Best Places to Enjoy the Fourth of July on the Peninsula and Beyond: On Independence Day, the Peninsula will host parades, pyrotechnics, artistic displays, live music, and much more. Palo Alto has reintroduced its popular chilli cook-off after a hiatus of several years, while Redwood City is conducting a variety of events, including a pancake breakfast, parade, and chalk art festival. And in Mountain View, pyrotechnics conclude the San Francisco Symphony’s annual Fourth of July concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre. Here is your Independence Day 2023 guide:
Best Places to Enjoy the Fourth of July on the Peninsula and Beyond
Palo Alto
Independence Day Summer Festival and Chilli Cookoff: The Recreation Division of the City of Palo Alto will once again conduct the 4th of July Summer Festival and Chilli Cook-Off at Mitchell Park. There will be cash prizes awarded for best spirit, best stall decoration, best chilli overall, and people’s choice chilli. The event will also feature live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly diversions and activities, in addition to the renowned chili-making competition.
Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on July 4. Independence Day Summer Festival and Chilli Cookoff.
Los Altos Hills
The 12th annual 4th of July Parade will be hosted by the city of Los Altos Hills. This year’s parade will feature horsemen from the Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association. The parade concludes with everyone receiving a refreshing beverage and fresh cantaloupe.
Los Altos Hills Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, 4 July, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. July Fourth Parade
Mountain Scenery
Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline: The San Francisco Symphony returns to Shoreline Amphitheatre for its annual Independence Day celebration. The concert will include works by John Williams and George Gershwin, as well as a tribute to Aretha Franklin featuring vocalist Capathia Jenkins and a varied musical repertoire. After dark, the musical evening will conclude with a spectacular pyrotechnics display.
Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Pkw, will host a concert on July 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$168.50. Spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display.
Celebrate Fourth of July 2023: Best Places in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey
Fourth of July 2023: A complete guide to fireworks shows in Central New York
Best Places to Enjoy the Fourth of July on the Peninsula and Beyond: Menlo Park
The city of Menlo Park conducts a 4th of July parade down Santa Cruz Avenue for the first time since 2019 to celebrate Independence Day. At the conclusion of the parade route in Fremont Park, there will be a variety of activities, including live music, games, and refreshments.
July 4, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The parade participants assemble at 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot on Maloney Street behind Cheeky Monkey. Menlo Park’s Fremont Park, Santa Cruz Avenue, and University Drive is where the parade ends. Menlo Park’s Fourth of July celebration.
Portola Valley
Ice Cream Social and Brass Band Celebration: Brassworks Quintet performs standards and patriotic-themed music, and the dancers of Stanford Quad demonstrate square dancing steps at this event hosted by Ladera Community Church, which also features an ice cream social. Guests are encouraged to discuss their preferred ice cream topping.
Portola Valley, Ladera Community Church, 3300 Alpine Road, Tuesday, July 2, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Ice Cream and Brass Band Celebration.
The city of Redwood City
The Annual Independence Day Parade, Festival, and Fireworks: According to the event’s website, the Peninsula Celebration Association will once again host its annual 4th of July parade in Redwood City, the largest independence day parade in northern California. Since 1939, the celebratory procession has passed through the historic downtown of Redwood City. The grand marshal will be the actress Linda Cardellini, who was born in Redwood City. The day begins with a pancake breakfast in support of local firefighters. At Courthouse Square, the Peninsula Celebration Association also conducts a festival with arts and crafts booths, food, drinks, and activities for children. A pyrotechnics display will end the day with a bang at the Port of Redwood City.
All activities occur on July 4. Redwood City’s parade begins at 10 a.m. at Brewster Avenue and Winslow Street. Redwood City Fire Station 9, 755 Marshall Street, will host a pancake brunch between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 16. The cost of breakfast is $10. The festival is held at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Redwood City, California, Port of Redwood City, 675 Seaport Boulevard, 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. Redwood City celebrates Independence Day.
Chalk Full of Fun: On July 3 and 4, local chalk artists will create ephemeral works of art in Redwood City’s Courthouse Square. This annual event hosted by the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation is sure to please art enthusiasts and families, as participants can sign up for a square to create their own works of art.
July 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and July 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Redwood City’s Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway. Chalk Full of Entertainment.
An Old-Fashioned Fourth: On July 4, travel through time at the San Mateo County History Museum. The patriotic programmes of the museum include seminars in 1880s-style craft-making and a film screening of “A Beautiful Place to Live,” which features films from the museum’s archives depicting life on the Peninsula in the 1930s. Bring along the youngsters to make pinwheels and paper parachutes.
On July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, will screen a film at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and are free for children younger than 5 years old. San Mateo County Museum of History.
Best Places to Enjoy the Fourth of July on the Peninsula and Beyond: Woodside
The 71st Woodside Junior Rodeo
This local custom includes rodeo events like barrel racing and pole bending. Pony rides, a petting menagerie, vendors, and a barbecue are available to guests. A pre-rodeo dinner is held the night before the event.
Tickets for the pre-rodeo dinner on July 3 at 6 p.m. are $20 to $30, and the rodeo on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. cost $20 to $30. Tickets are $10-$15. Both the dinner and rodeo will be held at Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, located at 525 Kings Mountain Road; Woodside Junior Rodeo.
PlayStation Plus Games for July 2023: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and More Revealed by Sony
The city of Foster City
Fourth of July Celebration in Foster City: Begin the day with a pancake breakfast at Leo Ryan Park or with food carts serving all day on Shell Boulevard. Andy Z, Fog City Swampers, and Township will provide entertainment at the park’s amphitheatre. A children’s play area, family parade, and dog parade are additional methods to celebrate. And at night, people of all ages can watch spectacular pyrotechnics over the lagoon.
9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on July 4 at Leo Ryan Park, 650 Shell Boulevard, Foster City. Admission is free. The Fourth of July celebration in Foster City.
Best Places to Enjoy the Fourth of July on the Peninsula and Beyond: South Bay and Shoreline
Autism on Tap: Independence Day Edition is an event hosted by the Autism Society of the San Francisco Bay Area at Old Greenwood BBQ at Sunken Gardens Golf Course in Sunnyvale for families who have children with autism or special needs. There will be appetisers available, but guests can also order complete meals.
Sunken Gardens Golf Course, 1010 S. Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale, July 2, 3:30-6:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration must be completed online. Autism on Tap: Fourth of July Edition.
Independence Day Celebration in Cupertino The city of Cupertino hosts a crowded Independence Day celebration. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Quinlan Community Centre, observe a flag-raising ceremony conducted by Boy Scouts at Memorial Park, and enjoy a concert by the Arena band. Hyde Middle School will host a pyrotechnics display to conclude your celebration.
July 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cupertino hosts a breakfast at the Quinlan Community Centre on 10185 North Stelling Road, a flag raising at Memorial Park on 21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard, and pyrotechnics at Hyde Middle School on 19150 Bollinger Road. The breakfast is priced at $13 for adults and $9 for children under 12, while all other events are free. Celebration of Independence Day in Cupertino.
Fourth of July Celebration at Great America: Ride roller coasters for hours, dine on smoked barbecue meats, esquites street corn and churros at the theme park’s backyard cookout and watch pyrotechnics at the Pavilion.
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 at 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. The cost of the cookout is $24.95 for children under 12 and $49.95 for adults. Admission to the park begins at $49.99. Fourth of July Celebration in America.
Los Gatos Symphony in the Park: Enjoy food from local food vendors while listening to the San Jose Wind Symphony in the park with friends. The event also featured family-friendly activities, such as inflatable houses and the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and Carousel.
July 4 at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Fourth of July Concert in the Park.
Santa Clara Independence Day All-City Picnic: Enjoy a picnic with friends and family on the lush green expanses of Santa Clara’s Central Park. Enjoy funfair activities, live entertainment, swimming and food from La Burbuja Taco Truck, Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos and seven additional food trucks and stands.
12 p.m. – 5 p.m., July 4, Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard, Santa Clara. Kids’ zone is $15, pool is $5 per person. Admission is free. All-City Fourth of July Picnic in Santa Clara.
Half Moon Bay Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade: Begin the day with an omelette breakfast on the coast at 8:00 a.m. At noon, spectators can congregate on Main Street to watch floats, classic cars, horses, and more march along the parade route. Stay for a performance by the 40-member Sitting Marching Band and a block party.
July 4 beginning at noon on Half Moon Bay’s Main Street. Admission is free. Old-fashioned Fourth of July Parade and Block Party in Half Moon Bay.
Pacifica Rocket Run: Commence your celebrations early with the annual 5-mile Pacifica Rocket Run. All capacities and ages are welcome. There will be medals awarded to the top six competitors in each division.
July 4. At the Pacifica Community Centre, 540 Crespi Drive, check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. The cost of registration is $25. Pacifica Rocket Run.
