7 terrific Bay Area things to do over July 4 weekend

Whether you want take part in the many varied Independence Day celebrations going on in the Bay Area, or just indulge in the Great American pastime of doing as little as possible, we are here for you with some great ideas for the weekend.

So let’s get to it, shall we?

(As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.)

Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters  or  www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

1 SEE, HEAR & DO: It’s Independence Day!

July 4th tends to be one of those holidays that everyone approaches in their own way, whether it’s fireworks and parades or bingeing on Hallmark Channel rom-coms. We don’t judge here. But if you’re looking for a fun public event, from fireworks to parades and more, the Bay Area has a ton of them.

2 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all over

From R&B star The Weeknd to the S.F. Mime Troupe and more, there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend and beyond.

3 MAKE & DEVOUR: Fabulous figs

The exotically delicious fruit is in season, which makes it a perfect time to make this heavenly arugula, farro and fig salad.

4 WATCH: The dinos are back

C’mon, you didn’t really think the prehistoric behemoths of the beloved Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies had munched on their last humans, did you? The franchise is back with “Jurassic World Rebirth,” and we have some thoughts.

5 WATCH: Shakespeare meets Max Martin

“& Juliet,” the hit musical marrying the songs of Martin, one of pop music’s best songwriters, with a revisionist story about the beloved Shakespeare character, is now playing in San Francisco. Here’s what you should know.

6 SIP & PLAY: Paso Robles beer run

The charming town in San Luis Obispo County is known more as a wine-lovers destination, but it makes a great day or weekend destination for beer aficionados as well.

7 WATCH: One of the best movies of the year

“Sorry, Baby,” the debut feature film by Eva Victor, a onetime Bay Area resident, is a beautiful, sad and darkly funny look at friendship and trauma. It tops our roundup of what you should be watching this weekend.