While several Bay Area cities had to cancel their fireworks displays this year due to budget cuts, you can use this map to find out where to get your fireworks fix.
The map shows some of the Bay Area's notable displays, in green. Red locations are cities where previously scheduled fireworks were canceled, but other events, including parades, live music and barbecues, are marching on. Click on any location to see details; all the events are also listed below.
Our list isn't exhaustive. Please leave a comment and let us know where else you're celebrating this year!
The Antioch City Council announced in April that it couldn't afford the roughly $85,000 needed to host a fireworks display this year, the Contra Costa Times reports. Residents began a fundraising campaign to save the show, but fell short. Instead, the city is hosting a parade in the parking lot of the Somersville Towne Center mall at 1 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a choir performace inside the mall. The parking lot was chosen to save money; police services along a bigger parade route would have cost more.
Image of Antioch's 2009 July 4th parade by Congressman John Garamendi via Flickr.
Parade and choir at 1 p.m. Sunday at Somersville Towne Center mall, Somersville Road and Delta Fair Boulevard. Antioch Ca.
The Antioch City Council announced in April that it couldn't afford the roughly $85,000 needed to host a fireworks display this year, the Contra Costa Times reports. Residents began a fundraising campaign to save the show, but fell short. Instead, the city is hosting a parade in the parking lot of the Somersville Towne Center mall at 1 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a choir performace inside the mall. The parking lot was chosen to save money; police services along a bigger parade route would have cost more.
Image of Antioch's 2009 July 4th parade by Congressman John Garamendi via Flickr.
There will be live entertainment from noon till 9 p.m. on the main stage, and entertainers performing in smaller venues around the Marina. Also featuring arts-and-craft booths, massages, free sailboat rides from 1-4 p.m. and dragon boat rides from 2-6 p.m. More details here.
Image of the Berkeley Marina's 2008 July 4th display by Flickr user rmnicholas.
Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave.. Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave., Berkeley CA.
There will be live entertainment from noon till 9 p.m. on the main stage, and entertainers performing in smaller venues around the Marina. Also featuring arts-and-craft booths, massages, free sailboat rides from 1-4 p.m. and dragon boat rides from 2-6 p.m. More details here.
Image of the Berkeley Marina's 2008 July 4th display by Flickr user rmnicholas.
After years of escalating costs and diminishing donations, Half Moon Bay's Coastside Fireworks Fundraising Committee has given up on this year's display. As this article in the Half Moon Bay Review explains, the cost of a "good show" can be upwards of $40,000, with overtime police presence accounting for much of the bill, and the task of organizing the spectacle can be monumental. There will still be a barbeque at Correas and Main at noon on Sunday, with a harmonica show, and a parade through downtown on Saturday beginning at noon. More details here.
Image of Half Moon Bay's July 4th parade in 2009 from San Mateo County Library at Flickr.
No fireworks this year, but a BBQ and parade are on. Correas and Main. Correas and Main, Half Moon Bay, Ca.
After years of escalating costs and diminishing donations, Half Moon Bay's Coastside Fireworks Fundraising Committee has given up on this year's display. As this article in the Half Moon Bay Review explains, the cost of a "good show" can be upwards of $40,000, with overtime police presence accounting for much of the bill, and the task of organizing the spectacle can be monumental. There will still be a barbeque at Correas and Main at noon on Sunday, with a harmonica show, and a parade through downtown on Saturday beginning at noon. More details here.
Image of Half Moon Bay's July 4th parade in 2009 from San Mateo County Library at Flickr.
Like several other Bay Area cities, Oakland has dropped this year's fireworks display due to budget cuts. It's not the first time the city has skipped pyrotechnics: Oakland cancelled its display in 2007, though that year's concern was the flammability of ongoing construction at Jack London Square. This year, Jack London Square will host live bands, a petting zoo, farmer's market, wine bar, magician and more.
Image from July 4th at Jack London Square in 2008, by Flickr user size8jeans.
Live music and events from noon to 4 p.m., Jack London Square. Jack London Square, Oakland Ca.
Like several other Bay Area cities, Oakland has dropped this year's fireworks display due to budget cuts. It's not the first time the city has skipped pyrotechnics: Oakland cancelled its display in 2007, though that year's concern was the flammability of ongoing construction at Jack London Square. This year, Jack London Square will host live bands, a petting zoo, farmer's market, wine bar, magician and more.
Image from July 4th at Jack London Square in 2008, by Flickr user size8jeans.
Redwood City has canceled its traditional fireworks show because the cost — about $50,000 — is just too high, the Bay City News reports. It will be the first time in a decade that the city won’t have a blazing display to cap its other festivities, which include a parade and a "battle of the bands." The nonprofit that produces the city's Independence Day event said costs for the show — liability insurance, materials and transportation — were too high this year.
Image by Flickr user (nz)dave, from Redwood City's 2006 July 4th parade.
Parade, "battle of the bands" and more at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway. Courthouse Square, Redwood City, Ca.
Redwood City has canceled its traditional fireworks show because the cost — about $50,000 — is just too high, the Bay City News reports. It will be the first time in a decade that the city won’t have a blazing display to cap its other festivities, which include a parade and a "battle of the bands." The nonprofit that produces the city's Independence Day event said costs for the show — liability insurance, materials and transportation — were too high this year.
Image by Flickr user (nz)dave, from Redwood City's 2006 July 4th parade.
Richmond's fireworks will launch from Lucretia Edwards Park at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the best viewing location is Marina Bay Park. Children's activities in the park begin at 6:30, and while they require an additional charge, the fireworks display is free.
Image by Flickr user halfgreek2000, from Richmond's 2007 July 4th fireworks display.
Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Marina Bay Park, Melville Square and Regatta Boulevard. Marina Bay Park, Richmond Ca.
Richmond's fireworks will launch from Lucretia Edwards Park at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the best viewing location is Marina Bay Park. Children's activities in the park begin at 6:30, and while they require an additional charge, the fireworks display is free.
Image by Flickr user halfgreek2000, from Richmond's 2007 July 4th fireworks display.
The City of San Francisco's official fireworks display boasts the most firepower of any Bay Area city, with more than 10,000 combined devices. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., and both Pier 39 and Aquatic Park are designated viewing spots. There's live music earlier in the day, from 3 p.m. on, and 80s cover band Tainted Love plays at 6 p.m.
Image by Flickr user srivera, who posted a remarkable set of fireworks photos from last year's Fisherman's Wharf display here.
Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., Pier 39 and Aquatic Park. Beach St & The Embarcadero, sf.
The City of San Francisco's official fireworks display boasts the most firepower of any Bay Area city, with more than 10,000 combined devices. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., and both Pier 39 and Aquatic Park are designated viewing spots. There's live music earlier in the day, from 3 p.m. on, and 80s cover band Tainted Love plays at 6 p.m.
Image by Flickr user srivera, who posted a remarkable set of fireworks photos from last year's Fisherman's Wharf display here.
The San Jose Giants are hosting this year's fireworks display. Earlier in the day, the stadium will host 95.3 KRTY'S All American Country Jam concert, featuring country music artists Chris Cagle and James Wesley. Tickets are required for the concert, but the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. is free.
Image by Flickr user jby1982, from San Jose's 2007 July 4th display.
Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., San Jose Municipal Stadium, 588 East Alma Ave.. 588 East Alma Avenue, San Jose, Ca.
The San Jose Giants are hosting this year's fireworks display. Earlier in the day, the stadium will host 95.3 KRTY'S All American Country Jam concert, featuring country music artists Chris Cagle and James Wesley. Tickets are required for the concert, but the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. is free.
Image by Flickr user jby1982, from San Jose's 2007 July 4th display.
A program of live music starts at 3 p.m. at El Portal Soccer Field (Contra Costa College), featuring headliner Cold Blood with Lydia Pense at 7:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.
Image by Flickr user lslphoto.
Fireworks start between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., El Portal Soccer Field, 2600 Moraga Rd.. 2600 Morago Road, San Pablo, Ca.
A program of live music starts at 3 p.m. at El Portal Soccer Field (Contra Costa College), featuring headliner Cold Blood with Lydia Pense at 7:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.
Image by Flickr user lslphoto.
You can watch Sausalito's display, which launches from Spinnaker Point, all along Richardson Bay. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be a parade from downtown Sausalito to Dunphy Park, and the Sparrow Creek Montessori School will hold its 16th annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon at 304 Caledonia St., along the parade route. Click here for more details.
Image by Flickr user mrtwism, from Sausalito's 2006 Independence Day event.
Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., Caledonia Street and Dunphy Park. Dunphy Park, Sausalito.
You can watch Sausalito's display, which launches from Spinnaker Point, all along Richardson Bay. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be a parade from downtown Sausalito to Dunphy Park, and the Sparrow Creek Montessori School will hold its 16th annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon at 304 Caledonia St., along the parade route. Click here for more details.
Image by Flickr user mrtwism, from Sausalito's 2006 Independence Day event.
Park admission is required for all guests, and there's an additional charge for an all-you-can-eat picnic from noon to 2:30 p.m. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. More details here.
Image of last year's fireworks display in Vallejo by Flickr user paulzaporteza.
Fireworks start between 9 and 9:30 p.m., Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr.. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo.
Park admission is required for all guests, and there's an additional charge for an all-you-can-eat picnic from noon to 2:30 p.m. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. More details here.
Image of last year's fireworks display in Vallejo by Flickr user paulzaporteza.
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