Marin 4th of July Parades, Fireworks & More

Celebrate Independence Day the Marin County way! Communities across the Marin observe the 4th of July in their own unique ways. Here’s what’s going on in your community on Tuesday, July 4. We will be updating the list as we learn of new events, so please check back. Please keep in mind that event details can change without notice, so please check the event links or call before attending.

You can also add your local Independence Day event to our Family Events Calendar.

Corte Madera and Larkspur 4th of July Parade & Festival

• 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 500 Magnolia Avenue. 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 4th of July Festivities

• 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 4th of July Picnic & Parade

• 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 4th of July Parade

• The 69th 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 4th of July Parade & Celebration

• 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 — 2023 Marin County Fair

• 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 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Extravaganza

• 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. Bay Area favorite band Pride & Joy will perform from 6:30–9 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and tables may be reserved online. 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 4th of July Parade & Festivities

• Start the 4th of July off with the Woodacre firefighters' pancake breakfast at 9 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. Event details.
• 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.

Sausalito Fireworks

San Francisco 4th of July Festivities

• Pier 39 is a great place to see the fireworks in the city — they're set off on a barge moored just off the pier. Head there early to get a spot on the deck or a coveted table in one of the Pier's restaurants. Info: www.pier39.com
• Take a 4th of July Fireworks Cruise with the Blue and Gold Fleet and see the San Francisco fireworks display from the Bay! Fireworks cruises depart at 8:20 and 8:30 pm from Pier 41. The 8:30 pm cruise is alcohol free. Tickets: $95 adults; $85 children 5–11, free for and kids 5 and under. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure time. More info and tickets: www.blueandgoldfleet.com

Wine Country 4th of July Celebrations

• Sonoma's Hometown 4th of July Celebration begins with a parade around the historic Plaza at 10 am, followed by old-fashioned festivities, food vendors, and live music until 5 pm. A fireworks show takes place over General Vallejo's Field at dusk (approximately 9:30 pm) and lasts around 45 minutes. Event details
• Petaluma's 4th of July celebration kicks off at Lucchesi Park from 10 am–1:30 pm with a bike parade, dog costume contest, farmer's market, kids' activities, and more. High-elevation fireworks show, visible from many locations in Petaluma, begins around 9:30 pm. Event details
• Celebrate the Independence Day at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center with a 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular featuring Transcendence Theatre Company and the Santa Rosa Symphony. Weill Hall lawn tickets for kids 12 and under are half price and the Kids Zone will offer carnival games, bounce houses, and face painting. Kids Zone opens at 4:30 pm, gates at 5:30, performances begins at 7:30 pm. Event details
• Sebastopol celebrates Independence Day on July 3 with a fireworks and music extravaganza. Music starts at 6:15 pm, fireworks blast off at 9:40 pm. $15 adults, $5 children 6–11, free for kids 5 and under. Event detals
• Kenwood's Hometown 4th of July Parade starts at 10:30 am (pancake breakfast at 8 am) and includes a lot of enthusiastic kids, dogs, banners, bicycles, antique cars, fire trucks, floats and more. The parade ends up at Plaza Park where the Glen Ellen-Kenwood Rotary Shindig takes place. Enjoy live music, food and drink from 12–3 pm. kenwoodparade.org
• Healdsburg kicks off its 4th of July celebrations with a kids's parade, Duck Dash races, and face painting on the plaza. Fireworks display takes place from 9:30–10 pm. www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us
• Calistoga 4th of July: Calistoga's 4th of July Star Spangled Social and Parade is back for 2023. The parade takes place from 11 am to noon, with live music, food vendors, and activities from 12:30 to 10 pm. Don't miss the laser light show after dark! www.celebratenapavalley.org

Bay Area Independence Day Celebrations & Fireworks Displays

If you and your family finds itself elsewhere in the Bay Area this 4th of July, here are some celebrations and fireworks displays farther afield:

• Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View: Celebrate Independence Day with a 4th of July fireworks spectacular and the San Francisco Symphony, led by Edwin Outwater and featuring vocalist Capathia Jenkins, at Shoreline Amphitheater. The evening begins at 8 pm and features a crowd-pleasing selection of American classics as well as a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show set to stirring patriotic songs and marches. Info: www.sfsymphony.org
• 4th of July on the USS Hornet, Alameda: The USS Hornet will be having their annual summer celebration on the flight deck on the 4th of July, featuring food, drink, music, and fun!  10 am–5 pm. uss-hornet.org
• Half Moon Bay's Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party: Half Moon's Bay's parade starts at noon on Main Street and celebrates Independence Day in small town America. Stick around for the Red, White & Blue Block Party afterwards. july4th.miramarevents.com

Photo: iStock/JLBarranco