The city’s annual events include musical performances, rides and games, children’s activities, arts and crafts booths, a fireworks display off the end of the Berkeley Pier and much more. Free. At 160 University Ave. in Berkeley. It’s a day full of fun starting at noon on the 4th of July. The south shore of the Berkeley Marina at the bottom of University Ave. is filled with great stuff to do all day. Decorate your bike, trike, stroller, or even your head with recyclables at Madame Ovary”s booth. Adventure Playground, always a favorite, is open 11am-8pm. Sign up for an old-fashioned sack race or get your face painted. Try the giant slide or splash in the water at the beach.

Plenty of fun stuff for adults, too. No need to cook - lots of international food booths. Live entertainment from noon until 9pm on the main stage. There’s art & craft booths, massages, free sailboat rides from 1-4pm, dragon boat rides from 2-6pm, and much more including the grand fireworks off the end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30pm.

Free admission. Alcohol-free event. Free valet bicycle parking. No cars after 7pm. AC Transit #9 till 8pm or #51 at 3rd & Univ. Ave. all night long