Do you enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July? Well, nothing beats a warm summer night with live music, food, drink, and a fantastic fireworks show right in the heart of Davis, CA. The Fourth of July celebration at Community Park is truly a fantastic tradition. People from throughout Yolo County come to Davis to enjoy fireworks and the festivities.
4th of July Events in Davis
The 4th of July Celebration in Davis is chock full of events all day long. Plenty of things to do to keep the family entertained. Plus, if you are hosting an event at your home, you can take a break and head to the event location to participate in the festivities.
Community Park Celebration
The focal point for the 4th of July celebration in Davis is Community Park. Here you will find plenty of things to do before the fantastic pyrotechnics show in the sky.
Community Park
For 2023, the schedule will be very similar to previous years. Times and events are subject to change.
4:00 p.m.: Food and drinks available for purchase from local non-profit groups
4:00 p.m.: Fun Zone! from Discovery Christian Church
6:30 p.m.: Live music, coordinated by the Davis Live Music Collective. The Gold Souls at 6:30 p.m. and The Stone Foxes at 8:00 p.m.
9:35 p.m.: A 20-minute fireworks display. This fireworks display is the only safe and legal use of fireworks that is allowed in Davis, CA and the only authorized fireworks show throughout the year. For public safety, a City ordinance prohibits the use or discharge of fireworks or any substances designed for pyrotechnic display. The sale of any type of fireworks within the City of Davis boundaries is also prohibited.
Fourth of July Criterium *** CANCELLED for 2023 ***
Before the Pandemic, the Fourth of July Criterium, in downtown Davis, started early and ran throughout the day.
Now, unfortunately, the event is cancelled for 2023. According to the NCNCA (pronounced “nic-nica”) the event failed to come together due to the inability to set a new course location. In years past, the event was hosted by the Davis Bike Club.
Kiwanis Kiddie Parade
The 4th of July celebration in Davis, CA starts early with the Kiwanis Kiddie Parade in Downtown Davis. This is a fantastic community tradition organized by the Kiwanis Club of Davis since 1960.
Children and families are invited to bring creatively decorated bicycles, strollers, wagons and scooters and roll or walk in this festive holiday tradition.
The community is encouraged to participate in what is likely the shortest parade in Davis. Only two blocks in length, the parade is on C Street at 2nd Street and heads north to Central Park.
Participants typically gather between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The parade will step-off promptly at 10:00 a.m.
No registration is required.
Kiwanis Kiddie Parade Map
Kiwanis Kiddie Parade 2023 Photos
Food and Drink: A Community Fundraiser
These are great fundraisers for our local organizations.
Snacks and treats will be available for purchase in Community Park from a variety of local non-profit organizations. The City of Davis 4th of July Celebration is a great venue for seeing our local community groups in action and learning more about the services these groups provide in our community.
Be sure to stop by and support these fantastic groups during the 4th of July celebration.
Note: Vendors and food items are subject to change without notice.
Here is a list of local organizations that participated in 2022.
- Boy Scout Troop #111: Pizza, candy and snacks.
- Davis Musical Theatre Company: Popcorn and cotton candy.
- Davis Phoenix Coalition: Churros, hotdogs and hamburgers.
- Davis Youth Softball Association: Sno-cones, beer.
- Tese Foundation: Grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, and Boereowors (sausage) rolls, along with rice, salad and specialty juices.
Stay Hydrated: Be sure to stay hydrated. It can get hot on the Fourth of July. Vendors will be selling water and other beverages. Attendees are encouraged to support our local organization or bring their own water or drinks.
Davis Youth Softball Association selling snow cones at the 4th of July Celebration at Community Park in Davis, CA.
Live Music
Live Music to keep the masses entertained will be available from about 6:30 p.m. up to the fireworks show. Coordinated by the Davis Live Music Collective, this free public concert that brings a variety of regional bands to the stage. A diverse selection of music makes this the perfect place to learn about and enjoy the regional music scene.
The live music lineup for the 2023 Davis 4th of July is:
- 6:30 p.m. – The Gold Souls
- 8:00 p.m. – The Stone Foxes
Learn more about the 4th of July music lineup at the Davis Live Music Collective
Headliner: The Coffis Brothers performing live at the City of Davis 4th of July Celebration (2022).
Fireworks Show
The Fourth of July Celebration in Davis ends with a 15-minute fireworks display. I would say that the show lasts a bit longer than 15 minutes. But, when you are watching a fireworks show of this caliber, you have a tendency to lose track of time. Regardless, this is one FANTASTIC fireworks display. It is something you will be talking about for days to come.
Remember, this display is the only safe and legal use of fireworks that is allowed in Davis. For public safety, a City ordinance prohibits the use or discharge of fireworks or any substances designed for pyrotechnic display. The sale of any type of fireworks within the City of Davis boundaries is also prohibited.
The Only Show in Town
The Fourth of July fireworks show in Davis is a must see event…and you don’t want to miss it. If you do miss it, you won’t be able to see any fireworks in our fair burg unless it is on the Fourth of July.
That is correct. No firework shows in Davis, CA unless it is on the Fourth of July.
During a January 2023 City Council meeting, the Council banned all firework shows in Davis, except for the show on the Fourth of July.
You can read the details in the Davis Enterprise.
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4th of July Photo Gallery
Where can I watch fireworks in Davis CA?
The best spot in Davis to watch the fireworks is at Community Park. The large fields right next to the fireworks launching area is perfect for viewing the fireworks almost right overhead. In addition to the explosions overhead, music can be heard; a nice accompaniment to our Country’s birthday celebration.
Right next to Community Park is North Davis Elementary School. This is another great spot to watch the fireworks. Only a couple hundred yards further away, families can gather and watch the show and participate in the festivities.
Another great location in Davis is the Greenbelt just north of Davis Senior High School. Many families prefer this location to watch the show as it is a little bit quieter than watching the show from Community Park, lighter crowds, and easier parking. In the years that I have been attending the fireworks show, I like to find a nice spot in the Greenbelt.
If you are lucky enough to live near Community Park, your backyard or front yard could be the best place to watch the “rocket’s red glare.”
Are fireworks illegal in Davis CA?
Davis Municipal Code prohibits the use of fireworks within the City limits. The Municipal Code is as follows:
13.02.010 Fireworks — Defined.
The term “fireworks” as used in this chapter shall be held to mean firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles, toy pistols, toy cannons, detonating canes, blank cartridges, sparklers, squibs and other devices designed and intended for pyrotechnic display. (Ord. 2303 § 2, 2007)
So if you plan on heading to Woodland or Sacramento to pick up some “safe and sane” fireworks and bring them to Davis, it is probably not a good idea to do so.
Here is the full code related to fireworks in Davis, CA.
https://library.qcode.us/lib/davis_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/chapter_13-article_13_02?view=all
Event Sponsors
The City of Davis 4th of July Celebration is brought to you by…
Other Resources
For questions about Fourth of July activities, contact the City of Davis City Manager’s Office at 530-757-5602 or cmoweb@cityofdavis.org.
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