THINGS-TO-DO

Where can you watch Fourth of July fireworks in the Austin area? Check out our guide

Isabela Ocampo
Austin American-Statesman

Independence Day is on the horizon, and you may or may not have started planning your celebration with family and friends.

While some might host barbecues or house parties, the real highlight is often the iconic red, white and blue fireworks show.

To help you plan for an amazing Independence Day celebration, we've compiled a list of fireworks shows and festivities in Austin surrounding areas. These events feature free patriotic celebrations, music, carnivals and other activities. Curious about what Austin, Round Rock, Buda, Pflugerville, Kyle and other cities have in store for you this Fourth of July?

Here's a list:

Austin Symphony H-E-B July Fourth Concert & Fireworks

The Austin Symphony Orchestra will hold a Fourth of July event that is free and open to the public. Music will be provided by the symphony and the firework show will start at 9:30 p.m. over Lady Bird Lake.

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  • When: 5 - 10 p.m. July 4.
  • Where: Long Center for Performing Arts
  • More information: AustinSymphony.org

Hutto Fourth of July Celebration

The city of Hutto will hold a free, family-friendly celebration this July Fourth featuring live music, local vendors and food trucks, kids’ activities and fireworks show.

  • When: 5 p.m. July 4.
  • Where: Brushy Creek Amphitheater
  • More information: huttotx.gov

Round Rock's Independence Day Parade and Gathering

Round Rock will host a parade and a festival featuring carnival rides, music and fireworks.

The city's celebration comprises two main, annual events: the Round Rock Sertoma July 4th Parade and Frontier Days.

The parade of giant helium and cold-air inflatables will follow a 1.5-mile route along Mays Street between Mays Crossing and Highway 79 starting at 8:30 a.m., according to the city's website.

The city of Round Rock encourages attendees to arrive early at the celebration to secure a good viewing spot.

The second event is Frontier Days at Old Settlers Park. It features carnival rides, live music and ballet folklórico performances, vendors, the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and a Pepper Eating Contest. The day ends with a fireworks display at dusk.

Parade

  • When: 8:30 a.m. July 4
  • Where: Mays Street between Mays Crossing and Highway 79

Frontier Days

  • When: Noon to 11:30 p.m. July 4
  • Where: Old Settlers Park
  • More information: roundrocktexas.gov
A fireworks display over Old Settlers Park concluded the City of Round Rockâ??s July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration on July 4, 2018. Henry Huey for Round Rock Leader.

Pflugerville's Red, White and Boom!

Pflugerville is planning a splashy Independence Day "pfireworks" show in partnership with Typhoon Texas Waterpark.

To see the fireworks from the waterpark, the purchase of admission tickets is required. However, you can still see the fireworks from outside the park without needing to purchase a ticket. You can see the central locations in Pflugerville where the fireworks will be visible here.

Fireworks are set to launch around 9 p.m. from the field next to the waterpark, located at the intersection of State Highway 130 and Pflugerville Parkway, according to the city's website.

You can purchase the tickets to Typhoon Texas here.

  • When: 9 p.m. July 4
  • Where: Typhoon Texas or other locations across Pflugerville
  • More information: pflugervilletx.gov

San Marcos' Fireworks Show

The city of San Marcos encourages visitors of its fireworks show to bring picnic blankets and snacks (no alcohol or glass) and join the event from the parking lots of various places in the city.

KTSW 89.9 will simulcast patriotic music and a fireworks countdown.

  • When: 9:30 p.m. July 4
  • Where: View from the San Marcos Activity Center, San Marcos Public Library, City Park or Bobcat Stadium.
  • More information: visitsanmarcos.com

Kyle's Independence Day Fireworks Show

The city of Kyle's Fourth of July celebration will feature live music by the Cap City Band, market and food vendors, and a community countdown for the 25-minute fireworks show.

The fireworks will be launched from Plum Creek Golf Course. However, this park will be closed to the public during the show. Fireworks can be viewed from La Verde Park, Heroes Memorial Park and the Hays school district Performing Arts Center.

The show will also be visible from many locations throughout Kyle.

The city of Kyle recommends that all residents viewing the fireworks display exercise caution when selecting their viewing location and avoid parking on curbs, shoulders or medians.

The increased traffic will affect several roads in the Plum Creek North Neighborhood. Head to the city's website to see which roads will be closed or barricaded the evening of July 4.

  • When: 5-9 p.m. July 4; fireworks, 9:15 p.m.
  • Where: La Verde Park
  • More information: cityofkyle.com

Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival

Enjoy shopping, food and family-friendly activities at the Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival. The show can be enjoyed from the lawn accompanied with a full line-up of live music taking place in Central Plaza with free parking and admission.

Red, White and Buda!

The city of Buda's Independence Day celebration will be held at the Buda Amphitheater on July 4.

A Downtown Bike Parade down Main Street in the morning will be followed by a presentation of parade awards under the City Park Pavilion.

Festivities will begin at City Park in the late afternoon — with sand volleyball, a food court, a splash pad, ax throwing, rock wall climbing and bounce houses — and culminate with a fireworks show after dark.

Downtown Bike Parade

When: 9 a.m. July 4

Where: Main Street in Buda

Festivities

When: 4 p.m.; live music, 7:30 p.m.; fireworks show, 9:15 p.m.

Where: Buda Amphitheater & City Park

More information: budaamphitheater.com

Bastrop's second annual Big Bang Celebration (June 29)

Bastrop's Big Bang Celebration is set for the Saturday before the Fourth of July with a pet parade, music, games, concessions, bounce houses, sprinklers and fireworks.

The day will kick off with the Bastrop Pet & Pal Parade in which pet owners dress up their pets and dress up like their pets for prizes.

Participants will need to register at 8 a.m. on the lawn of the Bastrop County Courthouse. Judging will begin at 9:15 a.m., followed by a parade at 10 a.m. down Main Street from the courthouse to the Bastrop Opera House.

Prizes will be awarded in seven categories.

Bastrop Pet & Pal Parade

  • When: Registration, 8 a.m. Saturday; parade, 10 a.m.
  • Where: Bastrop County Courthouse; parade will proceed down Main Street to the Bastrop Opera House

Big Bang Celebration

  • When: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday
  • Where: Main Street & Fisherman's Park
  • More information: visitbastrop.com