Okay, San Jose friends — it's almost here, and this year is a big one. July 4th, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, so our neighborhoods are pulling out all the stops. I wanted to put together everything I'm doing with my own family this year, in one place, because I know how many of you ask me for the "insider" list every single June.
Here's what's on my calendar.
The Rose, White & Blue Parade — This Is the One
If you only do one thing on the 4th, make it this. The Rose, White & Blue Parade is celebrating its 19th year this Saturday, and if you haven't been, it is genuinely one of my favorite mornings of the whole summer. It's not a big commercial parade — it's our neighborhood, on foot and on bikes, celebrating together.
Here's the rundown:
- Pre-Parade Car Cruise: 9:45 AM
- Parade: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Festival: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (runs a bit past the parade end time)
- Where it starts: Staging is near Lincoln High School on Dana Avenue
- The route: North to Naglee Avenue, then east to The Alameda, winding through the Shasta/Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods
- Festival location: The Alameda and Shasta Avenue, behind Westminster Presbyterian Church
The parade itself has that wonderful old-school feel — classic cars, marching bands, dance troupes, kids with their bikes and wagons decked out in red, white, and blue streamers. There's a lion dance group, cheer squads, even a George Washington appearance most years. My kids look forward to learning the neighborhood dance this year, and can't wait to check out the festival at the end!
Once the parade wraps, don't head home yet. The festival at Shasta and The Alameda has a full afternoon planned: a kids zone, face painting, games, a book giveaway from Friends of the Library, food trucks, and local vendors. This year they're even bringing in some sports-themed activations. Bring cash for the food trucks and plan to just wander.
A couple of practical notes if this is your first time: the parade start (near Lincoln High) and the festival end point (near The Alameda) are not the same spot, so think through your parking and pickup logistics ahead of time. And if you're coming from outside the Rose Garden or Shasta/Hanchett area, expect street closures — I'd give yourself extra time.
Round Out the Day
If you want to make a full day of it, here's what else is worth knowing about around San Jose and the South Bay this year:
Excite Ballpark — The San Jose Giants are playing both July 3rd and 4th, with fireworks after the game each night. A classic, low-key way to spend an evening if the parade morning wore everyone out. The games are so fun, and the BBQ is fantastic! I spent several summers out here with KRTY, and it was always a blast.
California's Great America (Santa Clara) — If your crew wants rides and a full amusement park day, they're doing a fireworks show synced to music around 9:35–9:40 PM on both July 4th and 5th. Just know it's a ticketed park day, and probably one of the last times you'll get to enjoy Great America before it closes!
Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View) — For a different kind of evening, the San Francisco Symphony performs there on the 4th, with fireworks after dark. Even without tickets to the show itself, you can often catch the fireworks from the surrounding park area.
Cupertino — Fireworks start around 9:30 PM, viewable from Creekside Park, Sedgwick Elementary, and along Miller Avenue near Bollinger Road.
Milpitas — "Red, White & Boom!" at the Milpitas Sports Center, 5–9 PM, concert plus fireworks.
One important thing worth knowing if you're new to San Jose: the city does not permit personal fireworks, including Safe and Sane ones, and there are real fines involved — not just for setting them off, but for knowingly watching an illegal display too. So plan around the professional shows above rather than a backyard display this year.
My Honest Take
We always start our morning at the Rose, White & Blue Parade (many times walking/dancing in the parade with the Cleveland Ave Crew!), then often BBQ with my parents poolside. With the 250th anniversary this year, I have a feeling the parade crowd is going to be bigger than usual, so if you're planning to go, I'd get there a little early to find your spot along the route.
However you spend the day, I hope it's full of sunshine and the good kind of chaos. Happy 4th of July!
Details like parade times and festival hours can shift closer to the date — I'd recommend a quick check of rwbsj.org or the city's event pages before you head out, just in case.
