Independence Day celebrations will take place in just a few days in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
From parades to festivals and fireworks, communities across San Joaquin County will gather to celebrate. In just Stockton, three events are scheduled in celebration of this year’s Independence Day.
Lodi, Manteca and Tracy are not left behind with their own celebrations. Here are the Fourth of July events in San Joaquin County you won’t want to miss.
STOCKTON
Unity in the Community Fest
Stockton families can look forward to movies on the big screen, a kids zone and fireworks at the Unity in the Community event in downtown Stockton.
The event will be from 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Banner Island Ballpark at 404 W. Fremont St. This is an event presented by the Stockton Ports and Black to Business.
“Unity in the Community Fest is an opportunity to bring people together in a fun and welcoming environment while showcasing the incredible organizations, businesses, and individuals that make our community special,” said Jordan Feneck, Stockton Ports’ general manager. “We’re excited to partner with Black to Business to create an event that celebrates connection, culture, and community.”
The event will also feature a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, food trucks, vendors, resources and much more.
Admission is $11.50 per ticket. Children ages 5 and under enter free. Tickets can be purchased online at mlb.tickets.com or on simpletix.com. Online fees are included in the ticket prices on both websites.
Parking is $10, a flyer states.
Fourth of July Celebration
Make your way to downtown Stockton for the Fourth of July celebrations starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, with a parade hosted by the city of Stockton and the American Legion Karl Ross Post 16.
The parade route will go up North El Dorado Street, to Oak Street, down Center Street, city officials said. The grandstands will be in front of the Civic Auditorium and DeCarli Plaza.
The festival gates will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Weber Point Events Center, 221 N. Center St. in Stockton in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“This free, community event will feature live music and fun for all ages. Enjoy food from local vendors, shop around at artisan booths, inflatable games and crafts in the Kid Zone, face painting, and live performances,” city officials said.
The Latin Magic Band will begin performing at 5:30 p.m. and the Stockton Symphony will follow at 8 p.m. The fireworks show is scheduled around 9:30 p.m.
Parking inside the Weber Point Events Center parking lot will be reserved for staff and vendors only. Public event parking will be available on-street or in city lots with parking fees, city officials stated.
Annual Barron Hilton Fireworks Display at Mandeville Island
The annual Barron Hilton Fireworks Display will return to Mandeville Island on Friday, July 3. The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mandeville Tip Park, San Joaquin River.
Admission is free for the event, according to Visit Stockton.
Hilton was 91 when he died in September 2019, the Visit Stockton website states. During hunting season, Hilton would spend his weekends on the San Joaquin River since he co-founded the Venice Island Duck Club 62 years ago.
Hilton and his wife Marilyn would take their eight children to the island to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Visit Stockton website states.
“The program is produced by Pyro-Spectaculars by Souza, and all 1200 shots are synchronized to rousing patriotic music,” the Visit Stockton website states.
LODI
Celebrate America in Lodi
Independence Day festivities will begin in Lodi from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at Hutchins Street Square West Park with its Celebrate America event.
“This free family-friendly event invites you to dress in your favorite red, white, and blue and enjoy an evening of patriotic fun, community spirit, and live entertainment featuring the Lodi Community Band and the Stockton Portsmen,” City of Lodi-Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Facebook page states.
Onsite vendors include Tom’s Travelin’ Coffee, Kona Ice and Panda’s Smoke Shack.
The first 200 guests will receive free American Flags, a flyer states.
Fourth of July at the Lake: An American Festival
Independence Day festivities will continue in Lodi on Saturday, July 4.
The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will kick off early at 7 a.m. at Lodi Lake Park, at 1101 W. Turner Road. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice.
Tickets are $8 for children 5 to 12 years old, and $15 for anyone 13 years old and over, children under 5 enter free. Tickets can be purchased ahead, at one of the locations selling tickets, or at the gate. Locations selling tickets include Lakewood Meats, Meehleis Modular, Village Coffee Shop and Cherokee Memorial.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the lake will be closed to the public. The Boathouse will open at noon for reservations and the beach will open at 2 p.m. also for reservations.
The main gates will open to the public at 4 p.m. for the 4th of July Celebration at Lodi Lake. Lodi will also celebrate its recognition as America’s Favorite Small Towns 2026 on Saturday. Admission is free.
Music will begin at 5 p.m. with the Blood Orange Liqueur. At 7 p.m. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers will perform. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m. the city of Lodi and the Recreation & Culture Services website states.
MANTECA
Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast, Parade and Fireworks
Manteca will celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary on Saturday, July 4, starting from 7 to 10 a.m. with a 4th of July Pancake Breakfast at the Deaf Puppy Club at 127 N. Main St., in Manteca. This is an event by the Rotary Club of Manteca.
The breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee. Tickets are $10 each, with proceeds to benefit local community projects and scholarships.
The parade will continue festivities at 10 a.m. with the Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis 4th of July Parade in downtown Manteca. The parade will begin at Liberty Park and end at Manteca High School.
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the BLD Sports Park, 1077 Milo Candini Drive, in Manteca. Gates will open at 7 p.m. there will be an admission fee of $2 for anyone ages 12 and over. This is a cashless park, payment will only be accepted with debit or credit card.
Other recommended viewing locations include Bella Vista Park, Dutra Estates Mini Park, Dutra Southeast Park, Kevin O’Neill Park and Roberts Estates Park.
Parking at the Great Wolf Lodge will not be permitted, the mayor’s post states.
TRACY
Fourth of July celebration
Tracy’s Fourth of July celebrations will begin bright and early from 6 to 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast by the Lions Club Matthew-Stockwell Memorial Balloon Lift Off.
The downtown Tracy parade and festival will follow. At 10 a.m. the parade will kick off at 10th and B Streets and it will end at 6th and Central Avenue. The parade is presented by the Tracy City Center Association.
The festival will be at the Front Street Plaza and it’s open to the community with face painting, a splash pad, live music and food.
Legacy Fields gates will open at 6 p.m. for fireworks at 4901 N. Tracy Blvd. There will be food vendors, live music by the Mike Torres Band & DJ Chago, a zids zone, face painting and much more.
Gates will close at 9 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9:45 p.m. General admission tickets are $30. They can be purchased at zeffy.com.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers business and community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: From parades to festivals, 4th of July events kick off in San Joaquin County
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
