Star-spangled entertainment

The official list of top 4th of July events and fireworks around Dallas-Fort Worth

There will be fireworks shooting into the air all over Fort Worth on the Fourth of July weekend.

Photo courtesy of Trinity River Vision Authority

Although there were still some fireworks displays on the Fourth of July in 2020, the pandemic muted the celebratory feel, with almost all events going virtual or very socially-distanced. But what a difference a year makes, as the Dallas-Fort Worth area has no shortage of events from which to choose this Fourth of July season. Some even start a weekend early.

Interestingly, the city of Dallas is not represented on this list, as neither Fair Park Fourth nor Red White & Boom on the Bridge will take place this year. Fort Worth, on the other hand, is going all in.

We've rounded up the biggest and best events for your oohing — we mean viewing — pleasure.

Friday, June 25

City of Colleyville presents Stars & Guitars
The next event on the list lays claim to the title of "First to the Fourth," but this one has them beat this year. Colleyville’s annual patriotic celebration will feature food trucks, attractions like face painting, balloon & caricature artists, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more on the south lawn at Colleyville City Park, a free concert by country star Jo Dee Messina, and a fireworks show.

Saturday, June 26

Market Street Allen USA Celebration
Centered around the theme of being "First to the Fourth" (oops), Market Street Allen USA serves as the city of Allen's annual Fourth of July celebration, held on the last Saturday of June every year. The event will include food trucks, music performances by Eli Mosley and Emerald City Band, and a fireworks finale.

Klyde Warren Park presents Independence Day Celebration
Visitors can celebrate Independence Day early at Klyde Warren Park with live music and fun family activities. The evening will wrap up with a spectacular pyrotechnic display on the Park’s East Lawn, beginning at 9:30 pm.

Friday, July 2

City of Granbury presents 4th of July: Freedom and Fireworks
Granbury's annual 4th of July celebration is a three-day affair, featuring shopping with vendors on Granbury Square on July 2, vendors and a parade on July 3, and vendors and fireworks over Lake Granbury on July 4.

Saturday, July 3

City of Arlington presents 4th of July Celebration
It might seem strange, but Arlington's 4th of July Celebration does not actually include a celebration on July 4th. Instead, the city will put on a fireworks display in the heart of Arlington’s Entertainment District just north of Globe Life Field on July 3, followed by the annual Independence Day parade on July 5 in downtown Arlington. For the fireworks show, the Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center parking lots will be open to the public so that families can set up chairs or tailgate.

City of Irving presents Independence Day Celebration
The City of Irving will present a weekend-long celebration for Independence Day. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department kicks off the festivities on July 3 with the traditional parade in downtown Irving followed by live music by Alex Aguilar and Downtown Fever, a variety of food trucks, beer garden, kids’ fun area, and a fireworks show on July 4 at Levy Event Plaza. Guests can also enjoy the live music and fireworks celebration via a live simulcast at the Texas Lottery Plaza at Toyota Music Factory, where a post-celebration featuring the Rockaholics band is also planned. For individuals who prefer to celebrate from the comfort of their home, the event will be livestreamed on the City of Irving's YouTube page.

City of Keller presents Keller Lights
The City of Keller will present Keller Lights, where visitors can enjoy more than 40 vendors and food trucks, live music, the Light Up Keller parade, and more to celebrate Independence Day weekend. The evening will feature a beautiful display on the Keller Town Hall pond thanks to thousands of glowing water lanterns decorated by community members. The night will be capped off with a fireworks show.

Lone Star Park presents Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Festival
Many Fourth of July events feature similar activities, but there's only one where you can watch some horse racing as an appetizer for the main event. The Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Festival will feature live music with Vegas Stars, family fun activities, and a 20-minute fireworks show choreographed to music taking place shortly after the last live race at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie on both July 3 and 4.

Addison Kaboom Town
The celebration of Addison Kaboom Town! is city-wide, with a limited-capacity party in Addison Circle Park, watch parties at many of Addison’s restaurants, hotels, and the Addison Airport Freedom Flyover, which can be seen from anywhere in town. The 30-minute long fireworks show is among the best in the nation; for anyone who can't make it to view the fireworks in person, the fireworks display will be livestreamed on the Town of Addison's YouTube Channel.

Liberty by the Lake
The Colony will celebrate the birth of America’s freedom at the 24th Annual Liberty By The Lake festival. They'll kick off the celebration with the Liberty 5K/10K/1M race on July 3 at The Old American Clubhouse, followed by a concert, food vendors, and fireworks at The Colony Five Star Complex on July 4.

Sunday, July 4

Panther Island Pavilion presents Fort Worth’s Fourth
Fort Worthians can celebrate Independence Day with an evening of festival food, drinks, live music, and the largest fireworks show in North Texas. Attendees are encouraged to enter the festival grounds as early as 6 pm for the fireworks show to claim a spot. The public is allowed to bring their own tube and float from 6-8 pm. Local food and beverage vendors will be on site with multiple stands throughout the festival grounds. There will also be live music from The Ray Johnston Band and the Party Machine Band before the 29-minute fireworks show starts at 9:30 pm.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents America Strong
In lieu of their annual Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will present this concert at Dickies Arena. There may not be actual fireworks, but concertgoers can expect more than 60 minutes of music from the orchestra and world-renowned opera singers Latonia Moore and Morris Robinson, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in his final season with the orchestra. Selections will include the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Lightspeed – Fanfare for Orchestra” by TCU composer Kevin Day, and more works by leading Black and Latin American composers like Adolphus Hailstork and Jimmy Lopez. The concert will also be broadcast live on WFAA Channel 8.

City of Grapevine presents 39th Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Visitors can celebrate America’s birthday at the 39th Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, complete with spectacular fireworks set to patriotic music. Viewing locations include some of Grapevine’s lakeside parks, including Oak Grove Park, Lakeview Park, Meadowmere Park, and Rockledge Park. Parking or entry fees may apply.

Dallas Heritage Village presents Old Fashioned Fourth of July
Independence Day will kick off relatively early with Dallas Heritage Village's Old Fashioned Fourth of July. A joint fundraiser with Vogel Alcove, the event will have food trucks like Smokey Ray’s Barbecue and Mr. Sugar Rush, and families can bring bikes, trikes, and scooters for a day of fun in Old City Park, where the museum will have an "All Join In" parade.

Frisco Freedom Fest
The Frisco Freedom Fest includes Party in the Plaza at Simpson Plaza at City Hall, featuring an array of activities including the Children’s Expo, a Community Stage featuring local entertainers, Hometown Hero Exhibit showcasing the police and fire departments, the Taste of Frisco with Frisco restaurants serving some of their most popular menu items, and the Patriotic Vendor Village. The event comes to a close with one of the largest fireworks finales in the area following the conclusion of the FC Dallas match at Toyota Stadium.

Castle Hills presents July 4th Freedom Festival
The annual July 4th Freedom Festival at Castle Hills Village Shops & Plaza in Lewisville is a community tradition for more than 20 years. The event will feature activities such as bounce houses, carnival games, and music. Concessions will be available for purchase from several Village Shops’ restaurants and several food trucks. The highlight of the evening, a fireworks show, will start at dusk.

City of Plano presents All American 4th
Plano's All American 4th & Fireworks will be held both in-person and online for 2021. The in-person event, to which guests can bring blankets, coolers, and lawn chairs, begins at 6 pm at Red Tail Pavilion at the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve, with fireworks beginning at 9:30 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The show will also livestream on The City of Plano's YouTube page, PTV, and Plano Arts & Events Facebook page.

City of Carrollton presents 4th of July Community Fireworks Display
The City of Carrollton will host a fireworks show to celebrate the 4th of July. Residents are encouraged to view the 15-minute fireworks display from surrounding neighborhoods or from one of the available parking areas. There will be no on-site event.

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Weekend Event Planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

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The weekend before Thanksgiving is when the holiday season really kicks into high gear, and this year features a Broadway musical, multiple local festivals, and a big parade. Other non-holiday choices include screenings of an acclaimed new film, three country concerts, a great comedian, an opera, the opening of a new art exhibition, and a small-scale symphony concert.

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

The annual GM Financial Parade of Lights takes place in Downtown Fort Worth on November 24.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, November 21

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas” from the original animated series. Max the Dog narrates the action as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday-loving Whos. The production runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Friday, November 22

Holiday events
In addition to the special one-off holiday performances, the Fort Worth area will have several holiday festival-style events start their run this weekend. They include Texas Christkindl Market at Texas Live in Arlington (running through December 23), Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington (through December 29), and Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (through January 5).

Magnolia at the Modern: Blitz
Sir Steve McQueen’s Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mother and grandfather (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril. Meanwhile, a distraught Rita searches for her missing son. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Little Big Town in concert with Sugarland
Country group Little Big Town and country duo Sugarland have a long history together, first collaborating on the song "Life in a Northern Town" in 2008. Sixteen years later, they teamed up again for the new song "Take Me Home," after which this tour is named. Little Big Town has released 10 albums in their career, most recently Mr. Sunin 2022, while Sugarland has released six albums in their career, most recently Bigger in 2018. They'll play at Dickies Arena.

Big Laugh Comedy Club presents Dulce Sloan
Comedian Dulcé Sloan was most recently a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and has been hailed by Variety, Rolling Stone, and Timeout LA as a Top Comedian to Watch. She has also been honored as the NBC Stand UpShowcase Winner, a Montreal Just For Laughs New Face, and as a Comedian to Watch on The Steve Harvey Show. She'll perform four times through Saturday at Big Laugh Comedy Club.

Fort Worth Opera presents Little Women
Mark Adamo’s operatic adaptation of Little Women brings Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel to life in a fresh and powerful way. The American opera is celebrated for its emotional depth and resonant themes of family, sisterhood, growing up, and coming home. Adamo captures the internal conflict of iconic central character, Jo March, who fears that growing up inevitably means growing apart from her family and her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy. There will be performances on Friday and Sunday at Arts Fort Worth.

Randall King in concert
A throwback to classic country, Randall King formed an Americana group in college called the Randall King Band, which released an album called Old Dirt Road before splitting. He then debuted as a solo artist in 2016 with the EP Another Bullet before releasing his first self-titled album in 2018 and his second album, Shot Glass in 2022. He'll play once again at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, November 23

Dylan Wheeler in concert
A native of the East Texas town of Edgewood, Dylan Wheeler has made a name for himself on the Texas country music scene. The success of his debut EP, Tell Me I'm Wrong, in 2018 convinced him to quit his job in the oil & gas industry and pursue music full-time. He released his debut album, Times Are Changing, in 2022, and now he returns again to play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, November 24

Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Rufino Tamayo: "Innovation and Experimentation"
Exploring more than 60 years of Rufino Tamayo’s prints, "Innovation and Experimentation" showcases the artist’s extensive engagement with prints and his ambitions to add volume and texture to a traditionally two-dimensional medium. In these works, Tamayo's depictions and abstractions of the human figure are highlighted as fertile ground for formal experimentation. A selection of Mesoamerican sculpture complements the prints on view, examining an important source of inspiration for the artist. The exhibition will remain on display through April 20, 2025.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Chamber Series: "Mozart, Schulhoff, and Korngold"
The composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold is remembered best for his film scores to silver-screen classics like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood, but his concert works are also a testament to his prodigious talent. In this first FWSO Chamber Program featuring members of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Korngold’s music appears alongside Mozart’s Serenade in C minor and a Divertissement by Schulhoff, whose music was buried by the Nazis but has been reemerging in recent years. The performance takes place at Kimbell Art Museum.

GM Financial Parade of Lights
The annual GM Financial Parade of Lights will brighten up the streets of Downtown Fort Worth for its 42nd year, marking the City of Fort Worth’s official kickoff to the holiday season. The parade features the Texas Rangers baseball team as Grand Marshal, along with floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, carolers, and Santa Claus along the 1.59-mile route.

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