The Fourth of July is already right around the corner and, as always, the South Bay is full of barbeques, music, fireworks and other Independence Day events.

SAN JOSE

San Jose Giants Fireworks Show
This year the San Jose Giants will hold two postgame fireworks shows, on the Fourth and the 5th. On both days the team squares off against the Visalia Rawhide. Tickets go quickly, this being San Jose’s only holiday fireworks show, but several locations surrounding Memorial Stadium offer great views.

Rose, White and Blue Parade
Envisioned as a revival of the rose parades and festivals in San Jose’s past, Rose, White and Blue aims to provide San Jose with a Fourth of July parade so long lacking in the city. Bagpipers bookend the parade participants: antique cars, marching bands, local organizations, pets, children, you name it.

Santana Row
Santana Row’s Summer Block Party offers food and drink tasting, a sidewalk sale, and special holiday discounts. The Counter will again host a barbeque with live music at Park Valencia.

SANTA CLARA

Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Jazz and soul bands are scheduled to warm up the crowd before the return of Santa Clara’s fireworks show in Central Park. The Groove Kings go on at 7:30 p.m. before the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Kiely Boulevard will be lined with food trucks, so all that’s needed is some lawn chairs and a good spot on the grass.

CUPERTINO

Fourth of July Celebration
The day starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by a children’s parade through Memorial Park, then a community sing-along of patriotic songs.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline Ampitheatre
The San Francisco Symphony is back at the Shoreline Amphitheatre for the annual concert and fireworks show. This year’s setlist aims for broad appeal with marches, movie scores and patriotic classics.

PALO ALTO

Summer Festival and Chili Cook-off
Once again, Palo Alto chili chefs will battle it out in Mitchell Park for the coveted chili championship. No worries for those who can’t take the heat. Live music and other food vendors will be in the mix, along with face painting and bounce houses for the kids.

MENLO PARK

Fourth of July Parade
The parade will crawl down Santa Cruz Avenue until it reaches Burgess Park, where there will be music, games and food.

REDWOOD CITY

Fourth of July Parade and Festival
Redwood City celebrates its 75th annual Fourth of July parade with the theme “Seventy Five Years of Pageantry.” After the parade comes the 27th annual Independence Day Festival covering several blocks of downtown Redwood City. The festival boasts a battle of the bands, arts and crafts, food, drink and children’s entertainment. Fireworks over the Port of Redwood city close out the holiday.

LOS GATOS

Fourth of July Picnic
The celebration at the Civic Center will feature a picnic lunch and performance from the San Jose Wind Symphony.

MORGAN HILL

Freedom Fest
Freedom Fest 2013 kicks off with a 5k run, granting awards not only to top finishers but those in costume as well. Runners can rest their feet after the 5K with the Car Cruise and Show which will segue into the 137th Morgan Hill Fourth of July Parade. Expect marching bands, floats, and performers. In the evening, celebrants can enjoy music and food in Community Park before the fireworks at dark.

GILROY
Independence Day in Gilroy
The City of Gilroy celebrates the 4th of July with Independence Day BBQ at Gilroy Gardens with Tangy BBQ Chicken, All Beef Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Western Style Chili Beans, Garden Salad, Dinner Rolls, and more. There will also be Karaoke at Station 55 to round out the day.

MILPITAS

Red, White & Boom
The Independence Day celebration at Milpitas Sports Center kicks off with a pool party, games and lunch, followed in the evening with a concert by Retromaniax. The fireworks are slated for 9:15 p.m.. Attendees can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the show.

FELTON

Roaring Camp
Roaring Camp continues its 50s themed Fourth celebrations with a sock hop, hula-hoop contest, games, live music and a barbeque.

APTOS

World’s Shortest Parade
Aptos’s “World’s Shortest Parade” inches along this summer with another 0.6 mile trek. The day is bookended with a pancake breakfast in the morning and a party in the park in the evening.

EAST BAY

ALAMEDA

Fourth of July Parade
The three mile parade route is one of the longest in the nation with over 20,000 spectators showing up annually. All the holiday parade regulars participate: marching bands, floats, classic cars, equestrians, and others.

FREMONT

Fourth of July Parade
The Fremont Fourth of July Parade rotates annually between the city’s five townships, and this year it lands downtown. Participants range from the local beekeepers association to the Spirit of Sunnyvale marching band. Awards are given out to the best performers and most creative floats.

Ardenwood
The Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration at Ardenwood Historic Park takes the Fourth back to the early1900s with fiddle players, a live brass band and antique fun. Folks can try their hand at nail-driving, watermelon seed spitting, egg tossing, and the tug-of-war.