Virtual fireworks displays are so 2021. This year, the Bay Area is welcoming back IRL fireworks and festivities for the Fourth of July.
Plus, choke down a win at a hot dog eating contest, join the Polk Street pub crawl, or keep it classy with concerts by the San Francisco and Santa Rosa symphonies. Here's where to wave your flag for the red, white, and blue.
Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in 2022 — San Francisco Bay Area + Wine Country
San Francisco Bay
The annual fireworks show over San Francisco Bay is back on for 2022! Find your own perch at locations including Angel or Treasure Island, Bernal Heights Park, Twin Peaks, or the Berkeley Marina. Or, head to one of these classic public events. The show starts at 9:30pm.
Blue & Gold Fleet: Onboard you'll find music, dancing, booze (except on the 8:15pm family boat), and front-row seats to the fireworks over SF Bay. Sailings from Pier 39 and Pier 41 begin at 8pm. // Tickets ($95/adults, $85/kids age 5 -11, kids under 5 are free) are available at blueandgoldfleet.com.
Fisherman's Wharf: For the classic crowded touristy vibe, park yourself in Aquatic Park, Pier 39, or Ghirardelli Square where all retailers will be open for perusing before the evening fireworks display. // Look for additional details at fishermanswharf.org.
Sunset and Fireworks Sail: From Sausalito, board the schooner Freda B for a bay sail with views as good as they get. Bring cash or credit cards to purchase California craft beers, Napa and Sonoma wines and bubbles, and Salt Point cocktails from the deck bar. // 7:15pm to 10:30pm Sunday, July 4; board at 100 Bay St. (Sausalito); tickets ($295/person) are available at Eventbrite.
Oakland
Don your red, white, and blue—or your gold and green—to celebrate the Fourth with the Oakland A's at the Oakland Coliseum. The team takes on the Blue Jays at 6:07pm. After the game, on-field seating will be available for a one-a-kind fireworks show (tickets are $7.04). // For more info and tickets, go to mlb.com.
Santa Rosa
Sonoma County's largest July 4th celebration is a cultural affair for the whole family, beginning with indoor/outdoor performances by the Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony, which will play show tunes and patriotic numbers. A pre-concert Kids Zone begins at 4:30pm with carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, food, and music. There will be fireworks after the show. // Tickets are $30-$60. Concert is 7:30pm at Weill Hall + Lawn at Green Music Center, 1801 E. Cotati Ave. (Rohnert Park), gmc.sonoma.edu.
Concord
After drive-in style festivities in 2021, Concord's day-long Fourth of July festivities are back to normal, and they're expecting nearly 15,000 participants in 2022. Hit the ground running with an 8am 5K for kids and adults, then check out the parade at 10am. Gates open at 6pm for the fireworks show at 9pm. // Fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. (Concord); tickets ($25/vehicle) are available at concordjuly4th.com.
Napa
Spend the day tasting wine, then gather in Downtown Napa for a free concert at the Oxbow RiverStage (5:30pm) followed by fireworks display (9:30pm)—best viewed from Oxbow Commons, the Harry T. Price Riverwalk, Veterans Park, and Riverfront Green Park—put on by Napa Parks and Rec. // For more info, plus special events around Napa Valley, go to visitnapavalley.com.
San Jose
This year's Rose, White & Blue Festival kicks off with the parade and classic car cruise at 9:45am. Afterward, enjoy loads of live entertainment from 11am to 3pm, plus the car show, face painting in the kid's fun zone, and various local food and crafts vendors. Then head to Downtown San Jose's Discovery Meadow for the Rotary Club fireworks show at 9:30pm. // Rose, White & Blue Parade is 11am to 3pm; parade begins at Lincoln High School on Dana Ave. For the schedule, route and parking information, visit rwbsj.org.
A tradition since 1876, the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is an all-day celebration featuring a parade, street dancing, a 5K run, car show, and evening fireworks on the green. This year, parking passes are available for advance purchase. Beer, wine, and cider will also be available. // Free to attend; for more information, visit morganhillfreedomfest.com.
Editor's note: If you're looking for Petaluma's popular annual fireworks show and celebration, you're out of luck. The 2022 event has been cancelled with officials citing drought and supply chain issues.
Fourth of July Concerts, Fairs, Pub Crawls + More Around the Bay Area
San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline
Edwin Outwater will be conducting a spectacular program of patriotic classics, beloved jazz and mambo favorites, and some Disney film hits for the kiddos—think "The Star-Spangled Banner" meets Duke Ellington, West Side Story, and Frozen. The summery outdoor performance will be capped by fireworks. // Show starts at 8pm at Shoreline Ampitheatre (Mountain View); tickets ($22-$54) are available at concerts.livenation.com.
SF Pub Crawl + Hot Dog Eating Contest
If you're staying local for the Fourth, make a whole weekend of it with CrawlSF, which is hosting a two-day Independence Day bar crawl with DJs, drink specials, and food. The crawl kicks off at Mayes Oyster House and makes its way to the likes of McTeague's Saloon, Soda Popinski, Wreck Room, El Lopo, and more. The event culminates with the hot dog eating contest, which you can sign up for here. // 4pm to 10pm Saturday, July 2 and Monday, July 4 on Lower Polk St. (TenderNob / Nob Hill); for schedule and tickets ($9 and up), go to july4sf.com.
Marin County Fair
After going 100 percent virtual in 2021, the annual Marin County Fair is back IRL for 2022. The stage lineup will feature Sheila E. (July 1), Digable Planets (July 3), Dumpstaphunk (July 4), and more. As always, expect lots of food and drink, local retail vendors, garden and landscaping demos, art exhibits, and carnival rides. // 11am to 11pm, June 30 through July 4, 10 Avenue of the Flags (San Rafael); tickets ($25/adults and teens, $20/kids and seniors) are available at tickets.marincenter.org. For more info, go to marinfair.org.
USS Hornet's Independence Day Celebration
Wave the flag aboard the USS Hornet all day long on the Fourth. You can kick it to DJ beats on the flight deck, get food from Oakland Smoke Shack BBQ and the Grilled Cheese Guys, and see exhibits in the museum before disembarking to catch the fireworks at your viewpoint of choice. // 10am to 5pm; 707 West Hornet Ave. (Alameda), uss-hornet.org; tickets ($20-$90) are available at eventbrite.com.