Posts Tagged ‘fourth of july’

Hey! It’s the Fourth! Here are the best of the local celebrations.

City of Alameda’s 4th of July Parade

This fantastic old-fashioned parade has a long, long route and plenty of low-tech flash: horses, people in costume, marching bands. The parade is followed by Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee, a party for families in a local park.

When: Sun., 7/4, parade starts at 10am, Jubilee starts at 4pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Parade winds from Park and Otis to Webster and Lincoln, spots are available all along the street; myalamedaparade.com.

Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

Big booms on the waterfront lead to (usually) colored fog. A party with music, food, and kid fun precedes the fireworks.

When: Sun., 7/4, 3-9:30pm (Fireworks begin at 9:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero (at Grant Street), San Francisco; pier39.com.

4th of July at Berkeley Marina

Cool child-oriented celebration-before-fireworks emphasizes live performers (dancers, jugglers), and is held adjoining Adventure Playground, open until 8pm and the site of much cheerful sawing and hammering.

When: Sun., 7/4, noon-10pm; All Ages; Free.

Where: Berkley Marina, Marina Boulevard (at University Avenue), Berkeley; anotherbullwinkelshow.com.

The Glorious Fourth edition! Use yourself up on the fireworks and festivities, take the rest of the weekend off.

Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

You never know, this could be the year when there’s no fog and you can actually see the fireworks. Before the big booms begin, come down for live music, food, and kiddie activities.

When: Fri., 7/4, 2-10pm (Fireworks begin at 9:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero (at Grant Street), San Francisco; pier39.com.

4th of July Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee

A sweet holiday celebration for smaller kids, the Jubilee features crafts, bounce houses, and obstacle course to get little legs tired. Come early to watch Alameda’s old-fashioned Fourth parade, which begins at 8am a few blocks away from the Jubilee site.

When: Sat., 7/4, noon-4pm; Age 5+; $10-20.

Where: Rittler Park, Otis Drive (at Grand Street), Alameda, ci.alameda.ca.us.

San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline Amphitheatre

Perhaps the fanciest and most relaxing of Bay Area Fourth options, this party includes kid-friendly music with simulcast fireworks that you can watch from a seat or from a blanket on the lawn.

When: Sat., 7/4, 8pm; Age 3+; $15-29.50 ($17.50 for four seats on the lawn).

Where: Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, 650-967-3000; livenation.com.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate the Fourth by taking up the pastimes of a bygone century at this fest, with patriotic and fiddle music, and games, contests, and races including a pie-eating competition, egg tosses, and a watermelon-seed-spitting match.

When: Sat., 7/4, 10am-4pm; Age 3+: Free-$7.

Where: Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard (at Newark Boulevard), Fremont, 510-796-0663, ebparks.org.

The Glorious Fourth edition! Enjoy looking at the colored fog!

San Francisco’s Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

When people ask “When do the fireworks start?” this is what they mean. The family-friendliest place to watch may be from the room of your apartment building, but failing that, the party at Aquatic Park has live music, food, kids’ activities, and, of course, fireworks that may or may not be visible. KISS-FM provides the simulcast soundtrack, should you care to tune in.
When: Fri., 7/4, 2-10pm (Fireworks begin at 9:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Fisherman’s Wharf Aquatic Park, Jefferson Street (at Hyde Street), San Francisco; 415-674-7503, fishermanswharf.org.

San Francisco Mime Troupe in Dolores Park

Even if your kids are too young to get the political references, they’ll love lying on a blanket in the park and taking in the show.

When: Fri.-Sun., 7/4-6, 1:30-3pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Dolores Park, between 18th and 20th Streets and Dolores and Church Streets, San Francisco; sfmt.org.

Pier 39 Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

Best for kids who want something zippier than face-painting, this party’s main attraction is lengthy sets by two popular San Francisco cover bands, Big Bang Beat and Tainted Love, along with the glittery touristy allure of Pier 39’s shops and restaurants itself. Unless the fog rolls in, Pier 39 is an excellent spot to view the city fireworks show. If the fog rolls in, of course, no one’s going to see the show.

When: Fri., 7/4, 1-10pm; Age 7+; Free.

Where: Pier 39 , Embarcadero Street (at Beach Street), San Francisco, pier39.com.

July 4th Family Festival at the Cannery

A family-friendly alternative to fireworks shows that don’t even start until long past bedtime, the Cannery party features live music, face painting, and food booths.

When: Fri., 7/4; 11am-3pm; All ages; Free.

Where: The Cannery at Del Monte Square, 2801 Leavenworth Street (at Columbus Street), 415-771-3112, delmontesquare.com.