Fireworks explode at Red Hot and Blue Festival in The Woodlands. (Visit The Woodlands)
Celebrate our nation’s independence at these 4th of July firework shows that light up the skies over Houston.
Texans have never been afraid to stand on their own—they’re fiercely independent and patriotic, but they also understand the value of community. In Houston, the number “four” carries a couple of proud meanings. For one, H-Town is the fourth largest city in the U.S., nipping at the heels of Chicago. For another, this city loves parades, fireworks, live music, and everyone coming together as proud Americans on a favorite holiday: the 4th of July.
If you’re looking for all of that and a fireworks finale to boot, kick it up at these festivals across Houston.
Freedom Over Texas, Downtown
Arguably the most legendary Independence Day festival in the city, with an average of 50,000 in attendance each year, Freedom Over Texas is an event you have to attend at least once. Activities get going at 4 p.m. and extend from Eleanor Tinsley Park along the Buffalo Bayou to Bagby Street. Tickets are just $10 and will get you main stage entertainment from multi-platinum country star Lee Brice and Grammy winner Ashley McByrd, along with local artists bringing down the house on the Texas Stage.
The whole family will love the Dr. Pepper Flavor Zone in a designated area that honors local sports teams. And don’t miss the especially poignant Liberty Park, where all branches of the armed forces get special recognition. Then choose your spot on the lawn (the best location is overlooking Buffalo Bayou) and ooh and aah over the ultra-impressive fireworks finale.
4th of July Celebration on Skylawn, Downtown
Here’s an interesting twist: You can get a bird’s eye view of the Freedom Over Texas fireworks without the crowds from the rooftop of POST, Houston’s hub of culture, food, and recreation. Grab a bite from any of the restaurants on the main floor, then head up to the Skylawn, a massive Astro-turfed rooftop space with meandering paths, a garden, and picture-perfect city skyline views.
On the 4th of July, POST celebrates America’s independence with cirque gymnastics and dance performances, balloon artists, and face painting for the kids. Adults can visit the multiple bars right there on the rooftop while enjoying music by the Houston Brass Band and Alias cover band. Get there early (the rooftop has limited capacity) and make your way to the lawn area on the west side for the best views of the fireworks at 9 p.m.
Celebration of Freedom, Pearland
Light up your evening beginning at 6 p.m. at the Celebration of Freedom at Independence Park in Pearland.
There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly event, including giveaways, face painting, a craft market, inflatables and games, strolling entertainment, and food trucks. Cheer on musical guests at the H-E-B Entertainment Stage and preserve your memories in the digital photo booth. Don’t miss the presentation of colors, a reminder of why we celebrate this day. Fireworks begin promptly at dark, so claim your viewing station early!
Red, White & Boom, Sugar Land
This south Houston community is known as a great place to raise a family, so it’s no surprise that it takes festivals seriously. Sugar Land’s Red, White and Boom sprawls across Crown Festival Park on Southwest Freeway, adjacent to Smart Financial Center and the University of Houston’s Sugar Land Campus.
The sweetest city in Texas spoils visitors with treats like live music, photo stations, carnival games, and inflatables. A variety of food vendors will keep stomachs full starting at 5 p.m., and at 9 p.m., fireworks will wow young and old.
Red, Hot & Blue Festival, The Woodlands
On the other end of town, up north in The Woodlands, you’ll want to set up your blankets and lawn chairs early for Red, Hot & Blue Festival, conveniently celebrated at various locations around town.
Fourth of July starts early in this neck of the woods, with 8 a.m. pre-parade entertainment, followed at 9 a.m. by floats, fire engines, military units, and marching bands making their way through Woodlands Town Center and Market Street. That night, choose from five fireworks locations: Town Green Park, Northshore Park, Waterway Square, Rob Fleming Park, and Hughes Landing. Wherever you are in The Woodlands, you’re guaranteed to see epic views of the night’s pyrotechnics.
Freedom Celebration, Katy
For a 4th of July you’ll never forget, dive into Freedom Celebration at Typhoon Texas water park. It’s a fantastic way to spend the day with the family, escape the heat, and exhaust the kids. After all, who doesn’t love a water park? After dark, fireworks will explode directly over the park, meaning you can float the lazy river, whoosh through tube slides, and rock in the wave pool as the lights rain down on you.
Kemah Boardwalk 4th of July Celebration, Kemah
If you don’t need to be in the water, you might like to be around it. The best place to do that is at the Kemah Boardwalk 4th of July Celebration, held right on Galveston Bay.
Kemah’s attractions will keep you laughing all day. The big kids can brave the Bullet rollercoaster with a 92-foot drop, while the smaller kiddos can giggle their way through the day on the C.P. Huntington train or fly high on the Century Ferris Wheel. Check out the multi-story tubular aquarium with the best under-the-sea views at the Aquarium Restaurant, then get ready for the 9:30 p.m. fireworks, especially beautiful as they reflect off Galveston Bay.
July 4th Celebration and Street Fest, Tomball
Tomball is a wonderful blend of small-town charm and big-city celebration. The July 4th Celebration and Street Fest is the perfect example—it’s a slice of Americana filled with traditional activities.
Enjoy cool (literally!) water inflatables to give you a break from the heat, craft vendors creating personalized items, and festival food for every taste, with all activities starting at 6:00 p.m. At 7 p.m., join other festivalgoers to recognize veterans and active military members with an armed forces medley tribute, and join a patriotic sing-along that makes you grateful to be an American. The fireworks are just as big as the celebration and kick off at about 9:30 p.m.
4th of July Celebration, Baytown
Bicentennial Park comes alive in one of this city’s most highly attended events, Baytown’s 4th of July Celebration.
This year, the event opens at 4 p.m. with DJs spinning tunes. Then at 5 p.m., wild and crazy ’80s cover band The Spazmatics will get everyone on their feet. Grab a bite at one of the vendor stands, then get as close as you can to the stage because Ezra Ray Heart, the trio formed by Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, and Emerson Hart of Tonic, takes the stage and rocks the crowd. If you still haven’t seen enough stars, the night culminates in a spectacular fireworks display.
Fireworks Extravaganza, League City
The first thing you need to know about these fireworks is that they take place on July 3, not July 4. That means that it’s possible to attend two fireworks events two nights in a row, for double the fun.
The Fireworks Extravaganza takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is a family-friendly affair—no alcohol or personal fireworks are allowed. Everyone will enjoy a safe holiday filled with tons of inflatables to entertain the kids, food trucks for every palate, and live music, followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. For easy entering and exiting, take the shuttle from the parking lot at Hometown Heroes Park.
Freedom Rocks Music Fest at Lagoon Fest, Texas City
Not one but two days of non-stop music and water ride adventures culminating in an epic drone show—Freedom Rocks does exactly that.
Beginning on July 3, you’ll enjoy admission to the Lagoon Fest water park. Your ticket will also get you on your feet at the stage where tribute bands like ZZ Roxx and Big Shot pay homage to legendary performers ZZ Tops and Billy Joel, respectively. The fun continues on July 4 with more bands rocking out to the music of bands like Fleetwood Mac and Poison, then Texas City embraces the future with a jaw-dropping drone show that’s environmentally friendly.
