America’s birthday, time to celebrate with parades, barbecues, picnics, festivals, and fireworks!
Events are free; however, at some locations there will be food for purchase, some activities may have a fee, and there may be parking fees. Events with an admission fee are not listed here. Events, locations, schedules are subject to change.
Here are some places to view fireworks and/or enjoy a day of celebrations:
San Jose
The Rose, White and Blue Parade and Festival. An old-fashioned family-style parade winds through the Rose Garden neighborhood ending on The Alameda. The parade features live bands, dance groups, homemade floats, and kids on bikes, antique cars, and more. Following the parade attendees will enjoy an Arts & Music Festival with live music, classic car show, arts and crafts, multicultural food, beer & wine garden and games.
Parade Route: The Parade begins at 10:00 am from the staging area West San Carlos and Shasta Ave and winds through the historic streets of the Shasta/Hanchett Neighborhood, ending at the festival area located near Lenzen and The Alameda.
Event info
San Jose Giants Fireworks Extravaganza at Municipal Stadium. Not confirmed for 2011: Free fireworks viewing in San Jose on the San Jose State University East Field next to Spartan Stadium (10th Street and Alma – opens at 5:00 pm) or at the Soccer Fields (Alma between Senter Road and 10th Street – opens at 5:00 pm). Note that no coolers allowed on University property; in addition, tailgating will be restricted from parking lots and no alcohol allowed.
Event info
Santa Clara
Picnic and Fireworks Extravaganza
Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard
Pancake Breakfast (8:00 am -10:00 am $6.00), followed by games and entertainment throughout the day at the Pavilion along with (for a fee) a carnival area, face painting, and swimming at the International Swim Center. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase foods at the event ($1.00 to $6.00).
Flag Dedication Ceremony at noon, followed by live music until 5:00 pm.
Great America (entrance fee) hosts fireworks shows every Saturday night in July and August, also on Sunday, July 3rd.
Event info
Los Gatos
4th of July Celebration
Civic Center, 110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos Celebrates July 4 for the entire family, all day 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. Beginning in the morning games and activities at the Civic Center. BBQ, picnic lunches and cold drinks available for purchase at the food court.
The San Jose Wind Symphony, featuring conductor Timothy Harris, performs on the front lawn of Los Gatos High School.
Event info (PDF)
Cupertino
Children’s Parade and Patriotic Community Sing-Along
Daytime Program at Quinlan Community Center and Memorial Park
7:00 am – 11:00 am: De Anza Optimist Pancake Breakfast (Quinlan Community Center’s Cupertino Room) – for purchase
9:30 am: the line-up for the children’s parade (Memorial Park ball field)
10:00 – 10:30 am: Children’s Parade starting at the Memorial Park ball field and proceeding to the Memorial Park Amphitheater
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Concert in the Park
Families and kids are invited to Blackberry Farm (21979 San Fernando Avenue) for a free day of swimming live music and free BBQ.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Free Swimming
Noon -2:00 pm: Free BBQ Lunch (limited to the first 800 people)
Noon – 3:00 pm: Live music by The Groove Kings
Free Fireworks Show – 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm
2011 fireworks show not confirmed.
The fireworks show with music and games at three different viewing locations in the city and fireworks set off from Cupertino High School at 9:30 pm. Bring your picnic to Creekside Park, Hyde Middle School, or Sedgwick Elementary School.
6:45 – 9:15 pm: Music and games at all three locations. 9:30 pm: Fireworks.
Note: space is extremely limited. Streets will be closed from 6:00 pm to midnight and the city will be aggressively towing cars parking on portions of Finch Avenue, Tilson Avenue, and Miller Avenue.
Event info
Sunnyvale
Washington Park – 840 W. Washington Ave
Beginning at 11:00 am, Community Awards presentations, music from The Peninsulaires Barbershop Harmony Chorus and Magnolia Jazz Band and children’s activities including face painting, bounce houses and Fun on the Run.
A barbeque lunch will be available (limited number of meals) for $5.00.
Event info
Saratoga
Costumed Old-Fashioned 4th of July from 10:00 am at Kevin Moran Park (12415 Scully Ave)
Activties:
Color Guard presenting the flag
McCartysville Volunteer Band playing patriotic tunes, including Sousa marches
Presentation of the Youth Writing Contest winners (this year’s theme is ‘fortitude’)
Actors in costume as American historical characters
Youth chorus and sing-alongs of patriotic tunes
Children’s/Family parade
Free popsicles for all and flags for children
Event info
Santa Cruz
“Independence Day 1911 Celebration” at Wilder Ranch State Park (1401 Coast Road)
Experience an old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration 1911 style with patriotic exercises, a parade, music, and games. Festivities run from 11:00 a. to 4:00 pm.
At 11:45 meet at the apple orchard in front of the Highway 1 tunnel and join in the parade. Bring a musical instrument or noisemaker, dress in 1911 costume, or pull a decorated wagon. Parade walks through the complex to front lawn for flag raising, speeches, and patriotic music.
Historic lawn games, draft horse wagon rides, ice cream cranking, crafts to make, and listen to live 1911 music. There is food and drink for sale; strawberry shortcake, dill pickles, watermelon, root beer and hand squeezed lemon aide, or bring your own picnic. Bratwurst USA will be selling BBQ chicken dinners and other cuisine. Lily’s Roasted Corn and baked potatoes also available.
Walk through the newly renovated historic Meder Ranch house and visit the Ranch animals.
Wilder Ranch State Park is located 2 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. The event is free; the day use parking fee applies per car.
Event info
Morgan Hill
Parade & Fireworks
Morgan Hill Community Park, 100 Edes Steet
The 135th Morgan Hill July 4th Parade downtown preceded by 6th Annual Liberty Car Cruise. Decorated vintage and collector cars. At 10:00 am the Parade begins including marching bands and floats
9:00 am: Pre-parade Entertainment
9:30 am: Liberty Parade Cruise
10:00 am: Parade (Downtown streets including Monterey Street & Peak Avenue)
11:30 am: Vintage Farm Engines & Liberty Car Show
In the evening at the Morgan Hill Community Park from 6:00 pm is pre-fireworks entertainment with the fireworks scheduled for approximately 9:30 pm.
Event info
Gilroy
Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display at Gilroy High School on Tenth Street. The 20-minute display will include approximately 400 fireworks and being around 9:30 pm.
Event info
Fremont
4th of July Parade – Irvington District
The Fremont 4th of July parade rotates between six of the districts of Fremont each year. This year, Irvington District – The parade starts 10:00 a.m at State Street and Capitol Avenue, then on to Paseo Padre Parkway, Walnut Avenue, California Street, and ends on Beacon Avenue.
Event info
San Francisco
Ghirardelli Square
Symphony in Golden Gate Park
Fireworks
Peninsula
Foster City
Half Moon Bay
Menlo Park
Palo Alto
Redwood City
East Bay
Alameda
Albany
Benicia
Berkeley Marina
Concord
Danville
El Cerrito
Hayward
Martinez
Moraga
Oakland
Orinda
Piedmont
Pleasant Hill
Pleasanton
San Pablo
San Ramon