The Fourth of July weekend has arrived, and with it comes fun holiday-related events in Fort Worth and the surrounding area. There are also a variety of non-patriotic happenings, including a concert on the river, a new theater production, movies in the museum district, and a return visit from one of Texas' favorite bands.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, June 30
Rockin' the River: Eleven Hundred Springs with Larry Hooper
Rockin' the River is a free weekly summer concert series with a cool twist, as the stage is right on the Trinity River, in the shadow of downtown Fort Worth. You can enjoy the concerts by Eleven Hundred Springs and Larry Hooper while you float in the river or, if you're a land lubber, bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a great view from the shore.
Artisan Center Theater presents Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The newest production from Artisan Center Theater actually opened last week, but since it's running through July 30, there is plenty of time left to catch the family-friendly show. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the 1968 film, is a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas.
Friday, July 1
Movie Night in Fort Worth
There's no shortage of special event movies showing in the Museum District on Friday night. As part of First Fridays at the Modern, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is presenting an outdoor screening of The Princess Bride. Inside the Modern, as part of its Magnolia at the Modern series, the foreign film A Monster with a Thousand Heads is playing (there will be five other screenings between July 2 and 3). And just down the road at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, as part of its Sunset Cinema series, there's an outdoor screening of An American Tail: Fievel Goes West.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Concerts in the Garden: The Music of the Eagles
The final weekend of the Concerts in the Garden series at Fort Worth Botanic Garden kicks off with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra playing the Music of the Eagles. The Eagles’ timeless tunes are amplified by a full rock band, the symphony orchestra’s lush musical palette, and Terry Brock’s commanding vocals as they play hits such as “Hotel California,” “Desperado,” “Heartache Tonight,” “New Kid in Town,” and more.
Saturday, July 2
Billy Bob's Texas presents 4th of July Picnic
Willie Nelson may have taken his annual Fourth of July Picnic away from Fort Worth, but Billy Bob's Texas is stepping up to fill that void with a great country music showcase of its own. Among the performers are Turnpike Troubadours, Shinyribs, Billy Joe Shaver, and Mike & the Moonpies.
Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun
The WNBA's newest team, the Dallas Wings, has gotten off to a somewhat slow start at 7-9 through 16 games. But that's good enough for third place in the Western Conference, and with 18 games left to go, there's still plenty of time to get better. Catch Odyssey Sims, Skylar Diggins, and the rest of the Wings in action at College Park Center in Arlington as they take on the Connecticut Sun.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Concerts in the Garden: Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic
Aside from Fort Worth's Fourth, this is the Fourth of July event to attend in the Panther City. Taking place every night through July 4 at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, guests can pack a picnic and celebrate Independence Day in true patriotic fashion with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (and a few thousand of your friends and neighbors). Enjoy thrilling marches, heartfelt military salutes, and the most spectacular fireworks show in town.
Sunday, July 3
Levitt Pavilion presents Light Up Arlington
For a more low-key Fourth of July celebration on the day before the day, you can head to Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington. Light Up Arlington is an evening of food, fun, fireworks, and free music. The event features Hannah Kirby and Brad Thompson in a back-to-back concert.
Little Texas in concert
No matter what else they do in their careers, the country band Little Texas will live on in perpetuity via their 1993 hit, "God Blessed Texas." The band is a long way from their heyday in the '90s, but they are coming to town to play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their 2015 album, Young for a Long Time.
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Brad Thompson is playing at Levitt Pavilion as part of the Light Up Arlington event on July 3.
