There is something for everyone this Fourth of July in the Bay Area, as cities and towns across the region get ready to host parades, concerts and fireworks shows after a two-year hiatus. Browse through our curated list of events happening around the Bay Area to find your holiday hangout spot for Independence Day 2022.
Fisherman's Wharf: 4th of July Fireworks
Perfect for: Celebrating Independence Day in a pet-free environment.
Where: Fisherman's Wharf District, San Francisco
The highlight: A fireworks display will be launched from two barges on the bay. Neighborhood restaurants, activities and retail shops in Fisherman's Wharf will be open.
Tip: You don't have to battle the Fisherman's Wharf crowds to see the fireworks. You can view them from Aquatic Park, The Cannery, Fort Mason, Crissy Field and other spots around the city.
Details: https://www.fishermanswharf.org/events/annual-events/4th-of-july/
Golden Gate Park: The Band
Perfect for: Enjoying a patriotic outdoor concert from the Golden Gate Park Band at Spreckels Temple of Music.
When: 1 p.m. "American as Apple Pie" on July 3 and 1 p.m. "Independence Day Celebration" on July 4
Where: Music Concourse, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
The highlight: The band is a historic institution of San Francisco, founded 140 years ago.
Tip: No need to bust out your wallet -- the concert is free.
Details: https://goldengateparkband.org/concerts/
San Rafael: Marin County Fair
Perfect for: Fairgoers looking for healthy food, family-friendly events and safe physical activities.
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-July 4
Where: Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
The highlights: A giant Ferris wheel! Community performances! Fireworks!
Tip: Tickets are on sale online -- purchase them now for a discount rather than at the gate. Car and motorcycle parking are available for $15 to $20.
Details: https://www.fair.marincounty.org/2022
Sausalito: Sail on Matthew Turner
Perfect for: Supporting a nonprofit on Independence Day. Call of the Sea, the organizer of the event, supports environmental educational programs for the youth.
When: 2:45-6 p.m. July 4
Where: Bay Model Visitor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito
The highlight: Sailing the seas on the Matthew Turner, a 132-foot wooden brigantine decorated for the Fourth of July.
Tip: All participants must either provide proof of vaccination, provide proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of sailing or take an antigen test and test negative on-site just prior to boarding.
Details: https://callofthesea.org/event/2022-4th-of-july-sail-on-matthew-turner/
Alameda: Fourth of July Aboard the USS Hornet
Perfect for: Barbecue and grilled cheese lovers. The food onboard is Oakland Smoke Shack BBQ and the Grilled Cheese Guys.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4
Where: USS Hornet, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda
The highlight: The USS Hornet's Island will be open for free tours, and the rest of the museum is open as usual with an F-14 Tomcat, just like the planes in "Top Gun." Oh, and there's a DJ on board.
Tip: No pesky parking issues -- there's plenty of free parking.
Details: https://uss-hornet.org/calendar/4th-of-july-uss-hornet
Alameda: Fourth of July Parade
Perfect for: Viewing a spectacular parade, with equestrians, dance troops, floats, antique cars, community groups and marching bands.
Where: The parade starts at Park Street and Lincoln Avenue in Alameda, and goes down Park toward the Bay, heads left on Otis Drive, passing South Shore Center, and then turns on Grand, Encinal and Central avenues before heading north up Webster Street.
The highlight: Alameda's parade is the longest in the nation at 3.3 miles long.
Tip: There's a 9 a.m. 5k run/walk event before the parade! Register at https://outfrontendurance.com/parade-5k-run%2Fwalk.
Details: https://www.alamedaca.gov/RESIDENTS/Alameda-4th-of-July-Parade
San Mateo: Fourth of July Family Concert
Perfect for: Families looking for a midday event.
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 4
Where: San Mateo Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo
The highlight: A concert from Club 90, a high-energy, choreographed dance party show performing '90s pop hits and contemporary artists like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Usher and Rihanna.
Tip: Entrance to the event is free.
Details: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/3239/51396/4th-of-July
Redwood City: Fourth of July Festivities
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4
The highlight: A Fourth of July parade, plus a chalk festival that will cover the streets of Redwood City in beautiful art.
Tip: Stick around for the fireworks over the Port of Redwood City at 9:30 p.m.
Details: http://www.parade.org/festival/
Healdsburg: Fourth of July Kids' Parade & Duck Dash
Perfect for: Kids and families
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 4.
Where: Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street, Healdsburg
The highlights: Live music, lawn games, duck dash races, face painting and a parade. Plus, fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Details: https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/910/Fourth-of-July-Festivities
Rohnert Park: Symphony, musical theater and fireworks
Perfect for: Symphony and musical theater lovers.
Where: Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park
The highlights: The biggest fireworks display in Sonoma County prefaced by show tunes and patriotic classics by the Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony.
Tip: Lawn tickets for kids 12 and under are half price! And the kids zone carnival begins at 4:30 p.m.
Details: https://www.sonoma.edu/calendar/4th-july-fireworks-spectacular-santa-rosa-symphony-michael-berkowitz-conductor
San Ramon: Fourth of July Celebration Concert
Perfect for: Dancing the evening away.
When: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. July 4
Where: San Ramon Central Park Amphitheater, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon
The highlight: Pride & Joy, the Bay Area party band performing all the dance numbers.
Tip: No fireworks on display, parking available.
Details: https://www.sanramon.ca.gov/our_city/departments_and_divisions/parks_community_services/events/fourth_of_july
Perfect for: Families, their dogs and dog lovers.
Where: Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga
The highlights: A dog parade at 11 a.m. for dog lovers, inflatable bounce houses for kids, food vendors for families and wine and beer booths adults.
Tip: The celebration lasts all day; fireworks start around 9:30 p.m.
Details: https://www.moraga.ca.us/419/July-4-Celebration-Fireworks
Vallejo: Six Flags July 4th Fest
Perfect for: Celebrating for the entire weekend at an epic 3-day party.
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-July 4.
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr., Vallejo
The highlight: 9 p.m. fireworks at the park each night.
Tip: Save up to $20 on unlimited visits passes on the website now.
Details: https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/events/july4thfest
Vallejo: Mad Hatter July 4 Celebration at the Waterfront
Perfect for: A fun day on the waterfront, full of activities.
Where: Vallejo Waterfront, 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo
The highlights: A maritime dog parade! An interactive reptile compound! Giant kites in the sky!
Tip: Stay on the waterfront past sunset to watch fireworks fired from a barge in the middle of the channel.
Details: https://www.hattervallejo.com/
Napa: 4th of July Parade
Perfect for: Attending a family-friendly parade.
Where: Downtown Napa: The parade starts at Second and School Streets, heads toward the Napa River on Second, turns at Brown Street and doubles back on Third Street.
The highlight: The parade is also a celebration of the city of Napa's 175th birthday!
Tip: Don't expect candy -- nothing can be tossed or handed out along the parade route.
Details: https://napa4thofjulyparade.com/
American Canyon: Fourth of July Celebration
Perfect for: A hearty pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
When: 7 a.m. till fireworks at night, July 4.
Where: Various locations around Community Park II, 20 Benton Way, American Canyon
The highlight: A park festival after the parade from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with food, games, entertainment and more.
Tip: Except for the pancake breakfast, all events are free.
Details: https://exploreamcan.com/an-all-american-canyon-fourth/
Mountain View: 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular with the San Francisco Symphony
Perfect for: A musical night at the Shoreline Amphitheatre ending in fireworks.
When: Parking lots open 4 p.m., doors at 5 p.m. July 4.
Where: Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View
The highlights: Edwin Outwater will conduct the San Francisco Symphony in a program of patriotic and cinematic works by Sousa, Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, Alan Menken and others, featuring vocalist Rosena Hill Jackson. Catch the fireworks during the grand finale!
Tip: Easy access to the Amphitheatre is available from the Stevens Creek Trail and Permanente Creek Trail. Shoreline Amphitheatre will provide bike parking for this event.
Details: https://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/events/san-francisco-symphony-4th-of-july-with-fireworks/
Santa Clara: 4th of July All City Picnic
Perfect for: A day of swimming, food, entertainment and dance.
When: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. July 4.
Where: Santa Clara Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara
The highlights: Performances include Santa Clara Elite and Performance Dance Teams, Cocktail Monkeys and Pop Rocks.
Tip: No fireworks at this event.
Details: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/parks-recreation/parks-recreation-special-events/4th-of-july
Copyright © 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.
Copyright © 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.