D-FW Fireworks and Other Ways To Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

Whether you’re the type to spread out a blanket beneath a sky full of fireworks, wander through a neighborhood block party with a snow cone in hand, or spend the evening listening to live music before the grand finale lights up the night, North Texas has no shortage of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July.

This Independence Day is an extra special one, too. The nation is turning 250 years old — also known as a semiquincentennial — so if you haven’t made any plans yet, consider some of these happenings around the Metroplex.

Dallas

The Big D is offering plenty of ways to have fun, from downtown festivities to neighborhood traditions. The city’s official celebration returns to Klyde Warren Park from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., where families can enjoy live music from the Emerald City Band, lawn games, children’s activities, and a fireworks finale lighting up the downtown skyline. Food trucks will be on-site practically all day.

Elsewhere in the city, visitors can spend the holiday at Fair Park, where the FIFA Fan Festival will feature World Cup match broadcasts, entertainment, food, and cultural programming throughout the day, though this year’s traditional Fair Park Fourth fireworks were bumped up to July 3 because of FIFA events. Canada is taking on Morocco at 12 p.m., followed by Paraguay and France at 4 p.m.

If you find yourself in Fair Park, what better way to mark the semiquincentennial than catching a glimpse of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence? Read more about that here.

Declaration of Independence Print Takes Center Stage at Fair Park This July 4th

Neighborhood celebrations include the annual Lake Highlands Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. and subsequent carnival, while those looking for a patriotic gathering closer to Uptown can stop by the America250 Celebration at Y’all Plaza for live music, ceremonial presentations, and food vendors.

Just north of Dallas, Addison’s annual Kaboom Town! remains one of the country’s premier July 4th celebrations. While the ticketed party at Addison Circle Park is sold out, the nationally recognized event still plans on drawing spectators to the area for its signature air show, live entertainment, and spectacular fireworks display, with many nearby restaurants and hotels hosting public watch parties.

Collin County

There’s a full slate of family-friendly festivities, from hometown parades to evening fireworks spectaculars, planned in Collin County.

In Plano, the annual All-American 4th returns from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with live entertainment, food trucks, games, a kids zone, and a fireworks show beginning at 9:30 p.m. McKinney’s Red, White & BOOM! spans the entire day, kicking off with a patriotic parade and block party in historic downtown before shifting to Towne Lake Park for live music, family activities, and a combined drone and fireworks show after sunset.

Frisco is once again hosting its Freedom Fest block party at Riders Field, where classic cars, live music, family activities, and postgame fireworks will follow the Frisco RoughRiders’ Independence Day matchup.

Tarrant County

If you’re celebrating west of Dallas, Tarrant County is packed with patriotic festivities. Arlington features one of the largest Fourth of July parades in Texas, live music, family activities, food trucks, and a fireworks finale at City Hall.

Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Tarrant County

Fort Worth’s annual Fourth at Panther Island Pavilion returns with live entertainment, waterfront fun along the Trinity River, and one of North Texas’ biggest fireworks shows, while Bedford’s 4thFest offers waterslides, foam parties, concerts, and an evening fireworks display. Click here for the specifics and other events planned in Tarrant County.

Stay safe, drink lots of water, put on sunscreen, and have a great Fourth of July!