Here’s our lineup of top picks for free Dallas / Fort Worth Fourth of July entertainment: fireworks, parades, and celebrations. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but if your favorites aren’t listed, tell us why they rock (in the comment box below) and we’ll add them.
Dallas / Fort Worth Texas area 4th of July Events
Fair Park Fourth: July 4, 2012. 4:30-10pm at Fair Park, 1300 Robert B Cullum Blvd, Dallas, TX. event will feature musical performances including a Dallas Wind Symphony patriotic concert, free or reduced admission to Fair Park’s participating museums, “dancing water” shows at the Bellagio-style Esplanade Fountain, plus fireworks at the Cotton Bowl.
Frisco Freedom Fest: July 4, 2012. 4pm till fireworks at FC Dallas Stadium and Simpson Plaza at City Hall, 6101 Frisco Sq Blvd, Frisco, TX. Festival includes live entertainment (Street Beats Group and local entertainers), a Children’s Expo (Euro bungees, rock walls, inflatables), Community Stage, Taste of Frisco, Hometown Heroes exhibit, and a major league soccer match (FC Dallas vs Toronto FC). Fireworks start at 10pm.
The Colony’s Liberty by the Lake Festival: July 4, 2012. 6:30am-11pm at Stewart Creek Park in The Colony, TX. Event features a parade at 10am starting at Peter’s Colony Elementary School, a business expo, watermelon contest, salsa shootout, family fun zone, Elvis contest, 5k, 10k, and 1 mile run, BMX and skateboarding stunt show performance, and fireworks at 9:30pm.
Light Up Arlington: July 3, 2012. 6-10:45pm at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, TX. Vendors and activities at 6pm. Patriotic music by the Arlington Band at 7:30pm. Fireworks at dark.
Kaboom Town: July 3, 2012, 5pm till midnight at Addison Circle Park in Addison, TX. Live entertainment on the Dos Equis Stage (Mapleshade, Studio 54, Dallas Wind Symphony), Addison Airport Air Show, Family Fun Zone (games, obstacle course, face painting, and more). Fireworks start at 9:30. After-party at 10:15, featuring Emerald City on the Dos Equis Stage.
Flower Mound Independence Fest 2012: July 4, 2012. Flower Mound, TX. Children’s Parade and free kids’ zone 11am-2pm at the LISD School Administration Building. Event includes clowns, bounce houses, slides, vendors, and hot dogs. Evening entertainment starts at 5pm at Bakersfield Park and features live music by Smash Mouth, Mound of Sound, and Good Question Band, a Time Machine Car Show, and fireworks at approximately 9:45pm.
Bedford 4thFEST Independence Day Celebration: July 4, 2012. 12pm-11pm at the Bedford Boys Ranch Park in Bedford, TX. Event includes a free concert, InflataFUN Zone, a variety of family fun FREE activities, festival-style culinary delights, and fireworks at dusk.
Lake Grapevine Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza: July 4, 2012. Fireworks launched over Lake Grapevine. Viewable at any location along Lake Grapevine in Grapevine, TX. Most viewing places are free. Fireworks start at 9:30pm.
Red, White & Lewisville: July 4, 2012 in the Vista Ridge Mall Area in Lewisville, TX. Fireworks start at 9:30. Best viewing areas are around the Vista Ridge Mall Area.
Fort Worth’s Fourth: July 4, 2012 along the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion in Trinity Uptown. Activities include live music, tubing and kayaking on the Trinity River, a bounce house, mini golf and an obstacle course. Fireworks start at dark.
Arlington Highlands 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza: July 4, 2012. Arlington Highlands, TX. Live music on the Main Stage in Highlands Corner at 7pm featuring The Chant Band. Free sno-cones from 7-9pm. Fireworks start at 9:30pm. The best viewing area is Arlington Highlands East by Dave & Busters.
Denton Kiwanis Club Fireworks Show: July 4, 2012 at Fouts Field in Denton, TX. Gates open at 5:30pm, live music begins at 6:30. Fireworks at dusk.
McKinney’s Red, White & Boom: July 4, 2012 in McKinney, TX. Hometown parade at 10am and car show 1-5pm in Historic Downtown McKinney. At the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch there will be family activities and food 7-9:30pm, live music 8-9:45pm, and fireworks at 9:45pm.
Lancaster Old Fashioned Fourth Fireworks Celebration: July 4, 2012. Family fun zone, food and crafts vendors, card and domino tournament. Bring a lawn chair. Fireworks at 9:30pm. Admission and parking are free.
I was looking for something to do in Mesquite as well….
All I was able to find out was light your own fireworks at the Devil Bowl for $10 a carload. (probably opens around dusk) There are a couple firework stands along Lawson Rd (the road just reopened) that you can stock up at. I was hoping to find some kind of family activity to do in Mesquite too though :-/
So glad Arlington has 2 events on 2 different nights I can catch both. Thanks goodness I don’t have to drive to ft worth or Dallas for a show
Just added Lancaster. Thanks for the tip, dee d.
There’s also a concert and fireworks show in Lancaster tx
Is there anything going on in mesquite?
Great suggestion, Kelly. I’m adding it above …
Don’t forget Light Up Arlington, Sunday July 4. Two live music stages, mutliple children’s areas and activities including Radio Disney, street entertainers, food and merchandise vendors and of course fireworks. http://www.arlingtontx.gov/parks/simple/lightuparlington.html