July 4th Celebration and Fireworks!
Ready for the July 4th weekend? Want to watch fireworks or a parade? Want to take your entire family to a fun-filled event? We have put together a list especially for our friends who live on the Peninsula or in or near the South Bay or East Bay. Hope you find it useful in planning your weekend!
Happy July 4th!!!
- Mary Beth
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Milpitas: “Waving the Red, White and Blue” Pool Party, 1pm - 4pm, $2 admission (space limited); “Red, White & Boom” Fireworks and Concert featuring Orquesta Borinquen, 7pm - 9pm, $3 admission (for ages 2 and up). Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas. Phone: (408) 586-3210. www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/july4th-flyer-01-01/.
Morgan Hill: The celebrations begin Sunday evening with “Patriotic Sing,” 6pm - 7pm, Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater, (Corner of E. Dunne Ave. & Monterey Rd.) and “Family Street Dance,” 7pm - 11pm, Downtown Morgan Hill (third & Monterey). The July 4 events begin with 5K Walk/Run at 8am (registration 6:30am - 7:45am), at the Parking Lot (SW corner Peak & Main). 1 Mile Children’s Run starts at 7:45am. Car Cruise and Show (registration 7:30am, Car Cruise 9:30am), Community Center, Car Show starts after Parade (Entertainment begins at 9am, Parade 10am), Downtown. “Fireworks with a Splash,” Cool off at the Dennis Kennedy Aquatics Center (Condit Road), 6pm - 10pm, tickets at http://www.morganhillaquaticfoundation.org; Fireworks at Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center (Condit Road), entertainment starts at 5pm, fireworks at dark. Free event. morganhillfreedomfest.com
Palo Alto: Summer Festival & Chili Cook-off: Event takes place at Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive. The festival features live music, children's activities, food vendors and a chili tasting. Nominal fee for tastings. 12noon - 5pm; cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/42615.
Mountain View: Fireworks Spectacular with San Francisco Symphony at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. Fireworks show set to patriotic songs, marches and narrations. Symphony performs at 8 p.m., Mountain View. $33-$47.35, $10 parking, mountainviewamphitheater.com/events/san-francisco-symphony-with-fireworks/.
San Jose: Rose, White and Blue Parade: This year's theme: Bicycle on The Alameda, Grand Marshal: U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame inductee, Beth Heiden. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln High parking lot on Dana Avenue and wends its way through the Rose Garden and Shasta/Hanchett Neighborhoods to a festival on The Alameda near Lenzen. There will be food, drink, music, carnival rides and activities for the kids. Free, www.rosewhiteblueparade.com.
San Jose: Giants Fireworks Extravaganza: The single A ballclub of the San Francisco Giants will host the Visalia Rawhide on July 4 and July 5. Fireworks will begin after the conclusion of each game. Game time is 6:30 p.m. Municipal Stadium, 588 East Alma Ave., San Jose. 408-297-1435, sjgiants.com.
Santa Clara: 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks Extravaganza: All City Picnic at Central Park, 12pm - 5pm; Fireworks return to Santa Clara's Central Park; free recreational swimming at the International Swim Center, 12:30-4:30 pm; Event starts at 5 p.m with musical performances and a variety of community food booths and food trucks on Kiely Boulevard; Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. santaclaraca.gov.
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Foster City: Fourth of July Celebration, Leo Ryan Park, 9am - 9:45pm. All day event includes games, food, entertainment, family and dog parade, and a grand fireworks display. 650-286-3380, fostercity.org/parksandrecreation/generalinformation/4th-of-July.cfm
Redwood City: 78th Annual 4th of July Downtown Parade, Festival & Fireworks at the Port. A day of events includes Pancake Breakfast, Parade 5K Run, Chalk Festival, July 4th Parade, Carnival, Car Show, Concert and Fireworks. redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/festivals-holiday-events/july-4th-celebration
Menlo Park: 4th of July Parade & Celebration, Parade starts at 11:45am, Santa Cruz & Chestnut next to Wells Fargo and concludes at Burgess Park. Go dressed in red, white, & blue and decorate your bike or wagon! The Celebration is at Burgess Park 12pm - 2:30pm. business.menloparkchamber.com/events/calendar/2016-07-01
ALAMEDA COUNTY
Alameda County Fairgrounds: 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular - 9:30 p.m. Fireworks set to music performed by the Oakland Symphony, along with a Salute to Hometown Heroes Video. $20. annual.alamedacountyfair.com/entertainment/live-music-special-events/4th-of-july-fireworks-spectacular
Alameda: Mayor’s Fourth of July Parade. One of the longest routes - 3.3 miles - for a parade. 10am. Requires prior registration. Starts at Lincoln Avenue between Grand Ave and Park Street. alamedaparade.com
Berkeley: 4th of July at Berkeley Marina. 12pm - 10pm, live music, carnival rides, food booths, magic shows and more. Fireworks over the water from a barge just south of the Berkeley Pier, 9:35pm. Parking $15. anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july/
Fremont: 4th of July Parade. Creative floats, marching musical groups and celebrities. Starts at the Fremont Library at Paseo Padre Parkway at Stevenson Boulevard, 10am. fremont4th.org/about-parade-info/
Livermore: 4th of July Family Fun Fireworks Celebration, Downtown, 9:30pm. Walk-in free. Parking $20 – $40. livermoredowntown.com/4th-of-july-2016/
Oakland: Jack London Square July 4th Festival of Family Fun. Interactive activities and entertainment for both parents and children. Playtime at Riveropolis, stilt walkers and creative puppetry, music and more. (510) 645-9292. jacklondonsquare.com/events/special-events
Richmond: Annual Oakland Symphony Independence Eve Celebration, Craneway Pavillion. Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra performance at 6:30pm, Oakland Symphony Concert at 8pm. Fireworks over the water accompanied by the Symphony at 9:15pm. oaklandsymphony.org/event/independence-eve-celebration/
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Scotts Valley: 4th of July Parade, Flyovers and Fireworks. 8 vintage planes doing a flyover. Parade starts near Scotts Valley Drive & Carbonero Way. Food and games start 5pm, Fireworks at 9:15pm. $6 (advance), $8 (at the gate), 4yrs and under free. scottsvalleychamber.com/calendar/scotts-valley-4th-july-parade-fireworks/
Watsonville: Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July Parade, Downtown, Parade starts at 2pm. cityofwatsonville.org/visitors/spirit-of-watsonville-4th-of-july-parade
Wilder Ranch Cultural Preserve: Old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration, step back in time 100 years ago as you participate in an early 1900s-style Independence Day celebration including a noon family parade, games, children’s crafts area, live big-band music, living history demonstrations, historic speeches and flag-raising. Highway 1 at 1401 Coast Road Santa Cruz, 11am - 4pm. Parking $10. (831) 426-0505. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26413
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco: 4th of July Celebration at The PIER. Pier 39. Fun for the whole family. Fireworks at 9:30pm. Parking at Pier 39 $10/hour. pier39.com/home/events/fourth-of-july-celebration-at-the-pier/
