Houston’s official Fourth of July celebration returns with a bang. This year, there are live performances from artists like Los Lonely Boys, Collective Soul, and headliner Keith Urban, plus family-friendly activities coinciding with the World Cup festivities. Kick it at Fútbol Park, Liberty Park, the Kids Zone, Budweiser Zone, or Dr. Pepper’s Flavor Zone before settling in a spot to see the grand Texas-size fireworks finale. A majority of vendors at Freedom Over Texas will be going cashless, so leave your coins and bills at home.

Paid event parking is available at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts parking garage (800 Bagby Street, 77002. Entrance is located at Rusk between Houston Avenue and Bagby Street), and the Theater District Parking garages (entrance on Rusk between Bagby and Smith Streets).

Eleanor Tinsley Park, 18-3600 Allen Pkwy

Celebrate America's 250th birthday from Post Houston’s Skylawn, a five-acre rooftop park, complete with on-site bars, skyline views, and a performance by cover band the Rapture and  breathtaking views of Downtown Houston’s fireworks display. Best of all, Post Houston's food hall is filled with big Houston flavor. Please remember: outside food or drink, lawn chairs, and large bags are not allowed. RSVP here.

Post Houston, 401 Franklin St

The Houston Symphony's annual Star-Spangled Salute returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre on July 4, featuring patriotic favorites like the 1812 Overture and The Stars and Stripes Forever, capped by a fireworks finale. As with all Miller performances, the show is free—covered seating tickets are available starting at 10am on July 3, and the hill is open to all. Download the free Pyrocast app (code WR71) to sync a curated fireworks soundtrack to your headphones from anywhere in the park.

miller outdoor theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive,  77030

Watch two shows at once at the Rooftop Cinema Club, the outdoor movie theater which is known to boast some of the best views of the city skyline in the city. Opt for childhood nostalgia at the 7:30pm showing of The Sandlot, or the very appropriate screening of Independence Day at 10:30pm.

BLVD place, 1700 Post Oak Blvd, 5th Level, 77056

Head down to Baytown for a daylong celebration featuring tons of entertainment, including live reenactments by the 1st Texas Naval Squadron and Texas Army reenactors, who will demonstrate 1800s period equipment, fire cannons and rifles, and showcase exhibits. For those with a competitive spirit, you can participate in the American Mile Challenge, a test of how many miles you can run in two hours for a prize, or the apple pie baking contest. Expect live performances by various artists including DJ Boris, Selestial Alcoser, and Mustache the Band, plus a 8pm headlining performance from the Eli Young Band.  Fireworks will conclude the evening.

Parking is available for free at Lee College, and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St

The City of Bellaire will be celebrating Independence Day with two parades and a festival. The first parade will begin at South Rice Avenue and Valerie Street and end at South Rice Ave and Valarie St. It will be immediately followed by the Children’s Bike Parade, starting at South Rice Avenue and Evergreen Street. Both will end at Linden St. After, head over to the Bellaire Town Square, specifically Great Lawn and Loftin Park, for the festival. You'll be met with live music, food, and more fun.

Various locations, including Bellaire Town Square, 7008 S Rice Ave

Celebrate with music, food, and fireworks Deer Park’s Fourth Fest. Arrive early at 4:30pm to check-in to compete in the cornhole tournament before main attractions, which include the Star-Spangled Salute to local veterans and active-duty service members. Then catch performances by breahtaking aerliasts from 6–8pm, and music by the John Barraza Project from 7–9pm. Fireworks starting at 9:15pm will seal the experience. 

Jimmy Burke Activity Center, 610 E San Augustine St, Deer Park

Bring your lawn chairs. The City of Jersey Village is once again hosting its annual July Fourth Festival. Sponsored by M/I Properties, this year's celebration promises a morning parade beginning at 10am, followed by a festival packed with food trucks and live music. Festivities will conclude with a fireworks show and music by the Queen Legacy Tribute Band. 

Jersey Meadow Detention Pond, 8502 Rio Grande St

Katy is partnering with Typhoon Texas to host its annual fireworks display near Katy Mills Mall. After a day of thrilling rides and chilling in the lazy river, there will be a fireworks display at 9pm to mark the holiday.

Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd

Take a trip to the bay for a fun-filled family day in Kemah. Explore the boardwalk’s rides, attractions, and restaurants. Listen to live music from Yelba and the Timeless HTXband ; marvel at a stilt walker; and end the night with a fireworks show over Galveston Bay. Boardwalk access is free to watch fireworks, which begin at 9:30pm. If you prefer to be on the water, take the $40 Boardwalk Beast Cruise, which boards at 9pm (first-come, first-served).

Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave

Get the party started early, with a celebration on Friday, July 3. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and family to the Davis Sportsplex, where you can expect food trucks, games, inflatables, and live music. Fireworks will start at 9pm. For easy access, a parking shuttle will be available at Hometown Heroes Park.

Chester L. Davis Sportsplex, 1251 W League City Pkwy

Get the party started at Pasadena’s kid-friendly Independence Day celebration. The H-E-B Kids Zone will offer carnival-style games and free prizes starting at 4pm, but the amusement area will feature most of the attractions, including a Ferris wheel, zipline, rock climbing wall, petting zoon, obstacle courses, and yard games.  For those who get hot or overstimulated, visit the Sensory Relief room or the Chevron misting tent.  Plenty of food and drinks will be available, but attendees can bring their own coolers and goodies (just no glass containers) Stick around for the fireworks show that will close out the day, beginning at 9:15pm.

Pasadena Municipal Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy

Join the Pearland community for this lively event, featuring music from The Diamond West Bad, plus tons of family-friendly activities, including inflatables, facepainting, and giveaways, followed by an 18-minute fireworks display. Staying home, but have a bit of FOMO? Visit the website to watch the livestream.

independence park, 3449 pearland pkwy

Celebrate big at one of the largest fireworks displays in the Greater Houston area. The day’s festivities begin at 6pm with live music and other attractions at various sites throughout The Woodlands—including Town Green Park, where you can enjoy the best view of the 18-minute fireworks show. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for a family-friendly evening.

Hughes Landing, 1900 Hughes Landing

For an all-American, small-town celebration, head to Tomball for its annual celebration. The event will feature live music, a patriotic singalong, food, and fireworks—plus a much-needed “cool zone” to help beat the heat.

Intersection of Business Highway 249 and FM 2920