Today News In USA - Independence Day is always a great time to get together with family and friends and watch rockets light up the night sky. But with the Happy Forth of July falling on a Friday this year, the Bay Area will be abuzz with fireworks, festivities and food. While the sale of fireworks is banned in some parts of the Bay, it’s still free to enjoy major shows put on by the pros. Consult the following list for some top spots to enjoy the holiday.
Alameda County Fair
The fireworks go off Friday at 9:45 p.m. at the fair, which runs until July 6 and opens every day at 11 a.m. Make sure to bring plenty of water to the fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Temperatures have been hitting the triple digits this week, and dozens have been treated for heat-related illness. Click here for details.
Berkeley
The Berkeley Marina is the place to go. Starting at noon Friday, visitors can check out bands, do activities with kids and chow down at an assortment of food carts. At 9:35 p.m., the fireworks start at the end of the Berkeley Pier. Click here for details.
Danville
For those looking for events early in the day, the annual Danville parade attracts around 40,000 people, according to the city’s website. Starting at 9 a.m., antique cars, floats and bands will cruise through the city’s downtown. For more information and the parade route click here.
Napa
Celebrations in Napa kick off Friday with a parade and end with fireworks. The Napa Sunrise Rotary Parade starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Napa. Fireworks will go off over Veterans Park between Main and 3rd streets starting at 9:30 p.m. Click here for details.
Richmond
Looking for something unique to do Thursday? The Oakland East Bay Symphony is teaming up with the city of Richmond to host a celebration featuring live music, food and fireworks. Doors open inside the historic Craneway Pavilion on Richmond’s waterfront at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The symphony will begin its concert at 8 p.m. with a 9:15 p.m. crescendo as fireworks illuminate the sky. Click here for details.
San Francisco
One of the best places to see fireworks is Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf. At 9:30 p.m. Friday, spectators will be treated to a glorious display over the San Francisco Bay. Events start at noon with music and activities at the pier’s Entrance Plaza Stage. Click here for details.
San Jose
The Rotary Club of San Jose will be putting on a free fireworks display Friday at Discovery Meadow. Organizers expect big crowds for the spectacle and urge attendees to take public transportation to the event. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will be expanding bus and light rail service to accommodate the masses hoping to catch the 9:30 p.m. show. Click here for details.
San Rafael
The Marin County Fair, which continues through Sunday, will have fireworks every night at 9:30 p.m. Click here for details.
Santa Rosa
The Red, White & Boom! celebration kicks off at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Friday. Live music starts at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. - 4th of July Fireworks in America
Alameda County Fair
The fireworks go off Friday at 9:45 p.m. at the fair, which runs until July 6 and opens every day at 11 a.m. Make sure to bring plenty of water to the fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Temperatures have been hitting the triple digits this week, and dozens have been treated for heat-related illness. Click here for details.
Berkeley
The Berkeley Marina is the place to go. Starting at noon Friday, visitors can check out bands, do activities with kids and chow down at an assortment of food carts. At 9:35 p.m., the fireworks start at the end of the Berkeley Pier. Click here for details.
Danville
For those looking for events early in the day, the annual Danville parade attracts around 40,000 people, according to the city’s website. Starting at 9 a.m., antique cars, floats and bands will cruise through the city’s downtown. For more information and the parade route click here.
Napa
Celebrations in Napa kick off Friday with a parade and end with fireworks. The Napa Sunrise Rotary Parade starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Napa. Fireworks will go off over Veterans Park between Main and 3rd streets starting at 9:30 p.m. Click here for details.
Richmond
Looking for something unique to do Thursday? The Oakland East Bay Symphony is teaming up with the city of Richmond to host a celebration featuring live music, food and fireworks. Doors open inside the historic Craneway Pavilion on Richmond’s waterfront at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The symphony will begin its concert at 8 p.m. with a 9:15 p.m. crescendo as fireworks illuminate the sky. Click here for details.
San Francisco
One of the best places to see fireworks is Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf. At 9:30 p.m. Friday, spectators will be treated to a glorious display over the San Francisco Bay. Events start at noon with music and activities at the pier’s Entrance Plaza Stage. Click here for details.
San Jose
The Rotary Club of San Jose will be putting on a free fireworks display Friday at Discovery Meadow. Organizers expect big crowds for the spectacle and urge attendees to take public transportation to the event. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will be expanding bus and light rail service to accommodate the masses hoping to catch the 9:30 p.m. show. Click here for details.
San Rafael
The Marin County Fair, which continues through Sunday, will have fireworks every night at 9:30 p.m. Click here for details.
Santa Rosa
The Red, White & Boom! celebration kicks off at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Friday. Live music starts at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. - 4th of July Fireworks in America
