:30 p.m.
- Milpitas: Milpitas Sports Center Complex at 9:15 p.m.
- Redwood City: Port of Redwood City at 9:30 p.m.
- San Jose: Discover Meadow at 9:30 p.m.
- Scotts Valley: Fireworks start at around 9:15 p.m.
Additional Bay Area 4th of July Events in the South Bay & Peninsula
Aptos: They will once again host the "World's Shortest Parade" this Independence Day. Activities begin bright and early with a Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The parade will then take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Later on in the day, enjoy food from local vendors, music, and other activities at Aptos Village Park from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Carmel-By-The-Sea: This year's celebration is a traditional, family-friendly event at Devendorf Park on Ocean Avenue across from Carmel Plaza. From noon to 3 p.m., enjoy entertainment and fun games for the entire family. They will also provide hot dogs, cold drinks, chips, ice cream, watermelon, and cookies. The festival and food are free, but get there early as quantities are limited.
Cupertino: The day starts with a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. It includes a Children's Carnival (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.), a children's parade (10 a.m.), and a concert at Memorial Park Amphitheater from 10 a.m. to noon. That afternoon you can head over to Blackberry Farm for more activities including free swimming and food trucks from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festivities end with fireworks starting at 9:30pm.
Half Moon Bay: At 8 am, the Half Moon Bay Lions Club holds their 4th of July pancake breakfast in City Hall. The parade starts at noon and runs for about one hour.
Los Gatos: The Los Gatos hometown Fourth of July event runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road. The annual Flag Raising starts at 1 pm with music starting at 1:30 pm. This year's events include games, a picnic lunch, and music from the San Jose Wind Symphony.
Menlo Park: Their annual parade starts at 11:45 a.m. at Chestnut Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, and makes its way through the streets of Menlo Park to Burgess Park. At Burgess Park, the whole family can enjoy music, games, and food until around 2:30 p.m. The event is free, but a wristband is required for certain activities.
Milpitas: The "Red, White & Boom" celebration in Milpitas is at the Milpitas Sports Center Complex (1325 E. Calaveras Blvd). This free afternoon event starts at 1 p.m. at the "Waving the Red, White & Blue" Pool Party. Continuing until 4 pm that afternoon. Food is also available for purchase. The "Red, White & Boom" Concert & Fireworks Show starts at 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 6 p.m. After the concert is the fireworks show.
Monterey: The celebration in Monterey starts with a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. It's held at the Monterey County Youth Museum. The annual parade starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for about an hour. After the parade, head over to the Admission Free Big Little Backyard Bar-B-Que and Entertainment Extravaganza on the grounds of City Hall on Pacific Street. From 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., enjoy kids activities such as free carnival booths, games, face painting and jumpy houses. You will also find great food on sale all day long (or bring your own picnic lunch). The day wraps up with a free Patriotic Concert at the Golden Gate Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m.
Mountain View: The place to be in Mountain View on Thursday, the Fourth of July is the Shoreline Amphitheater. This annual concert by the SF Symphony with an amazing fireworks display is the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games and events and then the music starts at 8 p.m. with the fireworks starting shortly after dark. The entire program lasts about two hours.
Pacific Grove: Head to Caledonia Park (behind the Post Office) in Pacific Grove for their annual Fourth of July celebration. Festivities last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include live entertainment and an old-fashioned, down-home BBQ.
Pacifica: The annual celebration at Frontierland Park runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fun events such as live music, face painting, free games, food, crafts and more. Admission is free.
Redwood City: Redwood City will once again host the largest Fourth of July Parade in Northern California. It starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Redwood City on Broadway, Marshall, Main and other downtown streets. This year's festival takes place on the streets near the San Mateo County History Museum. You will find food, beverages, arts and crafts, and more. The Battle of the Bands competition starts at 1 pm on Hamilton Street. There is also a kids area and informational booths. The fireworks will start around 9:30 pm.
San Jose: This year's Rose, White and Blue Parade is begins at 10am, winding through the Rose Garden and ending on the grand avenue known as The Alameda. On The Alameda, you can enjoy a picnic featuring local food and drink, along with live music, an antique and classic car show, and dozens of arts and crafts booths. The fun continues with a fireworks display downtown starting at dark.
Santa Cruz: Head out to Wilder Ranch Cultural Preserve for this year's celebration. Step back in time and enjoy an old fashioned 4th of July celebration. It includes a parade, live music, live history demonstrations, and more. Events take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Saratoga: This year's celebration includes a small parade around the park, popsicles and flags for kids, live music, and actors in period costume. It is held at Kevin Moran Park from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Scotts Valley: Head over to Scotts Valley Drive for the annual parade at 3 p.m., food and booths open at 5 p.m., live music at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks around 9:15 p.m.
North Bay & Wine Country
If you plan to be in the North Bay or Wine Country during this annual holiday, you will also find plenty of things to do. You will find a full day of activities in American Canyon, the Napa County Fair and Fireworks event in Calistoga, and the Marin County Fair in San Rafael.
These are the North Bay and Wine Country locations that have confirmed their fireworks displays for this year:
- American Canyon: Community Park II at 9:30 p.m.
- Calistoga: Downtown at 9:30 p.m.
- Healdsburg: Healdsburg High School Football Field at around 9 p.m.
- Petaluma: Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds at 9:30 p.m.
- Rohnert Park: Transcendence Theatre Company & the Santa Rosa Symphony performance at Weill Hall and Lawn at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks around 9:15 p.m.
- San Rafael: Marin County Fair at 9:30 p.m.
- Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Fairgrounds at 9:30 p.m.
- Sausalito: Gabrielson Park at 9:00 p.m.
- Sebastopol (July 3rd): Analy High School at 9:40 p.m.
- Windsor: Keiser Park at 9:10 p.m.
Additional Bay Area 4th of July Festivals & Activities in the North Bay
American Canyon: This year's Bay Area 4th of July celebration includes a Boy Scouts Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., a parade at 10:30 a.m., and a festival from Noon to 9:30 p.m. The day ends with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Bodega Bay: The Maritime Celebration in Bodega Bay includes a freedom paddle at 8 a.m., a craft fair from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and dancing and live music starting at 5 p.m. All events take place around the Bodega Harbor.
Calistoga & Napa: This year's Napa County Fair and Fireworks event in Calistoga kicks off with the parade at 11 a.m. Enjoy other events at the county fairgrounds from noon until shortly before the fireworks start. Highlights include cooking demonstrations, olive oil tastings, and live music. This year's fireworks display starts around 9:30pm.
Corte Madera: This year's Fourth of July Parade and Festival with a parade on Thursday, July 4 at 10:30am from Redwood High School in Larkspur to Corte Madera Town Center. Later on, you can enjoy arts and crafts, live entertainment, children's activities, and food at Corte Madera Town Park from 9am to 5pm.
Healdsburg: This year's Annual July 4th Community Celebration, Kids' Parade and Duck Dash will be in Healdsburg historic town square. Activities start at 10 a.m. with face painting, free food/drinks, a foot race around the plaza and the annual parade that starts at 11 a.m. Events wrap up around 1:30 p.m. The fireworks display is later that day, around 9 p.m., from the Healdsburg High School Football Field.
Novato: The Novato Fourth of July Parade is in the Old Town District on Grant Avenue between Reichert and 7th Avenue, and has over 100 entries making it one of the largest in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Petaluma: Their celebration starts at 5 p.m. at the Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma) and runs until 10:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, food and other entertainment until the fireworks show begins at around 9:30 p.m. Admission is free and parking is available.
Rohnert Park: This year's festivities at Rohnert Park's Weill Hall and Lawn begin with a kids zone starting at 4:30pm, complete with carnival games, bounce houses, food, music, and more. Then, at 7:30pm, the Santa Rosa Symphony takes the stage along with the Transcendence Theatre Company. They will perform until the spectacular fireworks show.
Ross: This year's parade starts at 11 a.m. and is followed by lunch and games on the Ross Common. The festival includes children's games, face painting, live music, and more. The festivities after the parade last from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
San Rafael: One of the largest North Bay Celebrations is in San Rafael at the Marin County Fair. From July 3 - July 7, catch live music and fireworks each night at 9:30 p.m. and more than 35 hands-on games for the entire family during the day.
Santa Rosa: Red, White & Boom! 2019 is at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. This year's events include tasty food from local vendors, a watermelon eating contest, jumpy houses, face painters, and, of course, fireworks. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and the fireworks show at around 9:30 p.m.
Sausalito: Festivities include a morning parade, afternoon festival and a fireworks display at night. This year's parade starts at 10 a.m. and ends around noon. Head over to Dunphy Park after the parade for games, live music and more all afternoon. The Sausalito Fireworks celebration is in Gabrielson Park. Listen to live music starting at 6:30 p.m.. Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. and last for about 30 minutes.
Sebastopol: Festivities start at 6 p.m. with live music, dancing and other fun activities. Fireworks are set to start around 9:40 p.m.
Sonoma: Sonoma's Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Celebration includes festivities at the plaza, including food, games, and informational booths from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual parade starts at 10 a.m. at 1st Street East and Spain Street. The day ends with a fireworks display at dusk that lasts about 45 minutes.
Windsor: This year's Windsor celebration is on July 3rd. This all day event features live music, kids activities and several other fun activities. It ends with a fireworks show that starts around 9:40 p.m. Gates open at 4pm. All events are at Keiser Park.
