I’ve always found it maddening trying to find out what’s happening in the bay area for 4th of july… where the fireworks are…what free and cheap ways there are to have fun… so i compiled a list and thought i’d post it. We’ve got 50 70 4th of July 2008 events listed including the major fireworks shows in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and San Jose, plus tons of smaller hometown festivals, fairs and fireworks shows throughout the bay area, (8 in SF, 22 in East Bay, 21 in North Bay, 14 in South Bay, and 5 in the Peninsula). - list updated 7/3/08

All events take place Friday, July 4, 2008 unless otherwise noted
Update - 6/26: Added 3 new events - Dolores Park SF Mime Troupe performance, 1908 old fashioned picnic & ice cream social in Oakland and Marin County Fair
Update - 6/27: Added 4 new events - S.S. Jeremiah WWII Ship Fireworks Pier 45, Buddhist 4th of July in Lafayette, Yountville Family Festival & Napa Valley Festival del Sole
Update - 6/30: Added 6 new events - Oakland Art Murmur, Vallejo fireworks festival, Rubber Ducky Derby, Noe Valley “Peace is Patriotic” and American Canyon petting zoo and fireworks.
Update - 7/1: Added 4 new events - Corte Madera/Larkspur parade & fair, Morgan Hill fireworks, Sunnyvale picnic, and Santa Cruz beach concert.
Update - 7/2: Added 1 new event - Palo Alto picnic.
Update - 7/3: Added 3 new events - San Jose Giants Baseball Fireworks, Midnight Mass in Richmond Dist., Red Hot Burlesque in Bernal Heights .
Update - 7/4: Added 1 new event - Concord fireworks and variety show .

City	Event Details (all events take place Friday, July 4, 2008 unless otherwise noted)	Fireworks
Aquatic Park	4th of July Family FestivalKid-friendly games & music from 11a to 8pm at The Cannery you can view fireworks right afterwords over Fisherman’s Wharf - FREE	Yes
Bernal Heights	Red Hot Burlesque PerformanceLive burlesque and filthy short films at El Rio on Mission St. at 7:30p - $5	No
Golden Gate Park	Patriotic 4th of July Symphony ConcertGolden Gate Park Band at 1pm at Music Concourse - FREE	No
Fisherman’s Wharf	San Francisco 4th of July Waterfront Fireworks CelebrationExperience the Fourth of July at Fisherman’s Wharf. Aquatic Park stage (Jefferson & Hyde) showcases an afternoon of family entertainment and kids’ activities. Pier 39 hosts live music from 1-4p (Big Bang Beat) and Tainted Love (6-9:30p). Fireworks at dusk are shot from the foot of Municipal Pier - FREE	Yes
Dolores Park	Political Satire Music Comedy Performance “Red State”SF Mime Troupe theater performance in the park - FREE	No
Noe Valley	“Peace is Patriotic” 4th of July Celebration and BBQAlternative patriotic music, bbq & AIDS quilt @ Bethany United Methodist Church - FREE	No
Richmond Dist. (Inner)	Midnight Mass with Peaches Christ: ShowgirlsTrashy 1995 film w/ actors on stage and free lapdance with every large popcorn - $13 (11:55p on 7/4 and 7/5)	No
East Bay		Fireworks
Alameda	Mayor’s 4th of July Parade & Festival170 floats & Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee park festival - FREE	No
Antioch	10th annual 4th of July Celebrationalong historic waterfront with parade and festival- FREE	Yes
Benicia	Picnic in the Park & 4th of July Fireworksall-day family festival - FREE	Yes
Berkeley	Berkeley Marina 4th of July Celebration & FireworksThe city’s annual events include musical performances, rides and games, children’s activities, arts and crafts booths. Games include old-fashioned sack race and giant slide or splash in the water at the beach. Live entertainment from noon until 9p on the main stage. Free sailboat rides from 1-4pm, dragon boat rides from 2-6pm. Fireworks off the end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30pm - FREE	Yes
Concord	4th of July Parade and FestivalTodos Santos Plaza - Parade and classic car show - FREE	No
Concord	Variety Show “The Singing Flag” and Fireworks 20th year, show at 7:30p, fireworks @ 9:30p - FREE	Yes
Danville	4th Of July Parade & CelebrationParade and “Hay Days” Celebration - FREE	Yes
Fremont	Fremont 4th of July Paradew/ Champion Drum & Bugle Corps @ Centerville District - FREE	No
Hayward	45th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July CarnivalPatriotic music, snowcones & watermellon eating contests from 11-5p - FREE	No
Lafayette	Buddhist 4th of July at a MonasteryVegetarian buffet, martial arts, drum playing & watch fireworks from Buddha Gate Monastery - FREE	Yes
Livermore	Old-Fashioned 4th of July with fireworksRobertson Park - ($3 walk in or $15 per car)	Yes
Moraga	4th of July live music & FireworksDog parade and children’s bike parade- FREE	Yes
Oakland	Fuck the Fourth Sale @ Anarchist book store (Thurs, July 3rd)AK Press warehouse - FREE	No
Oakland	Old-Fashioned 1908 Patriot Picnic & Ice Cream SocialThe historic Pardee Home hosts a recreation of a turn-of-the-century Independence Day celebration with live music, historic recreations, free food, soda & ice cream and games like croquet and lawn tennis and 3D sterograph photos - $12* Period Dress and large fancy hats encouraged	No
Oakland	Lakeside Park on Lake Merritt 4th of July Band ConcertPatriotic music begins at 1pm - FREE	No
Oakland	Art Murmur: Friday night gallery walkMultiple art gallery openings, art exhibits and events in downtown - FREE	No
Oakland	4th of July Fireworks FestivalAfter taking a year off, Jack London Square is back and hosting a fireworks and 4th of July festival once agani. Live music from 4pm to 9:35pm with R&B, Latin Pop and a big band orchestra playing patriotic music. Lots of kids entertainment including free jump houses and carnival games. Fireworks over the waterfront begins at approximately 9:15pm - FREE	Yes
Orinda	Annual 4th of July Parade & CelebrationDaytime parade, family festival and fun run - FREE	No
Pittsburg	4th of July CelebrationPittsburg Marina w/ live music and games - Fireworks at dusk - FREE	Yes
Pleasant Hill	Pleasant Hill’s 4th Of July Celebrationpark festival with two music stages & kids games - FREE	Yes
Pleasanton	Fourth of July Patriotic Concert and CelebrationPleasanton Community Concert Band performs at noon at Wayside Park- FREE	No
San Ramon	“Star Spangled Spectacular”@ San Ramon Central Park - live music by San Ramon Symphonic Band - FREE (Parking is $10 per car)	Yes
North Bay	includes Marin County, Wine Country & Sacramento Valley	Fireworks
American Canyon	Napa County 4th of July FestivalParade, chili cook off, live bands all day & fireworks just north of Vallejo - FREE	Yes
Bodega Bay	5th of July Fireworks over the Bay (Sat, July 5th)FREE	Yes
Calistoga	Napa County Fairgrounds July 4th Parade, Music & FireworksSilverado Parade at 11am & Fireworks - FREE (fairgrounds $7 for adults)	Yes
Corte Madera / Larkspur	43rd Annual 4th of July Parade and FairParade, classic car show, followed by family festival in Town Park - FREE	No
Healdsburg	18th Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Fireworks Display40 minute fireworks show by American Legion - FREE	Yes
Novato	Novato’s 16th Annual Fourth of July Parade10am - classic cars & Irish bagpipers among others, free outdoor film in evening - FREE	No
Petaluma	44th Annual Petaluma Bell Ringing Ceremony Takes place at Petaluma Historical Library & Museum - FREE	No
Petaluma	“Sesquifest” Petaluma’s 150th Anniversary Party & 4th of July FireworksLive 70s cover and The Cheeseballs, live theater & fireworks - gates at 3pm - $2-$5	Yes
Rohnert Park	10th Annual Concert In The Park: Moonlighter Big BandPatriotic concert music in Eagle Park starting at 3pm -FREE	No
San Rafael	63rd Annual Marin County FairLive music, carnival games (including a giant ferris wheel) and tons of eco-friendly activities & alt-fuel road show. July 4th concert is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. Fireworks start at 9:30pm - $14 (Fair runs July 2-6)	Yes
Santa Rosa	Sonoma County Fair Independence Day Fireworks Show (Thurs, July 3rd)FREE in carnival lot lawn ($10 for parking)	Yes
Sausalito	4th of July Parade and fireworks celebrationwith picnic and tug o’ war - FREE	Yes
Sebastopol	3rd of July 2008 Fireworks & Music Festival (Thurs, July 3rd)$7 live music & dancing - many people view fireworks for free on high school lawn	Yes
Sonoma	Small Town 4th of July Festival:Live Music, Potato Toss Contest & Fireworks - FREE	Yes
Suisun City	Solano County waterfront 4th of July Fireworks FestivalLive music, pony rides, at Harbor Plaza - FREE	Yes
Vacaville	4th of July Celebration and FireworksLive Music at 6:30pm at CreekWalk Plaza at Andrews Park - FREE	Yes
Windsor	Pre-4th of July Fireworks Festival (Thurs, July 3rd)w/ Family Lawn Games in Sonoma - FREE	Yes
Vallejo	12 Annual Great Vallejo Ducky Derby15,000 rubber duckys race along Vallejo Waterfront - FREE to watch ($5 to “adopt” a ducky)	No
Vallejo	4th of July symphony concert & fireworksParade at 10am, Noon is festival in Unity Plaza, 1pm symphony, 9pm fireworks - FREE	Yes
Yountville	All-Day 4th of July Family Festival & FireworksPony rides, puppet shows, swimming baseball & live music - FREE	Yes
Yountville	Napa Valley Festival del Sole: Symphony Concert and FireworksAll-american concert at Lincoln Theater at 5:30pm - FREE	Yes
South Bay	includes Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties	Fireworks
Aptos	“The Worlds Shortest Parade” & 4th of July FestivalAt just under 1/2 mile, the so-called shortest parade in the world - FREE (park festival is $5 donation)	No
Cupertino	Childrens Parade & Fireworks FestivalParade and singalong during day, evening activities start at 6:45p - FREE	Yes
Gilroy	4th of July fireworks saluteBegins at 9:15pm at Gilroy High School over Chirstmas Hill Park- FREE	Yes
Los Gatos	4th of July Family Festival:Free cake and ice cream, free bingo & lemonade, bbq, live music - FREE	No
Milpitas	“Red White and Boom”Concert, Pool Party, BBQ & Ground Fireworks - FREE	Yes
Morgan Hill	Independence Day Celebration, Festival & Fireworks Street concert & dance (thurs 7/3) and parade, festval & fireworks on Friday 7/4 - FREE	Yes
Mountain View	Radio Disney Fireworks Show with the San Francisco Symphony Family fun stage & contests at Shoreline Amphitheater - 4 pack of lawn tix for $69	Yes
San Jose	Alameda Rose, White and Blue Parade & Street Festivalantique cars, dunk tanks and carnival booths from 10am to 3pm - FREE	No
San Jose	Minor League Baseball & Post-Game Fireworks San Jose Giants vs. Rancho Cucomunga Quakes 7/4 and 7/5 at 6:30p - $9 bleacher seats	Yes
San Jose	City of San Jose NBC 11 Fireworks Show and America Festival:The City of San Jose’s official fireworks show, sponsored by NBC11, attracts 45,000 attendees in Discovery Meadow for an all-day 2008 San Jose America Festival. Festival starts at noon with multicultural crafts and a variety of ethnic and festival foods, plus a Kidland filled with fun and games and two stages of live music with grammy-winning pop stars, classic tributes, and Japanese drummers and blues. National Anthem at 9:25pm, Fireworks at 9:30pm followed by live music until 10:30pm - FREE	Yes
South San Jose	7th annual “Spirit of America” Carnival/Festival & Fireworks Famiy festival and carnival & fireworks starts at 5pm - FREE ($2 donation requested)	Yes
Santa Clara	4th of July All City Picnic and Fireworks ExtravaganzaCentral Park festvial with big band jazz and classical Indian Dance - FREE	Yes
Santa Cruz	“Get Ready” classic R&B band Rare Earth: concert on the beachTwo concerts on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 6:30p and 8:30p - FREE	No
Scotts Valley	2008 fireworks show cancelled due to dry conditions and recent fires	No
Sunnyvale	Fourth of July Picnic with jugglers and stiltwalkersDo-it-yourself picnic in Baylands park with games for kids - FREE	No
Peninsula		Fireworks
Foster City	4th of July Celebrationdog show, parade & fireworks - FREE	Yes
Half Moon Bay	Small town 4th of JulyParade, BBQ, Live Music & fireworks over the ocean - FREE	Yes
Palo Alto	27th Annual Summer Festival & Earthquake Preparedness FairLive music, chili cook off and safety tips at Mitchell Park - FREE	No
Redwood City	Film night in the park: Independence Day (1996) (Thurs, July 3rd)Courthouse Square - FREE	No
Redwood City	Annual Independence Day Parade, Festival & FireworksParade at 10am, festival from 9-5p, fireworks at dusk at Seaport Court - FREE	Yes

we’ve done our best to make sure we’ve got all the details correct, but if you plan on attending any of these events, please double check with the event coordinators. By clicking on any of the links above, you’ll find either a URL or a phone number to contact for more information

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