Pier 39's Fourth Of July Lineup: Sharks, Lasers, And Fireworks Galore

Pier 39's Fourth Of July Lineup: Sharks, Lasers, And Fireworks GalorePhotos: Troy Campbell/FWCBD
Blair Czarecki
Published on July 02, 2015

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and this year’s jam-packed offering of events at Fisherman’s Wharf promises fun for all ages. With great weather projected for the coming holiday weekend, visitors can easily make a day out of the festivities at Pier 39, Pier 31, and Aquatic Park. 

In honor of its annual Shark Week, which kicks off on July 5th, Discovery is sponsoring this year's nighttime laser light show at Pier 39. During the day, they'll also be offering activities, prizes, a “shark selfie scavenger hunt,” and a Shark Week photo booth, beginning at noon. In keeping with the theme, the Aquarium of the Bay will offer a shark lab, a "feed the sharks" tour, a shark touch pool and presentations throughout the day. 

“What people like are the live bands that play at Pier 39 and Aquatic Park,” says Troy Campbell, executive director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. This year’s musical lineup includes kid-fronted, cause-driven band WJM (whose oldest member is 12), as well as local '80s cover band Tainted Love. As the sun sets, attention will turn to the laser light show, and of course, the fireworks. 


Here's the full listing of Saturday's events:

  • Noon-3pm: Performance by WJM
  • 3:15-3:45pm: Meet and Greet with August Maturo from Disney’s Girl Meets World 
  • 5-8pm: Performance by Tainted Love
  • Around 9pm: Laser light show above Pier 39
  • Around 9:30pm: Fireworks display presented by the City and County of San Francisco 

With an anticipated 150,000 to 200,000 people expected to participate in the events in the Fisherman’s Wharf area this Saturday, here are some tips to ensure that you get the most out of the experience. 

  • Arrive early and plan to make a day of the festivities. 
  • For those planning to drive, there are 6,000 off-street parking spots available. Try to arrive by 10am to secure parking and beat the crowds—things start to get busy in the 10:30-11am range. 
  • The best way to travel is via public transportation. While there is currently no planned closure on Jefferson Street, attendees can expect the street to be blocked off from noon to 2pm.
  • Be patient. Exiting the parking garages after the fireworks show can take a while. Ripley’s Believe It or Not (175 Jefferson St.) is open late, as are other attractions, if you'd rather kill some time instead of wait in your car.