As the 4th of July approaches, you might be asking, “where can I find fireworks near me this year?” Luckily, Northern California does Independence Day right. From large scale fireworks shows to small town pancake breakfasts, here’s a list of all the celebrations near you this 4th of July, as well as the weekend prior.
Don’t forget, personal fireworks are going to be illegal in much of Northern California on the 4th of July due to Wildfire risk and safety. If you do have any personal fireworks, have a bucket of water handy.
In 2016, we told you all about the fantastic places to see fireworks in Northern California. Without further ado, here is our master list of all 2017 Northern California 4th of July celebrations (skip to the bottom to see the full list).
- Oroville Strong Forebay Fireworks
Flickr/ latteda
Pixabay/ CC0 Public Domain This celebration made it to the top of our list this year because the community has rallied together to ensure that this celebration continues despite having to move locations. They weren’t able to have the Fireworks on Oroville Dam this year like usual due to the Spillway Incident and follow-up construction work. This year, the fireworks will be lit over the North Thermalito Forebay and the Nelson Sports Complex. It’s a change from Oroville’s usual celebration, but we’re sure glad the townspeople were able to pull it off! The display begins at 9 and there is no entry fee, but spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic.
- Lake Tahoe and Truckee
Flickr/ Reno Tahoe Territory
Wikimedia/ Agiorgio Lake Tahoe and Truckee sure get crazy on the 4th of July, but there’s nothing else quite like celebrating the holiday in the mountains. There’s a ton of fireworks to choose from, too, including Kings Beach on July 3, Tahoe City on the 4th, Donner Lake on the 4th, Squaw Valley’s Freedom Fest happening July 1-4, and Northstar’s Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival on July 1-2. You can even hop over the border into Incline Village to watch their Red, White and Tahoe Blue event, which places a big emphasis on honoring veterans. If you’d rather skip the crowds Tahoe draws, however, keep reading.
- Eureka
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
Pixabay/ CC0 Public Domain The celebrations kick off at 10am on Eureka’s Main Street. The festival spans six city blocks along Second Street. Vendor booths will feature a wide variety of foods, crafts, commercial items, fine art and community groups getting the word out about their organizations. There will be classic cars, kids activities, petting zoo, fire trucks, bounce house, horse & carriage rides, and more. As the sun sets, make your way over to a good viewing spot where you can see Humboldt Bay. The fireworks will go off over the water starting at 10pm.
- Grass Valley/ Nevada City: Nevada County Fourth of July celebration
Pexels/ CC0 License
Wikimedia/ Jeremy Nicholson The Greater Grass Valley and Nevada City Chambers of Commerce and the Grass Valley Downtown Association together bring you an epic 4th of July celebration that is the biggest in the Sierra Foothills. It will feature a curbside concert by the Nevada County Concert Band, a parade through Grass Valley, and best of all, a fireworks spectacular that blasts off at 9:30pm from the County Fairgrounds.
- Mount Shasta Community Fireworks over Lake Siskiyou
Pexels/ CC0 License
Wikimedia/ AngMoKio This 40 year tradition is an event like no other with plenty of small town pride. The citizens of Mt. Shasta work tirelessly to fund the program each year and continue this community tradition. It’s the biggest draw to the area for visitors and locals alike. The best places to view the fireworks, which begin at 9:45pm, are from viewed from boats on Lake Siskiyou, the Lake Siskiyou Campground beach, shoreline, Mt. Shasta Resort, the Roseburg property, local businesses and residences.
- Sacramento
Pexels/ CC0 License
Pexels/ CC0 License Northern California’s capitol city does 4th of July right. There will be tons of fireworks happening all over the city. Watch it up close or from the distance out of town… either way here’s some of the places we recommend scoping out: Old Town Sacramento- Red, White and Brews (July 3rd), Old Town Sac fireworks on the 4th, Cal Expo Independence Day on the 4th, and Elk Grove’s A Salute to the Red, White & Blue on the 4th. See below for more.
Fireworks by county: All events are scheduled for July 4th unless otherwise noted.
Flickr/ latteda
Pixabay/ CC0 Public Domain
This celebration made it to the top of our list this year because the community has rallied together to ensure that this celebration continues despite having to move locations. They weren’t able to have the Fireworks on Oroville Dam this year like usual due to the Spillway Incident and follow-up construction work. This year, the fireworks will be lit over the North Thermalito Forebay and the Nelson Sports Complex. It’s a change from Oroville’s usual celebration, but we’re sure glad the townspeople were able to pull it off! The display begins at 9 and there is no entry fee, but spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic.
Flickr/ Reno Tahoe Territory
Wikimedia/ Agiorgio
Lake Tahoe and Truckee sure get crazy on the 4th of July, but there’s nothing else quite like celebrating the holiday in the mountains. There’s a ton of fireworks to choose from, too, including Kings Beach on July 3, Tahoe City on the 4th, Donner Lake on the 4th, Squaw Valley’s Freedom Fest happening July 1-4, and Northstar’s Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival on July 1-2. You can even hop over the border into Incline Village to watch their Red, White and Tahoe Blue event, which places a big emphasis on honoring veterans. If you’d rather skip the crowds Tahoe draws, however, keep reading.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
The celebrations kick off at 10am on Eureka’s Main Street. The festival spans six city blocks along Second Street. Vendor booths will feature a wide variety of foods, crafts, commercial items, fine art and community groups getting the word out about their organizations. There will be classic cars, kids activities, petting zoo, fire trucks, bounce house, horse & carriage rides, and more. As the sun sets, make your way over to a good viewing spot where you can see Humboldt Bay. The fireworks will go off over the water starting at 10pm.
Pexels/ CC0 License
Wikimedia/ Jeremy Nicholson
The Greater Grass Valley and Nevada City Chambers of Commerce and the Grass Valley Downtown Association together bring you an epic 4th of July celebration that is the biggest in the Sierra Foothills. It will feature a curbside concert by the Nevada County Concert Band, a parade through Grass Valley, and best of all, a fireworks spectacular that blasts off at 9:30pm from the County Fairgrounds.
Wikimedia/ AngMoKio
This 40 year tradition is an event like no other with plenty of small town pride. The citizens of Mt. Shasta work tirelessly to fund the program each year and continue this community tradition. It’s the biggest draw to the area for visitors and locals alike. The best places to view the fireworks, which begin at 9:45pm, are from viewed from boats on Lake Siskiyou, the Lake Siskiyou Campground beach, shoreline, Mt. Shasta Resort, the Roseburg property, local businesses and residences.
Northern California’s capitol city does 4th of July right. There will be tons of fireworks happening all over the city. Watch it up close or from the distance out of town… either way here’s some of the places we recommend scoping out: Old Town Sacramento- Red, White and Brews (July 3rd), Old Town Sac fireworks on the 4th, Cal Expo Independence Day on the 4th, and Elk Grove’s A Salute to the Red, White & Blue on the 4th. See below for more.
Humboldt
- Fortuna Fireworks Festival: July 3, 10:30am, Newburg Park.
- Eureka: 4th of July Festival, Old Town Eureka 10am-5pm. Fireworks show, 10pm over Humboldt Bay.
- Benbow: 9:30pm, Benbow Lake State Recreation Area *Parking is limited.
- Ferndale: The celebration starts at 10am, the fireworks are at 9:30pm at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds
- Arcata: 4th of July Jubilee, 10:30am Arcata Plaza
Del Norte
- Crescent City: Celebration and parade, 10am. Fireworks at Beachfront Park, 9-10pm
Mendocino
- Fort Bragg: July 1st Fireworks at Pomo Bluff Park. Parking is at Mendocino College, Noyo Beach and South Noyo Trail.
- Mendocino: Parade, 12pm, downtown.
- Point Arena: July 1-2 Street Fairs, Live Music, Parada, etc. Fireworks off the end of City Pier in Arena Cove.
- Willits Frontier Days: Rodeo, 4pm, Jack Tharp Arena.
Siskiyou
- Yreka: Siskiyou Golden Fair, 9pm
- Mt. Shasta: Fireworks over Lake Siskiyou, 9:45pm
Modoc
- Alturas: Fandango Days Fireworks at the California Pines, 9pm
Trinity
- Weaverville: Independence Day Celebrations, June 29- July 4th. Fireworks: July 3rd at 10pm.
Shasta
- Redding: Freedom Festival and Fireworks at the Civic Auditorium at 10pm (seating starts at 7pm)
- Mt. Shasta: Artisan Market & Street Fair, Mountain Run, and Fireworks at dusk.
Lassen
- Susanville: Lassen County Fair, 9pm.
Tehama
- Red Bluff: Fireworks show at 10pm from River Park.
Butte
- Oroville: North Forebay State Park, Fireworks Show at Dusk.
- Chico: Silver Dollar Speedway, 10pm.
Plumas
- Chester: Fun Run/Walk, 8:30am, and Parade, 11am
- Lake Alamanor: Fireworks Spectacular, 9pm
- Taylorsville: Silver Buckle Rodeo, 1pm
- Bucks Lake: Annual Boat Parade, 3pm
- Graeagle: Independence Day Parade, 1pm
- Graeagle: Graeagle Mill Pond, Fireworks July 1st and 2nd at dusk.
Sierra
- Downieville: Parade and Foot Races. 12pm-5pm
Nevada
- Grass Valley: Parade, 11am, Fireworks, 9:30pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds
- Truckee: Donner Lake from West End Beach, 9:30
Placer
- Kings Beach: July 3 Fireworks & Beach Party, Fireworks at 9:30
- Tahoe City: Ginormous Fireworks Show & Family Beach Day, Fireworks at Dusk
- Squaw Valley: Freedom Fest July 1-4, Fireworks at 9pm on July 3rd
- Northstar: Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival: July 1-2
- Roseville: Parade, Activities, and Fireworks starting at 9:30pm
- Auburn: Gold Country Fairgrounds, Fireworks at 9:40pm
- Colfax: Downtown, Lightshow begins after dark.
- Lincoln: Old Civic Auditorium, Parade and Festivities, 9am.
El Dorado
- South Lake Tahoe: From town center, 9:45pm
- Placerville: El Dorado County Fair Grounds, 4th of July Family Blast. Gates open at 4pm, Fireworks at dusk
- El Dorado Hills: Fireworks & Freedom Concert: July 3rd, 6pm-11pm. Fireworks at 9:30
Yuba
- Marysville: Sing the National Anthem with the Sierra Gold Chorus, July 3, 6:30-8:30pm
Sutter
- Yuba City: Independence Day Parade, 10am.
Calaveras>
- Mokelumme Hill: Moke Hill Town Hall, Pancake Breakfast 7:30am, and Parade, 11am
- Murphys: Ironstone Vineyards: Fireworks July 1 at dusk.
- West Point: A musical celebration of July 4th, 4-7pm. Brickman residence
Amador
- Jackson: Jackson Junior High, July 3rd Fireworks, 5-9:30pm
- Plymouth: Iron Hub Winery , 4th of July Pre Party, July 1, 11am-5pm
Glenn
- Willows: Flag Ceremony and Fireworks at Jensen Park, dusk.
Colusa
- Colusa: Fairgrounds Fireworks Show, gates open at 7pm, fireworks at dusk.
Lake
- Lakeport: Liberty Park, Vendor booths, live music, food and fireworks 10am-9pm
- Clearlake Oaks: Maxine Sherman Memorial Fireworks Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch July 3, 9:30 pm
- Hidden Valley Lake: Music, activities and fireworks at dusk. July 2.
Yolo
- Davis: Parade, Pancake Breakfast, and Fireworks viewing at the High School. Fireworks at 9:35
- Woodland: Fun Run
Sacramento
- Sacramento: Independence Day Celebration, 5pm, Cal Expo, doors open at 5pm, fireworks start at 9:30
- Sacramento: Howe Park, Parade, 10am
- Sacramento: County Building on Fulton Ave. Arden-Arcade Parade: 10am
- Elk Grove: Regional Park, A Salute to the Red, White & Blue, Pancake Breakfast, Car Show, etc. Fireworks at 9:30pm
- Rancho Cordova: Hagan Park, Fireworks at 9:30pm
- Carmichael: Gala Parade and Fireworks. La Sierra Community Cent, Fireworks at 7pm
For more fireworks in the San Francisco, the Bay Area, and surrounding counties, please click here.
For more fireworks in Southern California, please click here.
We wish everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing 4th of July where ever you end up! Enjoy the show and this wonderful holiday!
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