Fireworks Will Launch From the Golden Gate Bridge This Fourth of July
San Francisco’s Fourth of July fireworks move to the Golden Gate Bridge this year. On Saturday, July 4, 2026, fireworks will launch directly from the bridge’s towers to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is the third time in the bridge’s roughly 90-year history that fireworks have launched from the bridge itself. The show is free and begins around 9:30 pm.
What Happens on the Bridge
The fireworks launch from the east side of the bridge, between the two towers. To make that possible, the bridge closes completely to all traffic from 9:00 to 10:00 pm. Caltrans will detour US 101 in both directions starting at 8:00 pm, and the bridge is expected to reopen to vehicles around 10:00 pm.
Sidewalk closures run longer. Both the east and west sidewalks close to pedestrians and bikes from 8:00 to 10:00 pm on July 4. The west sidewalk reopens at 10:00 pm for bicyclists only, and regular pedestrian access resumes Sunday, July 5. A section of the east sidewalk between the towers is closed from 5:00 am Friday, July 3 through 5:00 am Sunday, July 5. The parking lots at the south end of the bridge close from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on July 4. Drones are banned near the bridge.
Where to Watch
Crissy Field: flat, open shoreline directly east of the bridge. The parking lot closes from 6:00 am July 4 to 6:00 am July 5, so plan to arrive on foot, by bike, or by transit.
Marina Green: open lawn along the Marina waterfront with a straight line of sight to the bridge. Its parking lot closes on the same schedule as Crissy Field’s.
Pier 39 and the northern Embarcadero: farther from the launch site, with a wider view across the bay.
One weather note: early July evenings at the Golden Gate are often foggy. The marine layer comes in from the west and tends to sit at the bridge itself, so check conditions before you commit to a spot.
Details
When: Saturday, July 4, 2026, starting around 9:30 pm
Where: Launched from the Golden Gate Bridge, visible from the northern waterfront
Cost: Free
More info: The Golden Gate Bridge District’s event page and the city’s official event listing have full closure details.
For everything else happening this month, see our guide to things to do in San Francisco in July 2026.