The biggest kabooms will go off once again over San Francisco Bay, but there are also plenty of ways to feel the sparkle all over the Bay Area.
Plus, choke down a win at a hot dog eating contest, join the Polk Street pub crawl, or keep it classy with concerts by the San Francisco and Santa Rosa symphonies. Here's where to wave your flag for the red, white, and blue in 2023.
Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in 2023 — San Francisco Bay Area + Wine Country
(Courtesy of @marincountyfair)
The fireworks go off at 9:30pm nightly at Marin County Fair, June 30th through July 4th, 2023.
San Francisco
The annual fireworks show over San Francisco Bay is back on for 2023! Find your own perch at locations including Angel or Treasure Island, Bernal Heights Park, Twin Peaks, or the Berkeley Marina. Or, head to one of these classic public events. The show starts at 9:30pm.
Blue & Gold Fleet: Onboard you'll find music, dancing, booze (except on the 8:30pm alcohol-free family boat), and front-row seats to the fireworks over SF Bay. Sailings from Pier 39 and Pier 41 begin at 8:20pm. // Tickets ($95/adults, $85/kids age 5-11, kids under 5 are free) are available at blueandgoldfleet.com.
Fisherman's Wharf: For the classic crowded touristy vibe, park yourself in Aquatic Park, Pier 39, or Ghirardelli Square where all retailers will be open for perusing before the evening fireworks display. Psst: You can get a great view (plus drinks) on the patio at Barrio. // Look for additional details at fishermanswharf.org.
Sunset and Fireworks Sail: From Sausalito, board the schooner Freda B for a bay sail with views as good as they get. Bring cash or credit cards to purchase California craft beers, Napa and Sonoma wines and bubbles, and Salt Point cocktails from the deck bar. // 7:15pm to 10pm Tuesday, July 4; board at Sausalito Yacht Harbor Slip, 465 Sausalito; tickets ($295/person) are available at Eventbrite.
East Bay
Concord: Hit the ground running with an 8am 5K for kids and adults, then check out the parade at 10am. Gates open at 4pm for festivities including a carnival, food vendors, and local artist exhibit. Live music begins at 5pm, fireworks start at 9pm. // Fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. (Concord), concordjuly4th.com
Martinez: You know we love this hip little enclave. Make a day of it—Main Street will host a parade at 10am—then head to the marina for the fireworks at 9pm. // Get more info at downtownmartinez.org.
Moraga: This town goes all out with the Independence Day family fun, starting with a dog parade at 10am followed by a whole day of community vendors, food and drink, and inflatable jumpies for the littles at Moraga Commons Park. A concert will get going on the bandshell at 7pm before the fireworks show around 9:30pm. // For more info, go to moraga.ca.us.
Marin County
Petaluma: Get excited: Petaluma's Fourth of July celebrations are back after a multi-year hiatus. Stars, Stripes, Dogs & Bikes (10am to 1:30pm at Lucchese Park) will feature a farmers market, bike decorating and a bike parade, craft stations, a doggie costume contest, and more. The high-elevation fireworks show goes off around 9:30pm and will be viewable from spots all over town. // For more info, go to cityofpetaluma.org.
Marin County Fair: What better way to close out this beloved weeklong fair than with a fabulous fireworks display? Sure, there are fireworks here nightly (9:30pm) starting June 30th, but where else can you spend Independence Day hanging out with barnyard animals, chowing fair food, and enjoying local theater and live music? Catch Melissa Etheridge live at 7:30pm on the Fourth. Plus carnival rides, hello. // Marin County Fair is 11am to 11pm through July 4 at 10 Avenue of the Flags (San Rafael); tickets ($25) and info at fair.marincounty.org.
Wine Country
Sonoma County: The county's largest July 4th celebration is a cultural affair for the whole family in Santa Rosa. The day kicks off at 4:30pm with kid-friendly carnival. In the evening, expect performances by the local Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony, followed by the fireworks show. // Tickets are $40-$75. Concert is 7:30pm at Weill Hall + Lawn at Green Music Center, 1801 E. Cotati Ave. (Rohnert Park), gmc.sonoma.edu.
Napa Valley: The country's most famous wine region will be bursting with patriotic pride on the Fourth of July, with festivities taking place in various Napa towns. Calistoga's Lincoln Avenue will show off its small town charm when the Star Spangled Social & Parade gets going at 11am. Hang around for the finale, a laser light show in Pioneer Park. // St. Helena residents will enjoy the return of fireworks to Crane Park this year. But first, join in on the bike parade, concert, and festival (3pm to 8pm) at Lyman Park. // Look out for food trucks and soul tunes in Yountville (4pm to 7pm). // The valley's largest celebration is in Downtown Napa where the Fourth kicks off with a 10am parade followed by an afternoon festival at Oxbow Commons, live music at the Oxbow RiverStage, and a fireworks display best viewed from along the river. // For more info on events around Napa Valley, go to visitnapavalley.com.
South Bay
San Jose: The Rose, White & Blue Parade kicks off with the classic car cruise at 9:45am and ends with food truck grub along Shasta Avenue afterward. Then head to Downtown San Jose's Discovery Meadow for the Rotary Club fireworks show around 9:30pm. // The Alameda, 1100 Shasta Ave; for the schedule, route and parking information, visit rwbsj.org.
Morgan Hill: A tradition since 1876, the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is a two-day celebration starting with a family music fest downtown on the night of July 3rd. On the Fourth, go for the parade, street dancing, a 5K run, car show, and evening fireworks on the green. // Free to attend; for more information, visit morganhillfreedomfest.com.
Fourth of July Concerts, Fairs, Pub Crawls + More Around the Bay Area
(Photo by Chris Tuite, via @shorelineamp)
Spend the Fourth with the San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline Amphitheatre.
San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline
Edwin Outwater is once again conducting the classiest way to spend the Fourth of July. The SF Symphony will play a diverse program, kicking off with John Williams' "Liberty Fanfare" and closing out with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. The summery outdoor performance will be capped by fireworks. // Show starts at 8pm at Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View); tickets ($29-$208) are available at concerts.livenation.com.
SF Pub Crawl + Hot Dog Eating Contest
If you're staying local for the Fourth, kick it with CrawlSF, which is hosting two days of Independence Day bar crawls with DJs, drink specials, and food. Participating bars include Mayes Oyster House, McTeague's Saloon, Lush Lounge, Wreck Room, El Lopo, and more. The event culminates with the hot dog eating contest, which you can sign up for here. // 4pm to 10pm Saturday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 4 on Lower Polk St. (TenderNob / Nob Hill); for schedule and tickets ($5 and up), go to july4sf.com.
Mare Island Spirit Ship Celebration
The Navy is totally patriotic. Bring the family to learn about Mare Island's historic naval shipyard and the ships that have been built here. The evening event will feature multiple drone exhibitions plus food trucks, drinks, and live music. // 5pm at Mare Island Promenade, 860 Nimitz Ave. (Vallejo); tickets ($10/adults, $5/ages 11-21) are available at eventbrite.com.
USS Hornet's Independence Day Celebration
Wave the flag aboard the USS Hornet all day long on the Fourth. You can kick it to DJ beats on the flight deck, get grub from the Food Truck Mafia, and see exhibits in the museum before disembarking to catch the fireworks at your viewpoint of choice. // 10am to 5pm; 707 West Hornet Ave. (Alameda), uss-hornet.org; tickets ($30/adult) are available at eventbrite.com.
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