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4th of July Weekend in San Francisco: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things to Do with Kids

Celebrate at the Half Moon Bay Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party. Photo by Igor Porton for Miramar Events.
Celebrate at the Half Moon Bay Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party. Photo by Igor Porton for Miramar Events.
7/2/24 - By Sandra Lee

4th of July weekend in San Francisco and the Bay Area is alight with fireworks, fun runs, parades, and more family-friendly events. 

Independence Day weekend is here, and this year it's a super long one! So we've packed our weekend roundup with things to do: Spend the 4th of July at Great America's 4th of July Celebration in Santa Clara for rides, water slides, BBQ, and fireworks. Run off the BBQ and flag cake at the Firecracker Run in Santa Cruz. And the Bay Area's ever-popular 4th of July Parade and Fireworks takes place in Redwood City, where you can have festive family fun without spending a dime. 

Before the rockets' red glare and fireworks blast off, celebrate Independence Day with the best 4th of July activities for kids, including crafts, games, and flag cake.

Read on for our picks for the best things to do all Fourth of July weekend long, including county fairs, chalk fun, a rodeo, and so much more! 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area this Week with Kids:

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Music and fireworks are at the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre. Photo courtesy of the event
Music and fireworks are at the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre. Photo courtesy of the event

Best Things To Do 4th of July Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area

Chalk Full of Fun 2024

Redwood City - FREE
Wednesday & Thursday, July 3 & 4, 2024
Put those sidewalk chalk skills to the test at the Redwood City Chalk Festival, where professionals and amateurs create works of art in Courthouse Square on Hamilton St. with the theme "Heroes and Helpers." Participants can sign up to reserve a space, or just come to the event and create at the free chalking area on Hamilton.  READ MORE

Woodside Junior Rodeo

Woodside
Wednesday & Thursday, July 3 & 4, 2024
Spend the 4th of July cheering on cowboys and cowgirls with some rodeo fun for the whole family with a 2-day special event. Kick off the festivities with a pre-rodeo dinner dance on July 3rd, then get ready for all the rodeo fun on July 4th!   READ MORE

Marin County Fair

San Rafael
Wednesday - Sunday, July 3- 7, 2024
The award-winning Marin County Fair is back with a theme that celebrates all things electric. Featuring a solar-powered carousel and stage, the fair is also committed to offering healthy food choices, as well as alcohol-free sponsorships and a smoke-free environment.  Families can also enjoy the many exhibits, concerts, carnival rides, sheepdog trials, petting zoo, nightly fireworks, and so much more.  READ MORE

Foster City 4th of July Celebration

Foster City - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The 4th of July Celebration in Foster City is back with a whole day of fun events, activities, and music for the entire family. There will be a Kid Zone, a pet parade, family games, and a giant fireworks display. READ MORE

Santa Cruz Firecracker Run

Santa Cruz
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The famous Firecracker run is back this year with three courses (even one for kids) so that everyone can participate. Hang out afterward for a post-race brunch, awards, and music. It's a great way to start the 4th of July celebration day!  READ MORE

4th of July All-City Picnic

Santa Clara - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Central Park is hosting a 4th of July Celebration with food, games, a kids' zone, and live music. Admission to the event is free, with a fee for carnival games.  READ MORE

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline

Mountain View
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View is hosting a 4th of July celebration that's perfect for families. Conductor Edwin Outwater and the SF Symphony fill the night air with a lineup of favorite American classics. Vocalist Jessica Vosk defies gravity in a celebration of heroes, featuring songs from Wicked and more. The evening concludes with a grand finale of spectacular fireworks!  READ MORE

Concord's 4th of July Fireworks

Concord - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The City of Concord is welcoming everyone back for the annual 4th of July Celebration. This is a great event for the whole family that includes games, a run for adults and kids, a parade, and fireworks. READ MORE

Redwood City 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Redwood City - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Go big on the 4th of July and celebrate with a day of activities in downtown Redwood City. There's a massive parade (the largest in the Bay Area) as well as a festival, pancake breakfast, and of course, glorious fireworks.  READ MORE

Great America 4th of July Celebration

Santa Clara
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Great America is having an entire day dedicated to celebrating the 4th of July with rides, water play, BBQ, and fireworks. Come early, and enjoy the rides for the whole family (including Snoopy Land) and all the water slides and pool fun before the evening fireworks.  READ MORE

Alameda 4th of July Parade

Alameda - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The Alameda 4th of July Parade is the longest in the nation, drawing over 60,000 people to watch equestrians, dance troops, floats, antique cars, community groups, and community marching bands. Show off your patriotic colors and line the streets along the 3.3-mile parade route!  READ MORE

Fisherman's Wharf 4th of July Celebration

San Francisco - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Hang out at Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy some spectacular fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. READ MORE

Half Moon Bay Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party

Half Moon Bay - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
In its 53rd year hosting the incredible 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Parade, and Block Party, this event is a day full of fun for the whole family. There will be marching bands, pets parading, sports teams, and even its famous "Sitting Marching Band" playing all the patriotic songs. READ MORE

4th of July at Central Park

San Mateo -FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Celebrate the 4th of July at Central Park in San Mateo in the afternoon with the whole family. Enjoy crafts by A-Z Creativity, hair spray painting, and airbrush tattoos. Grab some food and sweet treats from food trucks like Humphrey Slocombe, Ta'Contreras, and Rock Club Burgers.  READ MORE

4th of July Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off

Palo Alto - FREE
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The City of Palo Alto is hosting a Summer Festival and Chili Cook-off for the 4th of July. Families can enjoy live music, food trucks, and games and activities for kids. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and reusable water bottles are encouraged.  READ MORE

4th of July Weekend Celebration

Gilroy
Thursday - Sunday, July 4-7, 2024
Gilroy Gardens is hosting a 4-day weekend full of 4th of July fun. Splash around at the popular Water Oasis and enjoy themed food, cocktails, and mocktails. Then dance and enjoy the Giant Connect 4 and a selfie photo booth all day. Enjoy all the rides and entertainment at Gilroy Gardens with extended hours for more fun. READ MORE

SF Zoo’s Sunset Social

San Francisco
Friday, July 5, 2024
Families of all ages can enjoy an after-hours event at the SF Zoo every Friday at the Playfield Lawn for Sunday Social. Hear live music by SF Jazz, see some ambassador animals, and take part in kid-friendly activities. An outdoor bar is also available.  The first-time event features the Elinor Friend Playground, Dentzel Carousel, and Playfield Cafe.  READ MORE

Fillmore Jazz Festival

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7, 2024
Blending art & soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods in San Francisco, this 2-day festival is music to our ears. From sun-up to sundown groove to live music from multiple stages while enjoying the artists and gourmet food and beverages.  READ MORE

SJMade Summer Fair

Santa Clara - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7, 2024
A super fun indoor summertime festival featuring 300+ makers, artists, and designers within seven themed sections at History Park in San Jose.   The Mini Cat Town’s Kitten Lounge is back as well as a Y2K Glam Shotz Photo Booth. READ MORE

California Classic Fan Fest at Thrive City

San Francisco - FREE
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Come out to Thrive City for the California Classic Fan Fest. Take part in multiple fan-friendly activities including live entertainment, carnival games, balloon artists, a magician, and more. READ MORE

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About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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