We at Free Fun in Austin are big fans of technology, but also believe in the importance of unplugging and getting outdoors to enjoy time together as a family! For that reason, we’ve partnered with OurPact to share this list of Independence Day festivals, parades, and fireworks shows happening in and around Austin. OurPact is an iPhone parental control — and soon to be Android — app which gives parents the power to unplug their kids from devices by blocking both Internet and apps. You can download OurPact today free from the App Store or learn more at www.OurPact.com. Then go, get your red, white, and blue on!
Fireworks and Festivals
39th Annual Austin Symphony H-E-B July 4th Concert & Fireworks
Where: Lady Bird Lake at Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores) in front of the Long Center for the Performing Arts.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: After a one-year stint at COTA, the orchestra is excited to move its celebration back to the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Tens of thousands of families will be decked out in red, white, and blue for an amazing event complete with a fireworks display over the city skyline backed by symphonic patriotic classics.
Cost: FREE admission. Some free parking available; see details here.
Bob Schneider’s 4th of July Bash
Where: Nutty Brown Cafe, 12225 Highway 290 West, Austin.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks: Following concert.
Cost: $17 advance tickets, $22 day-of tickets. Kids 12 and under FREE.
Wells Branch 4th Fest
Where: Katherine Fleischer Park, 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Activities from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fireworks: Around 9:30 p.m. The display will be fired over Willow Bend Pool at the corner of Sauls Drive and Bratton Lane. You can view the show anywhere along Shoreline Drive, Long Vista Drive, Bratton Lane and even Mills Pond. No parking or spectators will be allowed on Sauls Drive from Bratton Lane to Crissom Drive.
Activities: Kids can enjoy a rock wall, kiddie train, balloon clowns, a dunk tank, face painting, and more. There is also live music by Off The Record from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE admission.
Fireworks at the Quarries
Where: The Quarries, 1400 N Mopac Expwy, Austin.
When: Friday, July 3, 2015.
Fireworks: At sundown.
Cost: FREE
Bastrop Patriotic Festival (Bastrop)
Where: Fisherman’s Park, 1200 Willow St, Bastrop.
When: Friday, July 3, 2015, from 4-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dusk.
Activities: Vendor booths, children’s activities, and live music by Austin’s Symphonic Band.
Cost: FREE admission.
Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival (Bee Cave)
Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 4-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:45 p.m.
Activities: Visitors can expect art vendors, festival food and treats, and several hill country fair rides and games for adults and children. Live music from Vallejo, Dawn & Hawkes, T Bird & The Breaks, and Uncle Lucius.
Cost: FREE admission and parking. Carnival attractions cost extra.
Red, White and Buda (Buda)
Where: Buda City Park, 121 Main St, Buda.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. – noon. & 7-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Bring a picnic, a blanket or your lawn chair to Buda City Park and enjoy a children’s parade at 9:00 a.m. followed by children’s activities and a magician. In the evening, come back to City Park from 7-10:00 p.m. to enjoy a spectacular fireworks show.
Cost: FREE
Cedar Park 4th of July Celebration (Cedar Park)
Where: Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Parade at 10:00 a.m. Festival from 4-10:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m.
Activities: Come celebrate and enjoy live music, bingo, a washer tournament, bounce houses, free watermelon and a fireworks display. Fireworks will be followed by an “After Glow” Dance. Fees apply for food concessions, face painting, carnival games, hamster balls, super slide, quad jump, spinner ride and rock wall. Milburn Pool will be open from 1-8 p.m. with daily pool admission rates applying.
Cost: FREE admission.
Georgetown’s Sertoma 4th of July Celebration (Georgetown)
Where: San Gabriel Park, 455 E Morrow St, Georgetown.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Visitors will find 60 arts and craft booths, 20 food vendor, kiddie rides, bounce houses and games, and a petting zoo. Musical entertainment will begin at the Gazebo at noon and will continue all day. A parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at the low water crossing, ending at the Gazebo.
Cost: FREE admission.
Kyle’s Independence Day Celebration (Kyle)
Where: Plum Creek Golf Course, 750 Kohlers Crossing Rd and Hays CISD PAC, 979 Kohler’s Crossing Rd, Kyle.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 6-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Hays CISD Performing Arts Center will host free live music by The Blue Water Highway Band at 7:00 p.m. followed by The Starlight Symphony Orchestra and Community Choir at 8:30 p.m. There is also a live music show at the Plum Creek Golf Course Clubhouse from 6-9:00 p.m. that is free to the public (with parking available by donation). Both locations offer a great view of the fireworks, which are launched from Plum Creek Golf Course.
Cost: FREE
Lago Vista 4th of July Celebration (Lago Vista)
Where: Bar-K Recreational Park, 6608 Bar K Clubhouse Ct, Lago Vista.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m.
Fireworks: Approximately 9:30 p.m.
Activities: We’ve Got Talent show, classic car show, strolling musicians, fun family games, tennis, Little Mr/Ms Lago Vista contest, food, concerts, arts and crafts, and fireworks.
Cost: FREE (donations are encouraged)
Leander’s Liberty Fest (Leander)
Where: Use Entrance A, located on US 183A South between San Gabriel Parkway and Hero Way. (Entrance B will be closed for the event.)
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 6-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:10 p.m.
Activities: There will be live music by Granger Smith featuring Earl Dribbles Jr. and special guest Gary P. Nunn, vendors, children’s activities, and fireworks.
Cost: FREE admission. Some attractions require a fee. There is a $10 Cooler Fee.
New Braunfels 4th of July Fireworks (New Braunfels)
Where: Landa Park, 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015. Concert starts at 6:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m.
Activities: The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with live music by Adam Johnson Band on the Landa Park Dance Slab.
Cost: FREE
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival (Pflugerville)
Where: Lake Pflugerville, 18216 Weiss Ln, Pflugerville.
When: Friday, July 3, 2015, from 3-11:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Watercraft rentals, two stages with live music, a children’s area on both the north and south shores of the lake, dozens of food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, businesses on display — all before the pfantastic fireworks show. A throwback to 1965, Beach Blanket Bingo will be shown after the fireworks show on the North shore. Note that there is no on-site parking. Find details on shuttle buses here.
Cost: FREE admission.
Round Rock Express Baseball Game (Round Rock)
Where: Dell Diamond, 3400 East Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015 and Sunday, July 5, 2015 at 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks: Following the ballgame.
Activities: Round Rock Express vs. Nashville Sounds baseball game. Sunday is also H-E-B Kids Day with pre-game events outside the stadium.
Cost: Tickets from $7 and up.
Round Rock Frontier Days Festival & Fireworks (Round Rock)
Where: Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from noon to 11:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Pig races, live music, carnival rides, jalapeño pepper eating contest, children’s games, Sam Bass Shootout, skydivers, fireworks, and a Movie in the Park (Jurassic Park). See the schedule (pdf).
Cost: FREE admission.
San Marcos’ SummerFest Independence Day Celebration (San Marcos)
Where: San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N C M Allen Pkwy, San Marcos.
When: Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 6-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Food, activity booths, a children’s parade and costume contest, live music, and fireworks. See the schedule.
Cost: FREE
Neighborhood Parades:
If staying up late for fireworks doesn’t work for your little ones, these neighborhood 4th of July parades are a great way to show your patriotic spirit without delaying bedtime.
- Allandale Neighborhood 4th of July Parade – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. The Allandale Neighborhood Association will host their 56th annual Fourth of July Parade. To walk or ride in the parade, meet at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Bullard and White Rock. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and will travel along Bullard to Gullett Elementary for festivities: awards, songs, games, and refreshments. Gullett Elementary, 6310 Treadwell Blvd, Austin.
- Anderson Mill Parade and Pool Party – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Line up starting at 9:45 a.m. in the El Salido parking lot. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and ends with a Flag Ceremony at the Anderson Mill Community Center. Water fun will follow from 12-4:00 p.m. 11500 El Salido Pkwy, Austin.
- Barton Hills Neighborhood Independence Day Parade – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. The July 4 Neighborhood Parade is an annual Barton Hills tradition not to be missed! Meet at the Barton Hills Market at 8:30 a.m. on July 4 with your decorated bike, stroller, wagon, or pet. The parade down Barton Hills Drive to the Barton Hills Elementary playground starts at 9:00 a.m. After arrival at the playground, Scouts will present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Enjoy singing the national anthem, games, cookies, cold watermelon, ice cream, and snow cones. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated float, vehicle, bike, pet, and more. Barton Hills Market, 1220 Barton Hills Dr, Austin.
- Brushy Creek 4th of July Parade & Festival (Round Rock) – Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Water activities for the whole family, including a foam pit, water slide, slip ‘n slide and free admission to Cat Hollow Pool. Enjoy music throughout the park and fill up on some yummy treats from one of several food vendors. Free festival and pool admission. Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Dr, Round Rock.
- Cedar Park 4th of July Parade (Cedar Park) – Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. Parade begins at Cedar Park Center traveling down Discovery Blvd. to the Cedar Park Recreation Center. Cedar Park Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park.
- Cherrywood Neighborhood 4th of July Parade – Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. The Cherrywood neighborhood has held a 4th of July parade down French Place since 1996, and hundreds of neighbors participate every year with their friends and families, pets, noise-makers, and red, white and blues. Meet us at 10 a.m. at 28th Street and French Place, and walk down to Cherrywood Green for refreshments. Please feel free to bring refreshments to share with neighbors by before the parade starts. You can leave them at the picnic tables at E. 34th St. and Cherrywood Rd.
- Lago Vista 4th of July Parade (Lago Vista) – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. All floats will be decked in patriotic red, white, and blue. Parade will feature live music and flags everywhere. Starts on Deer Run near the elementary school and follows Dawn Drive to The Circle.
- NWACA 4th of July Parade – Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 9-11:00 a.m. Parade and float contest on Far West Boulevard in Northwest Austin, followed by a party at the Doss Elementary School parking lot. Entry forms can be found here. Doss Elementary, 7005 Northledge Dr, Austin.
- Rosedale July 4th Parade – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. The annual July 4th Promenade Around the Park begins at the NW corner of Ramsey Park at 10:00 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., neighborhood children and guests are invited to come to the park and decorate their bikes and wagons with streamers before the the promenade begins. Following the parade, enjoy watermelon, a water balloon toss, carnival games and baked goods. Ramsey Park, 4301 N Rosedale Ave, Austin.
- Round Rock Sertoma July 4th Parade (Round Rock) – Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Due to construction on Main Street, the parade will move to Old Settlers Blvd. and conclude at Old Settlers Park. Old Settlers Park, 3300 East Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
- Steiner Ranch July 4th Parade – Saturday, July 4, 2015, from 9-11:00 a.m. The Steiner Ranch family parade will kick off at 9:00 a.m. Children are invited to bring their decorated bikes, wagons, scooters, and strollers to participate in the parade. Other activities will include games and activities, water slide and bounce house, chalk and bubbles. Towne Square Community Center, 12550 County Trails Ln, Austin.
A big thanks to OurPact for partnering with us on this post! If you’d like to ensure your child gets the most out of summer, try the free OurPact app to limit their screen time at-a-touch. You can download OurPact today free from the App Store or learn more at www.OurPact.com.
