Festivities on the Fourth
Fireworks over the Bay
A few years back (pre-kids) our Fourth of July involved a low-key day and booming fireworks at night. I’m afraid if we stick to that plan it will not make for a happy toddler. So what we now need are a few daytime options of fun in the sun. Or fun in the fog, as the case may be.
Monday, July 4
PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun and excitement for the whole family. From Noon – 1pm, enjoy the cool sounds of Ruby Summer, A Beach Pop Band. From 2 – 4:30pm, rock out with Club 90 with hits from the 90″s. Then, dance the night away from 6 – 9:30pm with Tainted Love playing all your favorites from the 80″s. When the sun goes down around 9:30pm, stick around for The City of San Francisco’s spectacular fireworks display over the Bay!
Ages: All Ages
Time: 2:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: 2 Beach Street, San Francisco, 94133
Cost: Free
EAST BAY
Parade & Jubilee at Ritter Park in Alameda
Come to Alameda for The Mayor’s Fourth of July Parade. This is one of the longest routes in the country coming in at approximately 3.3 miles! Then stay and join the Alameda Recreation and Park Department at the Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee, on Monday, July 4th, at Rittler Park, (Otis Drive and Grand Street), from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The Jubilee is located adjacent to the Alameda Mayor’s Forth of July Parade route, with a day of old fashion family fun, food, games, crafts, jump houses, music, family activities, and more…
Ages: All Ages
Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Otis Drive & Grand Street, Alameda, 94501
Cost: Free to attend; Bouncy House wristbands optional
There’s live entertainment from noon until 9:30PM on the main stage including Downtown Rhythm, Lee Waterman & Jazz Caliente, The Hipwader’s Children’s Music, Tin Sandwich Harmonica Trio, The Ian Franklin Band, Foxtails Brigaide, & Steel Pans. Tucked around the marina are Afro Cuban Rumba Drumming, Circus Art performers, and on The Buddy Club Stage in Shorebird Park you’ll find jugglers and magicians. There’s art & crafts, yummy food, massages, free dragon boat rowing from 2-6pm, pony rides, a dunk tank, and much more including the grand fireworks off the end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30pm.
Ages: All Ages
Time: noon – 10:00pm
Location: 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA, 94710
Cost: Free
The City of San Ramon’s Star Spangled Spectacular is in San Ramon’s Central Park located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd from 1pm – 10pm. There will be a Kid’s Activity Area from 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to Bollinger Canyon Road. This Kid’s Activity Area will include kids’ rides, inflatable features and interactive games including hamster balls! There will also be food and beverage booths. There will be a spectacular fireworks display synchronized to music at 9:30 p.m.
Ages: All ages
Time: 1:00pm – 9:30pm
Location: 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583
Cost: Free
NORTH BAY
Join the City of Sausalito for a full day of 4th of July celebrations. Festivities will begin at 10:00 am as the parade rolls down the streets of Sausalito beginning in oldtown Sausalito.
Following the parade there will be a picnic at Dunphy Park. Activities include a flag raising, entertainment, as well as games for the whole family. Food and beverages will be sold as well. The picnic will last from 12:00 until 5:00 pm.
Moving back to downtown Sausalito, join us for an evening of celebration at Gabrielson Park from 6 to 9:30 pm. The celebration will feature live entertainment and end with a spectacular show of fireworks on the San Francisco Bay.
Ages: All Ages
Time: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Location: Second and Main Street, Sausalito, CA, 94965
Cost: Free
Parade & Celebration at Corte Madera Town Center
This is one of the biggest events on the Fourth of July in Marin. It draws thousands of people from all over the Bay Area and is regarded to be one of Marin’s finest parades. The parade will leave Redwood High School at 10:30am winding through downtown Larkspur and into Corte Madera, until it reaches Corte Madera Town Center.
The celebration immediately following the parade at Corte Madera Town Park will feature about 70 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, including the famous hamburger booth, plus ice cream, snow-cones and more. There will be entertainment featuring a great band on the main stage. In the Children’s Area there will be entertainment, performing birds, carnival games, and face-painting. Don’t miss out on the fun that draws thousands to the Bay Area every Fourth of July! The Annual Corte Madera/Larkspur Fourth of July Parade and Celebration is a tradition many refuse to break!
Ages: All ages
Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm
Location: 100 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, 94925
Cost: Free
PENINSULA
A Parade & Festival are a great way to spend the Fourth of July!
For the kids: Face Painting, a clown, a bouncy house and a magic show. For the adults: Arts & Crafts Booths, entertainment and Food & Beverages.
Ages: All ages
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Middlefield Rd & Marshall St, Redwood City, CA, 94063
Cost: Free
4th of July Celebration in Foster City
Join the City of Foster City for a spectacular Fourth of July Celebration at Leo Ryan Park. We have an exciting day planned with a parade, games, a dog show, and live music! Be sure to take a walk through the park where you can purchase food, visit booths of local artists, and check out the children’s rides.
Ages: All ages
Time: 9:00am – 9:45pm
Location: Leo J. Ryan Park, 650 Shell Blvd, Foster City, 94404
Cost: Free
SOUTH BAY
Watermelon Seed Spitting at Ardenwood Farm
Join us for a fun-filled community festival, 1900-style. Celebrate July 4 at Ardenwood Historic Farm with rousing patriotic music from a brass band on the lawn and fiddle music in the farmyard. There will be games, contests and races for everyone all day long. Test your skill at nail-driving, egg tossing and watermelon seed spitting or join a bucket brigade and tug-of-war contest. Bring picnic and spend the day the old-fashioned way.
Join us for a fun-filled community festival, 1900-style. Celebrate July 4 at Ardenwood Historic Farm with rousing patriotic music from a brass band on the lawn and fiddle music in the farmyard. There will be games, contests and races for everyone all day long. Test your skill at nail-driving, egg tossing and watermelon seed spitting or join a bucket brigade and tug-of-war contest. Bring picnic and spend the day the old-fashioned way.
Ages: All ages
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, CA, 94555
Cost: $8/adults, $5/children 4+, Children under 4 are free
Parade in Downtown Fremont
We’re bringing the entire area and neighboring cities together for a special fun, FREE, and family friendly event for the entire community. This year’s mile long parade loop starts at State Street and Capitol Avenue, and ends on Beacon Avenue. The Parade features marching bands, floats, equestrian units, balloons, and unique hometown entries; as well as, some surprise and out-of-town entries.
Ages: All Ages
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Capital Ave & State St., Fremont, CA, 94538
Cost: Free
