FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS
Houston’s Freedom Over Texas festivities get a lot of holiday buzz but it’s far from the only Fourth of July celebration taking place in the metro area. Check out our list to see which one is in your neighborhood, or most suited to your expectations of Independence Day.
Fourth of July Fireworks
Spectacular: Enjoy four nights of free concerts at CityCentre, plus an Independence Day fireworks spectacular on July Fourth. 7 p.m. Friday-Monday; City Centre Houston, 800 Town and Country; FREE; 713-6295200, citycentrehouston.com
Star-Spangled Salute: Enjoy an evening of patriotic music performed by the Houston Symphony and the booming cannons of the 1812 Overture with a magnificent display of fireworks. 8 p.m. Sunday at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; 8:30 p.m. Monday at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive; FREE; 713224-4240, houstonsymphony.org
Kidpendence Day: Join an Independence Day celebration that includes activities and crafts and watch the High Steppers Brass Band march through Kidtropolis. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday; Children’s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz; 713-5221138, cmhouston.org
US Family Health Plan
Freedom Over Texas: Enjoy family fun, food, entertainment, and a dazzling firework display. Darius Rucker, former front man of Hootie and the Blowfish, will headline the annual event on the US Family Health Plan Stage. 4-10 p.m. Monday; $8-$10; Eleanor Tinsley Park, 901 W. Bagby; 713-837-0311, houstontx.gov
Fourth of July Celebration at
Bayou Bend: The annual Fourth of July festival at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens offers an extravaganza of Americana performers, crafts, activities, refreshments and even a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence for everyone to sign before they leave. Noon-5 p.m. Monday; Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial; FREE; 713-639-7300, mfah.org
Fourth of July Hot Air
Balloonfest: Witness a 25 foot hot air balloon rise above west Houston, enjoy live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, games and take the ride of a lifetime. Portion of the balloon ride proceeds will benefit Memorial Assistance Ministries. 6-9 p.m. Monday; $5-$10 balloon rides; Memorial City Mall, 303 Memorial City Way; 713-4648640, memorialcity.com
BAYTOWN
Fourth of July Celebration: Enjoy two evenings of live music and an evening of festivities on Monday with games, food, arts and crafts and more. The event concludes with a performance from Josh Abbott Band followed by a fireworks show. 6-9:30 p.m. Sunday, 4-10 p.m. Monday; Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market, Baytown; FREE; 281-420-5343, visitbaytown.com
BELLAIRE
Fourth of July Parade and
Festival: The parade route begins at the Bellaire Triangle and travels down Bellaire Boulevard and South Rice Avenue; the festival begins immediately after the parade with live entertainment, carnival games, food, a mini Ferris wheel, and petting zoo. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday; Bellaire Town Square, 7001 5th, Bellaire; 713-662-8276, bellairetx.gov
GALVESTON
177th Galveston Independence Day Parade and
Fireworks: A parade featuring a procession of floats, decorated military vehicles, performers is capped with fireworks over the Gulf of Mexico. 7:30 p.m., parade, 9:15 p.m. fireworks, Sunday; parade runs on Seawall Boulevard between 22nd and 45th streets; fireworks are near 37th at Seawall, Galveston; 409797-5144, galveston.com
KATY
The Katy Freedom
Celebration: Attractions and events for the family beginning with an opening ceremony by VFW Post 9182, open house at the Katy Fire Station, the Katy Heritage Museum and the annual fireworks display. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., family events, 9 p.m. fireworks, Monday; VFW Park, 6202 George Bush Drive, Katy; 281-391-4800, cityofkaty.com
Lacenterra’s 4th Of July
Celebration: Presented By Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, this celebration begins with a Kid’s Patriotic Bike Parade starting at the courtyard and ending at Central Green Park. Sunny 99.1’s Dana Tyson will kick off the main event that will feature live music, interactive Kids Zone at the park, food for purchase and a spectacular fireworks display. 4:30-9:30 p.m. Monday; 23501 Cinco Ranch, Katy; 281-395-5533, lacenterra. com Independence Day Celebration at Typhoon Texas: Four days of special events for the family with live music and a VIP view of the City of Katy’s annual July Fourth fireworks display on Monday. 5 p.m. Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday; visit website for park hours; $32.99-$44.99; 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy; 832-4267071, typhoontexas.com
KEMAH
Fourth of July Celebration: Enjoy live music, rides, games, restaurants and a firework show over the Galveston Bay. 9:30 p.m. Monday; Kemah Boardwalk,