Here are the verified events for Monterey and Santa Cruz County 4th of July events for 2026.
MONTEREY COUNTY
4TH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST | 7:30-10:30 AM
Join Monterey Firefighters Charity Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #11. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit, and coffee. Family fun includes arts and crafts for kids, face painting, music and a chance to meet local firefighters and sit in a fire truck. Ticket proceeds will benefit MY Museum.
CARMEL 4th of July Celebration | 10:00 AM-3:30 PM
Enjoy an old-fashioned, family-style celebration in Devendorf Park on Ocean Avenue with Monterey County Pops!, which will debut its return with a live performance.
KING CITY 4th of July Celebration 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Get ready for a day of family fun, classic cars, delicious food, and old-fashioned games at San Lorenzo Park. Celebrate Independence Day with your community at this free event.
MONTEREY STATE HISTORIC PARK LIVING HISTORY DAY | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating with a special Living History Day in the Memory Garden behind the Pacific House Museum at Custom House Plaza. Early California activities, guided history tours, and fun for the whole family. Admission is free; donations encouraged.
July 4th ON OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf will be festively decorated for the 4th of July with photo opportunities. Enjoy a free performance that will include patriotic pieces. Uncle Sam will be at Candy World for photo ops.
MONTEREY 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Come enjoy the festive floats, patriotic displays, entertaining costumes, and musical bands. The City of Monterey’s Big 4th of July Celebration & Backyard Food Fest follows at 10:45 am.
PACIFIC GROVE CELEBRATION | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce will hold a 250th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration at Jewell Park. There will be a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a choir singing the National Anthem and a medley of the Armed Forces anthems and live music. The Youth Ambassadors of Pacific Grove will have kids activities and a BBQ.
SEASIDE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION | 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
The event will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable obstacle courses, face painting, arts & crafts, bungee jumpers, a rock wall, bounce houses, local food & craft vendors, and live entertainment featuring Coco Montoya with special guests. The event is free. No alcohol, drugs, BBQs, or dogs are allowed.
CLEBRATE AMERICA | 3:00-9:00 PM
This free family festival held in Salinas will feature: food trucks, carnival rides, bounce houses, and live entertainment — followed by a vintage plane flyover, skydiver carrying the American flag, music, and a tribute to our service members. The night concludes with the Tri-county’s largest fireworks display.
CITY OF MARINA JULY 4TH BLOCK PARTY | 3:30 PM
Live music by Sensory Tribe, El Sol, and Shannon and the Night Divers. Food vendors, kids’ activities including inflatables, rock wall, and face painting. Bring your own safe & sane fireworks to enjoy in the evening.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
APTOS SHORTEST PARADE | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
The parade begins at the corner of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive. Despite its short length, the parade lasts well over an hour, featuring classic cars, marching bands, and even dogs. After the parade, Party in the Park is at Aptos Village Park with pony rides, food trucks, bounce houses, and a free concert.
SCOTTS VALLEY 4TH OF JULY PARADE & FLYOVER | 11:00 AM
Kids zone and free activities begin at 9 am, with the parade along Scotts Valley Drive. Festivities continue at SkyPark with game booths, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and pie, plus live music. Free event.
SPIRIT OF WATSONVILLE PARADE | 12:30 PM
The parade goes down Main Street, from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street. This hometown parade features fire engines, antique cars, equestrian units, and the Watsonville Community Band.
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