July 4th is right around the corner, and there are plenty of festivals and patriotic parades planned to help you make the most of Independence Day. But whatever else you do, make plans to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks in Austin!
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 4th of July festivals and fireworks shows happening in and around Austin. OurPact is a parental control app which gives parents the power to unplug their kids from devices by blocking both Internet and apps. You can download OurPact today for FREE from the App Store or learn more at www.OurPact.com. Then go, get your red, white, and blue on!
Fireworks and Festivals in Austin and Beyond
40th 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: Monday, July 4, 2016. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Tens of thousands of families will be decked out in red, white, and blue and heading down to this 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 Independence Day Celebration
Where: Nutty Brown Cafe, 12225 Highway 290 West, Austin.
When: Saturday, July 2, 2016. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Fireworks: Following concert.
Cost: General admission tickets are $20.
Wells Branch 4th Fest
Where: Katherine Fleischer Park, 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016. Activities from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. at the soccer field adjacent to the recreation center on Shoreline Dr.
Activities: Kids can enjoy a kiddie train, balloon clowns, inflatables, a dunk tank, face painting, photo booth, and more. There is also live entertainment including a magician (11:00 a.m.), a ventriloquist (2:30 p.m.), and music by Ruby Dee & The Snakehandlers (12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.).
Cost: FREE admission.
Fireworks at the Quarries
Where: The Quarries, 1400 N Mopac Expwy, Austin.
When: Sunday, July 3, 2016.
Fireworks: At sundown.
Cost: FREE
Bastrop Patriotic Festival (Bastrop)
Where: Fisherman’s Park, 1200 Willow St, Bastrop.
When: Saturday, July 2, 2016, from 4-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dusk.
Activities: Vendor booths, children’s activities, and live music.
Cost: FREE admission.
Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival (Bee Cave)
Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:15 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 and KP & The Boom Boom.
Cost: FREE admission and parking. Carnival attractions cost extra.
Red, White and Buda (Buda)
Where: Buda City Park, 121 Main St, Buda.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon and 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. In the evening, come back to City Park from 7-10:00 p.m. to enjoy, music, entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks show.
Cost: FREE
Cedar Park 4th of July Celebration (Cedar Park)
Where: Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016. Parade at 10:00 a.m. Festival from 4-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Parade will begin at Cedar Park Center, traveling down Discovery Blvd. to the Cedar Park Recreation Center. At the festival, enjoy live music, inflatables, free watermelon, bingo, washer tournament, face painting, carnival games and rides, and fireworks.
Cost: FREE admission. Carnival attractions cost extra.
Georgetown’s Sertoma 4th of July Celebration (Georgetown)
Where: San Gabriel Park, 455 E Morrow St, Georgetown.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: About 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Visitors will find 60 arts and craft booths, 20 food vendors, 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: Monday, July 4, 2016, 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 2, 2016. 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. Note that there is limited on-site parking. Find details on shuttle buses here.
Cost: FREE (donations are encouraged)
Leander’s Liberty Fest (Leander)
Where: US 183A South between San Gabriel Parkway and Hero Way.
When: Sunday, July 3, 2016, from 5-10:00 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: There will be live music by Kevin Fowler and War Horses, vendors, children’s activities, and fireworks.
Cost: FREE admission. Some attractions require a fee.
New Braunfels 4th of July Fireworks (New Braunfels)
Where: Landa Park, 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016. 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 on the Landa Park Dance Slab.
Cost: FREE
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival (Pflugerville)
Where: Lake Pflugerville, 18216 Weiss Ln, Pflugerville.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, from 6-11:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:10 p.m.
Activities: Watercraft rentals, live music, a children’s area, dozens of food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, businesses on display — all before the pfantastic fireworks show. 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: Friday, July 1 – Sunday, July 3 at 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks: Following the ballgame.
Activities: Round Rock Express vs. Iowa Cubs baseball game. Sunday is also H-E-B Kids Day with pre-game events outside the stadium.
Cost: Tickets start at $7.
Round Rock Sertoma July 4th Parade (Round Rock)
Where: Main Street in Downtown Round Rock
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.
Activities: Caricature artist, face painters, balloon twisters, and other fun for kids at Prete Main Street Plaza right after the Parade.
Cost: FREE admission.
Round Rock Frontier Days Festival & Fireworks (Round Rock)
Where: Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
When: Monday, July 4, 2016, 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 (The Good Dinosaur). See the schedule.
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: Monday, July 4, 2016, 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
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.
