Fourth of July, the federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, will be celebrated Saturday, July 4, with fireworks displays, parades and community festivals taking place all across the San Antonio area.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Independence Day also marks the 250th anniversary of the United States<\/a>, making it one of the most significant Fourth of July celebrations in the nation\u2019s history. Communities across the country are commemorating the milestone with special events honoring America\u2019s semiquincentennial.<\/p>\n On July 4, 1776, delegates to the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain. Although the vote for independence took place two days earlier, on July 2, the adoption of the declaration on July 4 became the date Americans have traditionally celebrated as the nation\u2019s birthday.<\/p>\n Congress established Independence Day as a federal holiday in 1870, and it has since become one of the country\u2019s most widely observed holidays, marked by fireworks, patriotic ceremonies, concerts and family gatherings.<\/p>\n Here in San Antonio, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks spectaculars and patriotic festivals to family-friendly activities. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a roundup of local Fourth of July events and some closures of public services.<\/p>\n Fourth of July events in San Antonio<\/p>\n H-E-B Fourth of July Celebration at Woodlawn Lake\u00a0<\/p>\n When: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n Where: Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.<\/p>\n The City of San Antonio\u2019s official Independence Day celebration<\/a> returns to Woodlawn Lake Park with a full day of free, family-friendly activities. The event will feature live music, carnival rides, food vendors, children\u2019s activities, vendor booths and fitness classes throughout the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n The celebration concludes with a drone light show followed by a fireworks display beginning around 9 p.m. Organizers encourage attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets, water, sunscreen and other sun protection for the outdoor event.\u00a0<\/p>\n Red, White & Bexar Celebration<\/p>\n When: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n Where: Mission County Park I, 6030 Padre Drive<\/p>\n Bexar County will celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th birthday with its annual Red, White & Bexar Celebration at Mission County Park.<\/a> The free event will feature live music, food trucks, carnival rides, inflatables, face painting, balloon artists, children\u2019s crafts and other family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n The evening will conclude with a drone and fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free.<\/p>\n Stars & Stripes on Houston Street<\/p>\n When: Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4; fireworks at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: Downtown San Antonio, culminating at Civic Park at Hemisfair, 210 S. Alamo St.<\/p>\n Downtown San Antonio\u2019s Stars & Stripes on Houston Street celebration returns for its third year with an expanded lineup to honor the nation\u2019s 250th birthday. The event will include a 5K, parade, a music and food festival and family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n The celebration will conclude with the inaugural Stars & Stripes Downtown Spectacular, a fireworks display over Civic Park at Hemisfair beginning at 9 p.m. Organizers say it marks the return of a downtown Fourth of July fireworks show for the first time in more than a decade and the first Independence Day fireworks display at Civic Park.<\/p>\n All Stars & Stripes events are free to attend except for the Downtown 5K, which requires advance registration.<\/a><\/p>\n America 250: A Work in Progress<\/p>\n When: ABC watch party at 10 a.m.; festivities begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n Where: Jaime\u2019s Place, 1514 W. Commerce St.<\/p>\n Jaime\u2019s Place will host an Independence Day celebration<\/a> featuring live music, DJs, food trucks, local vendors and a community mercadito in honor of the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary. The event will also include a watch party for ABC\u2019s America 250 special, which will feature Jaime\u2019s Place and an interview between ABC News correspondent John Qui\u00f1ones and Little Joe.\u00a0<\/p>\n SeaWorld 250 and Fourth of July Fireworks<\/p>\n When: Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. each night<\/p>\n Where: SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 SeaWorld Drive<\/p>\n SeaWorld San Antonio is celebrating America\u2019s 250th birthday with its limited-time SeaWorld 250 celebration<\/a>, featuring patriotic entertainment, specialty food and drinks, themed merchandise and family-friendly attractions. The event also coincides with Military Appreciation Week, including performances by the U.S. Air Force Band of the West and special admission discounts for active-duty military members and veterans.<\/p>\n Each evening will conclude with the park\u2019s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 p.m., following a drone show. Fireworks can be viewed from locations around the park\u2019s central lake. Park admission starts at $45.99.<\/p>\n Star-Spangled Nights at Six Flags Fiesta Texas<\/p>\n When: Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; fireworks after dark<\/p>\n Where: Six Flags Fiesta Texas, 17000 I-10 W.<\/p>\n Six Flags Fiesta Texas will celebrate Independence Day with its annual Star-Spangled Nights,<\/a> featuring two evenings of patriotic entertainment and a 360-degree fireworks spectacular. Guests can spend the day enjoying the park\u2019s roller coasters, family attractions and Hurricane Harbor water park before the fireworks display caps off the evening.<\/p>\n The fireworks show is included with park admission and takes place on both July 3 and July 4. Admission starts at $39.<\/p>\n Fourth of July at The Alamo<\/p>\n When: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4; live music from 6-8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza<\/p>\n The Alamo will commemorate America\u2019s 250th anniversary with a full day of family-friendly programming, including living history demonstrations<\/a>, patriotic crafts, children\u2019s drill-and-march lessons and its daily musket firing demonstration at 10:30 a.m. Visitors can explore the historic site through guided, audio and self-guided tours.<\/p>\n The celebration continues into the evening with a free performance by Fort Sam\u2019s Own 323rd Army Brass Quintet and Rock Band from 6-8 p.m. on the Plaza de Valero pavilion stage. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for the outdoor concert.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica at 250!\u201d Concert<\/p>\n When: 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4<\/p>\n Where: Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave.<\/p>\n