KIHNCERT A day of music from Greg Kihn, Foghat, Wild Child, Aja Vu and Evolution. Jul 1, noon; $9.85–$15. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos Street at Woz Way, downtown San Jose. 408.294.2100x444. www.festivalforindependence.com.

Day on the Meadow A warm-up for the Festival of Independence featuring music from Fountains of Wayne, They Might Be Giants, Madina Lake, Kung Fu Vampire and DJ Scotty Boy. Jul 3, 3pm; $10.49/$15. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos Street at Woz Way, downtown San Jose. 408.294.2100x444. www.festivalforindependence.com.

July 3 Celebration Grammy-nominated swing act Big Bad Voodoo Daddy takes the stage at Stanford Lively Arts' annual pre-Independence Day celebration, preceded by a picnic and followed by a fireworks spectacular. Jul 3, 5:30 pm; $22–$44. Frost Amphitheater, Stanford University, Palo Alto. 650.725.ARTS. livelyarts.stanford.edu.

Fourth of July Celebration Events for every type, including the Patriotic Sing Festival and Street Dance on Sunday and a 5K run, parade and fireworks on America's birthday. Jul 3–4, times vary; free. Various locations, downtown Morgan Hill. 408.779.3387. www.morganhilldowntown.org.

All-City Picnic and Fireworks This annual event includes family-friendly events such as a petting zoo and carnival games, plus a pancake breakfast, a picnic and live entertainment. A fireworks display ends the day at dusk. Jul 4, 8am–5pm; free. Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140.

Cupertino Fourth of July The city hosts a day of events, including a pancake breakfast, parade, community sing-along, games and live entertainment, and ends the day with a bang, setting off a fireworks display. Jul 4, all day; call for times and prices. Various locations, Cupertino. 408.777.3110.

July 4th in Los Gatos The city of cats hosts a full day of fun, beginning with an "All American Picnic and Games," and continuing with music from the San Jose Wind Symphony, free cake and ice cream, bingo and lemonade and a barbecue, and concluding with dancing to the Hit Men. Jul 4, all day; free. 110 E. Main St, Los Gatos. 408.354.9300. www.losgatosca.gov.

America Festival for Independence Celebrate the diverse cultures that make up San Jose through live music, entertainment and activities—not to mention fireworks. Produced as a benefit for the Emergency Housing Consortium. Jul 4, call for times; free. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos Street and Woz Way, San Jose. 408.294.2100, ext. 444. www.festivalforindependence.com.

Spirit of Watsonville This annual event includes a pancake breakfast and parade. Jul 4, 8am–5pm; free. Downtown Watsonville. 831.728.6183. www.spiritofwatsonville.com.

Saratoga Independence Day Participate in community events and watch the annual parade. Jul 4, 10am; free. Azule City Park, 12777 Goleta Ave, Saratoga. 408.252.7447. www.saratogachamber.org.

Redwood City Independence Day Parade and Celebration This 68th annual celebration includes the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California, a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts booths, entertainment and fireworks. Jul 4, 10am–10pm; free. Brewster and Winslow streets, Redwood City. 650.599.3428. www.parade.org.

World's Shortest Parade Just about everyone shows up to display their patriotism, send a political message or poke fun. Preceded by a pancake breakfast and followed by a party in the park. Jul 4, 10am; free. Soquel and State Park drives, Aptos. 831.688.1467. www.aptoschamber.com.

East Bay BBQ Competition Start off the day with an old-fashioned barbecue competition, including various vendors, live entertainment and dancing. Jul 4, 10am–4pm. Jack London Square, Broadway and Embarcadero, Oakland. 866.295.9853. www.jacklondonsquare.com.

Fourth of July Celebration An old-fashioned family day, including sack races, a balloon toss, hoop contests and live music. Jul 4; call for time and prices. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill and Mt. Hermon Road, Felton. 831.335.4484. www.roaringcamp.com.

U.S.S. Hornet Independence Day Climb aboard the historic aircraft carrier for a day of live music, food, games, family activities and a view of fireworks. Jul 4, all day; call for prices. U.S.S. Hornet Museum, Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda. 510.521.8448. www.hornetevents.com.

Fremont Fourth of July Parade The Historic Niles District hosts this annual patriotic parade, including pre- and post-parade events. Jul 4, 10am–noon; free. Niles Boulevard, Fremont. 510.676.7523. www.fremont4thofjulyparade.org.

Independence Day at Ardenwood Featuring patriotic music, games, races, an egg toss, a pie-eating contest and a steam engine, simulating a traditional Independence Day in the early 1900s. Jul 4, 10am–4pm; call for prices. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont. 510.796.0663. www.ebparks.org.

Monterey 4th of July Celebration A parade down Alvarado Street, barbecue picnic, live music and a fireworks display over Monterey Bay. Jul 4, 10am–5pm festivities, 9:15pm fireworks; free. Colton Hall, Pacific Street between Madison and Jefferson streets, downtown Monterey. 831.646.3866. www.monterey.org.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration Step back 100 years and celebrate Independence Day as it was in 1906. Includes a noon parade, games, children's crafts, music and living history demonstrations. Jul 4, 11am–4pm; free, plus day-use parking fee. Wilder Ranch, off Highway One, north of Santa Cruz. 831.426.0505. www.parks.ca.gov.

Living History Day Time travel back to 1840s Monterey through hands-on history exhibits and activities, such as rope making, leather stamping, tortilla making, children's games and crafts. Jul 4, noon–4pm; call for prices. Cooper-Molera Adobe, 525 Polk St, Old Monterey. 831.649.7118.

26th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Summer Festival Spice up the Fourth with local band Johnny Super, a wide variety of food vendors, kids' activities and, of course, a heated chili competition. Jul 4, noon–5pm; free. Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto. 650.463.4921. www.cityofpaloalto.org.

July Fourth Celebration Milpitas celebrates our country's Independence Day with an afternoon pool party and a concert and fireworks display in the evening. Jul 4, 1–5pm and 8–9:30pm; free. Milpitas Sports Complex, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas. 408.586.3210. www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

Red, White & Blues Festival Featuring Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Zydeco Flames and others, including local Bay Area blues acts. Jul 4, noon–8pm; free with fair admission. Alameda County Fair, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. 510.836.2227. www.bayareabluessociety.net.

San Jose Wind Symphony The symphony performs a program titled "This Land Is Your Land." Bring a chair or blanket for this outdoor concert. Jul 4, 1:30pm; free. Los Gatos High School lawn, 20 High School Ct, Los Gatos. 408.927.7597. www.sjws.org.

Pier 39 Fourth of July Big Band Beat and Tainted Love perform during the afternoon and evening, followed by an extravagant fireworks display. Jul 4, 1–9:30pm; free. Pier 39, San Francisco. www.pier39.com.

Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration A day of live music, fun for kids, food and more. Plus a fireworks display in the evening. Jul 4, 3pm doors, 9:15pm fireworks; $7. Scotts Valley Community Center and Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. 831.438.3251

Livermore Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Enjoy live music, food, games and a fireworks show synchronized to music. Jul 4, 4–10:30pm; $2–$10. Robertson Park, 3500 Robertson Park Road, Livermore. 925.373.5700

Spirit of America Church on the Hill hosts this annual festival with fun and games for the family, including rockclimbing, bounce houses and face painting, and food from Armadillo Willy's, Taco Bravo and more, concluding with a fireworks display. Jul 4, 5–10pm; $2. Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Dr, San Jose. 408.265.9000. www.churchonthehill.com.

Fourth of July Spectacular The San Francisco Symphony, conducted by guest Randall Fleischer, presents "The Best of Broadway" and a fireworks show. Pre-concert entertainment includes magicians and face painters. Jul 4, 5pm doors, 8pm show; $15–$29.50. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View. 408.998.TIXS. www.ticketmaster.com.

Star-Spangled Sail View fireworks aboard a 65-foot sailboat. Drinks and desserts also available. Ages 10 and up welcome. Jul 4, 7–10pm; call for prices. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. 831.648.4800.

Gilroy Annual Fireworks Salute View a fireworks show above the city of Gilroy. Jul 4, 9:15pm; free. Gilroy High School, 750 10th St, Gilroy. www.ci.gilroy.ca.us.

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