Thanks to Jupiter Grocery for sponsoring our Fourth of July for East Bay Families guide. We have fireworks, parades, and barbecues in the mix. Independence Day is a Sunday this year. Read on for things to do with kids to celebrate July 4th, 2021. Please use code HAPPY4TH to save 25% off your first Jupiter Grocery order. This offer expires on the 5th of July.
Fouth of July is Weird Again This Year
We’ll be honest: we’ve missed a whole lot of fireworks with our kids through the years because the start time is always after 9 pm. Luckily, there’s more fun to be had on the Fourth of July than just fireworks. A daytime playdate in a park followed by a nap and a BBQ makes a great Fourth. If you’re planning to get together with friends or host family but can’t be bothered to face the grocery stores, Jupiter is here to help! This year there are some fireworks shows and parades back in the mix. Yippee!
Use Jupiter Grocery to stock up on staples, recipes, and schedule a delivery time that works for you. Use code HAPPY4TH to save 25% off your first order.
Many of the big, East Bay community events have been canceled for both 2020 and 2021, we hope to see them in 2022! But lots of them are roaring back. Here’s what’s going on for July Fourth that’s awesome for Bay Area families:
Bay Area Activities, Fireworks, Parades, & Fests for Independence Day
🎆 July 2, 6:40 pm start, Oakland A’s Fireworks Game @ Oakland Coliseum: Watch the only fireworks in town: the beloved post-game fireworks celebration is a go on July 2. Family 4-pack of tickets is $120. There’s also a day game on the fourth. Buy tickets >
July 3, 10 am to 1 pm Decorate Cookies at the Claremont Hotel: The stars and stripes cookies are adorable. $40 gets your family a dozen cookies with all materials needed. Eat as you go or bring some home! Learn more >
July 3-4, 11 am to 4 pm, Thrive City Block Party, San Francisco. Free event with DJ, food vendors, and family-friendly attractions in the area surrounding the Chase Center. Learn more >
🎆 July 3-4, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom July 4th Fest, Vallejo. The rides are open, the animals are waiting, and there will be fireworks both nights. Save Up to 50% On Tickets All Summer Long When You Use Promo Code COKE at Checkout. Buy tickets >
🎆 July 4, Fourth of July at Great America, 11 am to 9 pm. Plan for a day full of fun at the amusement park and stay for a giant fireworks display at the end of the day. They’re calling it “bigger and better fireworks than ever before!” so be prepared. Learn more and buy tickets >
🎆 July 4, Antioch Parade & Fireworks Antioch is hosting an annual parade and celebration that starts bright and early with a pancake breakfast at City Hall followed by a parade AND, later, fireworks! Pancakes at 8 am, Parade at 5 pm. Fireworks begin at 9:20 pm. Antioch Independence Day.
July 4, Orinda Parade! The City of Orinda is holding its Fourth of July parade starting at 11 am. Other activities of the day include flag-raising, library sale, fun run, and band performances. Orinda Parade Route.
July 4, Alameda Band Performance & Starlight Kids Movie. The bluegrass concert is from 6:45 to 7:45 pm followed by a special Starlight Movie in the Park production of Onward. No RSVP required.
🎆 July 4, San Francisco Fireworks at Fisherman’s Wharf. Promising a full day of fun, you might have a hard time getting in if you haven’t staked out your blanket early on. Better views might be from Treasure Island or even the Bay itself. Regardless, we’re thrilled to have a big municipal fireworks display. Live music starts at 6 pm. Admission is free. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. Many roads in SF will be closed before and during. Learn more (including ways to see from the Bay) >
🎆 July 4, Concord Fireworks. Gates open at 7 pm and fireworks set to music will begin after dark. Cars require a $25 ticket to park at the Concord Pavilion. Learn more and buy tickets >
{ROAD TRIP} July 4 at noon, Half Moon Bay Parade & Festival! The parade called “So happy together” will be routed down Main Street in Half Moon Bay for about an hour. The event will be music-driven and is expected to begin at 11 am with acts on the main stage through 4 pm. Find details here >
July 4, 2 pm SF Symphony at Stern Grove. The San Francisco Symphony returns for its annual summer performance at Stern Grove Festival, with Edwin Outwater conducting a special Fourth of July concert featuring pianist Aaron Diehl. Gates open at noon for this free concert series. Requires reservations. Find more information >
July 4th City Cruise leaving from Berkeley. Choose a brunch boat ride or a dinner cruise out on the Bay. This could be an awesome way to see San Francisco’s fireworks — or not, they can’t guarantee it. Starts at $101. Learn more >
Semi-Private Out of the House Fourth of July Adventures
Reserve a private swimming pool. Reserve a backyard with a swimming pool and other premium features with Swimply.com. Bring a cooler of cookout supplies (save 25% off your first Jupiter Grocery order with code HAPPY4TH) with you!
DIY Parade with Porch of July. Some towns are awarding prizes for the best-decorated homes instead of a municipal parade. Maybe you can drive around looking for sweet house decorations in Alameda or Piedmont. Convince your neighbors to make that a thing where you live. Learn more about Alameda Porch of July and the Piedmont house & car decorating contest.
Hit the popsicle party on Fourth Street. FLEXA Berkeley is hosting another cute & FREE party for little ones (limit 20) with crafts and popsicles. Register for your 30-minute spot.
Go fly a kite. Be outdoors together and bring snacks and a kite. Here are three of our favorite places to go for kite-flying.
Rent a large or small boat! Put your family on a party pontoon on Lake Chabot or do some kayak races on the Bay with your bigger kids. Little ones might enjoy a pedal boat on Lake Merritt.
Hit the beach. Get sand in your toes at one of the incredible Bay Area beaches.
Please choose lots more destinations from our Massive Summer Bucket List.
Awesome At-home Activities for July Fourth
Grill out with friends and family. Entertaining and eating outdoors is totally back this year! Whether the recipe is Shish Kebabs, grilled veggies, barbecue beef, vegan burgers, or hot dogs, make your backyard celebration even easier by adding all the fixin’s to your cart and having them delivered by Jupiter.co. Save 25% off your first order with the code HAPPY4TH. This offer expires on July 5.
Bake pinwheel cookies. Not into grilling? Make some red, white, and blue pinwheel cookies to celebrate the day. Homemade or store-bought are fine by me!
Thanks again to Jupiter Grocery for sponsoring our Fourth of July for East Bay Families guide. Whether your cookout is large or tiny, use code HAPPY4TH to save 25% off your first order. This offer expires on the 5th of July.
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1 thought on “Fireworks Guide & Where to Celebrate Fourth of July in the East Bay”
Will there be events at Lake Merritt on the Fourth of July