Redwood City Invites Community to Celebrate Fourth of July with Parade, Festival and Return of Fireworks

Redwood City, CA - Redwood City is inviting the community to celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, with a full day of events downtown and at the Port of Redwood City, including the return of fireworks.

The celebration will bring together several longtime Redwood City traditions, including the annual Fourth of July Parade, pancake breakfast, Downtown Festival, Chalk Full of Fun Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival, and car show. This year's parade theme, "Celebrating America 250," recognizes the nation's 250th anniversary.

The day begins with the annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Redwood City Fire Department's main Marshall Street fire station. The breakfast benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association and is $10.

The Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Redwood City. Organized by the Peninsula Celebration Association, the parade has been a local tradition since 1939 and is considered the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the route to enjoy floats, community groups, classic cars, marching bands and other parade entries.

Downtown activities continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Downtown Festival, featuring arts and crafts booths on Jefferson Avenue, community service and information booths on Broadway, food and beverage vendors, entertainment, face painting and activities for children. The festival also gives local nonprofit and community service organizations an opportunity to raise funds and share information about their work.

The Chalk Full of Fun Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will take place July 3 and 4 on Courthouse Square and Chalk Alley, where artists will create colorful sidewalk art throughout the downtown area. The car show will take place after the parade at the Pizza and Pipes parking lot from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Festival entertainment will include Battle of the Bands on Hamilton Street beginning at 1 p.m.

The celebration continues in the evening at the Port of Redwood City with food trucks starting at 5:30 p.m. and a concert featuring Vital Sign from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The fireworks show, hosted by the Port of Redwood City, will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The fireworks can be enjoyed from many locations throughout Redwood City and the Peninsula where there is a clear view of the skies above the Port of Redwood City. Those planning to watch from the Port should arrive early, as public parking is very limited and much of the area is private property.

The July 4 schedule includes:

Pancake Breakfast

8 to 11 a.m.

Redwood City Fire Department main Marshall Street fire station

$10; benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association

Chalk Full of Fun Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival

July 3 and 4

Courthouse Square and Chalk Alley

Free; brought to you by the Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation

Downtown Festival

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Arts and crafts, community booths, food and beverages, kids activities and entertainment

Fourth of July Parade

10 a.m.

2026 theme: "Celebrating America 250"

Car Show

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pizza and Pipes parking lot

Battle of the Bands

1 p.m.

Hamilton Street

Port Concert and Food Trucks

Food trucks start at 5:30 p.m.

Concert runs 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Featuring Vital Sign

Fireworks Show

Approximately 9:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Port of Redwood City

Community members are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time for parking and travel, and follow posted traffic and safety guidance throughout the day. Street parking is available around the parade route; attendees should not park in the Kaiser Permanente Emergency Department parking lot.

For frequently asked questions and answers about the event, please visit www.RedwoodCity.org/July4 where you can find details on fireworks, chair policy, parking and links to parade routes, public transportation festival schedule and more.