4th of July is Here!

We have put together a list of many of the events happening in Sonoma + Marin Counties for the family to enjoy! Know of an event that we missed? Let us know, and we would be happy to add it to the list!

Sonoma County:

SATURDAY, JULY 1

Veterans’ All-American Car Show: Military and first responder vehicles, classic cars and special exhibits including the local Vietnam Wall and Hall of Heroes. Also music, kids’ attractions and more. Event opens with a pancake breakfast from 6:30 to 10 a.m. Car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave. Free, $5 parking. More information at [email protected].

Forestville barbecue: Fourth of July celebration features a barbecue from noon to 4 p.m. under the oaks at 6990 Front St. in downtown Forestville. Live music by No Account rock and blues band at 1 p.m., plus kids’ jump house and more. Free admission. More information at forestvillechamber.org/events/4th-of-july-bbq-3.

Firefighters’ barbecue: Monte Rio Fire Protection District hosts a barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. at the downtown Monte Rio station, 9870 Main St. No tickets required, pay at the event. Typically sells out. More information at 707-865-2067, monteriofire.org/events.

“Stars & Stripes”: Works by 14 local artists explore symbolism and significance of the American flag. Opening reception from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hammerfriar Gallery, 132 Mill St., Suite 101, Healdsburg. Free. Through Aug. 5. More information at 707-473-9600, hammerfriar.com/art-gallery.

Rio Nido barbecue: Celebrate Independence Day with a barbecue from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rio Nido Homeowners Park, 14759 Canyon 7 Road. Tickets are $12. More information at tinyurl.com/5652r9cu.

SUNDAY, JULY 2

Penngrove Parade: “The Biggest Little Parade in Northern California” patriotic parade kicks off at 11 a.m. in downtown Penngrove. Barbecue, kids’ games and live music with Train Wreck Junction follow from noon to 4 p.m. at Penngrove Park, 11800 Main St. Free. More information at penngrovesocialfiremen.org.

Red, White, & Blues: Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes followed by Red’s Blues. Music and barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. at Rocker Oysterfeller’s, 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford. Tickets are $20 to VIP $35. More information at 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com/red-white-blues-celebration.

MONDAY, JULY 3

Windsor Kaboom!: Gates open at 4 p.m. at Keiser Park, 700 Windsor River Road, Windsor. Live music with Painted Waves at 4:15 p.m. and The Purple Ones at 7 p.m., plus food, vendors and family fun. Patriotic music at 9:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 and $10, free for kids 2 and younger, VIP $60 and $90. More information at windsorkaboom.com.

Sebastopol Extravaganza: The 50th annual celebration includes live music at 6:15 p.m., with a flag ceremony at 9:20 p.m. and fireworks at approximately 9:40 p.m. Events held at the football field at Analy High School, 6950 Analy Ave., Sebastopol. Admission is $5 and $15, free for kids 5 and younger. More information at sebastopolkiwanisclub.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 4

Kenwood festivities: Events at the downtown Kenwood Plaza Park include the 50th annual Empire Runners Club 10K and 3K foot races at 7:30 a.m. and a “Happy Birthday America” parade at 10:30 a.m. A barbecue and live music follow until 3 p.m. Free admission. The day begins with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at Kenwood Community Church, 9637 Channing Row. More information at kenwoodparade.org and kenwoodfootrace.com.

Cloverdale Independence Day: Festivities begin with a parade at 9 a.m. in downtown Cloverdale. Fourth of July Faire features live music, carnival games, food and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a barbecue following, at Citrus Fair Drive. Free. The annual Chuck Silbert Pyro Spectacular fireworks show begins at dusk at the Cloverdale High School baseball field, 509 N. Cloverdale Blvd. More information at 707-894-4470, cloverdalechamber.com/event/4th-of-july-faire-and-parade.

Sonoma celebration: Parade around Sonoma Plaza begins at 10 a.m. Festival vendors open at 9 a.m., with a patriotic ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and live music with Train Wreck Junction at 12:30 p.m., Scarlett Letters at 2 p.m. and The Illegitimate AC/DC at 3:30 p.m. at Grinstead Amphitheater. Fireworks show at dusk, approximately 9:30 p.m., at the General Vallejo Home field on West Spain Street at Third Street West. Free, donations taken. More information at sonomavolunteerfirefighters.org.

Healdsburg Fourth of July: Live music, lawn games, Duck Dash races and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Healdsburg Plaza. Kids Parade begins at 11 a.m. Fireworks display at dark, approximately 9:30 p.m., with viewing at Fitch Mountain Elementary School, 520 Monte Vista Ave., and the Healdsburg High School west parking lot, Powell and Prince avenues. Free. More information at 707-431-3301, tinyurl.com/mvxbehkc.

Petaluma festivities: “Stars & Stripes, Dogs & Bikes” family fun from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. Bike parade at noon, plus a dog-costume contest, kids’ activities and more. Free. Fireworks show begins approximately 9:30 p.m. from the Petaluma Fairgrounds (no public viewing at the fairgrounds). More information and suggested fireworks viewing locations at cityofpetaluma.org/parks-recreation-special-events.

Napa celebration: Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Second and Third streets in downtown Napa. Celebration at the Oxbow Commons from 3 to 8 p.m. features kids’ activities and live music with La Gente SF, Papa Joe and the New Deal, Notorious and Salute to America. A fireworks show launches from Napa Valley Expo at approximately 9:15 p.m. No viewing areas on the Expo property but prime areas for watching in downtown Napa and along the Napa River. Free. More information at visitnapavalley.com/blog/post/4th-of-july-fireworks-in-napa-valley.

Bell-ringing ceremony: Patriotic observance including the traditional ringing of the Korbel bell. Celebration begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St. Free, registration requested. More information at 707-778-4398, petalumamuseum.com/calendar-event/july-4th-celebration-and-bell-ringing.

Rohnert Park Jubilee: Holiday festivities from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane. Kids Parade at 11:30 a.m., plus food, contests, cornhole and more. Live music with Mustache Harbor at 12:30 p.m. and Appple Z at 2 p.m. Free. More information at tinyurl.com/yc5z4r3k.

Holiday lineup: Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. in Sonoma, celebrates the holiday with Jon S. Williams at 1 p.m., Hunka Hunka Hula Review at 3:30 p.m. and Lynne O & the Riots at 6 p.m. Free. More information at 707-935-0660, sonomapub.com/events.

Fireworks hike: Team Sugarloaf leads a strenuous 6.5-mile climb to Bald Mountain, where it’s possible to view as many as 18 different fireworks displays. Event begins at 6:45 p.m. at the White Barn at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. Tickets, at $30 to $65, include a mountaintop reception. More information at 707-833-5712, tinyurl.com/2jvyvtb2.

Marin County:

CORTE MADERA & LARKSPUR:

The Corte Madera-Larkspur 4th of July Parade and Festival is one of the biggest 4th of July events in Marin. The parade starts at 10:30 am and features the famous Corte Madera Town Band, McIntosh Pipe Band, the Freedom Band, and more. Accompanying festivities take place at Corte Madera's Town Park from 10:30 am–4:30 pm. The parade leaves Redwood High School and winds through downtown Larkspur from Magnolia Avenue and into Corte Madera by way of Tamalpais Drive until it reaches Corte Madera Town Center. Info: (415) 924-0441 or www.cortemadera.org

American Legion's 69th annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast & Gin Fizz Booth can be found in downtown Larkspur at the corner of Ward and Magnolia. Proceeds benefit the American Legion Post, 313 and Boy Scouts Troop 43. It's a great place to come before the Larkspur/Corte Madera 4th of July Parade. The opening flag ceremony is at 7:45 am.  Breakfast is served from 8–11 am, and includes pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 children. Delicious gin fizzes, using the
traditional 1928 recipe, cost $5 each.

INVERNESS:

Inverness' 4th of July festivities take place from 9 am–1 pm and features its annual foot races for the whole family, from toddlers to adults. Festivities happen on Inverness Way near the fire station. For more info, visit their website.

MILL VALLEY:

Homestead Valley's 4th of July picnic and parade is a fun, family-focused event that celebrates our nation's independence. The day starts with a community parade at 11 am from Volunteer Park to Stolte Grove, led by a bright red fire truck. Then enjoy an all-American BBQ picnic with food, drink, entertainment, and more. For more info, visit their website.

NOVATO:

The annual Buckaroo Breakfast is a traditional part of the 4th of July festivities in Novato. Breakfast is served from 7–10 am at the Redwood Credit Union parking lot at 1010 Grant Avenue in downtown Novato. Come enjoy eggs, pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. Hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Novato. Suggested donation: $7 for adults, $5 for kids. Event details

Novato’s 4th of July Parade is one of the largest in the Bay Area and takes place from 10 am to noon in downtown Novato at Grant and Railroad Avenues. Pre-parade entertainment from 9 to 9:45 am. Every year Novato hosts 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and over 100 parade entries ranging from classic cars and vintage military vehicles to Irish bagpipers and a Chinese drum and bell corps. This year's theme: "Nation of Innovation." Info: novatoparade.com.

ROSS:

The town of Ross celebrates the 4th of July at its annual parade and picnic on the Ross Common. Festivities begin at 11 am with a one-of-a-kind parade followed by a BBQ lunch, music, games, bubbles and much more! More info: www.townofross.org

SAN RAFAEL:

The 2023 Marin County Fair in San Rafael offers what is pretty much Marin County's official fireworks display. Fair admission includes free carnival rides, exhibits, music, and more. This year's fair theme is "Electrifying!" Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm every night June 30–July 4. Fair hours are 11 am–11 pm; last entry at 10 pm. Location: Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Info: (415) 499-6400 or www.marinfair.org.

SAUSALITO:

Sausalito’s 4th of July parade will commence at 10 am down 2nd and Main Streets. Everyone is invited to gather for an afternoon picnic at Dunphy Park with food, entertainment, and more. Come and enjoy a good old-fashioned 4th of July celebration! Visit their website.

Sausalito's Fireworks Extravaganza takes place at Gabrielson Park. Fireworks will begin around 9:15 pm and last for half an hour. Visit their website.

TIBURON & ANGEL ISLAND:

One of the best ways to see the San Francisco fireworks display is from the Bay on an Angel Island–Tiburon Ferry 4th of July fireworks cruises. The cruise begins boarding at 8 pm and departs  at 8:30 pm from the Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street, and returns at approximately 10:30 pm. Tickets: $92 adults, $79 children ages 5–12, free for children under 5. Bring your own picnic dinner; beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase on board. Reservations required. More info and reservations: (415) 435-2131 or visit their website.

WOODACRE:

Start the 4th of July off with the Woodacre firefighters' pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Road. In addition to a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausage, here will be a bounce house, disaster preparedness information, community groups, and more. Event details

Bring the family to San Geronimo Valley's Independence Day parade and country fun day on July 4th. The parade begins at noon at the Woodacre Improvement Club in downtown Woodacre and follows Railroad Avenue to Dickson Ranch.

The annual San Geronimo Valley Lions BBQ takes place at Dickson Ranch immediately after the parade (around 12:30 pm) until 4 pm. Enjoy games, horse and pony rides, burgers and hot dogs, a flea market, and live music by the Blue Sky Band. Admission is free. For more info, visit their website.

Sources:

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/entertainment/green-music-center-plans-a-big-night-for-fourth-of-july/

https://www.marinmommies.com/marin-4th-july-parades-fireworks-and-more