July 4th Fireworks 2011
Fireworks! BBQ! Three-Day Weekend! Summer is here and it’s the time to sit back and relax with friends and family. Several Bay Area cities are planning events to celebrate Independence Day. Here are our picks on the best places to enjoy the fireworks around the Bay Area.
San Francisco
Pier 39, Beach Street and Embarcadero.
From 12-1pm, enjoy the cool sounds of Ruby Summer, A Beach Pop Band. From 2-4:30pm, rock out with Club 90 with hits from the 90’s. Then, dance the night away from 6-9:30pm with Tainted Love playing all your favorites from the 80’s. Free. Fireworks at 9:30pm.
A 4-hour Fourth of July Dinner Dance & Fireworks Cruise. Spend Independence Day in style on the Bay. Cruise includes a four-course seated dinner, a spectatular view of the fireworks over the bay, live entertainment and an open premium bar. 6:30pm – 11pm. $240.
Come aboard the Red and White Fleet to enjoy fantastic views of San Francisco’s spectacular 4th of July Fireworks. Red and White Fleet’s historic ferry boats offer outdoor decks to view the show, as well as indoor spaces to warm up during the cool San Francisco evenings. A full bar is available onboard, with one beer, wine or soda included in the ticket price. 7:45pm; 8:15pm, $66 (children under 5, free).
East Bay
There’s live entertainment from 12-9:30pm on the main stage including Downtown Rhythm, Lee Waterman & Jazz Caliente, The Hipwader’s Children’s Music, and the Tin Sandwich Harmonica Trio. In Shorebird Park you’ll find jugglers, magicians and other circus art performers. There’ll also be art & crafts, yummy food, massages, free dragon boat rowing from 2-6pm, pony rides, a dunk tank, and much more. Fireworks over the Berkeley Pier at 9:30pm. Note: No cars allowed entrance after 7pm.
There will be a host of July 4th events in Concord including a 5k run and walk, a parade (11:30am), and food and drink booths at a town festival in Todos Santos Plaza (until 3pm). Fireworks start at sundown.
Oakland is holding their family-oriented festivities at Jack London Square with a petting zoo, performers from Kinetic Arts like stiltwalkers, jugglers, and face-painters, clowns and balloon artists, children’s art activities, magicians, carnival games and more. There will also be bike, canoe, and kayak rentals. 11am – 4pm. Note: no fireworks.
Peninsula
Mountain View
Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy.
Join the San Francisco Symphony for an evening of patriotic songs and marches and fireworks. Performance begins at 8 pm. $15-$50. Get tickets here.
North Bay
Carnival rides, arts and crafts, farmers market, farm animals, horse shows, a petting zoo, science exhibits, and music. The fair is open from 11am-11pm. The fireworks take place every night of the Fair, shot from three barges over the lagoon in a low-level, safely choreographed extravaganza of music, rockets, Roman candles, comets, meteoric showers and spectacular bursting cascades – all beautifully reflected in the water below. Bring the entire family and enjoy this amazing new show every night of the Fair, from June 30 through July 4 at 9:30pm. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $13-$15.
Join the City of Sausalito for a full day of 4th of July celebrations. Festivities will begin at 10am with a parade down the streets of Sausalito beginning at Second and Main Street in oldtown Sausalito. The parade will feature local organizations, city council members, and the UC Berkeley Alumni Marching Band. The parade route will wind along Bridgeway and Caledonia and end at Dunphy Park at noon. Moving back to downtown Sausalito, join the City of Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department as they co-host an evening of celebration at Gabrielson Park from 6-9:30 pm. The celebration will feature live entertainment and end with a spectacular show of fireworks on the San Francisco Bay. Fireworks, 9:30pm.
Independence Day festivities kicks off at the Napa County Fair with four days of live music, strolling entertainers, competition for blue ribbons, an antique truck and tractor show, a 4th of July parade and fireworks. Showcasing local wines and arts. 1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga. Fri, 4-11pm; Sat- Mon, Noon-11pm. $5-$10. A free fireworks celebration will also be held in downtown Napa at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
