Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in the East Bay in 2025

Celebrate the 4th: Fireworks Shows Around the East Bay 2025

The 4th of July is all about family, friends, and good old-fashioned summer fun! Fireworks are a beloved tradition—bringing excitement and awe to both the young and the young at heart. For as long as I can remember, we've laid out blankets under the stars, taking in the magic of colorful sparkles lighting up the night sky.

If you're wondering where to watch East Bay 4th of July fireworks in 2025, you’re in luck. The East Bay offers so many fun and festive spots to celebrate Independence Day. Whether you’re looking for a traditional fireworks display, a modern drone light show, or an all-day celebration with music, food, and parades—there’s something for everyone. I’ve rounded up a list of the best places to see 4th of July fireworks in the East Bay—some of which I’ve personally attended and loved over the years!

No matter which event you choose, you're in for a night of celebration, community, and unforgettable summer memories.

Concord Fireworks 2025

The City of Concord puts on a spectacular fireworks show at Mt. Diablo High School. It includes food vendors, a kids carnival, local artist exhibits, and a live band. After the beloved Singing Flag show went away, this is the show my family started attending regularly. There is plenty of room to spread out on the field and enjoy a wonderful community event while enjoying live music! Learn more about the Concord 4th of July fireworks show as well as 4th of July festivities, such as the pancake breakfast and parade, going on all day in Concord here!

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Show

The City of Pleasant Hill also celebrates all day, culminating in an exciting fireworks show at College Park High School. The fireworks event includes hot dogs, tacos, shaved ice, and kettle corn. I have attended this show, and the fireworks display was amazing! Find out all the details and check out the other fun activities going on all day in Pleasant Hill, including a 5K and Party in the Park, here!

Pinole Drone Show – A Unique East Bay 4th of July Experience

The City of Pinole will be hosting it's second annual 4th of July Drone Show at Pinole Valley High School! Drone shows have become a popular alternative to traditional fireworks shows. They produce less air and noise pollution, require less debris cleanup, and offer a wide range of visual effects.

At Pinole's event, there will also be food trucks and children's activities. I attended this show with my family in 2024, and it was fun to experience a drone show in person for my first time!

Martinez Waterfront Fireworks Display 2025

A fireworks show dazzles spectators at the Martinez Waterfront Park. I've seen these fireworks from afar and would love to experience them up close at the beautiful Martinez Shoreline. (where I have photographed so many of your beautiful families over the years!) Check out the details and other Martinez 4th of July happenings here!

Moraga Independence Day Fireworks & Family Fun

The Town of Moraga is celebrating all day on the 4th, including a patriotic dog parade, a live concert, and ending with a twinkling fireworks show at Moraga Commons Park. Learn more about all the small town fun happening here!

Mare Island Drone Light Show

Celebrate the 4th of July with an unforgettable evening at the Mare Island Promenade on Mare Island, featuring a dazzling drone show illuminating the sky, a tempting array of food trucks offering delicious bites, refreshing beverages, a fun kid's zone, energizing music, and a spellbinding magic show creating a truly magical Independence Day extravaganza perfect for the whole family.

Summer Memories to Cherish this Independence Day

Whether you’re planning a big day out with the family or just want to lay out a blanket and take in the show, there are so many great ways to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks in the East Bay this year. These events are more than just fireworks—they’re about community, tradition, and making summer memories that last a lifetime.

And if you're planning to bring your camera (or just your smartphone!) to capture the magic, stay tuned—I've included a guide for photographing fireworks so you can come home with beautiful photos to remember the night.

Have a safe and sparkly 4th of July!

How to Photograph Fireworks with a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera

If you’re bringing your DSLR or mirrorless camera to one of the East Bay’s 4th of July fireworks shows, you can capture some truly stunning images. Here are my favorite tried-and-true tips to help you get those crisp, colorful bursts lighting up the night sky!

Gear You’ll Want:

A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings

A sturdy tripod (a must!)

A remote shutter release or use the camera’s self-timer (Canon has an app you can use on your smartphone!)

A wide-angle lens (24–70mm range works great)

Recommended Settings to Start With:

These are a great jumping-off point, and you can fine-tune as the show progresses:

Mode: Manual (M)

Shutter Speed: 2–5 seconds

This lets you capture the full bloom of the fireworks trail. Shorter speeds (1–2 sec) work for fast bursts, longer (up to 10 sec) for multiple fireworks in one frame.

Aperture: f/8 to f/11

Fireworks are bright! A smaller aperture helps keep them from blowing out while keeping everything in focus.

ISO: 100–200

Keep it low to reduce grain and preserve detail in the dark sky.

Focus: Manual

Autofocus struggles in the dark. Set your lens to manual focus and pre-focus to infinity before the show begins.

How to Photograph Fireworks with a Smartphone

You don’t need a professional camera to capture beautiful 4th of July memories—your smartphone can do the job with just a few tweaks! Whether you're at the Concord fireworks show or enjoying the drone display in Pinole, these tips will help you snap frame-worthy shots right from your phone.

Tips for Better Fireworks Photos on Your Phone:

1. Turn Off the Flash

Fireworks are their own light source—your phone’s flash will only light up the crowd around you and ruin the exposure. Make sure it’s off before you start shooting.

2. Use a Tripod or Hold Steady

To reduce blur, keep your phone as still as possible. A small phone tripod or even propping it up on a bag, bench, or cooler can help a lot. If you don’t have a tripod, try bracing your elbows against your body or a solid surface.

3. Try Night Mode or Long Exposure Apps

Many newer smartphones (like iPhones and Androids) have a Night Mode or Long Exposure setting. If your phone doesn’t, try a free or low-cost app like Slow Shutter Cam (iPhone) or Camera FV-5 (Android) to control shutter speed.

Aim for an exposure of about 1–2 seconds for fireworks.

Make sure to hold still during the exposure!

4. Manually Lock Focus and Exposure

Tap on the screen where the fireworks are appearing, then lock the focus and exposure if your phone allows. This prevents the brightness from jumping around with every burst.

On iPhones, tap and hold to lock AE/AF.

On many Androids, tap and hold or use Pro mode.

5. Zoom with Your Feet, Not Your Fingers

Digital zoom on smartphones lowers image quality. Instead of pinching to zoom, try getting physically closer or crop later when editing.

6. Shoot Live Photos or Video Too

Live Photos on iPhone (or Motion Photos on Android) capture a few seconds of movement—great for catching the burst in action.

Video mode works beautifully for fireworks. You can even pull still frames from the video later if you catch something magical.

7. Edit Later for a Little Extra Sparkle

Use your favorite photo editing app (like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or even your phone’s built-in editor) to boost contrast, reduce noise, and add a touch of vibrance to those dark skies.

Bonus Photo Tip: Capture the Story, Not Just the Sky

While getting the perfect burst is exciting, don’t forget to turn your camera toward your family, too. Document the kids holding glow sticks, wide-eyed reactions, or everyone cuddled under a blanket. These moments tell a story—and they’re what you’ll truly want to remember. Get a shot of your child looking up in wonder or your partner’s silhouette against the glowing sky---these memories are what make the night truly special.