This Fourth of July is a particularly big one — America turns 250 — and towns across the 925 are marking the occasion with everything from pancake breakfasts and hometown parades to waterfront fireworks, concerts and all-day festivals.
Here are 10 of the best places to spend Saturday, July 4.
1. Orinda’s Hometown Parade and Park Celebration
Orinda’s celebration has the full small-town Fourth of July covered: there’s an early breakfast and fun run, a 10 a.m. parade through downtown, then a park celebration with live music, kid-friendly attractions and food trucks. It is an especially good fit for families who want a morning parade without committing to a massive late-night event.
This is Lamorinda’s classic event. The parade is about as small-town-America as you can get.
2. Danville’s Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade
Danville’s annual Kiwanis parade takes over historic downtown from 9 a.m. to noon, with the route centered around Hartz and Prospect avenues. It remains one of the 925’s most reliable classic-parade options, with local groups, bands, community organizations and plenty of red, white and blue.
3. Moraga’s All-Day Celebration and Fireworks Show
Moraga Commons Park is once again hosting one of the area’s most complete Independence Day outings. The town’s event begins at 11 a.m. and includes family activities, live entertainment, food and community programming before fireworks close out the night at about 9:30 p.m.
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4. Pleasant Hill’s 50th Annual July 4 Celebration
Pleasant Hill has built an entire day around the holiday, starting with the Firecracker 5K and kids dash, followed by the downtown parade at 9:30 a.m. The Party in the Park runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while the evening wraps with a fireworks viewing party at College Park High School, complete with music and food trucks.
5. Concord’s Full-Day Parade, Festival and Fireworks
Concord may have the busiest schedule of the bunch. The day begins at Todos Santos Plaza with a kids fun run, pancake breakfast and 5K, followed by a 10 a.m. downtown parade. The action then moves to Mt. Diablo High School for a 4 p.m. festival with vendors, family activities and live music before fireworks at 9 p.m.
6. San Ramon’s Independence Day Concert
For those who would rather spend the evening dancing than staking out a fireworks-viewing spot, San Ramon’s Central Park Amphitheater has a free concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Olympia Fields Brass will play patriotic music before The Cheeseballs bring their funk, soul and hit-heavy party set. Food trucks, beer and wine will be available. One important note: San Ramon will not have a fireworks display.
7. Brentwood’s America 250 Celebration
Brentwood is putting a local spin on the national milestone with “America 250: Agricultural Roots and the American Dream,” a citywide event running from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is designed to spotlight the community’s agricultural heritage while marking the country’s 250th birthday.
8. Martinez’s Parade, Baseball, Fun Fest and Waterfront Fireworks
Martinez is also offering a true all-day schedule: a 10 a.m. parade, a Martinez Sturgeons baseball game at 12:30 p.m., the family-focused Fun Fest at Waterfront Park beginning at 5 p.m., and a fireworks show along the shoreline later that evening.
9. Antioch’s Rivertown Fourth of July Celebration
Antioch’s historic Rivertown celebration begins with a 4 p.m. parade from West 2nd and E streets, then continues around Waldie Plaza and City Hall with live entertainment, food vendors, food trucks, a kids zone and more. The evening finishes with the city’s large fireworks show.
This is a solid one if you want an afternoon/evening event and are planning other things in the AM.
10. Pittsburg’s Waterfront Fireworks at the Marina
For a straightforward fireworks destination, Pittsburg Marina is hard to beat. The city is planning a 9 p.m. show at 51 Marina Boulevard, along with food trucks and a Waterfront Firework Party hosted by Dale Vino. City officials are warning that space will be limited, so this is one to arrive early for.
