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The Fourth of July is poised to arrive with greater fanfare this year as the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary. Cities and local groups will mark the historic milestone with longstanding traditions and a few new attractions.
Celebrations across the Peninsula will offer something for both broad audiences and those with more particular interests. Palo Alto’s Chili Cook Off will mark a milestone of its own, as the city will hold the 40th annual event. Music lovers can enjoy live performances ranging from the San Francisco Symphony’s annual Fireworks Spectacular to independent bands at Winters Tavern in Pacifica. History enthusiasts can take a step back in time at the San Mateo County History Museum, while visitors seeking a more modern spectacle can watch illuminated drones bedazzle the night sky in Sunnyvale.
From youth rodeo competitions to waterfront festivities, the Fourth of July is arriving with no shortage of ways to celebrate.
Here’s a guide to Fourth of July events taking place across the Peninsula and beyond.
Peninsula
Mountain View
Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
The San Francisco Symphony returns to Shoreline Amphitheatre for its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, featuring “Summer of 1969: The Soundtrack of a Generation.” Audiences can expect hits including “Proud Mary,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Blackbird” and “Purple Haze.” Ted Sperling will conduct the concert, which features guest vocalists Morgan James, Bryonha Marie and Noah J. Ricketts. The night ends with a fireworks display.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with family-friendly activities, children’s entertainment, American food favorites and frozen treats.
July 4, 7 p.m., at Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View. Tickets are $29-$200. livenation.com.
Shoreline Lake fireworks viewing
Visitors looking to escape the crowds can watch Mountain View’s fireworks display from an unusual vantage point: the waters of Shoreline Lake. The Boathouse offers reservation-only kayak, canoe, pedalboat and rowboat rentals that allow guests to view the show from the middle of the lake. Rentals include a barbecue dinner served from 6 to 8 p.m., with boarding beginning at 8:30 p.m.
July 4, 8:30-10:15 p.m. (dinner from 6 to 8 p.m.) at the Boathouse and American Bistro, 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. Reservations are $135-$235 and can be made at tinyurl.com/4wvj2fen
TACO Independence Day Concert
The Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra (TACO), a community orchestra that brings together adult musicians of all skill levels for the joy of music-making, will celebrate the Fourth of July with a free outdoor concert featuring 10 pieces by American composers. The performance will also spotlight guest vocalist Perri So, a 13-year-old student at JLS Middle School in Palo Alto. Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs or a blanket.
July 5, 4-6 p.m. at the Outdoor Park Stage behind Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. tacosv.org
Los Altos
Glorious 4th Independence Day Celebration
Residents can celebrate Independence Day at Shoup Park with live music, games and family-friendly activities. Food will also be available for purchase throughout the event.
July 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos. ca-losaltos.civicplus.com
Los Altos First Friday
Los Altos First Friday will kick off Fourth of July festivities a day early with its patriotic-themed “Red, White, and Boom” celebration on July 3. The free monthly event transforms downtown Los Altos into a lively outdoor music festival with 16 bands performing at shops and restaurants. Visitors can stroll between venues, enjoy extended shopping hours and take advantage of restaurant specials.
July 3, 6-9 p.m., Main and State streets, Los Altos. losaltosfirstfriday.fun.
Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills Fourth of July parade
Los Altos Hills will celebrate Independence Day with its annual community parade along Fremont Road, beginning at the Los Altos Hills Town Hall and ending at the Gardner Bullis School. Refreshing beverages and watermelon snacks are provided for attendees.
July 4, gather at 9 a.m., parade begins at 10 a.m. at Los Altos Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills. losaltoshills.ca.gov
Palo Alto
4th of July Chili Cook Off and Summer Festival
The 40th annual 4th of July Chili Cook Off and Summer Festival returns with chili tastings, food trucks, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Attendees can sample free chili from competing teams as contestants vie for awards including: Best Overall Chili, Best Vegetarian, People’s Choice and Best Booth. The festival will also include food trucks, live entertainment, games and inflatables for children, as well as beer and margaritas for adults. A sensory-friendly tent will be available throughout the event, offering a low-stimulation space with crafts, headphones and other comfort items.
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. tinyurl.com/PA40thChiliCookOff.
Menlo Park
4th of July Community Parade, Picnic and Circus
Decorated bicycles, wagons and strollers will take to Alma Street as part of Menlo Park’s Fourth of July celebration. Participants can gather at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium parking lot before joining the annual people parade. Following the parade, Circus Bella will present two all-ages performances of its new show “AH HA!” featuring acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns accompanied by live music from the Circus Bella All-Star Band. A community picnic will be held between the performances at 1 p.m., and food trucks will be available throughout the event. This year’s celebration also recognizes California’s 175th anniversary of statehood in addition to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Burgess Park, 501 Laurel St., Menlo Park, menlopark.gov
Woodside
Woodside Junior Rodeo
The annual Woodside Junior Rodeo brings classic Western fun to the Peninsula, with young riders competing in traditional rodeo events alongside family-friendly attractions. Kids and teens ages 6-18 can participate in events such as roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and pole bending, while visitors can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, local vendors and a barbecue. A pre-rodeo dinner dance takes place July 3.
July 3, 6 p.m. pre-rodeo dinner; tickets will be sold at the door. Rodeo is July 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children under 18 and free for kids under 5. Both the dinner and rodeo take place at Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, 521 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside. mpsmc.org/rodeo
Redwood City
An Old-Fashioned Fourth
Taking a more historical approach to the holiday, the San Mateo County History Museum is celebrating Independence Day with Victorian-era themed activities and crafts. Visitors can make paper pinwheels, hand-decorate flags and participate in other family-friendly activities inspired by Fourth of July celebrations of the past.
July 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA, Admission is $4-$6 and free for Museum members. tinyurl.com/OldFashioned4thSMC.
4th of July Party
Celebrate on the waterfront at the Sequoia Yacht Club’s annual Fourth of July party, which combines sailboat races, food, live music and community festivities along the Redwood City shoreline. The event features the club’s traditional El Toro dinghy race, along with grilling and pie-making contests that bring members and spectators together for a day of friendly competition.
July 4, 3 p.m., at Sequoia Yacht Club, 400 Seaport Court, Redwood City. destinationpaloalto.com
Chalk Full of Fun
For two days, professional chalk artists and community members will fill Redwood City’s Courthouse Square with chalk murals inspired by this year’s theme, “Oh Beautiful,” which highlights America’s parks and artistic tradition. Participants can register for 3-by-3 foot or 5-by-5 foot drawing spaces. Art supplies, shade umbrellas and refreshments will be provided, and artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome. 100 total preregistration spaces are available for public chalking.
July 3-4, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. rwcpaf.org/chalk-full-of-fun.
Foster City
Foster City Fourth of July Celebration
An all-day celebration at the Leo Ryan Memorial Park will bring together food, entertainment and community festivities. The event opens at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and continues throughout the day with food trucks, family games, a kids play zone, and live performances by Chad Bushnell and the band Top Shelf Classics. The annual family and dog parade (11:05 a.m.) will begin at the VIBE Teen Center.
July 4, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at Leo Ryan Park, 670 Shell Blvd, Foster City. fostercity.org
Millbrae
July 4th Beats, Brews, and Vines!
Millbrae’s “Beats, Brew, and Vines” offers an afternoon of live music, local food and family gatherings at Central Park. Local bands AS-IS-BAND and PURE ECSTASY will perform and guests can grab a bite at food trucks and a beer garden hosted by Bacchus. Families can also enjoy free carnival games. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs.
July 4, noon-3:30 p.m., at Millbrae Central Park, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae. ci.millbrae.ca.us/354/Beats-Brews-Vines.
San Francisco
America 250
As part of the nationwide American 250 commemoration, South San Francisco will celebrate Independence Day with a community parade and picnic in the city’s downtown area. The event includes a parade from Orange Memorial Park to City Hall, followed by family-friendly activities, entertainment, and opportunities to support local businesses along Grand Avenue. Intending to unite residents of all ages in one shared celebration, the event highlights the city’s cultures and community pride while honoring America’s 250th birthday.
July 4, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., at Grand Ave. between Spruce and Maple avenues. ssfca.gov.
Coastside
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay’s Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade includes decorated vehicles, such as this dune buggy, marching bands and community groups. Courtesy Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.
Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Festival
The Independence Day celebration returns for its 55th year with a full day of festivities in downtown Half Moon Bay. The tradition begins with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Half Moon Bay Lions Club, followed by the Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July Parade along Main Street featuring community groups, local organizations and this year’s grand marshal. Visitors can also enjoy the I.D.E.S Fourth of July Festival, which offers food and entertainment throughout the day.
July 4, Pancake breakfast is 8-11:30 a.m. Parade begins at noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Festival is 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Portuguese Culture Center, 724 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, hmbfourthofjuly.com.
Pacifica
Independence Day Music Festival
For music lovers seeking an alternative to traditional Fourth of July celebrations, Winters Tavern brings an afternoon and evening of live music to Pacifica. The lineup features a range of California bands spanning genres from hardcore punk and metal to alternative rock and continues the venue’s tradition of showcasing independent music.
July 4, after 1 p.m., at Winters Tavern, 1522 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica. winterstavern.com.
Pacifica Fourth of July
The city of Pacifica holds a celebration with rides, games such as sack races, tug-of-war and a watermelon eating contest, live music and a flag-raising ceremony.
July 4, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., at Frontierland Park, 900 Yosemite Drive, Pacifica. cityofpacifica.org.
Pacifica Rocket Run
Pacifica’s annual Rocket Run offers an active start to the Fourth of July, inviting runners of all ages and experience levels to take part in a 5-mile race beginning at the Pacifica Community Center. Participants will compete in age-group divisions ranging from 13 and under to 80 and over, with medals awarded to the top six finishers in each category. The first 75 registered runners will receive a commemorative Rocket Run T-shirt.
July 4, check in 8-8:45 a.m., run starts at 9 a.m. at the Pacifica Community Center, 540 Crespi Drive, Pacifica. $25 each for early registration (ends July 3 at 8 a.m.), $30 for race day registration. Register in person at 540 Crespi Drive or online at tinyurl.com/nhd2cd75.
South Bay
Sunnyvale
July 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in downtown Sunnyvale (S. Murphy Avenue between E. Washington and W. McKinley avenues.). sunnyvaledowntown.org
4th of July Festival
Families can spend the Fourth of July enjoying amusement rides, carnival games and live entertainment at this annual festival in downtown Sunnyvale. The event features a 72-foot Ferris wheel, a 100-foot slide, fire truck displays, children’s activities and performances on the Main Stage and Kid’s Stage. The festivities will begin with a community bike parade departing from the Sunnyvale Public Library at 9 a.m.
Sunnyvale Drone Show
At Baylands Park’s Great Meadow, the city of Sunnyvale will celebrate Independence Day with a drone light show featuring illuminated shapes and patterns in the night sky. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. with music from a live DJ. Free parking opens at 6:30 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp for the walk back after the event.
July 4, 6:30 p.m. parking opens; 7 p.m. DJ music; 9:15 p.m. drone show; Great Meadow at Baylands Park, 999 E. Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, sunnyvale.ca.gov.
Cupertino
Fourth of July Festivities and Fireworks
Cupertino will mark Independence Day with a full day of community festivities, including the annual pancake breakfast (8-11 a.m.) and flag-raising ceremony (10 a.m.). Following the children’s parade (10 a.m.), kids’ activities, a concert featuring the band Fire Peach will take place until noon. Residents can also enjoy holiday recreation at Blackberry Farm Pool and return at 9:30 p.m. to watch the city’s annual fireworks show.
July 4, pancake breakfast 7:30-11 a.m.; ceremony and parade at 10 a.m.; concert 10:30 a.m.-noon. Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino and Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. cupertino.org.
Santa Clara
4th of July Community Celebration
Santa Clara’s Fourth of July celebration returns to Mission College with food trucks, lawn games, family activities, live entertainment and a fireworks show sponsored by California’s Great America. Attendees can enjoy carnival-style games, face painting, temporary tattoos and performances throughout the evening with Bay Area party band Pride & Joy SF. More than a dozen food vendors will offer a wide range of options, from lobster rolls and barbecue to sushi, Indian cuisine and boba tea. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for a picnic-style evening before the fireworks finale.
July 4, 5-10 p.m., at Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. santaclaraca.gov.
Star-Spangled Nights
California’s Great America will hold fireworks shows July 3-4. The amusement park also offers an all-you-can-eat barbecue July 4 featuring meats, sides, desserts and beverages
July 3-4, fireworks shows at 9:40 p.m. at California’a Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Single-day admission starts at $45. The All-You-Can-Eat Backyard BBQ is an additional $65.99 for adults, $39.99 for kids ages 3-11; additional taxes apply. cagreatamerica.com.
Los Gatos
4th of July Symphony in the Park
At Oak Meadow Park, the city of Los Gatos will celebrate Independence day with a bike and stroller parade, flag-raising ceremony and a live performance by the San Jose Wind Symphony. Visitors can also enjoy train and carousel rides, inflatables, lawn games and a beer and wine garden throughout the events. A variety of local food vendors and food trucks will be available throughout the event.
July 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, losgatosca.gov.
