Claudia Knoll, Megan Gusman and Hailee Higgins, enjoy a performance at the Freedom Over Texas festival, Monday, July 4, 2016, in Houston.
Marie D. De Jesus Houston Chronicle
America celebrates its 250th birthday this Fourth of July, with fireworks displays planned across Houston and surrounding cities.
Here’s where to watch the shows, along with the concerts, festivals and celebrations leading up to them.
Freedom Over Texas
Houstonians celebrate at the CITGO Freedom Over Texas Independence Day celebration along the Buffalo Bayou, Tuesday, July 4, 2017. (Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle)
Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle
Houston’s annual Freedom Over Texas celebration returns with live performances by Keith Urban, Collective Soul and Los Lonely Boys, plus food, drinks and family-friendly activities. This year’s event celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, introduces the new Futbol Park in honor of the FIFA World Cup and concludes with a musically choreographed fireworks show.
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Where: Eleanor Tinsley Park, 901 W. Bagby
Details: $15, free for ages 12 and younger; houstontx.gov
America250 4th of July Celebration
POST Houston’s Fourth of July celebration returns to the Skylawn rooftop with live music by Texas cover band Rapture, food, multiple rooftop bars and views of Houston’s Freedom Over Texas fireworks show. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as rooftop capacity is limited. Blankets and towels are permitted, but outside food and drinks, lawn chairs and large bags are not allowed.
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Details: Free; posthtx.com
Houston Symphony’s Star-Spangled Salute
The Houston Symphony will perform a “Star-Spangled Salute” at the Miller Outdoor Theatre July 4.
Miller Outdoor Theatre/Photo courtesy Miller Outdoor Theatre
The Houston Symphony’s annual Star-Spangled Salute returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre with patriotic favorites including the “1812 Overture,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “America the Beautiful.” The free concert concludes with a synchronized fireworks show, which attendees can listen to via the free Pyrocast app with headphones.
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Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive
Details: Free; milleroutdoortheatre.com
MORE FROM ANA KHAN: A guide to Houston’s World Cup murals, photo ops and exhibits
GALVESTON
4th of July on Galveston
Galveston’s Fourth of July celebration starts with an evening parade along Seawall Boulevard before the sky lights up with a 25-minute fireworks show launched from the Seawall Jetty at 37th Street. The parade begins at 23rd Street and heads west before ending near 53rd Street.
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Where: Multiple locations
Details: Free; visitgalveston.com
PASADENA
4th Fest Celebration
Pasadena Strawberry Festival kings and queens ride in a parade at 4th Fest Monday, July 4.
Photo by: KIRK SIDES
Pasadena’s annual 4th Fest celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with live music by The Slags, a car show, food trucks, vendors and family-friendly activities including a Kids’ Zone, Touch-A-Truck, amusement rides and yard games. The free event concludes with a fireworks show.
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Where: 7902 Fairmont Parkway
Details: Free; pasadenatx.gov
PEARLAND
Celebration of Freedom
Pearland’s Celebration of Freedom returns with live music by The Diamond West Band, food trucks, a craft market and family-friendly activities including inflatables, games, face painting and strolling entertainment. The free event concludes with an 18-minute fireworks show.
Where: Independence Park, 3449 Pearland Parkway
Details: Free; parks.pearlandtx.gov
SUGAR LAND
Red, White, and Boom
Red, White and Boom at The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land.
City of Sugar Land
Now in its second year at Constellation Field, Sugar Land’s Red, White, and Boom features live music, food, face painting, inflatables and children’s activities. The event ends with a fireworks display.
Where: Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Drive
Details: $14.99 and up; sugarlandtx.gov
TOMBALL
July 4th Celebration & Street Fest
One of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in northwest Harris County returns to Tomball with live music, food vendors, local makers, water inflatables and a kids’ zone. The free festival also honors veterans and active-duty military before ending with a fireworks show. Coolers are allowed, but outside alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.
Where: Business Highway 249 north of FM 2920, Tomball
Details: Free; tomballtx.gov
THE WOODLANDS
4th of July celebrations
Visitors enjoy patriotic music from the Houston Symphony during the Star Spangled Salute at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
The Woodlands’ Independence Day celebration kicks off July 3 with the free Star-Spangled Salute concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Festivities continue July 4 with the Red, Hot & Blue Festival across multiple locations, featuring live music, children’s activities, food and fireworks, plus an America 250 drone show.
Where: Multiple locations
Details: thewoodlandsparks.com