San Francisco Bay Area 4th of July 2025: Fireworks, Festivals, Parades, & More

San Francisco 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.

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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 begins around 9:30 pm and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

The event draws hundreds of thousands of people, so be sure to arrive early to secure the best spot!

More: Find out more about the fireworks show and what else there is to do in San Francisco this Fourth of July holiday

East Bay Fireworks

Several cities in the East Bay will host Bay Area 4th of July celebrations. The biggest are in Berkeley, Oakland, and Pleasant Hill.

• Antioch: Fireworks in downtown Antioch over the San Joaquin River start after dusk
• Concord: Mt. Diablo High School at around 9:15 p.m.
  
• Moraga: Fireworks at Moraga Commons Park start at around 9:30 pm
• Pleasant Hill: Viewing party at College Park High School fields, suggested donation of $4 per person, fields open at 6:30 p.m., fireworks around 8:45 p.m.
  
• Richmond: 3rd of July fireworks and celebration at Marina Bay Park, show starts at 9:15 pm

Additional Fourth of July Activities in the East Bay

Albany: This event runs from 11 am to 3 pm at Memorial Park in Albany. It features a pancake breakfast, a pet show, games, and food vendors.

Antioch: This year's Antioch celebration promises a fun-filled evening of events, featuring a parade that begins at 4 p.m. Other fun things to do include live music, entertainment, local food trucks, and family-friendly games. The fireworks start at around dusk. Most events will be at the riverfront in downtown Antioch.

Benicia (7/3): The Torchlight Parade starts at 6:30 pm in downtown Benicia, along First Street, where you'll find dancers, floats, and other entertainment.

Concord: Festivities in Concord start at around 5 pm, with the gates opening at 4 pm. You can enjoy live entertainment, food, and fun until the fireworks start at around 9:15 pm. If you want to get your day started early, you can also enjoy a 5 K run or walk at 8:15 a.m. 

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 features over 150 entries, including bands and floats, and draws more than 40,000 attendees annually. It usually lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours. 

El Cerrito: Their annual worldOne Festival is on Monday, July 4, from 11 am to 5 pm. It includes food, a classic car show, and entertainment. It's at Cerrito Vista Park.

Fremont: This year's parade is scheduled for July 4th, with the theme "Best Day Ever." The live parade begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp. It begins near the Fremont Center, specifically at the Palo Alto Medical Center located on Paseo Padre Parkway. It ends at Capitol Avenue and Liberty Street. 

Martinez: This year's Fourth of July celebrations in Martinez will take place on July 4. The annual parade starts at 10 a.m. from Court and Main Streets and makes its way to Alhambra Avenue and Main Street. 

Moraga: You will find community activities throughout the day, including a parade, family-friendly events, and fireworks. It begins with the dog parade at 11:00 a.m. and concludes with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Pleasant Hill: The Annual July 4th Celebration in Pleasant Hill includes a firecracker run (7:45 am), downtown parade (9:30 am), party in the park (10:30 am to 1:30 pm), and fireworks display (~9 pm).

Richmond: This city of Richmond celebrates its early July 3rd again this year. 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 9:15 pm with a display that lasts around 20 minutes.

San Pablo: Fourth of July activities include live entertainment, kids' games, and food & drinks. All events begin at 5:00 p.m. at the San Pablo Community Center. Admission is free, but there is a cost for the games and activities. It ends with an aerial drone light show and ends at 10 pm.

San Ramon: The celebration features music from Billy Nation, the premier Billy Joel Concert Experience. You will also find beer, wine, food, water, and other treats for sale. It starts at 5:00 p.m. and runs until around 8:00 p.m. at the San Ramon Central Park Amphitheater.

South Bay & Peninsula Fireworks

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.

• California Great America: Start at around 9 pm
• Cupertino: Fireworks are back this year and start at 9:30 pm.
• Gilroy: Gilroy High School at 9:30 pm, view them in nearby neighborhoods or at Christmas Hill Park
  
• Morgan Hill: Fireworks on the Green. You can buy parking passes in advance to skip the line upon arrival. Additionally, beer, wine, and cider are available for purchase (outside alcohol is not permitted). Gates open at 3 pm, live music begins at 5:30 pm, and fireworks take place at dark.

• Milpitas: Milpitas Sports Center Complex at around 9 pm
• San Jose (July 4th & 5th): Fireworks at Excite Ballpark Meadow after the game on July 4th, and on July 5th after the San Jose Giants games in the park.

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. It starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m. You can then head over to Aptos Village Park for their Party in the Park featuring The Joint Chiefs from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cupertino: This all-day event includes a parade, a pancake breakfast, and fireworks. The day starts with a pancake breakfast at the Quinlan Community Center (8:00 am to 11:00 am), followed by flag raising at Memorial Park (10:00 am), and a concert (10:30 am to 12:00 pm). Fireworks are back this year and start at 9:30 pm.

Los Gatos: 4th of July Symphony in the Park at Oak Meadow Park runs from 10:00 am to 1 pm.

Milpitas: The "Red, White & Boom" celebration in Milpitas is at the Milpitas Sports Center Complex (1325 E. Calaveras Blvd). The evening event includes food trucks, a kids' area, and other activities. Pre-sale ticket holders can enter at 5 pm or 6 pm for general admission. Fireworks close out the evening. 

Morgan Hill: The annual Freedom Fest kicks off this year on July 3 with the popular Family Music Fest, an evening filled with live music and dancing, food, and drinks. Everything starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends around 10:00 p.m. The Freedom Festival continues all day on the 4th as well. This year's parade begins at 10:00 a.m. It ends with fireworks at dark. The Freedom Fest also includes a 5K run and a car cruise. This event, which began in 1876, remains one of the best in the Bay Area. 

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 pm, featuring games and events, followed by music at 8 pm, with fireworks starting shortly after dark. The entire program lasts about two hours.

Pacific Grove: Head to downtown Pacific Grove for their annual Fourth of July celebration. Festivities take place from 11 am to 3 pm at Jewell Park and feature live entertainment, with food available from local restaurants. They will read the Declaration of Independence, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. You can then enjoy other entertainment and kids' activities.

Palo Alto: The annual 4th of July Summer Festival and Chili Cookoff is at Mitchell Park from 11 am to 3 pm. You can enjoy live music, chili, and entertainment for the kids. Bring along chairs or something to sit on during the festival.

Redwood City: Redwood City will once again host the largest Fourth of July Parade in Northern California. It starts at 10 am in downtown Redwood City on Broadway, Marshall, Main, and other downtown streets. This year's festival will take place on the streets near the San Mateo County History Museum from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will find food, beverages, arts and crafts, and more.

San Jose: This year's Rose, White, and Blue Parade begins at 9:45 am, winding through the Rose Garden and ending on the grand avenue known as The Alameda. On The Alameda, you can enjoy a festival starting at 11 am. It features local food and drink, along with live music and dozens of arts and crafts booths until 3 pm. 

North Bay & Wine Country Fireworks

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.

• American Canyon: Free fireworks in the park at dusk

• 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., this fireworks display will run every night from July 3 - 7
  
• Sebastopol: Fireworks on July 3rd at Analy High School and Football Field, fireworks at 9:30 pm
  

• Sonoma: Fireworks over General Vallejo's field start at dusk and will last for around 45 minutes.

• Windsor (7/3): Keiser Park at 9:30 pm, gates open at 4 pm

Additional Bay Area 4th of July Festivals & Activities in the North Bay

American Canyon: Enjoy a parade, a concert in the park, and fireworks. Runs from 3 pm to 10 pm at Community Park 2 at 20 Benton Way.

Calistoga: The annual parade takes place from 11 am to 12 pm, with this year's theme being "American Dream." It's followed by live performances from 2 pm to 10 pm and a Maker's Market from 2 pm to 8 pm.

Healdsburg: This year's Annual July 4th Community Celebration, Kids' Parade, and Duck Dash will be in Healdsburg's historic town square. Activities begin at 10:00 am with face painting, complimentary food and drinks, a foot race around the plaza, and the annual parade, which starts at 11:00 am. Events wrap up around 1:00 p.m. 

Napa: Annual 4th of July Parade runs through downtown Napa. It is on 2nd and 3rd Streets and kicks off at 9:30 am. The event continues at Oxbow Commons from 3 pm to 10 pm, featuring live music and a Salute to America from 8:15 to 8:30 pm. Finally, at 9:30 pm, you can enjoy their drone show, which lasts until 9:45 pm.

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. It starts at 10 am.

Rohnert Park: This year's festivities at Rohnert Park's Weill Hall and Lawn begin with a kids zone starting at 4:30 pm, complete with carnival games, bounce houses, food, music, and more. Then, at 7:30 pm, the Santa Rosa Symphony takes the stage along with the Transcendence Theatre Company. It ends with a fireworks spectacular.

San Rafael: One of the largest North Bay Celebrations is in San Rafael at the Marin County Fair. From July 2 - 6, catch live music and fireworks each night at 9:30 p.m., more than 35 hands-on games for the entire family during the day, and so much more.

Sonoma: Sonoma's Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Celebration features 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 at dusk with a 45-minute fireworks show over General Vallejo's field.

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