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. 

San Francisco  

Fisherman’s Wharf: 4th of July Fireworks 

  • Perfect for: Celebrating Independence Day in a pet-free environment. 
  • When: 9:30 p.m. July 4 
  • 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/ 

Marin County  

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 County  

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. 
  • When: 10 a.m. July 4 
  • 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 County  

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 

  • Perfect for: Everyone!  
  • When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4 
  • Where: Downtown Redwood City 
  • 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/ 

Sonoma County  

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. 
  • Tip: Admission is free. 
  • 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. 
  • When: 7:30 p.m. July 4.  
  • 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 

Contra Costa County  

San Ramon: Fourth of July Celebration Concert  

Moraga: July 4 Celebration  

  • Perfect for: Families, their dogs and dog lovers.  
  • When: 11 a.m. July 4  
  • 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 

Solano County  

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.  
  • When: 11 a.m. July 4.  
  • 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 County  

Napa: 4th of July Parade 

  • Perfect for: Attending a family-friendly parade.  
  • When: 10 a.m. July 4.  
  • 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/ 

Santa Clara County  

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