Enjoy a safe & happy 4th of July
If you have a family-friendly 4th of July event that is not listed here, contact us!
Dates and times subject to change. Entry fees may apply.
Contact the event provider for
details prior to attending any event listed here. |
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Independence Day BBQ at Gilroy Gardens
Friday, July 2 thru Sunday, July 4
Come celebrate Independence Day with Gilroy Gardens! The Park will host a special all-you-can-eat Independence Day BBQ in the patriotically themed Events Plaza. BBQ meal tickets can be purchased online. A membership or admission ticket is required for entry into the park.
(408) 840-7100 ~ www.girlroygardens.org
Purchase a single day admission ticket online and save! |
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Commemoration of Commodore John Drake Sloat Landing at Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Saturday, July 3 ~ 2:00 pm
In this special event, Captain Herschel Loomis, USN (Ret.), dressed in an 1800 period naval uniform, will play the part of Commodore John Drake Sloat, Commander of the American Naval forces in the Pacific. The ceremony will commemorate Sloat's initial landing in Monterey Harbor, on July 7, 1846 which was one of the most important events in American history and resulted in California and much of the West becoming part of the United States.This year’s Sloat Landing Ceremony includes music provided by the Monterey Community Band, attendance of the Joint Service Color Guard, and details from both the Navy and Marine Corps to raise the 28-star flag. Dignitaries will include senior leadership from the Defense Language Institute, Naval Postgraduate School, US Coast Guard and Monterey State Historic Park. The City of Monterey Mayor, Chuck Della Sala, will also be in attendance.
(813) 372-2608 Ext. *813 ~ www.montereyhistory.org |
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4th of July Street Fair on the Bay
Saturday, July 3 & Sunday, July 4th ~ 12 pm - 5 pm
Family entertainment highlights a fabulous 4th of July weekend celebration on the Dolphins Upper Plaza located at 400 Cannery Row in Monterey. No admission fee, lots of family fun. Enjoy face painting, balloon making, Tarot reading, arts & crafts, food vendors and DJ music. Featuring a tasty BBQ prepared by the Monterey Plaza's award winning chef.
(831) 646-1700 ~ www.montereyplazahotel.org |
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Early Days at San Juan Bautista State Park
Saturday, July 3 ~
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Bring the family to San Juan Bautista State Park on 2nd Street and enjoy a look at yesterday as costumed docents bring the past into the present. Meet the people of early California including miners, mountain men, Civil War soldiers and Victorian ladies. See craft and cooking demonstrations. Ride in a horse drawn wagon. Drink an old-fashioned soda or play cards in the salon.
(831) 623-4881
Adult tickets are $3. Ages 16 and under are FREE. |
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Morgan Hill Independence Day, Inc. Celebrations
Saturday, July 3 ~ Family Bike Ride events begin at 8 am Learn more.
Saturday, July 3 ~
Patriotic Sing at 6:00 pm Learn more.
Sunday, July 4 ~ Events begin at 8 am
Bring the family to Morgan Hill for a two-day celebration of the 4th. A family bike ride (the 1st annual!) and "Patriotic Sing" will take place on Saturday, July 3. Independence Day events kick off on Sunday with a 5K run and 1Mile Walk at P.A. Walsh School at 8 am. Pre-parade car cruise & entertainment begin in downtown Morgan Hill with the award winning historic parade begining at 11 am sharp. A car show and additional entertainment take place until the fireworks start at dark.
www.mhidi.com |
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Roaring Camp Railroads Celebration
Saturday, July 3 & Sunday, July 4
Bop on over to Roaring Camp for a Sock Hop and 50’s family 4th of July: Hula Hoop contests, games, live music and all-American barbecue.
(831) 335-4484 ~ www.roaringcamp.com
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The World's Shortest Parade & Pancake Breakfast & "Party in the Park" in Aptos
Sunday, July 4 ~
Breakfast at 7:30 am; Parade at 10 am
Come and join us for our World's Shortest Parade in Aptos. Starting at 10am on Soquel from Wells Fargo to Aptos Village. Enjoy a great Pancake Breakfast before the festivities start in front of the Britannia Arms. THEN..."Party in the Park" in Aptos Creek Park for a celebration featuring local favorite, Extra Large. Enjoy local arts and crafts, food, music and activities for all ages.
(831) 688-1467 ~ www.aptoschamber.com
$5 donation entrance fee for Party in the Park |
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4th of July Santa Cruz Firecracker 10K, 5K & Kids 1K and
Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, July 4 ~ 7 am registration
8 am Kids 1K Run/Walk ~ 8:30 am 5K & 10K Runs
2010 marks the Santa Cruz Firecracker 10k's 25th anniversary! Come celebrate this momentous event with us by participating in either the 10K, 5K or Kids 1K race followed by a generous pancake breakfast at the finish line.
(831) 385-8020 ~ www.santacruzfirecracker10K.org
$30 race fee for 5K and 10K; $15 for Kids 1K
Entry fee includes breakfast. Register in advance at www.active.com. |
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King City 4th of July in the Park
Sunday, July 4 ~ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Celebrate the 4th of July the old-fashioned way with the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum at San Lorenzo Park for a day of fun and celebration. Dance to live music and enjoy the classic car show, Poker Walk, BBQ, food and beverage booths, vendors and a classic horseshoe tournament. There sill be a fantastic children's area, too.
(831) 385-8020 ~ www.ci.carmel.ca.us |
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Carmel-by-the-Sea's 4th of July Celebration
Sunday, July 4 ~ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Concert, food and games in Devendorf Park from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Music by Cheeky Spanks at 1:00 pm.
(831) 620-2020 ~ www.ci.carmel.ca.us |
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Family Fourth of July in Gonzales
Sunday, July 4 ~ 11:30 am - 5:30 pm
The Fourth of July fun starts with a parade at noon beginning at Gonzales High School. The opening flag raising ceremony will begin at approximately 12:30 pm at Central Park. Following the flag raising will be live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts booths and a Kids Area.
For more information contact Tim Jackson at (831) 675-2499
www.ci.gonzales.ca.us
The Kids Area costs $5 for an all-day pass |
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City of Monterey 4th of July Lawn Party
Sunday, July 4 ~ 11 am - 5 pm
The admission free "Big Little Backyard Bar-B-Cue and Entertainment Extravaganza" will be held on the historic grounds of Colton Hall on Pacific Street. This event features non-stop live music from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Children's entertainment includes free carnival booths and games, face painting, strolling balloon artists and jump houses. Lots of great food provided by non-profit food vendors will be on sale all day, or you can bring a picnic lunch. Please leave your dogs at home and note that this is an ALCOHOL FREE family event.
(831) 646.3996 ~
www.monterey.org
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Living History Day in Old Monterey
Sunday, July 4 ~ 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Travel back in time and find out what life was like in the 1840s. At the historic Cooper-Molera Adobe you will meet a gardener, cook, rancher, soldier and more. Or, try your hand at bowling. Activities and fun for all ages. The entrance fee is $2 for adults, $1 for children 7 - 17, and children 6 and under are free. (831)649-7136.
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Pacific Grove Hometown Celebration at Caledonia Park
Sunday, July 4 ~ 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Join the Chamber of Commerce and celebrate the 4th with an old-fashioned, down-home BBQ in Caledonia Park. Great food and live entertainment by Firefly Rock & Roll Band. There will be complimentary games, bounce houses, free popcorn and snow cones for the kids. A BBQ lunch will be served from 11:30 am - 2 pm (adults BBQ tickets are $10; kids tickets are $5). At 11 am, the PG Rotary Club will present a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Caledonia Park is located behind the Post Office on Central Avenue, Pacific Grove.
(831) 373-3304 ~ www.pacificgrove.org
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Independence Day Celebration at Wilder Ranch State Park
Sunday, July 4 ~ 11 am - 4:00 pm
Celebrate Independence Day 1910 style at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz. There will be old fashioned music, food, a parade, hand churned ice cream, lemonade, crafts, a cake walk, wagon rides, viewing of historical homes and much more! Pack a picnic or buy food from one of the vendors. Wilder Ranch State Park is located at 600 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
(831) 426-0505 ~ www.santacruzstateparks.org |
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Marina Street Fair & Live Entertainment
Sunday, July 4 ~ 10 am - 10 pm
This Independence Day celebration begins with a Farmers Market at the Marina Village Shopping Center, located at 215 Reservation Road, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Then join the fun from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Seacreast Plaza for live entertainment from the Sledge Grits Band, Lil Jordan, Dancing by Sirena, and the Peace Makers of Marina.
(831) 521-1089 ~ View Poster (PDF) |
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Scotts Valley Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks
Sunday, July 4 ~ 3:00 pm parade; 9:15 pm fireworks
Enjoy a parade beginning at 3:00 on Scotts Valley Drive. Gates open to the Skypark Festival at 5:00, live music, bounce houses for kids and delicious food. Fireworks at 9:15 pm.
(831) 438-3251 ~ www.svchamber.org
Advance tickets $6; Entry at the gate $8 |
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Soledad's 4th of July Celebration
Sunday, July 4 ~ 11:00 am parade
All sorts of activities at Little League Park, including a softball game prior to the 11 am parade. For more information, contact Soledad City Hall at
(831)
223-5000. |
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Seaside's Annual 4th of July Parade
Sunday, July 4 ~ 12:00 pm
The City of Seaside & the Seaside Parade of Champions proudly invites the community to experience this year's 4th of July Parade on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
This Seaside tradition features the San Benito High School Band, Monterey Bay Pipe Band and Jacob the 45 foot Whale. Other parade participants include local youth groups, clowns, military drill units, Color Guard units, classic cars and the floating Tropical Fish.
The parade begins at 12 p.m. at the corner of W. Broadway Blvd. and S. Fremont Blvd. and travels to the corner of Fremont Blvd. and Harcourt Ave.
(831) 899-6805 ~ www.ci.seaside.ca.us |
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Spreckels 4th of July Celebration and 10K Run
Sunday, July 4
Bring the family and enjoy the fun! Parade, Fireman's Muster, Craft Fair, Children's Activities, Food and Drinks, Live Music! An old-fashioned 4th of July celebration for the whole family starts off with a One-Mile Race for kids under 12 at 8:30 am, a 10K run at 9:00 am and a grand parade of children along 3rd Street beginning at 12:00 pm.
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Spirit of Watsonville Parade & Celebration
Sunday, July 4 ~ 2:00 pm
This Spirit of Watsonville Parade begins at 2:00 pm and starts in front of Saint Patrick's Church, at the corner of Main and Freemont Streets. Come make an afternoon out of it!
(831) 768-3266 ~ www.spiritofwatsonville.org
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Gilroy's Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display
Sunday, July 4 ~ 9:15 pm
The Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display will be held at Gilroy High School on July 4th at approximately 9:15 p.m.
www.cityofgilroy.org
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Dates and times subject to change. Entry fees may apply.
Contact the event provider for
details prior to attending any event listed here. |
