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Fireworks celebrating Independence Day on July 4 this year will light the sky across the Bay Area -- except at Great America.

Officials at the Santa Clara theme park have decided to discontinue hosting fireworks the week of July 4, opting to focus their pyrotechnics on Memorial and Labor days instead.

However, other groups will mount displays as usual this year.

Grammy-nominated Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will kick off the mid-week party at Stanford University on July 3 with its swing and jump blues music. A display of fireworks will close the evening celebration at Frost Amphitheater.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $22 for Stanford students to $750 for tables. For information, call 650-725-2787 or visit livelyarts.stanford.edu .

The San Francisco Symphony will perform in the 21st annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheater. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $24 to $79. Info: 650-967-3000, www.shorelineamp.com .

The City of Santa Clara is sponsoring a free July 4 fireworks show in Central Park, with prime viewing spots at the Community Recreation Center on 969 Kiely Blvd. Attendees can picnic between 7 to 9:30 p.m. as local school bands play. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Streets will close after 8:30 p.m., and the city advises arriving by 7 p.m.

One of the largest celebrations -- and also a multi-cultural one -- will take place in downtown San Jose. NBC11 is sponsoring a Festival for Independence for all of the "diverse cultures that make up San Jose's America." There will be music, entertainment and activities. Produced as a benefit for the EHC Life Builders, a local housing assistance center, the event traditionally raises funds to support the homeless. The event attracts 45,000 attendees every year. The party starts at noon on July 4 at Guadalupe River Park's Discovery Meadow.

There will also be fireworks shows along the Midpeninsula and beyond.

Redwood City: A free July Fourth Festival and 66th Annual Independence Day Parade will take place in downtown Redwood City. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and will go through downtown along Brewster Avenue, Veterans Boulevard, Main Street and Arguello Street. The Festival starts at 9 a.m. Crafts, food, music, entertainment, antique fire engines, and clowns will be a part of the celebration. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Info: www.parade.org .

Foster City: A free Fourth of July Celebration at Leo J. Ryan Park on 650 Shell Blvd. will start at 8 a.m. and go until 10 p.m. with a pancake breakfast followed by a day-long celebration. There will be a dog show, a family parade and live music. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Info: 650-286-3380, www.fostercity.org .

Half Moon Bay: A parade down Main Street will begin at noon. Free fireworks will color the atmosphere off Pillar Point Harbor starting at sunset. Info: 650-726-8380, www.halfmoonbaychamber.org .

San Francisco: The Fourth of July Waterfront Festival on Pier 39 will fill the streets with performers and music starting at noon and will go to 9:30 pm. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Info: www.pier39.com .

Berkeley: The City of Berkeley will host its annual Fourth of July celebration at the Berkeley Marina on the end of University Avenue. The free event starts at noon and will have entertainment, food, arts and crafts. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Info: 540-548-5335.

Editor's note: It was previously posted that there would be fireworks at Jack London Square, Oakland. However, they have been canceled. The July 4 East Bay BBQ competition from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is still scheduled, as is a free live music event starting at 1 p.m. There will be activities for children, arts, crafts and food. Info: www.jacklondonsquare.com.