Listen up, East Bay. You want to talk about Independence Day? I'll tell you what. I've eaten my way through every food truck in this county and I've stood on enough waterfronts to tell you — Contra Costa knows how to throw a party. We're talking fireworks over the Delta, drone shows over Brentwood, a 150th anniversary blowout in Martinez and a parade in Danville that's been running longer than some marriages. No disrespect to the rest of America. But tonight? This is the place to be.
Every year, people decide they're going to put on their own fireworks show. Every year, some of those people end up in emergency rooms, start grass fires, annoy the local fire department, and discover that illegal fireworks come with some very expensive fines.
The professionals already have the fireworks covered. Bring a lawn chair. Enjoy the show. Keep all ten fingers.
A classic waterfront gathering with a massive youth play zone, local food vendors, and live musical entertainment running right up to twilight.
Free and family-friendly. Community resource tables, food trucks, carnival games, and live multicultural stage performances all evening.
The 28th annual WorldOne Music Festival — live global music stages, children's rides, food booths, and local vendors. A relaxed daytime neighborhood tradition.
A double milestone year — America's 250th and Martinez's own Sesquicentennial. This is the big one in North County.
Start downtown with a morning fun run and parade around Todos Santos Plaza. At 4:00 PM move to Mt. Diablo High School for old-fashioned picnic, Stars & Stripes Midway, art exhibits, local food, and live concert entertainment starting at 5:30 PM.
A half-century milestone. Firecracker 5K & Kids Dash at 7:45 AM, the world-famous Downtown Parade at 9:30 AM, park activities and live music 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM, then the party shifts to College Park High School at 6:30 PM for food trucks and live entertainment.
Bring your blankets and a picnic dinner. The Walnut Creek Concert Band delivers a free one-hour performance of timeless marches and patriotic songs.
51 years running and still one of the biggest parade draws in the county. Marching bands, military vehicles, elaborate community floats, and horses through the heart of downtown Danville.
Kick off the summer park concert series right. Patriotic brass from the Olympia Fields Brass Band (5–6 PM) followed by dance, funk, and soul from The Cheeseballs until 8:00 PM. Food trucks and drinks on site.
One of the largest hometown parades in the East Bay. Kicks off at 10:00 AM through the Theatre and Village Districts, then cross to the community park for food trucks, family games, and a community beer garden.
Full-day valley celebration: dog parade, bounce houses, community booths, field games. Live music at the bandshell at 6:30 PM — 60s classic rock from The Wayhighs then high-energy modern rock covers from Neon Velvet.
Massive waterfront festival marking America's 250th milestone.
Following the morning parade, return to City Park at 4:00 PM for the Carnique Festival — food trucks, community booths, and family activities. At 7:00 PM, grab a lawn spot for a high-voltage live rock concert by RagDolls, the premier all-female Aerosmith tribute band.
Right along the Delta waterfront. Annual holiday parade at 4:00 PM starting at W 2nd St and E St. Waldie Plaza and the City Hall lot host a massive community block party with Kids Games Zone, food trucks, live DJ stage, and entertainment all evening.