Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Austin, Houston and Dallas

When you stop to think about it, there isn’t another holiday like Independence Day. Rather than exchanging gifts, caroling or gathering for elaborate meals, Americans throughout the country let their hair down and, to put it honestly, party hearty.

If you question whether Americans enjoy having fun on the Fourth of July, consider the following:

• The Fourth of July is the holiday during which Americans drink the most beer, with beer sales exceeding $1 billion in 2017.
• Adults in the U.S. spend more than $568 million on wine in celebration of the Fourth of July.
• About 16,000 formal fireworks displays are held in the United States on July 4, not including unofficial, “backyard” displays.
• Americans spend more than $825 million on fireworks for the Fourth of July.
• Americans consume around 150 million hot dogs during the Fourth of July weekend every year.
• They also spend an approximate total of $6.9 billion on food for Independence Day.
• About 62 percent of Americans will participate in a picnic to celebrate the Fourth of July.

With so much partying to do this July, you won’t want to miss out on the action. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the best Fourth of July celebrations across the Lone Star State in 2019.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Austin

While tens of millions of people usually travel at least 50 miles from home over the Fourth of July weekend, you don’t need to follow their lead. That’s because there’s plenty to do in and around Austin to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Whether you’re looking forward to a weekend you won’t remember or you’re interested in some family-friendly activities, you won’t be disappointed with the variety of things you can do in the Austin area over the Fourth.

1. H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4^th Concert & Fireworks

While Philadelphia residents can enjoy historic reenactments and Bostonians can listen to the Boston Pops Orchestra on the shore of the Charles River, people in Austin have something even better — the H-E-B Austin Symphony. For more than four decades, the H-E-B Austin Symphony has delighted families with a free public performance to celebrate Independence Day. As in years past, a fireworks display will follow the symphony’s performance in 2019.

More than 100,000 Austinites are expected to gather along Vic Mathias Shores to witness the symphony’s show and the ensuing fireworks display. This year, the H-E-B Austin Symphony’s concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. on July 4, with the fireworks starting about an hour later. If you can’t make the performance but don’t want to miss the action, you can tune into 95.5 FM to hear the symphony’s patriotic music during the fireworks display.

The Austin Symphony and its partners pay for the Fourth of July fireworks Austinites can enjoy in the downtown area every year. To keep this long-standing tradition going, consider making a donation now.

2. Westlake 4^th of July Parade

If you’ve lived in or near Austin for a while, you’ve probably heard about the Westlake 4^th of July Parade. While attending a parade is certainly a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July in 2019 in Austin, you should know this parade is more than just a parade. This city’s parade is an event for kids of all ages.

This year’s event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Bee Cave Road and Westlake Drive, with the fun continuing until 11 a.m. or so. During the event, you can watch the Westlake Fire Department lead a parade. You can also play games, participate in contests, enjoy some regional fare and much, much more.

Whether you’re a kid at heart or you have kids, you’ll enjoy every moment of the Westlake 4^th of July Parade and all of its related activities. You’ll still have plenty of money to spend on beer, wine, hot dogs or all three after you attend this parade because the event is free.

3. Willie Nelson’s 4^th of July Picnic

While traditionalists may prefer the fireworks at the Austin Country Club, you may want to break from convention when you celebrate the Fourth of July in Austin. If you want to adopt what’s quickly becoming a new favorite tradition, consider attending the fifth annual Willie Nelson’s 4^th of July Picnic at the Austin 360 Amphitheater.

This fun-filled event is an all-day music fest that features some of the country’s hottest musical acts. Don’t worry about missing fireworks because the musical performances will be followed by an awe-inspiring fireworks display. With tickets starting at $45 and the gates opening at 11 a.m. on July 4, 2019, the Willie Nelson’s 4^th of July Picnic is an affordable way to get the most out of your Fourth of July celebration.

Here are the artists slated to perform during this year’s Willie Nelson’s 4^th of July Picnic:

• Willie Nelson & Family
• Luke Combs
• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
• Alison Krauss
• Jamey Johnson
• Steve Earle & The Dukes
• Colter Wall
• Hayes Carll
• Ray Wylie Hubbard
• Gene Watson
• Billy Joe Shaver
• Johnny Bush
• Folk Uke
• Raelyn Nelson Band
• The Casey Kristofferson Band

With a lineup like that, why would you celebrate the Fourth of July anywhere else?

4. Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival

While every Fourth of July celebration in the Austin area is sure to be a good time, no one said every event is easy to pronounce. Although “Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival” doesn’t necessarily roll off the tongue, you shouldn’t discount this event just because it’s not the easiest thing to tell your friends and family members about.

Whether or not you can say Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival three times fast, you’re still invited to attend this fun-filled, family-friendly event on July 4. The event is held at The Pfield in Pflugerville, Texas. Before entering the stadium, attendees can grab some food from nearby food trucks, and kids can enjoy making crafts, playing games and getting their faces painted in the Kid’s Area.

The stadium’s doors will open at 6 p.m. so people can grab seats to enjoy the music before Suede takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. The mayor will welcome everyone at 8:55 p.m. and a ceremony will follow the mayor’s address. The fireworks display will start at 9:05 p.m. and music will accompany the show as fireworks light up the nighttime sky.

With so much going on during the Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival, you may find it hard to believe that the event is free, but it is. Note that a section of Swenson Farms Boulevard will be closed from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on July 4 to establish a blast zone for the fireworks so you’ll need to plan your route accordingly. If you don’t want to drive to The Pfield, you’ll be happy to know that the venue is bike-friendly, with plenty of bike racks located outside of Gate D.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Houston

Just as you have plenty of options to celebrate the nation’s birthday in and around Austin, there are a variety of activities and events to mark the Fourth of July in Houston and nearby areas. Want to watch fireworks? Check. Interested in hearing some live music? Check. Do you want to enjoy some great food? Check. No matter what you want to do to celebrate the Fourth this year, Houston has all the boxes checked to maximize the fun you’ll have.

1. Freedom Over Texas

For more than 30 years, Houstonians have celebrated Independence Day with fireworks and music thanks to Freedom Over Texas. The Fourth of July in Houston in 2019 will carry on this long-standing tradition on Buffalo Bayou. CITGO returns as a dual sponsor of Freedom Over Texas this year, and the company is once again supporting the event’s thrilling finale by providing the pyrotechnics and headlining the fireworks display.

During Freedom Over Texas, you can enjoy live music on multiple stages along with some fantastic regional food. The event starts at 4 p.m. and winds down six hours later. Freedom Over Texas takes place in Eleanor Tinsley Park in downtown Houston. While you can purchase tickets at the event, they’re typically cheaper if you buy them online in advance.

2. ExxonMobile Symphony Summer Nights: Star Spangled Salute

If you want to celebrate the Fourth of July in Houston, you can’t go wrong by attending the 2019 ExxonMobile Symphony Summer Nights: Star Spangled Salute. This event is held at the Miller Outdoor Theatre on Hermann Park Drive in Houston’s Museum District. The symphony’s performance includes patriotic scores that celebrate America’s storied history. As you probably guessed, the night wraps up with a fireworks display that’s hard to beat.

While some other Independence Day events may be postponed or canceled if the weather’s bad, the ExxonMobile Symphony Summer Nights: Star Spangled Salute will begin at 8:30 p.m. on July 4, 2019, rain or shine. If you want to play it safe and sit in the covered area, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. People who are willing to roll the dice and risk getting wet can pick up free tickets at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the Fourth. If any tickets are still available, the box office will open again an hour before the show’s start time.

Tickets are limited to four per person over the age of 16. Open seating is available on the hill.

3. 4^th of July Celebration at Bayou Bend

While Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts may not automatically spring to mind when you’re thinking about Fourth of July celebrations, it should if you’re looking for some family fun. The house museum on the institution’s campus is where you’ll find the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, which offers “an extravaganza of Americana” every July 4.

The 4^th of July Celebration at Bayou Bend takes place regardless of what the weather’s doing. Rain or shine, you can witness readings of the Declaration of Independence on the Diana Terrace at two different times during the holiday. You can enjoy a lemonade toast after each reading if you’re so inclined. Visitors will even have the chance to pen their names on an oversized copy of the Declaration of Independence.

If your group includes kids, they’ll enjoy making crafts and other activities during this Fourth of July celebration. Older visitors will enjoy performers and refreshments alongside the younger revelers. Admission to the 4^th of July Celebration at Bayou Bend is free for visitors of all ages.

4. City of Bellaire 4th of July Parade and Festival

The annual City of Bellaire 4^th of July Parade and Festival offers fun for the whole family. The parade launches promptly at 9:30 a.m. and the fun- and activity-filled festival kicks off just 30 minutes later at Bellaire Town Square and Loftin Park.

Here are some of the things you can enjoy at the festival after you catch the parade:

• Carnival games
• Rides
• Petting zoo
• Rock wall
• Putt-putt course
• Water slide
• Live music
• Food and beverages
• And more!

5. Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute

There’s no reason to wait until the holiday actually arrives for your Independence Day celebration to begin. You can kick things off the night before by attending the Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. For nearly 30 years, Houstonians have enjoyed their patriotic favorites during this free performance, and you can carry on the tradition this year.

The gates for the Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute open at 6:30 p.m. Led by conductor Steven Reineke, the symphony will begin performing at 8 p.m. While preferred parking costs $10 plus a service fee, free parking is available in monitored lots located close to the pavilion.

6. Katy Freedom Celebration

The Katy Freedom Celebration is a two-part event that’s as much fun for kids as it is for adults. The first part of this event runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Katy Heritage Park and Fire Station #1. Here are some of the things you can enjoy during those hours:

• Bounce houses
• Dunking booth
• Petting zoo
• Trackless train rides
• Food and drinks
• Snow cones

The second part of the Katy Freedom Celebration takes place near Typhoon Texas and the Katy Mills Mall. Beginning at 9 p.m., you can witness a festive fireworks display accompanied by lively music.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Dallas

When it comes celebrating Independence Day, the Big D will not be outdone. If you want to see the best that Dallas has to offer, you should make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July in or around Dallas. Great food, fun activities, fireworks, refreshing beverages — you can enjoy them all and a whole lot more on the Fourth of July in Dallas.

1. Fair Park Fourth on the Midway

If you want to celebrate July 4 while contributing to a great cause at the same time, you should pencil Fair Park Fourth on the Midway into your list of planned activities. During this event, the State Fair of Texas Midway will be open for visitors to enjoy live music, carnival rides, games and, of course, fireworks. In fact, the fireworks on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard are considered the Big-D’s official fireworks display.

While seeing fireworks and doing fun things are rewarding in their own right, you can feel even better by celebrating the Fourth at this day-long event. That’s because all the proceeds collected from the Midway during Fair Park Fourth will be given to the Big Tex Scholarship Program.

2. Fort Worth’s Fourth

Fort Worth’s Fourth is described as “a day of family fun activities and music on the Trinity River.” And that’s exactly what this annual event is — a full day of family fun and great music near a gorgeous river.

The magic happens at the Panther Island Pavilion. The fun starts mid-afternoon, and the event wraps up with the largest fireworks display you can find in North Texas. There is no fee to attend Fort Worth’s Fourth. You don’t have to pay for parking either, although preferred parking is offered for those willing to pay a modest fee.

Here is the schedule of events for this year’s Fort Worth’s Fourth:

• 2 p.m.: Gates open
• 3 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: Hydroflight Show team performances
• 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.: 95.9 The Ranch Battle of the Bald Eagle local band competition
• 6 p.m.: Poo Live Crew provides live music
• 8 p.m.: F-16 flyover by the 301^st Fight Wing, NASJRB
• 8 p.m.: Live music by the Party Machine Band
• 9:35 p.m.: After-dark Hydroflight Team performances
• 10 p.m.: Fireworks display

3. Frisco Freedom Fest

If you want to be part of a celebration that people get crazy excited about, you should plan to be at the free-to-attend Frisco Freedom Fest. This family-friendly event features some mouth-watering food, engaging activities and plenty of fun for everyone.

Kids will enjoy spending time in the Children’s Expo while music lovers will get a bang out of the local musicians who’ll grace the Community Stage. If you want to know more about the first responders who keep everyone safe throughout the DFW area, you’ll want to check out the Hometown Hero Exhibit to learn about local police and fire departments.

Frisco Freedom Fest takes place right across the street from Toyota Stadium, the home of the FC Dallas. Before you head over to the stadium to watch the home team in action, you’ll want to grab some yummy food in the Taste of Frisco area and check out all the local businesses that make an appearance in the Vendor Village. Don’t forget to get in on the fun during the Party in the Plaza, which starts at 4 p.m.

As it is in other parts of the Lone Star State, it’s “go big or go home” in the DFW area. That’s why you can enjoy one of the area’s largest fireworks displays during Frisco Freedom Fest after FC Dallas finishes its soccer match at Toyota Stadium.

4. Addison’s Kaboom Town

What’s better than celebrating the holiday on July 4? Starting the party the day before, naturally. And that’s exactly what will happen when you attend Kaboom Town in nearby Addison, Texas. This annual event takes place at Addison Circle Park, with the entrance being on the corner of Quorum Drive and Addison Circle Drive.

Addison’s Kaboom Town is scheduled for July 3, 2019. When the fun starts in the late afternoon, you can enjoy carnival rides provided by Talley Amusements, Inc. You won’t waste time waiting in line to buy tickets for the rides anymore because attendees can now purchase tickets for the rides through the secure Magic Money digital app. Jumping Cycles, Tornado and Fun Slide are just a few of the rides that are sure to appeal to kids of all ages.

Live entertainment begins on the Budweiser Main Stage at 5 p.m. The Addison Airport Airshow kicks off at 7:15 p.m. with some para-jumpers. You can catch what’s widely considered to be one of the best fireworks displays in the nation at 9:30 p.m. An after-party that begins at 10 p.m. with Emerald City on the Budweiser Main Stage will keep the frivolity going into the early morning hours.

While you’re welcome to bring a picnic basket to Addison’s Kaboom Town, you’ll miss out on some fantastic food from area vendors if you do. So, do your part to contribute to the millions Americans spend on beer, hot dogs and wine to celebrate the Fourth of July. Leave the picnic basket at home and treat yourself to a cold one or two, a glass of wine or a margarita and some barbecue while you’re at Kaboom Town. Trust us — you’ll be glad you did.

Admission to the event is free, and free parking for Addison’s Kaboom Town is available at several conveniently located garages, including the Millennium Garage and the Colonnade Garage. Handicap parking is available at the DART parking lot, which is located at 4925 Arapaho Road.

Contact Smart City Locating

Just because your Fourth of July celebration will eventually reach an end, it doesn’t mean the fun you have in Austin, Houston or Dallas has to end. You can keep the fun and excitement going by contacting Smart City Locating to find an upscale apartment in the city of your choice. Our personalized service doesn’t cost you a thing, enabling you to invest even more in your holiday celebrations.

To find a luxury apartment in Austin, Houston or Dallas where you’ll enjoy celebrating every holiday, contact Smart City Locating today. We look forward to talking to you soon!