Fourth of July Activities in Vallejo California

Vallejo has some of the best Fourth of July Day Events in the North Bay. Beyond the usual fireworks displays, we have a huge parade, the rubber ducky derby, and a festival on the waterfront.

July Fourth Parade

Starting at 10:00 am, the Vallejo Fourth of July parade begins At Tennessee St. and Broadway, travels down Tennessee street turning onto Sonoma, following Sonoma Blvd and turning at Georgia, and ending at the end of Georgia at the Vallejo Waterfront.

Our family has visited Fourth of July parades all over the Bay Area, and Vallejo's is still our favorite. It's a huge parade with the whole community involved. Even the motorcycle police get fancy with their stunts and tricks. Local businesses go all out with their handmade floats, and local kids preform with their dance groups, or march with their clubs.

Because the parade route is so long, it's easy to find a parking space within a few blocks of the parade route, as well as a good spot to sit and watch. Traffic control can be strict after the parade, but we always make it home without to much hassle or too many detours.

July Fourth Festival at the Waterfront

This is where the party is. There is music, food boots, craft booths, and all the typical festivities at the Vallejo Waterfront from about 3:00 in the afternoon and into the evening. It's a family friendly festival, and being along the water helps fight the summer heat a little.

The Vallejo Ducky Derby

The Ducky Derby is a long standing Vallejo Fourth of July tradition. Put on together by the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club to raise funds for Vallejo schools. The Derby also takes place along Vallejo's waterfront in the afternoon. Tickets for each duck can be purchased from many businesses all over town, from Ducky Derby volunteers, and at the Saturday Farmer's Markets leading up to the Forth of July.

Each ticket is then represented by it's very own rubber ducky in a race down the Mare Island Straight, and the first 5 ducks to reach the finish are declared the winners.

Vallejo Fourth of July Fireworks

Like most of the other activities, the fireworks take place at the Vallejo Waterfront. Fired off from Mare Island, the Vallejo fourth of July Fireworks display takes begins between 9:00 and 9:30 depending on the light (or rather the darkness).

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom also has their own fireworks display both on July Fourth, and on the evenings leading up to the holiday. While these fireworks are visible from many area of the city around Discovery Kingdom, it can be difficult to find a safe spot to view them from outside the park. If you are passing through Vallejo during such a display, be warned that drivers are known to pull over on the freeway to stop and watch. This practice is frowned upon by law enforcement, and not recommended.