Celebrate July 4, 2013 across Houston

fourth of july houston 2013

Celebrate Independence Day all over  Greater Houston, with fireworks, parades, performances and parties all over the Houston and its neighboring communities. We’ve pulled together a quick guide to Houston area firework shows and other special events for the fourth of July. Wherever you’re planning to go, make sure that you plan ahead and get there early enough to get a good spot. Happy July Fourth, Houston!

Festivals & Fireworks

  • Freedom Over Texas in Downtown – Houston’s official July 4th celebration takes over Eleanor Tinsley Park with music headlined by Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride and capped off with a perfect view of the City of Houston fireworks over the downtown skyline. Bring your lawn chairs if you’re planning to make a day of it. 4pm to 10pm.
  • Fourth of July at CityCentre – On Independence Day, the Grooves Band kicks off the night on the patio at 7pm leading up to the fireworks spectacular which starts at 9:30pm. Expect to find special July 4th offers from CityCentre’s restaurants, bars and shops – including a specialty oyster menu at STRAITS Asian Bistro on July 4 and 5. Musical entertainment (without fireworks) continues nightly through the weekend.
  • 16th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival at The Woodlands – Free celebrations take over both Town Green Park and Waterway Square, each with their own stage presenting live music, games, vendor booths and treats. Watch hot dog and watermelon eating contests or opt to visit any of the food vendors for some of your own. Waterway Square will present the best view for the 23-minute firework show, scheduled to go on after the sun sets. 6pm to 10pm.
  • 4th Fest in Pasadena – Pasadena’s biggest event of the year features live music, a car show, kidzone, a barbecue cook-off, games with prizes, vendors, water balloon war zone and – of course – a 20-minute firework show. The festival happens at the Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds from 1pm to 10pm. The Car show runs from noon to 6pm.
  • Pearland’s Celebration of Freedom – Pearland hosts the Texas Unlimited Band at The Rig, the stadium at Pearland High School, followed by a 20-minute firework show overhead. There will be carnival games, facer painters, jugglers, and magicians among other entertainment. Admission is free. 6pm to 10pm. Fireworks at 9pm.
  • The Katy Freedom Celebration – Fireworks will be launched between the east side of the Katy Mills Mall and Katy Fort Bend Road at 9pm. They’ll be viewable from the mall, around the park and much of Katy itself.
  • Kingwood’s Festival in the Park – Kingwood’s Town Center Park will be loaded with fun and games for the kids for most of the afternoon, leading up the evening fireworks display. Starting at 2pm, DJ Mark Linabury will spin tracks in the day and live music from Thunder will lead up to the fireworks at 9pm.
  • Missouri City’s 4th of July Celebration – Buffalo Run Park hosts an array of evening activities including moonwalks, a rockwall, mechanical bulls, and pony rides. The event lasts from 6pm to 9pm and is free to attend and vendors will offer food and drink for sale. The fireworks show will follow the event at about 9:15pm.
  • Fourth of July Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk – All day festivities and specials at the Boardwalk culminate in a star-spangled fireworks show at 9:30pm. Firework shows continues every Friday evening throughout July.
  • Independence Day Fireworks on Galveston Island – Following Galveston’s evening July 4th parade, the city will set off a 20-minute, beachfront fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico. The central viewing spot is near 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard. Fireworks begin at 9:15pm.
  • July 5th Kings Harbor Concert Series and Fireworks Show – If you don’t get your fill of fireworks on July 4th, head up to Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingswood on Friday, July 5 to see the “rockabilly” John Evans Band at 7pm, followed by Kings Harbor’s first ever fireworks show over Lake Houston at 9:30pm. 

Parades

  • Bellaire’s July 4th Parade and Festival – Celebrating American founders, Bellaire’s annual parade starts at the Bellaire Triangle and heads down Bellaire Blvd. and South Rice Ave. Kids who show up before 9am are encouraged to dress up and decorate their bikes or tricyles and join in leading the parade. The parade kicks off at 9:30am and concludes with a festival featuring food, games, petting zoo, and other attractions.
  • The Kingwood 4th of July Parade – Kingwood kids, families, businesses and service men and women come together in this patriotic parade. At 10am, the parade starts at Creekwood Middle School and proceeds to Kingwood High School.
  • Independence Day Parade on Galveston Island – The island’s annual July 4th evening parade features patriotic floats, military vehicles, and performers. It starts at 7:45pm on Seawall Boulevard at 59th Street and concludes at 28th Street. Fireworks over the gulf follow shortly afterwards.

Performances

  • July 3rd Presentation of Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute – On the night before Independence Day, the Houston Symphony performs their free annual concert in The Woodlands at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. In addition to the usual patriotic classics, AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle will join the Symphony on stage performing some of Simon & Garfunkel’s greatest hits such as “America,” “Homeward Bound,” and “Mrs. Robinson.” July 3 at 8pm.
  • Summer Symphony Nights: A Star Spangled Salute – Join Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski and the Houston Symphony, along with American Idol finalists Will Makar and LaKisha Jones, for a rousing performance filled with patriotic Americana at Miller Outdoor Theatre in the Museum District. The show concludes with the 1812 Overture accompanied by cannons. Stick around afterwards for firework viewing. Show starts at 8:30pm.

Parties & Specials

  • D&T Drive Inn’s July 4th Brew-ha-ha – Stop in this recently reimagined Heights landmark bar for a fourth party featuring red, white, and blue wit beers from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company. American beers are on special all day and there will be plenty of apple pie, grilled hot dogs and corn, and watermelon. When you get loosened up, try the Pabst Blue Ribbon photo booth. Noon to midnight.
  • Sparrow Bar + Cookshop – Monica Pope’s restaurant is offering their specialty cocktails all day for $5. The number five may not have much to do with July 4th, but it’s a great savings over the normal $10. Available 11am to 10pm.

Did we miss your favorite event or party? Let us know in the comment below and we’ll see about adding it to our official list.

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