Opportunities to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day this July 4 are abundant up and down the Peninsula — and this year, there’s fireworks.
After a year on the Peninsula without the bursts of color in the sky on the Fourth of July, the Port of Redwood City will return a fireworks show to local residents after opting for a drone light show the year prior.
The festivities at the port will begin at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks and outdoor fun before a live band performance at 7 p.m. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. and while residents are invited to head out to the water, the show can be enjoyed from many locations throughout Redwood City and any place with a clear view above the Bayside.
Before the light show, though, there are many other festivities to enjoy during the day, and throughout the long weekend.
Redwood City
In Redwood City, July 4 begins with the annual pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Redwood City Fire Department’s station on Marshall Street. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the Redwood City Firefighters Association.
Downtown Redwood City will be filled with activities throughout the day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the highlight will likely be the annual Fourth of July Parade that begins at 10 a.m. The parade, known to be the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California, invites thousands to line the parade route to enjoy class cars, floats, community groups, marching bands and more.
For those who want to spend America’s 250th birthday traveling back in time to celebrate the old-fashioned way, the San Mateo County History Museum is inviting residents to a family-friendly event that brings the spirit of Victorian Independence Days to life.
Guests can get creative with Victorian-era crafts and soak in the historic patriotic sights at the History Museum’s An Old-Fashioned Fourth celebration, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 to $6 or free for museum members.
If families are getting into the spirit early and are lucky to have Friday, July 3, off, the city is also hosting the Chalk Full of Fun Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival, inviting artists to partake in some creative expression. The art festival will take place July 3 and 4 on Courthouse Square.
Foster City
While Foster City typically hosts its own fireworks show alongside the Port of Redwood City, the patriotic celebration has yet again been postponed due to ongoing construction of the new Foster City Community Center in Leo Ryan Memorial Park.
Still, the city is hosting a variety of daytime events to celebrate the holiday that will still take place in and around the park on Saturday.
Guests can head over to Leo Ryan Memorial Park for food, entertainment and festivities from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day begins with the city’s own pancake breakfast and will be filled with food trucks, family games, a kids play zone, live music and the annual family and dog parade at 11:05 a.m.
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Woodside
Families with young ones will have a joy at the annual Woodside Junior Rodeo, where young riders compete in traditional rodeo events alongside family-friendly attractions. Be prepared to embark on classic Western fun in honor of the holiday.
Kids between the ages 6-18 participate in roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and pole bending, while others can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, local vendors and a barbecue.
The rodeo is held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4 at Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, 521 Kings Mountain Road. Tickets for adults are $20, $15 for children 18 and under, and free for kids under 5.
Millbrae
“Beats, Brew and Vines” in Millbrae offers residents an afternoon of live music, food trucks and a beer garden hosted by Bacchus at Central Park. There will also be free carnival games for families, and visitors are welcome to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs and spend the afternoon celebrating red, white and blue.
Coast
The Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July parade and festival returns for its 55th year, bringing iconic staples back for families to celebrate the patriotic holiday.
A pancake breakfast begins at 8 a.m., hosted by the Half Moon Bay Lions Club, and is followed by the parade along Main Street, which transforms the town into a festive red, white and blue celebration. The parade begins at noon and will feature Jill Jacobson as this year’s grand marshal.
Jacobson will be recognized for her decades of service on the coast, including her time as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside.
The Fourth of July festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. which will feature live music, festive food, root beer floats, jump houses and lots of fun for the entire family.
In Pacifica, games and competitions will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frontierland Park, located at 900 Yosemite Drive.
Guests can participate in sack races, tug-of-war and a watermelon-eating contest and embrace their competitive spirit.
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