Half Moon Bay’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade and Festival

Celebrate the 4th of July at Half Moon Bay's classic parade and festival - a fun-filled day of old-fashioned Americana!
About this Event

Celebrate Independence Day on the beautiful San Mateo County Coast at the 55th Annual Half Moon Bay Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Parade & Festival. This year's celebration is especially meaningful as the nation commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the United States, making it a perfect time to gather with family, friends, and neighbors for a day filled with patriotism, community spirit, and small-town charm.

The festivities begin with the beloved Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, featuring marching bands, colorful floats, community groups, classic vehicles, and hometown pride as they make their way through historic Downtown Half Moon Bay. Following the parade, the celebration continues with a lively festival showcasing live music, family-friendly activities, local organizations, food and beverage vendors, and opportunities to connect with the community.

The festivities kick off with the Half Moon Bay Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at City Hall (501 Main Street) from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Pre-sale tickets are available online at hmblions.org.

Starting at 10:00 AM and running until 4:00 PM, the I.D.E.S. Fourth of July Festival will be in full swing at 735 Main Street, offering live music, delicious food and drinks, 20+ artisan and craft vendors, and family-friendly activities for all ages. Don’t miss the special Mural Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at 2:15 PM, when the Portuguese Society unveils a beautiful new mural by local artist Julie Engelmann, inspired by the heritage of the Azores.

At 12:00 PM sharp, the main event – the Fourth of July Parade – kicks off! Watch as Main Street comes alive with whimsical floats, marching bands, horseback riders, vintage cars, local service groups, dance troupes, costumed pets, youth sports teams, dignitaries, and a patriotic Color Guard presented by the American Legion. The parade will travel along Main Street from Filbert to Mill Street and last approximately 90 minutes.

A long-standing favorite, the Sitting Marching Band will once again delight the crowds with a lively selection of patriotic tunes from their usual spot at Main and Kelly.

The Half Moon Bay Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade is proud to honor Jill Jacobson as the 2026 Grand Marshal in recognition of her decades of leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to the Coastside community. Through her service with local schools, youth sports, community organizations, and as Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside, Jill has helped create lasting opportunities and support systems for generations of local youth and families. Her compassion, vision, and commitment to community have left an enduring impact on the Coastside, making her a fitting choice to lead this year's parade celebration.

Come join us for a memorable, fun-filled Fourth of July in Half Moon Bay – a celebration of heritage, community, and patriotic pride!

PARADE CATEGORIES

General

• Vehicles
• Marching Units
• Animals (Other than Horses and Ponies)
• Decorated Bikes and Trikes
• Floats
• Comic

Equine

• Silver Mounted / Parade Horse - Open
• Fancy Dressed English - Open
• Fancy Dressed Western - Open
• Working Western
• Vaqueros
• Costume Class
• Horse or Pony Drawn Vehicle
• Mounted Group (Color Guard, Sheriff's Posse, etc.)

GENERAL PARADE RULES

• All registrants, except Decorated Bicycle and Tricycle participants, must report to the Registration Desk on Correas Street by the library to receive their position number no later than 10:30 a.m.
• All entries must be in their assigned position by 11:00 a.m.
• The parade will step off promptly at 12:00 noon.
• Please observe all posted "No Parking" signs.
• All instructions from parade officials must be followed.
• Entries or participants involving vehicles or animals must maintain control of such vehicles or animals at all times. For safety reasons, all persons and animals riding on vehicles must be properly secured to prevent injury.
• No child under the age of six may participate as an entry unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult age 18 or older.
• Entries with sound systems or other unusual elements must not interfere with other parade participants.
• No objects may be handed out, thrown, sprayed, or otherwise discharged toward spectators.
• Political entries will not be accepted.
• Floats with axles must provide a spotter walking alongside each side of the float as a safety precaution.
• Parade officials reserve the right to disqualify any entry that, in their judgment, does not enhance the celebration.
• Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification and removal from the parade.
• The organizers of the parade are not responsible for any loss, damage, or injury incurred by participants.

EQUINE PARTICIPANT PARADE RULES

• Horses and ponies must be in good physical condition.
• Horses and ponies must be properly trimmed or shod. Lame horses or ponies will not be permitted.
• Both horse and rider must be clean, well groomed, and appropriately presented.
• Horses must be disciplined, well-mannered, and suitable for a parade environment. Only one rider is permitted per horse.
• Riders must be properly attired for their category and must wear boots.
• Parade officials reserve the right to disqualify any horse, pony, or rider and remove them from the parade if they do not meet the category requirements, fail to comply with these rules, or are deemed to present a safety risk.

Agenda

🕑: 08:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Half Moon Bay Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
🕑: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
I.D.E.S. Fourth of July Festival
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Fourth of July Parade