"Ooh" and "ahh" at this year's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Mountain View's Shoreline Amphitheatre (1 Amphitheatre Parkway). Starting at 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, the San Francisco Symphony will accompany the pyrotechnics with a performance featuring music from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2" and "Finding Nemo." Doors open at 5 p.m. with family-friendly games and activities. Discounted tickets start at $13.50. Go to https://tinyurl.com/y9udz238.

For those who want a unique view of the fireworks, Shoreline Lake Boathouse (3160 N. Shoreline Blvd.) will provide patrons with pedal boats, rowboats, canoes ($85) and kayaks ($40 for single, $60 for double) to watch the evening's display from the water. Customers may also choose to add a wine and cheese platter for $40, a "Snack Pack" deal for $10 a person or a variety of prepared picnic baskets offered by American Bistro for $30 for two people. Day rentals must be returned by 8:30 p.m. and vessels start boarding at 9 p.m. The Boathouse also will be hosting a barbecue picnic and will offer one, two or three types of main dishes (burgers, chicken, hot dogs, sausages and veggie burgers) and a choice of two sides (green salad, potato salad, coleslaw or baked beans) for $13, $15 or $17. The barbecue is available from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Go to shorelinelake.com.

Los Altos and Los Altos Hills

Los Altos will host a patriotic "Glorious Fourth" festival from 10:20 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shoup Park, 400 University Ave. Independence Day festivities will include performances from Ye Olde Town Band and rock band The Unicorns, a patriotic song singalong, a salute to veterans ceremony and games for the family. The festival also will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cradle of Liberty, a statue in Shoup Park donated by the Veterans' Memorial Association of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills in 1998. Hot dogs, shaved ice and beverages will be sold. Admission is free.

The 10th annual Los Altos Hills Fourth of July Parade will start with a gathering at Town Hall (26379 Fremont Road) at 9:30 a.m. prior to the parade's official kickoff down Fremont Road at 10 a.m.. Approximately 600 marchers are expected to participate in the quarter- mile trek that ends at Gardner Bullis School, where drinks and watermelon will be provided. The city is adding a band and horns for the parade's 10th anniversary, and there will be special giveaways for participants. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ya7kw626.

—Alicia Mies

'Children of an Idle Brain'

For one final weekend, audiences can catch local youth actors performing in the world premiere of the original play "Children of an Idle Brain," produced by A Theatre Near U. Written by Artistic Director Tony Kienitz, the show focuses on a pair of orphaned sisters who respond to the bleak circumstances of their lives in different ways: one with her head in the clouds and one grounded in the real world. A mix of comedy and tragedy, the production also promises a gripping, twisty finale. The remaining performances are Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. (second stage). Tickets are $17-$22 and children under age 5 are not admitted. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ya3mzda7.

—Karla Kane