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.