If you're looking for the best place to watch the fireworks this Fourth of July, we've got you covered from The Woodlands down to Galveston and cities in between.
HOUSTON — Fireworks, festivals and parades return in full force this July 4th with eventsplanned across the Greater Houston area.
The celebrations of America's independence will include everything from traditional parades to festivals -- large and small -- concerts and, of course, the star of the show: fabulous fireworks.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired in 2023.
If you're looking for the best place to watch those fireworks light up the sky, we've got you covered in Houston and 20 nearby suburbs from The Woodlands down to Galveston and points in between.
HOUSTON
Shell Freedom Over Texas
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the City of Houston's big Shell Freedom Over Texas celebration in Eleanor Tinsley Park along Allen Parkway. Enjoy six hours of live music, lawn games and a children's entertainment zone with games and rides.
This year's headliner is country-pop artist Russell Dickersonand the 2024 lineup also includes Jo Dee Messina and Chapel Hart. Here's the full entertainment lineup.
The star of the show will be a Texas-sized fireworks finale with the gorgeous downtown skyline as a backdrop.
WHEN:July 4, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
ADMISSION: Tickets are$10 per person and children 5 and under are free. You can buy them online in advance online or at the gates. This year, a portion of food and drink sales will benefit the Houston Food Bank.
Event parking is available for a fee at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts parking garage at 800 Bagby Street or the Theater District Parking Garages.
Photos: Past Freedom Over Texas celebrations
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City of Houston
Houston's Shell Freedom Over Texas celebration features live music, a Kids Zone and the grand finale: A fabulous fireworks show!
Star Spangled Salute with the Houston Symphony
Miller Outdoor Theateris the place to be for a free concert of patriotic music by the Houston Symphony followed by a fireworks finale at 10 p.m.
WHEN: July 4, 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hermann Park
TICKETS: Admission is free but you'll need to buy tickets in advance for reserved covered seating. No tickets are needed on the hill.
City Centre
If you're on the west side, City Centre is hosting afree concert that will include live music by Heather Rayleen and the People's Choice Band. Snow cones and snacks will be available for purchase from the @dailygather truck on the patio, along with refreshing beverages from @themoranhotel tent in The Plaza.
There will NOT be fireworks this year.
WHEN: July 4, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE:City Centre, 800 Town and Country Blvd.
BAYTOWN
Baytown goes big with two days of 4th of July Celebrations featuring live music from the Bellamy Brothers, Brett Young and more! The event also includes activities for kids, food, shopping and a fireworks extravaganza Thursday night at Bicentennial Park.
Admission and parking are free!
Wednesday, July 3
Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
- Kashus Culpepper - 6:30 p.m.
- DJ Boris - 7:30 p.m.
- Headliner: Bellamy Brothers - 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 4
Gates open at 4 p.m.
- Car Show - 4 p.m.
- Tiera Kennedy - 5 p.m.
- Ceremony begins - 6 p.m.
- Niko Moon - 6:30 p.m.
- Headliner: Brett Young - 8 p.m.
- Fireworks Show - 9:30 p.m.
BELLAIRE
The City of Bellaire invites you to a free Celebration of Independence Parade and Festivalat Loftin Park on Thursday.Residents dress up in red, white and blue and line the streets to watch the traditional parade and children's bike parade.
A festival follows with live music, activities and food in Loftin Park and on the Great Lawn.
WHEN: July 4:
- Parades - 9 a.m.
- Festival - 9:30 a.m. - noon
WHERE: The parade route starts at South Rice Avenue and Valerie Street.The children's bike parade starts at South Rice Avenue and Evergreen Street. Both parades end at Linden Street.
ADMISSION: Free
Parking available at the Bellaire Library, Condit Elementary or the Bellaire Recreation Center.
DEER PARK
Deer Park's Fourth Fest will feature music, food, fireworks, attractions and games, including a cornhole tournament.
WHEN: Thursday, July 4
- Cornhole tournament - 5 p.m.
- OMG Band - 7 - 9 p.m.
- Fireworks - 9:15 p.m.
WHERE: Jimmy Burke Activity Center
FRIENDSWOOD
Celebrate Independence Day all day long Thursday in Friendswood.
They'll kick off the day with the Grand Parade at 10 a.m. on Friendswood Drive between Heritage Drive and Stevenson Park.
At 11 a.m., the park will be the site of rides, games, food and entertainment.
At 7 p.m., the party moves to Centennial Parkfor a free concert from the Spazmatics followed by a big fireworks display at 9:10 p.m.
GALVESTON
The Seawall is the place to be for Galveston's Fourth of July parade featuring dozens of floats, decorated vehicles and performers. After the parade, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico.
The parade starts on Seawall Blvd. at 22nd Street and rolls west to 45th Street.
Following the parade, there will be a fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico from 37th and Seawall beginning at 9:15 p.m. Sync the firework show with music using the Pyro App. The code for the show is 8JUV.
WHEN: July 4, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
WHERE: The Seawall from 22nd St. to 45th St.
Credit: Visit Galveston
KATY
Typhoon Texas in Katy is the place to be for a day-long Red, White and Boom celebration.
Guests can enjoy activities throughout the day, including a thrilling performance by the high-flying Typhoon Texas Skydivers at 3:15 p.m. (weather permitting).
There will also be live music, patriotic stilt walkers, mermaids and more.
The City of Katy’s fireworks spectacular will be launched from the adjacent Katy Boardwalk at 9 p.m.
WHEN: July 4, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Typhoon Texas
COST: Tickets start at $49.99 (You can also watch the fireworks for free from Katy Mills Mall)
KEMAH
Head south for the Kemah! Back with a Bang!4th of July parade on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Lighthouse District.
The Kemah Boardwalk'scelebration gets underway at 1:30 p.m. with live music followed by a free fireworks show over Galveston Bay at 9:30 p.m.
Credit: Kemah Boardwalk
KINGWOOD
Kingwood gets the party started early Thursday with The Fishing Rodeo from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Foster's Mill ponds at the corner of Kingwood Drive & Forest Garden. Kids ages 15 and younger are invited to bring their fishing gear and compete for trophies in different categories. No registration is required.
The Bike Rodeo is at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at the Kingwood Bible Church on the corner of Oakwood Forest and Lake Houston Parkway, across from Creekwood Middle School. Kids are invited to bring their decorated bikes to compete for trophies and then participate in the parade afterward.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. from Creekwood Middle School to Kingwood High School.
JERSEY VILLAGE
Eagles fans might want to spend the holiday in Jersey Village because its free July 4th Festival features live music from an Eagles cover band called 7 Bridges.
First, there's a parade at 6 p.m. followed by the festival at 7 p.m. and then a fireworks display.
WHEN: July 4, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Jersey Meadow Nature Trail
LEAGUE CITY
League City is getting a head start on the holiday with itsFireworks Extravaganza on Wednesday, July 3. The free, family-friendly event includes live music, inflatables and food trucks. Fireworks start popping at 9 p.m.
Bring your lawn chairs or blanket to join the fun.
WHEN: July 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Chester L. Davis Sportsplex, 1251 W. League City Parkway
Credit: League City
MISSOURI CITY
Missouri City's annual Independence Day Festival gets underway late Thursday afternoon on the HCC Southwest Campus.
Bring a lawn chair and find a spot in the grass to sit back, relax, and enjoy live music, carnival games and tasty treats. The fireworks display starts at 9 p.m.
There will also be carnival games and tasty treats with a fireworks show as the grand finale.
WHEN:July 4, 5 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Credit: MCTX
NASSAU BAY
Join the City of Nassau Bayfor a day-long Independence Day celebration.
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Water Wars
Get your water guns and water hoses ready to soak your neighbors in Water Wars, a citywide water fight on foot, bicycles, wagons or golf carts.
6 p.m. Parade honoring veterans
The annual parade honoring Nassau Bay’s veterans starts at 6 p.m. at David Braun Park. Here's a map of the parade route.
9 p.m. Lakeside fireworks show
End the day with a bang at a fireworks show over the lake!
PASADENA
Freedom will ring in Pasadena at this year's 4th Fest. The free event includes live music, a Kids Zone, rides and food trucks with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
ENTERTAINERS
- 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Pasadena Idol performers with Strawberry Festival
- 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. La Fiebre
WHEN: July 4, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
PEARLAND
The Celebration of Freedom in Pearland will feature live music from Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band. Enjoy inflatables, games, a craft market, food trucks and more.
They'll end the day with a big fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Admission is free, including inflatables and activities.
WHEN: July 4., 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Credit: City of Pearland
STAFFORD
The Stafford Centre is hosting two days of free, family fun during its 45th annualIndependence Day Celebration.
Wednesday, July 3, 6:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Live music from Grupo Vidal and DJ Rene Rosales
- Food & Drinks
- Games
- Kids Activities
- Hayride
Thursday, July 4, 7 p.m.
- Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra concert
- Fireworks
SUGAR LAND
The free Red, White and Boom celebration in Sugar Land kicks off at 4 p.m. at Crown Festival Park.
There will be live music from DJs, School of Rock, The Foo Fakers Band and more!
- Trackless Train Rides
- Climbing Rock Walls
- Aerial Artists
- Balloon Artists
- Face Painting & Airbrush Art
- Stilt Walkers
- Photo Stations
- Carnival Games
- Sports Inflatables
The finale will be spectacular fireworks at 9:40 p.m.
Credit: Visit Sugar Land
Credit: City of Sugar Land
TEXAS CITY
Rock on at Lagoonfest Texas during the action-packed Freedom Rocks Fest in Texas City.
The two-day festival on July 3 and 4 features live music from tribute bands including ZZ Top, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner and Motley Crue.
Wednesday, July 3
ZZ Roxx (Tribute to ZZ Top)
Supernaut (Tribute to Black Sabbath)
Big Shot (Tribute To Billy Joel)
Skidd Row (Tribute to Skid Row)
July 4
Nightbird (Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac)
Double Vision (Tribute to Foreigner)
Poison I.V. (Tribute To Poison)
Motley True (Tribute to Motley Crue)
WHEN: 10 a.m. to sunset; drone show at 9 p.m.
ADMISSION:Tickets start at $38 or $20 for kids ages 3-13.
TOMBALL
The city of Tomball is holding its 51st annual July 4th Celebration & Street Fest.
The free event will include a cool zone with water inflatables and a kids zone starting at 4 p.m. with live music from Barefoot Nation at 5:30 p.m. followed by Tilluride.
Veterans and active-duty military will be honored with a special Armed Forces medley tribute and sing-along to patriotic tunes.
The celebration wraps up with a big fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
WHEN: July 4 at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Business Highway 249 just north of FM 2920
THE WOODLANDS
Star-Spangled Salute
They're not waiting till the 4th to celebrate our freedom in The Woodlands!
The celebration kicks off Wednesday, July 3, at The Pavilion. The Houston Symphony's Star-Spangled Salute at 8 p.m. The concert is free and tickets aren't required. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-concert activities.
Fourth of July Parade
Starting at 9 a.m. on July 4, spectators can enjoy the South County Fourth of July Parade in The Woodlands Town Center and Market Street. The 1.3-mile parade features marching bands, fire engines, clowns, floats, and more.
After the parade, residents are invited to cool down at community pools during Red, Hot and Pool from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily fees apply.
Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks
This Red Hot & Blue Festival is so big, they need multiple locations! On July 4 from 6 to 10 p.m., enjoy a variety of activities at locations throughout The Woodlands. All sites will feature live music beginning at 6 p.m. with bands playing until the fireworks extravaganza at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Get your groove on with the Motown/funk band Level One. They'll also have face painting, balloon art and concessions.
Enjoy live music from Leslie Lugo and D’Luna plus strolling entertainment, children's arts and crafts and more.
Time Warp will provide live music with the Fourth of July Parade Awards at 7 p.m.
Music from Flashpoint
Residents can enjoy the Fireworks Extravaganza from all four parks with simulcasted music from KSTAR Country 99.7 FM.
Please note:For the comfort and safety of all attendees, oversized beach umbrellas and pop-up tents are not permitted at any location during the festival. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs are permitted. Glass is prohibited.
WHEN:July 4, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.)
Credit: The Woodlands
Is your community having a big fireworks display? If you're not on the list, please email details to web@khou.com.
