Palo Alto Firecracker Sectional

Annual bridge tournament (that's cards, not the roads on stilts). Jul--- 1–-5. $10 per session. Santa Clara Convention Center, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. 650.940.1824. www.paloaltobridge.com.

Fourth of July 5K

Morgan Hill's Fourth of July 5K run and walk and kid's one mile travel through the parade route in downtown Morgan Hill. Proceeds support Morgan Hill's Independence celebration. Register at www.mhidi.com. Jul 4, 7:45am. $22–$30. Walsh P. A. Elementary School, 353 W. Main Ave, Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill.

Blackberry Farm Fourth of July

The official reopening of Blackberry Farm, with Fourth of July celebrations and music by the Groove Kings. Jul 4, 11am–2pm. www.cupertino.org. Blackberry Farm, 21979 San Fernando Ave, Cupertino.

July Fourth in Los Gatos

A day of live music, food and patriotic fun for the whole family. Music by Jamnesia, the Sizzling Seniors and other guests. Jul 4, 11am–5:30pm. Free. 110 E. Main St, Los Gatos. 408.354.9300. [ http://www.losgatosca.gov/ ]www.losgatosca.gov.

 

A July Fourth Picnic at Baylands Park

Pack a lunch and a blanket and head to the park to see Rock Lerum, stilt walker and juggler, between noon and 2pm. No Pets allowed. Jul 4, 8am–10pm. Free. Baylands Park, 999 Caribbean Dr, Sunnyvale. 408.730.7751.

 

Fourth of July All-City Picnic

Kick off Independence Day with a pancake breakfast, and spend the afternoon enjoying live music and activities for every age. A fireworks extravaganza will begin at 9:30pm. Jul 4, 8am–10pm. Free. Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140.

 

Redwood City Independence Day Parade and Celebration

This annual celebration includes the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California. Enjoy a parade, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment and fireworks. Jul 4, 9am–5pm. Free. Brewster and Winslow streets, Redwood City. 650.365.1825. www.parade.org.

World's Shortest Parade

Preceded by a pancake breakfast and followed by a party in the park. Jul 4, 11am-4pm. Free. Soquel and State Park drives, Aptos. 831.688.1467.  [ http://www.aptoschamber.com/ ]www.aptoschamber.com.

 

Rose, White and Blue Fourth of July Parade

An old-fashioned patriotic parade that ends with a festival including food from local restaurants, booths and fun for kids. Jul 4, 10am-3pm. Free. Lincoln High School, 555 Dana Ave, San Jose. 408.436.8581.

 

Morgan Hill Fourth of July Parade

A "Salute to American Heroes" themed parade with live music, floats and more. A fireworks extravaganza will begin at dusk. Jul 4, 10am. Free. Monterey Highway and Second Street, downtown Morgan Hill.

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. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont. Jul 4, 10am–4pm. $5–$8. 510.796.0663. [ http://www.ebparks.org/ ]www.ebparks.org.

 

An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

Create old-time Independence Day decorations and hand-crank homemade ice cream at the historic Courthouse Grand Rotunda. Jul 4, 10am–4pm. $1–$2. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway St, Redwood City. 650.299.0104.

Fourth of July Celebration

A '50s style family day, including a sock hop, hula hoop contests, live entertainment and all-American barbeque. Jul 4. 10:30am-2:30pm. Train tickets $13.50-$21.50. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill and Mt. Hermon Road, Felton. 831.335.4484. www.roaringcamp.com.

Woodside Junior Rodeo

The 59th annual junior rodeo also includes a pig scramble, equestrian vendors, a petting zoo and food. The event begins with a dinner/dance on Friday at 6pm. Jul 3-4, 8am-dusk. $7–$15. Patrol Grounds, 521 Kings Mountain Rd, Redwood City. 650.851.8300. www.mpsmc.org.

USS Hornet Independence Day

Climb aboard the historic aircraft carrier for a day of live music, games, family activities and a view of fireworks. Jul 4, all day. USS Hornet Museum, Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda. 510.521.8448. [ http://www.hornetevents.com/ ]www.hornetevents.com.

Fremont Fourth of July Parade

Warm Springs hosts this annual patriotic parade, including pre- and post-parade events. Jul 4. Free. Warm Springs Boulevard, Fremont. [ http://www.fremont4th.org/ ]www.fremont4th.org.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration

Step back more than 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. Wilder Ranch, off Highway 1, north of Santa Cruz. 831.426.0505. [ http://www.parks.ca.gov/ ]www.parks.ca.gov.

Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off

Spice up the Fourth with live music, a wide variety of food vendors, kids' activities and, of course, a heated chili competition. Jul 4, noon–5pm. Free. Tasting tickets $5. Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto. 650.463.4953. www.cityofpaloalto.org.

July Fourth Celebration

Milpitas celebrates our country's Independence Day with an afternoon pool party, a concert and a fireworks display in the evening. Jul 4, call for locations and times. Free. 408.586.3210. [ http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/ ]www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

San Jose Wind Symphony

Bring a chair or blanket for this outdoor concert conducted by Edward C. Harris. Jul 4, 1:30pm. Free. Los Gatos High School lawn, 20 High School Ct, Los Gatos. 408.927.7597. [ http://www.sjws.org/ ]www.sjws.org.

Fireworks with the San Francisco Symphony

A live program of classical pieces. Jul 4, 5pm. $24–$29.50. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View. www.sfsymphony.org.

Fourth of July BBQ and Fireworks

The church hosts a barbecue dinner, followed by an opportunity to view Cupertino's fireworks display. Jul 4, 5pm. Free; bring own meat for grilling and drinks, potluck items appreciated. Bethel Lutheran Church, 10181 Finch Ave, Cupertino.

Independence Day at History Park

Bring a picnic dinner, food to grill and games to play before watching the fireworks following the San Jose Giants ballgame. Members only. Jul 4, 5:30pm. History Park 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. 408.287.2290.  

San Jose Giants Fireworks Extravaganza

After the game, watch the pyrotechnic display. Jul 4, 6:30pm. Free with admission. San Jose Municipal Stadium, Alma Avenue and Senter Road, San Jose. 408.297.1435.

Red, White and Cool BBQ

This annual all-you-can-eat barbecue includes potato salad, hot dogs, chicken, watermelon and more. Jul 3–5, noon–2pm. $9–$15. Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy. 408.840.7100. www.gilroygardens.org.

Red, White and Blues Fourth of July Weekend Celebration

Enjoy live music celebrating the Fourth at the Poor House Bistro. Acts include Ron Thompson, Chris Cain and more. Jul 3-5.  Free. Call for times. Poor House Bistro, 91 S. Autumn St, San Jose. 408.29.BLUES. www.poorhousebistro.com.

Independence Day Celebration

An old-fashioned celebration featuring historical characters, a parade, U.S. Navy and Girl Scout color guards and more. Cash donations appreciated. Jul 4. 10am. Azule Park, 1277 Goleta Ave, Saratoga.408.252.7447.

 

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