Fourth of July in Sacramento: Festivals, Events, Things to Do

The Salute to Red, White, and Blue event is more than just parades and fireworks. Although the event does kick off with a bike and stroller parade, you'll also find food trucks, local vendors, live entertainment, and the famous pie-eating contest, with the night ending in a fireworks show. The festivities run between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is free but there is a $10 parking fee.

The Matsuyama Fun Run is a great way to spend July 4 and raise money for a good cause. Proceeds for the 24th Annual 4th of July Fun Run/Walk at Matsuyama Elementary will be used for incoming sixth graders to participate at the Sly Park Environmental Science Camp in the Pollak Pines area. Trophies will be given to the first place finishers. Check-in starts at 7 a.m. and the race runs at 8 a.m. It costs $15 for early registration (before May 29) or $20 to sign up between May 30 and July 4, 2019. Get the registration form online.

One and all can participate in the 43nd Annual Fourth of July 5-Miler, which is the oldest running event in Sacramento. It will be held on July 4, 2019 at Glenn Hall Park. Sign in will be held between 7:15 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. sign in. At 7:45 a.m., the kid's 1/2 mile race (10 and younger) will start, followed by the five-mile adult race at 8 a.m. There is no cost to join the run.

Stretch your legs at the 4th of July 5K and 10K Fun Run/Walk in downtown Roseville. The event, sponsored by the Roseville Community Crime Stoppers, is followed by a Fourth of July parade with activities. The 10K run begins at 7:20 a.m. and the 5K begins at 7:45 a.m. It costs $25 per runner for early bird registration (between May 1 to June 15, 2019) and $35 for regular registration (between June 15 and July 4, 2019). The event is free for children.

The Carmichael Gala 4th of July Celebration stands out for its family-friendly pancake breakfast. Dig into some homemade flapjacks, starting at 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Clubhouse at Carmichael Park (adults: $5; children 12 and under: $4). Then watch the parade of cars and colorful floats make their way down Fairbanks Boulevard at 10:30 a.m.

The evening festivities begin at 7 p.m. at La Sierra Community Center (5325 Engle Road, Carmichael) and will include arts and crafts, music, food, and more. The fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m.

The City of Davis 4th of July celebration will include a wide variety of family activities, followed by a festival in Community Park (on 14th and F street) featuring music, food, and a fireworks show. The festival starts at 4 p.m. and includes live entertainment from The Five Thirty, The Family Crest, and The Davis Chorale (celebrating 40 years). The fireworks are expected to go off at 9:30. The event is free to attend.

Celebrate Independence Day in a grand style with the Annual Rancho Cordova 4th of July, two-day event. Wednesday's festivities (July 3, 2019) begin with a carnival at 4 p.m. featuring thrill rides, games, food, crafts, and a beer garden. The most exciting addition is the kids zone that has a bunch of free activities like laser tag, a petting zoo, a rock wall, and more. The night winds down with a concert at 8:15 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. In past years, the fireworks show was synced to LED wristbands, so even the crowd lights up like the sky.

On July 4, 2019 there will be a parade at 10 a.m. down Coloma Road, and is followed by the carnival from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., a cornhole tournament from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. ($15), the kids zone, a concert at 8:15 p.m., and the fireworks show around 9:30 p.m.

The Pocket/Greenhaven community goes all out for its Independence Day celebrations. The town will host a July 4 parade at 10 a.m. that will travel along Windbridge Drive to Garcia Bend Park. Each year, a panel of judges gives prices to top parade participants at an outdoor awards ceremony. Following the ceremony, locals and visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment at the business community fair, which also includes a hot dog-eating contest and local food trucks. The parade and events are free to watch and attend.

Revelers file into the Cal Expo ever year for a night of dancing and live country and rock to jam out to come July 4. The gates at the Miller Lite Racetrack Grandstand will open at 4:30 p.m. to start the July 4th celebration, where visitors can be entertained and dance while waiting for the show in the sky. There will be The State Fair Star Talent Auditions as well as The U.S. Air Force, performing at 7:30 p.m. followed by the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Although general admission is free, reserved seating in the grandstands is $10 and parking costs $15 per car.