The Fourth of July this year is on a Friday, hence making for an Independence Day weekend. To help celebrate Independence Day throughout Santa Clara County this long weekend, there will be lots of activities. On the night of July 4, there will also be fireworks displays. Some events will even have fireworks on the next night, July 5. Unless otherwise indicated, these fireworks displays are FREE for all to attend.
On Friday, July 4, all public transit agencies serving Santa Clara County will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This includes but is not limited to:
- Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail
- SamTrans (San Mateo County)
- Caltrain
- BART
Normal public transit weekday service returns on Monday.
Read on for details of VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain service to and from Fourth of July events. This guide will also cover other events not related to Independence Day celebrations, that will happen this long weekend. Note that screen shots showing walking distance and paths from fireworks shows to transit stops are courtesy of Google Maps.
Table of Contents
- Thursday, July 3
- Friday, July 4 (Independence Day)
- Saturday, July 5
- Sunday, July 6
- Other Advisories
- For More Updates
Thursday, July 3
Morgan Hill Freedom Fest
From the promoters of Morgan Hill Freedom Fest:
Through pandemics, wars, and depressions, the parade has taken place in every year since 1876! Events include a music festival, a Freedom Run through the City, a classic car cruise, parade, and fireworks at the Outdoor Sports Center.
Morgan Hill’s Freedom Fest is one of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in the San Francisco Bay Area. something about the Freedom Fest that has taken place in Morgan Hill since 1876.
Here are highlights from last year’s Morgan Hill Freedom Fest:
The festivities formally start at 6pm with the Patriotic Sing at the downtown Amphitheater on Monterey Rd. off E Dunne Ave. They conclude with a Family Music Fest on three music stages along Monterey Rd. until 10pm.
Coming to the Freedom Fest from San Jose? Get off the 68 bus at Monterey Rd. and Wright, or Monterey Rd./E. Dunne Ave. From southern Morgan Hill, San Martin, or Gilroy, get off the 68 bus at Monterey Rd. and E. Dunne Ave.
Note that, due to the two-day Freedom Fest, VTA must detour service on the 68, 87, and 568 Rapid bus lines on Monterey Rd. between E. Dunne Ave. and Cochrane. Expect a minimum of 10 minute delays on these bus lines as they traverse the detour route.
Sharks Hockey Prospect Scrimmage
San Jose Sharks hockey fans have the chance to see a Prospects Scrimmage Thursday morning at 11am. This is your first chance to see top-level rookie prospects throughout the San Jose Sharks minor league system compete against each other.
The scrimmage takes place at TechCU Arena on South 10th Street, south of Alma Street, in San Jose. Beat traffic and parking headaches to and from the Scrimmage by riding VTA’s 73 bus. Our transit guide shows you how you can catch the 73 bus from in front of San Jose City Hall, and enjoy the 10-minute ride to Alma/Senter bus stop. From the stop it’s a 5 minute walk to TechCU Arena and the scrimmage.
Friday, July 4 (Independence Day)
The big Independence Day is on Friday. This holiday will feature parades throughout Santa Clara County in the daytime, and fireworks displays that night. Here’s a list of these events.
Rose, White and Blue Parade (San Jose)
From about 9am until 2pm, the Rose, White and Blue festival and parade takes place along The Alameda and Naglee in the Shasta/Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods of San Jose. VTA’s 22, 522 Rapid, and 61 bus lines will detour around the parade route. Ride them to The Alameda/Naglee for best festival access.
Morgan Hill Freedom Fest (Day 2)
Here’s a schedule for Day 2 of Morgan Hill’s Freedom Fest. From 7:30am-2pm, a Freedom Run, Car Cruise, and parade take place. It all culminates in a fireworks show at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center across Highway 101 at 9:30pm. Ride VTA’s 68 bus line to Monterey Hwy/E. Dunne Ave. bus stop for the festivities.
Before 9:30pm, bus stops south of Monterey Hwy./E. Dunne Ave on the 68 bus line are some good viewing points for the fireworks east, at the Outdoor Sports Center.
Fireworks in Cupertino
The Fourth of July fireworks show takes place at Hyde Middle School, at 19325 Bollinger Rd at 9:30pm. VTA’s 56 bus line from Stevens Creek/Wolfe is the best route to these fireworks. Be advised: the 56 will be detoured around the area from 4:30pm-11pm. The detoured route will run along Bollinger, near where you can view the fireworks.
Fireworks in Gilroy
Gilroy’s Fourth of July fireworks show takes place at Gilroy High School at 750 W. 10th St at 9:30pm. Gilroy High School is about a 20 minute walk from the Gilroy Caltrain station, southern terminus of the 68 bus line. Alternately, you can see the fireworks from the north, at the Caltrain station itself.
Drone Show in East San Jose (Lake Cunningham Park)
In East San Jose, there will be a drone show at Lake Cunningham Park at 9:30pm instead of fireworks. The drone show will be part of an overall Fourth of July festival. VTA will have shuttle bus service from Eastridge Mall to the area to support the drone show.
Great America (Santa Clara)
As one of its last shows before closing for good, Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara will have its annual Fourth of July fireworks show and party. Admission fee required. Fireworks start at 9:40pm, weather permitting.
Ride VTA’s Orange Line light rail to Great America/Levi’s Stadium stop. The light rail platform (if allowed) or sidewalk along Great America Parkway is another great place for viewing the fireworks.
Nearby Mission College is hosting its own Fourth of July Celebration for the general public. More on that below.
Mission College (Santa Clara)
Mission College in Santa Clara is hosting a Fourth of July Celebration for the City of Santa Clara. It runs from 5pm-10pm, with fireworks from nearby Great America around 9:30pm, weather permitting.
From the City of Santa Clara:
Join the City of Santa Clara for a festive, family friendly Fourth of July celebration! Enjoy lawn games, live entertainment, and a wide variety of delicious food from local food trucks. Bring your blanket for a picnic with family and friends.
Ride VTA’s 57 bus to Great America Parkway and Mission College Blvd. bus stop. On Sundays, the bus runs until around 9:30pm, when the last southbound bus from Old Ironsides/Tasman northern terminus leaves.
Alternately, you can walk to Old Ironsides light rail station and catch an Orange Line light rail train. See the map above for a guide.
San Jose Giants baseball
The San Jose Giants have already clinched their spot in the California League playoffs in September. They clinched their spot by winning the first half of the North Division championship.
This Fourth of July weekend, they will host the Stockton Ports on Friday at 6:30pm. There will be a fireworks show after the Friday and Saturday games, weather permitting.
While the July 4 game is already SOLD OUT, tickets are still available for July 5 and 6 (6pm start time) games.
Our transit guide to San Jose Giants baseball shows several bus lines within a short walk of Excite Ballpark. The 73 bus line stops next to the ballpark, behind the third base side.
Saturday, July 5
San Jose Earthquakes soccer (and post-game fireworks)
On July 5 at 7:30pm, the San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer action. After the match (around 9:30pm) is their first-ever fireworks show at PayPal Park.
VTA’s 60 bus line stops in the back of PayPal Park. One bus stop is in the back of the scoreboard on Coleman; the other bus stop is across Coleman and Earthquake Drive. Our transit guide shows you how you can ride the 60 bus from Caltrain, BART, and three VTA light rail stations to the match. Alternately, PayPal Park is a 15-minute walk from the Santa Clara Transit Center, where you can connect from VTA bus lines like the 22 and 522 Rapid.
Great America (Santa Clara)
As one of its last shows before closing for good, Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara will have its annual Fourth of July fireworks show and party. Admission fee required. Fireworks start at 9:40pm, weather permitting.
Ride VTA’s Orange Line light rail to Great America/Levi’s Stadium stop. The light rail platform (if allowed) or sidewalk along Great America Parkway is another great place for viewing the fireworks.
San Jose Giants baseball
The San Jose Giants have already clinched their spot in the California League playoffs in September. They clinched their spot by winning the first half of the North Division championship.
This Fourth of July weekend, they will host the Stockton Ports on Saturday at 6:30pm. There will be a fireworks show after the Friday and Saturday games, weather permitting.
While the July 4 game is already SOLD OUT, tickets are still available for July 5 and 6 (6pm start time) games.
Our transit guide to San Jose Giants baseball shows several bus lines within a short walk of Excite Ballpark. The 73 bus line stops next to the ballpark, behind the third base side.
Sunday, July 6
Finally, on Sunday, July 6 from 11am-5pm, the Bay Area Pride Community Picnic takes place at Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara. It’s located at 909 Kiely Blvd. in Santa Clara.
Ride VTA’s 57 bus line to the Kiely Blvd./Kaiser Dr. stop. Then, cross Kiely Blvd. and cross the park to the picnic.
San Jose Giants baseball
The San Jose Giants have already clinched their spot in the California League playoffs in September. They clinched their spot by winning the first half of the North Division championship.
This Fourth of July weekend, they will host the Stockton Ports on Sunday at 5pm. There will be a fireworks show after the Friday and Saturday games, weather permitting.
While the July 4 game is already SOLD OUT, tickets are still available for the July 6 game.
Our transit guide to San Jose Giants baseball shows several bus lines within a short walk of Excite Ballpark. The 73 bus line stops next to the ballpark, behind the third base side.
Other Advisories
Given the Fourth of July holiday, expect California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other law enforcement to heavily patrol the streets and highways. Their prime safety goal: protect YOU from drivers who exceed posted speed limits, and/or who are intoxicated (DUI). One additional goal to this guide is to help you take public transit as an alternate to driving. Especially after you have consumed alcohol or used drugs.
For More Updates
Follow @svtransitupdts on X for the latest public transit updates this weekend and any other time.
Stay safe and sane on this long Fourth of July weekend.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users