HERE’S TO A FABULOUS FOURTH
Check out our guide to fireworks and other fun Independence Day stuff.
Communities all over the Bay Area are celebrating July Fourth with parades, fireworks and other fun events. Here’s a rundown of some of the fireworks shows; go to mercurynews.com/ entertainment for a complete list of events.
ANTIOCH
Fireworks & Festival: Pancake breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m., City Hall parking lot. Parade begins at 11 a.m. West Second and E streets. Festivities at the Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10th St., from 4-10 p.m. Car show, live entertainment, kids games, family games, prizes and fireworks. Free. celebrateantioch.org
BENICIA
Picnic in the Park & Fireworks: Noon-7 p.m. Benicia City Park, First Street at Military West. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and children’s activities. Fireworks start around 9 p.m. at the foot of First Street. beniciamainstreet.org
BERKELEY
Fourth of July: Noon-10 p.m. Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave. Live entertainment all day, children’s adventure playground, food; fireworks at 9:35 p.m. Parking: $20. anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july
GILROY
Fourth of July Weekend barbecue and fireworks: Barbecue is noon and 1 p.m., Saturday-Wednesday, Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. Barbecue ribs, hot dogs, curry and rice, potato chips, salad, watermelon, Hawaiian rolls and ice cream. Complimentary soda fountain. Drinks, beer and wine available for purchase. $12-$17. Park admission: $39. gilroygardens.org. Fireworks approximately 9:30 p.m. Gilroy High School, 750 W. 10th Street. Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display. Free. ca-gilroy.civicplus.com
LIVERMORE
Red, White and Boom Fireworks Celebration: 9:20 p.m., downtown. 4 p.m. street closure. Fireworks display will be launched off the top of the Parking Structure on Railroad Avenue. livermoredowntown.com
MILPITAS
“Red, White & Boom” Fireworks and
concert. 7-10p.m. Fireworks entry, $3; pool party is free. Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd. ci.milpitas.ca.gov
MOUNTAIN VIEW
On-the-Water Viewing of Fireworks: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd. The Boathouse & American Bistro at Shoreline Lake in Mountain View will have on-the-water viewing of fireworks; from a paddleboat, rowboat, canoe or kayak. Barbecue picnic from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., $13-$17. Also offering pre-prepared picnic baskets offered by the American Bistro, $30 for two. Reservations: shorelinelake. com/upcoming.html.
San Francisco Symphony with Fireworks: 8 p.m. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway. Music will be performed from the classic score of “Star Wars” along with tracks from Pixar. $34 and up. mountainviewamphitheater.com
OAKLAND
Third of July fireworks: The Oakland A’s will shoot off fireworks one night early, Tuesday, after their 6:05 p.m. game against the San Diego Padres mlb.com/athletics
PITTSBURG
Fourth of July Fireworks: Dusk (approximately 9:15 p.m.), Pittsburg Marina, Marina Boulevard. Free. www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us
PLEASANT HILL
Fourth of July Celebration: Fireworks pre-show begins at 7:15 p.m. with live music followed by fireworks around 9:20 p.m. at College Park High School, 201 Viking Drive. phjuly4.com
REDWOOD CITY
Parade, fireworks: 80th annual parade starts at 10 a.m. at Brewster Avenue and Winslow Street and winds through downtown. Followed by downtown festival. Free. Fireworks ceremony starts with concert at the Port of Redwood City at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. redwoodcity.org
RICHMOND
Oakland Symphony Independence Eve Celebration: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way West. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond Jazz Collective. Oakland Symphony (8 p.m.) will feature Sousa marches, movie themes and singalongs. Concert ends with a fireworks display over the waterfront. Richmond. Free. oaklandsymphony.org
SAN FRANCISCO
Fourth of July Celebration at The Pier: 3-9:30 p.m. Pier 39. Live entertainment on Entrance Plaza Stage featuring Tainted Love, the best of the 1980s live from 3-6
p.m. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. pier39.com
SAN JOSE
Rose, White & Blue Parade, fireworks: Parade starts 10 a.m. on Dana Avenue and ends at the festival area located on The Alameda near Shasta Avenue. Marching bands, dance groups, antique cars, and more. The festival features live music, artisan booths and food. rosewhiteblueparade.com.
Rotary Centennial Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Discovery Meadows, 180 Woz Way in downtown San Jose. Organized by the Rotary Club. Free. rotaryfireworks.org.
San Jose Giants: Municipal Stadium, 599 E. Alma Ave. Fireworks will follow the conclusion of the game that begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $10-$30. sjgiants.com
SAN PABLO
July Fourth Multi-Cultural Celebration and Fireworks: 5-9:30 p.m. El Portal Soccer Field, 2600 Moraga Road. Activities, food, games, entertainment and fireworks. Free. ci-san-pablo.ca.us
SANTA CLARA
All-City Picnic and Fireworks Extravaganza: Noon, Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd. Carnival games, live entertainment, food,
free public swimming and more. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. santaclaraca.gov California’s Great America Fireworks Show: 9:45 p.m. Fireworks set to patriotic music. Current and past military will be honored with free admission with valid ID, plus $23.99 admission for up to six guests. cagreatamerica.com
SCOTTS VALLEY
Parade & Fireworks: 3-9:45 p.m. Skypark, 361 Kings Valley Road. Parade, barbecue, live bands, petting zoo, food, music and games. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free-$8. Activities are not included in price of admission. santacruz.org
VALLEJO
Coca-Cola July Fourth Fest: Nightly, Saturday-Wednesday, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive. Exclusive ride times, fireworks all five nights, festive food and more. $56.99. Save $15 with a Coke can. sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
VACAVILLE
Celebration and Fireworks Show: 6:3010 p.m. Andrews Park, 614 E. Monte Vista Ave. An evening of music, food, beverages and fireworks. downtownvacaville.com.