Where to See the Best 4th of July Festivals & Fireworks in Austin

July 4th is here 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!

Festivals and Fireworks in Austin and Beyond

Leander’s Liberty Fest (Leander)
Where: Devine Lake Park, 1807 Waterfall Avenue, Leander
When: Thursday, July 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. 
Fireworks: At 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Leander’s largest annual event includes live music, food, children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Cost: FREE admission. Some attractions require a fee.

Star Spangled Fest
Where: Vic Mathias Shores in front of the Long Center for the Performing Arts
When: Friday, July 4 | Doors at 4:30 p.m. | 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 with upgrades available here.

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival (Bee Cave)
Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave
When: Friday, July 4 from 4 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks: 9 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! Get more info here.
Cost: FREE admission and parking. Carnival attractions cost extra.

Red, White and Buda (Buda)
Where: Buda City Park, 204 San Antonio St, Buda
When: Friday, July 4 from 4 to 10 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 a.m. followed by children’s activities. In the evening, go back to City Park from 4 to 10 p.m. to enjoy, music, entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks show. Get more info here.
Cost: FREE

Cedar Spectacular (Cedar Park)
Where: Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park
When: Friday, July 4 from 5 to 11:30 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Enjoy live music, inflatables, free watermelon, bingo, washer tournament, face painting, carnival games and rides, and fireworks. More info here.
Cost: FREE admission. Carnival attractions cost extra.

Elgin Fourth of July Parade, Pet Parade, Concert and Fireworks (Elgin)
Where: Parade at intersection of Douglas Avenue and Slade Avenue | Concert and Fireworks at Festival Park, 132 South Grove Avenue, Elgin
When: Friday, July 4 | Parade and Pet Parade at 10 a.m. Program from 5 to 10 p.m. 
Activities: A lively evening of live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, table-top games, and the ever-popular pie-eating contest, capped off by a dazzling fireworks display. More info is available here.
Cost: FREE

Georgetown’s Sertoma 4th of July Celebration (Georgetown)
Where: San Gabriel Park, 455 E Morrow Street, Georgetown.
When: Friday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Various events throughout the day. Get full info here.
Cost: FREE admission.

Kyle’s Independence Day Celebration (Kyle)
Where: La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham, Kyle
When: Friday, July 4 from 4 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks: 9 p.m.
Activities: This family-friendly celebration will feature market vendors, food and drink vendors, fun and games, and live music by the Yesenia and the Groove Doctors from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and The Grooves from 6 to 9 p.m. leading up to a community countdown to a stunning 25-minute fireworks show at approximately 9 p.m.
Cost: FREE

Lago Liberty Days (Lago Vista)
Where: Bar-K Recreational Park, 6608 Bar K Clubhouse Ct, Lago Vista.
When: Friday, July 4 | 5K/10K run at Heather Park, registration will start at 7:30 am. | Patriotic parade down Dawn Drive will kick off at 10 a.m. | Fireworks show at Bar-K Park will start after the sun sets over the North Shore
Fireworks: Approximately 9:00 p.m.
Activities: Food, concerts, arts and crafts, and fireworks. More info here.
Cost:FREE (donations are encouraged)

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular – Sponsored by H-E-B (New Braunfels)
Where: Landa Park Dance Slab, 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels.
When: Friday, July 4
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m.
Activities: The Independence Day festivities in Landa Park begin at 6 p.m. at the Dance Slab with the final Live @ Landa concert featuring the J Abram Band. Learn more here.
Cost: FREE

Independence Day Pfireworks (Pflugerville)
Where: Typhoon Texas, 18500 SH 130, N Service Road. Pflugerville
When: Friday, July 4
Fireworks: Approximately 9 p.m.
Activities: Fireworks will launch on July 4 at approx. 9 p.m. from the field next to the water-park located at the intersection of SH130 and Pflugerville Parkway. The central location will allow for viewing across Pflugerville. 
Cost: FREE

Brushy Creek 4th of July Parade & Festival (Round Rock)
Where: Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Dr, Round Rock
When: Friday, July 4 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Activities: Celebrate Independence Day Brushy Creek-style! Join the parade or enjoy watching the colorful floats and walkers! Awards are given for the most patriotic parade participants. The festival includes food vendors and activities for all ages. Including everyone’s favorite “spray down” from the Sam Bass Fire Department truck.
Cost: FREE 

Round Rock Sertoma July 4th Parade (Round Rock)
Where: Between Mays Crossing & Hwy. 79
When: Friday, July 4 at 8:30 a.m.
Activities: The Annual Sertoma Independence Day Parade will once again feature giant helium and cold air inflatables, community groups and patriotic spirit. This parade will take place on the 1.5 mile route along Mays Street between Mays Crossing and Highway 79. The parade will start at 8:30 a.m. to beat the heat, so arrive early to find the best seat to watch and celebrate!
Cost: FREE

Round Rock Frontier Days (Round Rock)
Where: Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
When: Friday, July 4 from Noon to 11 p.m.
Fireworks: At dark.
Activities: Pig races, live music, pepper eating contest, free ice cream, and more. Get all the details here.
Cost: FREE

July 4th Fireworks Show (San Marcos)
Where: San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N C M Allen Pkwy, San Marcos
When: Friday, July 4 
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: No 4th of July celebration is complete without the annual firework show! Pack up a lawn chair, picnic blanket and your favorite snacks (alcohol and glass are not permitted) and make your way to the parking lots of the San Marcos Activity Center, San Marcos Public Library, City Park or Bobcat Stadium for great views of the fireworks display. 
Cost: FREE

Wimberley Jubilee Parade (Wimberley)
Where: Downtown Wimberley
When: Friday, July 4 | The main parade starts at 10 a.m., with a Jubilee following.

Activities: The 4th of July parade and “Jubilee” are a reference to old-time small town celebrations and are always fun to attend.
Cost: FREE

If you’re looking for an escape, consider Whiskey Ridge, located just outside of Austin in Driftwood. Instead of fighting city crowds and traffic, you can drive roughly 30 minutes from South Austin to watch fireworks from a restaurant porch with rolling hill views. In addition to fantastic food and drink, Whiskey Ridge offers diners the opportunity to watch multiple fireworks displays from surrounding locations in the Hill Country.

Menu highlights include new items like Tartare of Beef Tenderloin and Sugar-Cured Fresh Catch in Double A Bourbon Whiskey Aguachile. These items are in addition to their main menu which showcases premium Texas meats from R-C Ranch and Gulf Coast seafood, prepared on a coal fire grill, and much more!

Learn more and make your reservation here.

Featured photo by RomoloTavani on iStock.