Fourth of July

Freedom Over Texas

Featuring a beer garden, a zipline, a sandcastle competition, and music by Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride (as well as, you know, fireworks), Houston's official Fourth of July party makes all the other contenders look like damp squibs. 

July 4 from 4 to 10. $5. Eleanor Tinsley Park, 901 Bagby. freedomovertexas.org

A Star-Spangled Salute

This year, the Houston Symphony celebrates Independence Day with back-to-back concerts at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Miller Outdoor Theatre. 

July 3 at 8. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. 281-363-3300. woodlandscenter.org

July 4 at 8:30. Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free tickets for covered seating available at box office on day of performance between 10:30 and 1. Open seating on hill. 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 281-373-3386. milleroutdoortheatre.com 

Theater

Agatha Christie's The Hollow

The Alley has produced over 20 plays inspired by Agatha Christie stories over the course of its long-running Summer Chills festival. In Christie’s 1946 novel The Hollow, Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells must solve a murder at an English country estate. It’s only appropriate that ExxonMobil, the country’s biggest oil company, is sponsoring this creative effort to cool down Houston. Now that’s taking on the world’s toughest energy challenges. 

July 7–Aug 4 (Previews begin July 5). Tue–Thu at 7:30; Fri at 8; Sat at 2:30 & 8; Sun at 2:30 & 7:30. $25–65. 615 Texas Ave. 713-220-5700. alleytheatre.org

Concerts

Asleep at the Wheel

For over 40 years, the legendary country swing band has been a fixture of the Austin music scene—but don’t hold that against them. This month, Ray Benson and company take the party to Miller Outdoor Theatre, where their concert will be preceded by a new documentary about the band’s history.

July 5 at 8:30. Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free tickets for covered seating available at box office on day of performance between 10:30 and 1. Open seating on hill. 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 281-373-3386. milleroutdoortheatre.com 

War 

Founded in 1969 in the midst of the anti–Vietnam War movement, this funk super-band produced chart-topping hits like it was their job (which we suppose it was): “Low Rider,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” Since the 1980s, the band’s back catalog has served as a bottomless repository of samples for pop and hip-hop artists. So that’s what War is good for. 

July 6 at 8:30. Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free tickets for covered seating available at box office on day of performance between 10:30 and 1. Open seating on hill. 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 281-373-3386. milleroutdoortheatre.com