Grab your scarf and mittens. It’s almost time to celebrate Independence Day in San Francisco! This is always an odd time of year for me, since I’m originally from the east coast. I see pictures online of family and friends in tank tops and shorts watching the fireworks, while my family is bundled up in winter coats and hats to watch them here. But, like so many other things about this city, it’s foggy and chilly summer make it special, and it certainly won’t stop us from enjoying the holiday. Here are the main events happening around the city this year.
Fillmore Jazz Festival — July 2 and 3, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The free festival takes up twelve blocks in the Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights neighborhoods. Like all SF street fairs, in addition to music, plan to treat yourself to the gourmet food tents and browse the art vendors along the way.
Free Walking Tours — San Francisco City Guides will offer its normal schedule of free guided tours around the city. Check their website for the schedule and tour topics. Tours begin at 9:30 AM and go until 7:00 PM. Each tour visits a different spot in the city, including Japantown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and North Beach.
Golden Gate Park — July 3, 1:00 PM. The Golden Gate Park Band performs a free concert at at the Spreckels Temple of Music. Other attractions in the park will be open on their regular schedules during the weekend and on the holiday.
Stern Grove Festival — July 3, 2:00 PM. Come early to reserve your spot on the lawn for this free concert, featuring Hieroglyphics, Mix’d Ingrdnts and Golden State Breakers.
SF Giants Game — July 4, 1:05 PM. The Colorado Rockies are in town.
Pier 39 Events — July 4, All of Fisherman’s Wharf will be a bustle of activity the whole day leading up to the fireworks. This year, Tainted Love, a great 80’s cover band, will perform before the fireworks at the entrance to Pier 39.
Fireworks — July 4, 9:30 PM. Find a hilltop, rooftop or spot near the bay to watch the two synced firework displays in the city. One is off of a barge near Pier 39 and the other is near the Municipal Pier. If it’s a clear night, you’ll also be able to see displays taking place in the North and East Bays. Here are tips on how to make the most of the event this year.
SF Symphony Fireworks Spectacular — July 4, 8:00 PM. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountainview. If you plan to be on the Peninsula for the holiday, it’s hard to beat the 30th anniversary of the SF Symphony’s Fireworks Spectacular. This year’s program will feature music from E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and Star Wars and finishes with a fireworks finale.
Looking for more places outside of the city to celebrate the long weekend? Check out this list from our friends at Funcheap SF.
