LOOKING FOR FIREWORKS? HERE’S WHERE TO WATCH
Celebrate America’s birthday with a big, loud and colorful display of fireworks: Austin and surrounding cities have no shortage of them. Patriotic ladies and gents, here’s where to show off your red, white and blue attire and get your fireworks fix Tuesday:
Austin’s 41st Annual July Fourth Concert and Fireworks
This is the big kahuna of fireworks shows in Central Texas — as the website notes, you’ll spend Independence Day oohing and aahing at the skyward display with 10,000 of your closest friends. The Austin Symphony Orchestra will perform patriotic tunes starting at 8:30 p.m., with fireworks launching over the downtown Austin skyline at 9:30, but you’ll want to get to Vic Mathias Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive, extra early for a good spot. Pack a blanket and a picnic dinner. Free. Information: austinsymphony.org.
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic
Besides a star-studded lineup of country acts, including Willie himself, this distinctly Austin tradition now at Circuit of the Americas will have a starry-night display of brilliant fireworks as well. You’ll want to stay late for them, so pace yourself at this allday concert featuring the likes of Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Hayes Carll and many more notable singers. Gates open at 11 a.m. Tuesday, music begins at noon. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. $39.50-$89.50. Information: austin360amphitheater.com.
Red, White & Buda
Buda’s all-day event on July 4 will kick off with a Patriotic Parade on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (with awards given to the best decorated bikes), followed by free fun, live entertainment and food options at Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio St. Fireworks will start launching at 9:30 p.m. at the park. Information: ci.buda.tx.us.
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival
Pfirst of all, kudos to whoever named this Independence Day celebration. The evening event will take place at the Pfield, 1440 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, and will have live music from the BlueBonnets and SkyRocket before and after the fireworks. Food trucks will start serving at 5 p.m., the concerts start at 6 p.m. and the fireworks will light the sky around 9:15 p.m. Free. Information: pflugervilletx.gov.
Leander Liberty Fest
The city of Leander is commemorating the day of our nation’s birth with Texas country act the Josh Abbott Band, but that won’t even be the highlight of the night. Liberty Fest will have food and arts and crafts vendors in addition to the live music leading up to the spectacular fireworks show starting at 9 p.m. Free to attend. Parking details and more information: leandertx.gov.
FourthFest
Expect plenty of kidfriendly fun at Wells Branch’s Fourth of July festivities, which begin with a short parade at 10 a.m. and finish with fireworks at 9 p.m. In between, families can find a variety of activities, entertainment and food to keep them busy at Katherine Fleischer Park, 2106 Klattenhoff Drive. The park comes with a pool, too — and it’ll be free and open to the public. Information: wellsbranchmud. com.
Independence Day Celebration
The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave is transforming its relatively new Central Plaza into a patriotic playground for families, with face painting and other activities for the kids, live music by local bands the Watters and Vallejo, an all-day sidewalk sale with some of the galleria retailers, and fireworks, of course. Live music starts at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9. 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave; hillcountrygalleria.com.
4th of July Parade & Celebration
Cedar Park’s Independence Day is twofold: a parade from the H-E-B Center to the Recreation Center at 10 a.m. and a festival from 4 to 10 p.m. The afternoon celebration will have live music, bingo, a washer tournament, free watermelon and carnival games and rides. Fireworks will close out the night. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sunchase Blvd. Free to attend; cedarparktexas.gov.
Round Rock’s July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration
The fireworks are sure to start early for participants in a pepper-eating contest, just one of the many activities at Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd. Less fiery things to do at the Fourth of July fair include carnival rides, children’s games, free watermelon, pig and rubber duck races, the Sam Bass Shootout and a Movies in the Park screening of “The Lego Batman Movie.” Free; roundrocktexas.gov.
San Marcos SummerFest
The outdoor festival at San Marcos Plaza Park isn’t kicking off until temperatures have cooled down a bit at 6 p.m. At that time, expect live music, followed by a parade complete with a children’s costume contest — a highlight of the evening — and fireworks blasting off at 9:30 p.m. There will also be food and vendors. The park is on the banks of the San Marcos River at East Hopkins Street and North CM Allen Parkway. Free; summerfestsmtx.com.
Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show
The city of Kyle’s annual ode to the USA includes a fireworks display that launches from Plum Creek Golf Course, which also hosts a golf tournament in the afternoon. Folks can watch from two sites that offer entertainment (free to attend). The golf course will have pre-show live music and entertainment from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (no outside food or drinks; hot dogs and drinks will be for sale). More details at plumcreekgolf.com. The Hays CISD Performing Arts Center’s pre-fireworks fun includes music by the Psychic Cowboys at 7 p.m. and the Starlight Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. Information: hayscisd.net. Fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m. The city of Kyle’s website (cityofkyle.com) offers tips for other viewing sites.