2021 Bay Area Guide to July 4th Festivities

While July 4th this year is still not quite 100% back to normal, if your family is eager to head outdoors and join the festivities we have the scoop on where to do so! Don’t forget to check out our fireworks guide as well. If celebrating from the comforts of your own home with a smaller group of friends and family is your cup of tea, we’ve got you covered as well. No matter how you observe the Fourth, make sure to do so safely…and with a ton of ice cream.

photo: Thinkstock

San Francisco

Stern Grove
The San Francisco Symphony performs with Edwin Outwater conducting and featuring pianist Aaron Diehl. Free general admission tickets must be reserved online beginning June 22.
Sun. Event details.

Thrive City Block Party and July 4th Celebration
The entire weekend is bumping at the Chase Center with BBQs, pet costume contests, pilates, a kids bike decorating contest and more. Is any Fourth of July complete without a pet costume contest??
Sat.-Sun. Event details.

Pier 39
With exhibits, BBQ, walking tours and live music, the pier concludes a full day of fun for the whole family with a firework spectacular. Don't miss it!
Sun. Event details.

Hornblower Cruises
Spend an unforgettable evening on the water with spectacular front-row seats for the fireworks show. Choose from one of two dinner cruises or a brunch daytime cruise for the most memorable Fourth yet!
Sun. Event details.

photo: MHNA

East Bay

July 4th concert: Imagine Nation
Celebrate the 4th of July in style with IMAGINE: NATION bringing songs of freedom and celebration in this unforgettable live sunset concert on Oakland’s gorgeous waterfront.
Sun. Event details.

4th of July Aboard the USS Hornet
When is the last time you spent your Fourth of July on the Flight Deck of an aircraft carrier while enjoying BBQ and a DJ?
Sun. Event details.

Family Day in Da Park Oakland
The Jamaican Association of Northern California invites you and your family to a fun day filled with games, raffles, live entertainment, dance competitions, sports and the sweetest corn in Northern CA.
Sun. Event details.

BBQ Berkeley Style at the Claremont Hotel
Enjoy ribs, burgers and other tasty treats. A vintage beer truck will also be on-site serving four different Almanac Brewery craft beers.
Sun. Event details.

photo: iStock

South Bay/Peninsula

Millbrae Beats and Brew Concert
Professional touring group The Rock Bottom Boys serve up an exciting, boot-stomping concert this Fourth of July. You don't want to miss this one!
Sun. Event details.

4th of July Concert in Central Park, San Mateo
An additional concert has been added to the summer concert series to celebrate July 4th so bring your picnic blanket and lawn chairs!
Sun. Event details.

Foster City 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and BBQ
Celebrate the holiday with family, friends and neighbors at the beautiful Leo Ryan Park! Pre-order your breakfast by July 3rd and BBQ by June 25th.
Sun. Event details.

Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Festival, Half Moon Bay
With aims to be back with an even bigger bang this year the festival will include a parade, live music, food trucks and a Kidz FunZone—decide for yourself and report back!
Sun. Event details.

July 4th Celebration at Mitchell Park, Palo Alto
Bring the whole family out to the park for live music provided by Radio City All-Stars, food trucks, games and more!
Sun. Event details.

Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra Open Rehearsal, Mountain View
This free open rehearsal will be a reading session of July 4th favorites. Family and friends can sit on the grass with a picnic, come and go and enjoy the music.
Sun. Event details.

4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Cupertino
Is there a better way to start July 4th other than with pancakes? We think not. Join the De Anza Optimist Club at the Quinlan Center starting at 7:30 AM for their delicious pancake breakfast.
Sun. Event details.

Los Altos Hills Independence Day Caravan
Safely celebrate the Independent spirit by viewing the caravan from home or inside your parked car. The caravan will also be live-streamed.
Sun. Event Details

Rose, White, and Blue Party, San Jose
This community party will feature a car show, kids' bike party, food trucks and live entertainment for an all-day event for the entire family.
Sun. Event details.

Morgan Hill Freedom Festival
Looking for a one-stop July 4th celebration? This is it! The all-day event will include a family street dance, freedom fun run, parade, car cruise n’ show and end with spectacular fireworks.
Sun. Event details.

Scotts Valley Fourth of July Celebration
Join in the parade festivities followed by a dramatic flyover brought to you by Little Tampico.
Sun. Event details.

Santa Cruz Firecracker 5k
The 5k is back and better than before! Get ready to run the streets of Santa Cruz to celebrate the red, white & blue!
Sun. Event details.

photo: Poway

Marin

Marinwood Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast
Firefighters and pancake breakfast?! We can't think of a better way to celebrate the Fourth.
Sun. Event details.

Camp Cavallo BBQ, Sausalito
BBQ with a good cause? We found it! Enjoy delicious BBQ, shopping, live music and kids activities which all support local establishment Cedars, a non-profit that supports individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sun. Event details.

Sausalito Women’s Club July 4th Parade
The cast members of Jinks 2020 & 20201 will strut their stuff along the parade route—be there to cheer them on!
Sun. Event details.

4th of July Brothers and Sisters Yacht Race
Tiburon Yacht Club invites you to participate in or spectate the yacht race. Following the race, the yacht club will be open with a roaring BBQ to welcome all.
Sun. Event details.

Novato’s 4th of July Buckaroo Breakfast
Have a scrumptious breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, orange juice and coffee starting at 7am.
Sun. Event details.

Virtual

Fourth of July Virtual Kids Zone
Foster City has puzzles, coloring pages, crafts and even a tasty recipe for your family to get in the spirit from the comforts of your own home this Fourth!
Event details.

Spirit of Milpitas Virtual July 4th
July 4th is much more than fireworks! This year the city of Milpitas is celebrating Independence Day and community in a new way—at home, online and through giving projects the entire week. Event details.

—Christine Lai

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