Palo Alto Firecracker Sectional Annual bridge tournament. July 2-6. $10–$11 per session. Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. 650.940.1824. www.paloaltobridge.com.

Fourth of July 5K The annual 5K run and walk and kid's one mile travels through the parade route in downtown Morgan Hill. Proceeds support Morgan Hill's Independence celebration. Register at www.mhidi.com. July 4, 7:45am. $15–$30. Walsh P. A. Elementary School, 353 W. Main Ave, Morgan Hill.

Cupertino Fourth of July The city hosts a day of events, including a pancake breakfast at the Quinlan Community Center 7–11am and a children's parade at Memorial Park at 10am, and ends the day with a fireworks display. July 4, all day. Various locations, Cupertino. 408.777.3110. www.cupertino.org.

July Fourth in Los Gatos The town hosts a full day of fun with a town celebration, including music from San Jose Wind Symphony, entertainment, music, food and games. July 4, all day. Free. 110 E. Main St, Los Gatos. 408.354.9300. www.losgatosca.gov.

Independence Day at Baylands Park Bring a picnic blanket, food, family, friends and games for do-it-yourself, old-fashioned picnic and see Rock Lerum, stilt walker and juggler, between noon and 2pm. July 4, 8am–sunset. Free. Baylands Park, 999 Caribbean Dr, Sunnyvale. 408.730.7350.

Fourth of July All-City Picnic With traditional activities including a carnival, petting zoo, face painting, Cosmo jump, swimming and live entertainment. At 9:30pm, watch fireworks extravaganza set to patriotic music. July 4, 8am–10pm. Free. Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140.

Freedom Road A 5K and mile run or walk to benefit Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Visit www.theschedule.com to register. July 4, 8:30am. $30. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

Redwood City Independence Day Parade and Celebration This 70th annual celebration includes the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California, a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts booths, entertainment and fireworks. July 4, 9am–5pm. Free. Brewster and Winslow streets, Redwood City. 650.599.3428. www.parade.org.

World's Shortest Parade Just about everyone shows up to display their patriotism, send a political message or poke fun. Preceded by a pancake breakfast and followed by a party in the park. July 4, 10am. Free. Soquel and State Park drives, Aptos. 831.688.1467. www.aptoschamber.com.

Rose, White and Blue Fourth of July Parade A revival of the historic Rose Parade, concluding with a festival including food from local restaurants, booths and fun for kids. July 4, 10am. Free. Lincoln High School, 555 Dana Ave, San Jose.

Morgan Hill Fourth of July Parade An annual parade with live music, floats and more. July 4, 10am. Free. Monterey Highway and Second Street, downtown Morgan Hill.

Independence Day at Ardenwood Patriotic music, games, races, an egg toss, a pie-eating contest and a steam engine, simulating a traditional Independence Day in the early 1900s. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont. July 4, 10am–4pm; $5–$8. 510.796.0663.

An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Create old-time Independence Day decorations and hand-crank homemade ice cream. July 4, 10am–4pm. $1–$2. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway St, Redwood City. 650.299.0104.

Monterey Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks This annual celebration at the old historic park on Pacific follows an annual parade on Alvarado Street, beginning at 10am. July 4, 10am-–10pm. Free. Colton Hall, Pacific Ave, Monterey. 831.624.9394. www.monterey.org.

Fourth of July Celebration An old-fashioned family day, including sack races, a balloon toss, hoop contests, live entertainment and train rides. July 4. Call for times and prices. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill and Mt. Hermon Road, Felton. 831.335.4484. www.roaringcamp.com.

Festival of Patriots Get an early start on the Fourth with this annual parade and festival, which includes live music, a barbecue and games. July 4. Free. Fremont and City Hall, Seaside. 831.899.6805.

U.S.S. Hornet Independence Day Climb aboard the historic aircraft carrier for a day of live music, food, games, family activities and a view of fireworks. July 4, all day. U.S.S. Hornet Museum, Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda. 510.521.8448. www.hornetevents.com.

Fremont Fourth of July Parade The Centerville District hosts this annual patriotic parade, including pre- and post-parade events. July 4. Free. Fremont Boulevard and Central Ave, Fremont. 510.676.7523. www.fremont4thofjulyparade.org.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Step back more than 100 years and celebrate Independence Day as it was in 1906. Includes a noon parade, games, children's crafts, music and living history demonstrations. July 4, 11am–4pm. Free, plus day-use parking fee. Wilder Ranch, off Highway 1, north of Santa Cruz. 831.426.0505. www.parks.ca.gov.

Living History Day Time-travel back to 1840s Monterey through hands-on history exhibits and activities, such as rope making, leather stamping, tortilla making, children's games and crafts. July 4, noon–4pm. Cooper-Molera Adobe, 525 Polk St, Old Monterey. 831.649.7118.

The 27th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Summer Festival Spice up the Fourth with live music, line dancing, a wide variety of food vendors, kids' activities and, of course, a heated chili competition. July 4, noon–5pm. Free. Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto. 650.463.4921. www.cityofpaloalto.org.

Fourth of July Block Party Join in the celebration at this annual block party hosted by the city. July 4, noon–8pm. Free. Ramona Avenue Park, 780 Ramona Ave, Sunnyvale.

Berkeley Fourth of July A day full of fun featuring sailboat rides, arts and crafts, sack races, face painting, live entertainment and fireworks. July 4, noon–9:30pm. Free. Berkeley Marina, 205 University Ave, Berkeley. 510.548.5335.

San Jose America Festival Now in its 18th year, this festival includes live music, multicultural crafts, ethnic and festival foods, rides and games for the kids and, of course, fireworks. July 4, noon–10:30pm. Free. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos and Woz Way, San Jose. 408.841.8411.

July Fourth Celebration Milpitas celebrates with an afternoon pool party and a concert and fireworks display in the evening. July 4, call for locations and times. Free. 408.586.3210. www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

Red, White & Blues Festival Featuring Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Zydeco Flames and others, including local Bay Area blues acts. July 4, noon–8pm. Free with fair admission. Alameda County Fair, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. 510.836.2227. www.bayareabluessociety.net.

San Jose Wind Symphony Bring a chair or blanket for this outdoor concert. July 4, 1:30pm. Free. Los Gatos High School lawn, 20 High School Ct, Los Gatos. 408.927.7597. www.sjws.org.

Pier 39 Fourth of July With live music during the afternoon and evening, followed by an extravagant fireworks display. July 4, 1–9:30pm. Free. Pier 39, San Francisco. www.pier39.com.

Livermore Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Enjoy live music, food, games and a fireworks show synchronized to music. Fireworks begin at 9:30pm. July 4, 4–10pm. $3–$15. Robertson Park, 3500 Robertson Park Road, Livermore. 925.373.5700

Fourth of July Fireworks Show with the San Francisco Symphony A live program of classical pieces. July 4, 5pm. $24–$29.50. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View.

Spirit of America A seventh annual celebration featuring live music, entertainment, fireworks, food, arts and crafts, family activities and carnival games. July 4, 5pm. $2 suggested donation. Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Dr, San Jose. 408.265.9000.

Fourth of July Barbecue and Fireworks The church hosts a barbecue dinner, followed by an opportunity to view Cupertino's fireworks display. July 4, 5pm. Free; potluck items appreciated. Bethel Lutheran Church, 10181 Finch Ave, Cupertino.

Independence Day at History Park Bring a picnic dinner, food to grill and games to play before watching the fireworks following the San Jose Giants ballgame. July 4, 5:30pm. History Park 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. 408.287.2290.

San Jose Giants Fireworks Extravaganza After the game, watch the pyrotechnic display. July 4, 6:30pm. Free with admission. San Jose Municipal Stadium, Alma Avenue and Senter Road, San Jose. 408.297.1435.

Fourth of July Cruise Celebrate the Fourth aboard the Empress with appetizers, a buffet dinner and a view of the fireworks show. July 4, 7–11pm. $125. San Francisco Bay Cruise, 310 Harbor Dr, Sausalito. 415.332.3291

AfterWorks A post-fireworks party with music by David Knight and Ben Henderson plus live animation by M Dot Strange. July 4, 10pm–late. $5. The Art Ark, 1035 Sixth St, San Jose.

Red, White and Cool Barbecue This annual all-you-can-eat barbecue includes potato salad, hot dogs, chicken, watermelon and more. July 4–6, noon–2pm. $9–$13. Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy. 408.840.7100. www.gilroygardens.org.

Palmia Community Independence Day A picnic and parade for families and pets. The SJFD lets kids tour their trucks and Councilmember Ash Kalra appears. July 5, 10am for picnic, 1pm for parade. Palmia Park, Palmia Drive and Primrose Drive, San Jose.

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