4th of July 2024 Celebrations
July 4 @ 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Free
4th of July 2024 Celebrations
We celebrate America’s Independence Day and all the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy! Find the perfect 4th of July Celebration for your family in Santa Cruz County and nearby.
Aptos World’s Shortest 4th of July Parade – Thursday, July 4, 10am. Come early. Roads close at 9:30am. Theme: Honor Our Parks! Come check out our awesome vendors at the 4th of July Party in the Park from 12-4 at the Aptos Village Park! Bring your lawn chairs and family down to the Party in the Park this 4th of July!
Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade – July 4, 10am, We are so excited to partner this year with the Boulder Creek Business Association to bring this town an entire day of fun on the 4th of July. Check out the map to see what’s happening when and where. If you would like to volunteer for the BCRPD After Party click: https://bcrpd2.ivolunteer.com/fourthofjuly_2024; “Get to town early – not only to secure a good spot to view the parade but also to have breakfast at the BC Firehouse! They’ll be having their annual pancake breakfast fundraiser where you can have pancakes, eggs, sausages and more. You’ll need that delicious fuel to get through the day of celebration! “During the parade and continuing until 2 pm, the community is invited to a vibrant community block party on Forest Street by the Odd Fellows building with local vendors and purveyors of tasty treats! At noon, live music from Redwood Express will get your feet dancing! There will also be vendors and merchants setting up booths and sales along the highway just after the parade procession is done.
Boulder Creek After Party at Junction Park is free to attend, 12-5pm; Music by What’s Good & Jake Nielsen 12pm-5pm; Beer, wine & cider for sale by Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, Hallcrest Vineyards & Castoro Winery; Food for sale by River Dogs of Boulder Creek & The Sawmill Restaurant & Ale House; Kids activities, including panning for gold is $5 each 12pm-3pm ONLY; https://www.facebook.com/events/1411634062879056/
Firecracker Race; The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise is ecstatic to sponsor the 39th Firecracker Race. All three courses will be available – 10K, 5K, and a Kid’s 1K Fun Run will be hosted at Harvey West Park. The race is always held on July 4th in the morning! What a great way to kick off a holiday celebration of our nation’s Independence Day. Runners on the 10K will be treated the the challenging “Thrill of the Hill” in Pogonip Park before topping out on the Spring Trail that winds through the beautiful meadow by UCSC before dropping down into the neighborhoods before returning to Harvey West Park. 5K Runners will face a flat and fast course contained completely in the Harvey West Business Park Area. The 5K course is Stroller, ADA and Wheelchair accessible. Everyone ends up in beautiful Harvey West Park for great music, a post-race gourmet hot dog bar and awards. You don’t want to miss this! https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SantaCruz/SantaCruzFirecracker10Kand5K
Gilroy Fireworks Show -Thursday, July 4, approximately 9:30pm, One of the safest ways to celebrate the 4th of July and enjoy fireworks is through Gilroy’s annual fireworks show. The show will take place, with the fireworks beginning around dusk at approximately 9:30 PM and originating from Gilroy High School located at 750 W 10th Street. Fireworks can be viewed from nearby neighborhoods and at Christmas Hill Park. Residents are encouraged to avoid the traffic by walking or biking to see the show. https://www.cityofgilroy.org/910/Fireworks-Information
Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, Downtown Half Moon Bay, 500 Main St., Half Moon Bay, https://july4th.miramarevents.com/ The parade starts at 12 pm, transforming the charming downtown along Main Street into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration.
Los Gatos 4th of July Symphony in the Park, Thursday, July 4, The Town of los Gatos is happy to present: 4th of July – Symphony in the park! Oak Meadow Park, 10:30am – 2pm, https://www.losgatosca.gov/339/4th-of-July-Symphony-in-the-Park
Morgan Hill Freedom Fest – “AMERICA: Red, White and YOU” – A Star Spangled Celebration!” Patriotic Sing & Family Music Fest Freedom Fest Morgan Hill July 3rd, 10:30pm, Downtown Morgan Hill between Main Street and Dunne Street, Come out and join the Family Music Fest on Monterey Road between Dunne and Main Avenue. Come join our community for a relaxing fun-filled evening to begin our holiday celebration. This includes three music stages, over a dozen food trucks and new this year a kids’ zone which will include bounce houses, chalk zones and lawn games. https://morganhillfreedomfest.com/family-music-fest
Morgan Freedom Fest Walk/Run/Roll & Kids’ Run: Kids’ 1 Mile 7:45 a.m.; 5K Walk/Run – Tuesday, July 4, 10am – 2pm, Corner of Peak and Dunne, FINISH – 17575 Peak Ave, “Ready to lace up your athletic shoes and be ready for a 1 mile or 5k run/walk/roll. Participants will get a free race shirt if registered early, treats after the run and the thrill of running the parade route with music on all streets and cheering crowds. https://morganhillfreedomfest.com/freedom-run
Morgan Freedom Fest Parade: Tuesday, July 4, 10am, Downtown – Come see the 147th consecutive Morgan Hill July 4th Parade going through beautiful Morgan Hill. With over 9 marching bands, 4 equestrian groups, a dozen floats, special surprise entries and of course the sweet ending of a popsicle for all the kids; this will be the most interactive and exciting parade yet. Also new this year is food booths along the parade route from local Morgan Hill Restaurants. https://morganhillfreedomfest.com/parade “Parking is $10 and must be purchased in advance from MorganHillFreedomFest.com.”
Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Entertainment on the Green: July 4, 3pm, Live music starts 5pm, Gates open at 3pm for a full day of food, fun and music. We are excited to have three acts in our line-up this year. The Hitmen will be joining Arena and our beloved Patriotic Singers! The show begins at 5:30pm and goes through until the fireworks start at 9:30pm. That’s over three hours of live music! We open with Arena performing arena rock classics and R&B dance music from the 70’s to today’s latest hits—older songs that are already classics and new ones that will be—all presented with extremely strong vocals, excellent instrumental skills and dynamic stage presence. Following Arena, we will conduct our annual, Gizdich Ranch pie eating contest (thank you Gizdich Family!!). If you have someone in your group that would like to gorge themselves by trying to beat eleven others eating a pie without the aid of their hands then be one of the first twelve people to sign up for the contest at our Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. headquarters table. Of course, no Fireworks on the Green festival and show would be complete without the Patriotic Singers. Karen Crane and the Patriotic Singers make a return appearance to give everyone a chance to catch a glimpse of the wonderful program they performed the night before, kicking off our Freedom Fest celebration. Then, The Hitmen will take the stage. They’re funky, soulful and will leave you in a cold sweat. They have been performing together for more than 20 years and their tight-knit group consistently delivers high-energy dance music to audiences at public and private functions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Finally, we will finish off the evening with our fireworks display…BOOM!! https://morganhillfreedomfest.com/fireworks
Red, White and Blue Block Party, Main Street, Half Moon Bay – Thursday, July 4, 12pm – 4pm; Ol’ Fashioned July 4th, A time-honored, home-spun tradition, the parade celebrates Independence Day in small town America with an entertaining array of whimsical floats, marching bands, horses, community service groups, classically cool cars, decorated trikes and bikes, parading pooches, youth sports teams, dance and theatre troupes, photos and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, a Color Guard by the American Legion, and local dignitaries and celebrities slowly winding their way through the crowded downtown along Main Street between Filbert and Mill Streets. Honoring Half Moon Bay’s western heritage and always a parade highlight, there will be a large number of equine entries with prizes awarded in several categories. Half Moon Bay’s famous, 40-member strong “Sitting Marching Band” will be in their usual perch at Main and Kelly playing an array of patriotic ballads during the parade. The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will be hosting its annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast in the City Hall parking lot (501 Main Street) from 8am to 11:30am. Adding to the festivities are the Coastside Chamber 4th of July Block Party in Mac Dutra Plaza with beer and wine, live music, a kids zone and a Patriotic Outfit Contest (ends at 3pm), plus IDES 4th of July Festival with live music, food and drink booths, arts and crafts vendors and kids activities (ends at 4pm). https://july4th.miramarevents.com/parade.html
Roaring Camp Railroads. July 4, This Fourth of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities, Live Music, Kids Club Activities, Chuckwagon BBQ, https://www.roaringcamp.com/events
Saratoga July 4th Celebrations:- Thursday, July 4, 12:30pm, Bring the Family to a Free Concert of Patriotic Tunes Performed by the McCartysville Volunteer Band.Be Part of the Celebrations by Dressing Up as a Historic Character. Signup Link is in the Body of This Event.Bring a Blanket & Umbrella – All Lawn Seating.Limited Shade and Chairs Provided for Seniors and Handicapped. Kevin Moran Park, 12415 Scully Avenue, Saratoga: https://www.facebook.com/events/832010202296676/
Scotts Valley July Parade & Flyover, Thursday, July 4, 1pm, Please join us for 4th of July Parade and Flyover on Scotts Valley Drive! Parade: Parade Check-In starts at 10:00 AM on Carbonero Way; Parade starts at 12:00 PM! ADA Parking and Viewing is located at 5007 Scotts Valley Dr. New extended route (Civic Dr. to El Pueblo); New this year! 10 – 11:45am; “New FREE Kids Zone” Boys and Girls Club & Scotts Valley Recreation are hosting a “FREE kids Zone” games, activities and food trucks before the parade and until 3pm! Be sure to stop at the Boys & Girls Club (5060 Scotts Valley Dr.). https://www.scottsvalley.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=192 ; Want to be part of the parade? Parade Application Here: https://bit.ly/svparadeapplication
Simpkins Pool – Join us for FREE Recreation Swim, Thursday, July 4th from 12:30-4pm. First come, first served! Únase a nosotros para la natación recreativa GRATIS, el martes 4 de julio de 12:30 a 4:00 p. m. Primero llegado, primero servido. https://www.facebook.com/SimpkinsFamilySwimCenter
Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July Parade, Thursday, July 4, 12:30pm, The Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July parade proceeds down Main St. from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street. Thousands of spectators line the route five to six people deep. Those wanting a front row seat, place their chairs along the route early in the morning of the parade date. Those interested in participating in the parade should submit an entry form soon after they are made available. https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/1124/Spirit-of-Watsonville-4th-of-July-Parade
Spreckels 4th of July, 10am – 4pm, Join us for the return of the beloved Spreckels 4th of July event! We will have amazing food and craft vendors, a live band, our highlighted parade and a car show right at the park! Parade line up at the VFW hall 10-11:30am; Parade starts at Noon! Details
Wilder Ranch State Park July 4, 1 – 6pm, 1401 Coast Road, Santa CruzAll are welcome to join in an early 1900s-style Independence Day celebration! Join the parade through the ranch at high noon. Ongoing events include lawn games, and machine shop and blacksmith demos. There will be live music throughout the day, fresh baked goods and hand-cranked ice cream, living history demos, crafts, games, “The Star-Spangled Banner” sing-along, and more! Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Details
