Austin-Area 4th of July 2016 Fireworks And Festivities Schedule [UPDATED]

Austin, TX -- The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and opportunities to take in a fireworks display in the region abound. Patriotic fervor needn't begin only on July 4, with some events occurring a couple of days before the big day.

But one thing's for sure: There will be fireworks.

On July 4, several family-friendly events to celebrate American independence -- from Austin to Round Rock (with points in between including Cedar Park and Pflugerville) -- are scheduled. Whether you enjoy symphonic accompaniment to your fireworks in the big city surrounded by throngs of people or a more relaxed setting for a pyrotechnics display in bucolic small-town surroundings, there are events to fit virtually every taste come the Fourth.

So mark you calendar, get your patriotism stirred, get the blankets at the ready and assemble the picnic fixings in advance. Here is a rundown of Fourth of July events in the Austin metro area:

H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks

Presented by the Austin Symphony, this spectacle starts at 8:30 p.m. The 40th annual performance will be staged at Vic Mathias Shores (directions), which is the formerly named Auditorium Shores. The musical accompaniment will be conducted by Peter Bay.

In the Austin area, this is the mother of all fireworks displays. So get the blankets ready, assemble the picnic fixings and mark your calendar.

"Spend this Independence Day with 100,000 of your closest friends!" organizers say on their website. "Central Texans will hurry to claim their grassy spot with the Austin Symphony Orchestra this July 4th for the largest Independence Day Celebration in the state."

The symphony will start its performance at 8:30 p.m., followed by fireworks an hour later. The event is free and open to the public.

Bastrop Patriotic Festival

Scheduled July 2, this event takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. But the family-friendly festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with the Pet 'n' Pal Parade that meanders through downtown Bastrop streets. Food and drink booths will be on hand at Fisherman's Park at 4 p.m., along with children's activities. Live music starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by "the most spectacular fireworks in Central Texas at dusk," organizers write on the event website. The Austin Symphonic Band will provide the musical soundtrack. This is a free event that is highly anticipated by past attendees. For more information, visit www.bastropchamber.com.

Independence Day Celebration

At the Hill Country Galleria, located at 12700 Hill Country Blvd. in Bee Cave, there will be live music and fireworks to fill your senses. Live music will be provided by Vallejo and KP & The Boom Boom, with emcee duties performed by Sun Radio 100.1 FM.

"Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy the live music starting at 6:30 p.m.," organizers advise. Children will be able to get complimentary face painting on site. The fireworks display will be at the northwest side of the outdoor amphitheater, organizers write on their website: "The prime viewing area is on the Amphitheater's grassy lawn or the east side of the Amphitheater (nearest The Candy Jar). Firework show will take place at approximately 9:15 p.m."

Parking and admission is free.

Red, White n' Buda Independence Day Celebration

This event in Buda kicks off with a children's parade in the morning, with decorated bicycles, wagons and kids' floats traversing along main Street. Bounce houses will be on hand for the kiddos, along with more family fun at City Park. "The celebration continues into the night with live music and a spectacular fireworks display," organizers said.

Festivities run from noon to midnight.

Fourth of July Celebration

In Cedar Park, revelers can enjoy "...live music, inflatables, free watermelons, bingo, washer tournament, face painting, carnival games and rides and fireworks at dark," organizers write on the municipal website.

Things get kicked off with a parade at 1o a.m., traveling from Cedar Park Center, traveling down Discovery Boulevard and ending at the Cedar Park Recreation Center. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the celebration resumes at Milburn Park at 1901 Sun Chase Blvd.

This is a free event.

SERTOMA 4th of July Celebration

"Enjoy the Independence Day festivities in Georgetown, Texas, at the SERTOMA 4th of July Celebration," organizers beckon. "The family-friendly outdoor party features live entertainment, a Hometown Parade, arts and crafts and more. There are also several fun attractions for kids including games and a petting zoo, and the event is capped off with a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky with exploding bursts of color."

The event takes place at San Gabriel Park, 415 East Morrow St., with festivities starting as early as 11 a.m. and continuing until 10 p.m. The event derives its name from its sponsor, the Georgetown Sertoma Club.

Festivities will begin at 11 am., with more than 60 arts and crafts booths, 20 food vendors. For the kids: kiddie rides, bounce houses, games and a petting zoo. Music will fill the air, provided by local and Central Texas talent, at the gazebo starting at noon. A "Hometown Parade" sponsored by the Leadership Georgetown Alumni starts at 11 a.m. starting at the low water crossing and ending at the gazebo.

"The 4th of July Celebration is free to all who come to beautiful San Gabriel Park on the San Gabriel River in the heart of Georgetown," organizers write. "It normally attracts 4,000 to ,5000 people to the park throughout the day. Admission is free to the park. Around 9:30 p.m. people will populate all the parking lots and high ground to view the "Fabulous Fireworks Finale" provided by GWPyro. Approximately 50,000 people view the display from the various viewing venues."

The events schedule is as follows:

• ARTS & CRAFTS, FOOD & DRINKS (SOFT) - All Day
• LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - All Day
• HOME TOWN PARADE - FEATURING MISS GEORGETOWN at 12:00 noon
• KID'S GAMES & PETTING ZOO - All Day
• KIDS ACTIVITIES AND GIVE-AWAYS - All Day
• FABULOUS FIREWORKS FINALE - Begins at Dark

Star Spangled Event

In Kyle, fireworks will be launched from the Plum Creek Golf Course. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the pre-show celebration at the golf course is free and open to the public. Live music will waft through the air. Hot dogs and cold drinks and snacks will be sold uner the large tent. The main event, the fireworks, start at around 9:30 p.m.

No outside food is permitted on golf course property, organizers said. For more information on the pre-fireworks events at Plum Creek Golf Course, please open attachment below, call the PCGC Clubhouse at 512.262.5555 or click here for their website.

Concurrently, the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center Star Spangled Event will be happening. The event kicks off with the Blue Water Highway Band performing from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. followed by the Starlight Symphony Orchestra and Community Choir from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

No alcohol is permitted on school grounds. For more information, visit the website.

4th of July Celebration

In Lakeway, a full schedule of activities for the whole family is planned:

8:30 a.m. - Parade on Lakeway Drive from Live Oak Golf Course to the Lakeway Church at the top of the hill at Lakeway Drive / Lakeway Blvd.

10:30 a.m. - Pageantry of the Flags at the Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, featuring a keynote address by our Grand Marshal, Anna-Brita Stevens, patriotic music and parade awards.

Noon-8 p.m. - The Lakeway Swim Center will be open later on July 4th so swimmers can have more time for an evening splash. Cost is $3 per person.

Liberty Fest

Leander won't be left behind in celebrating July 4.

"Join us in our annual Independence Day celebration at Liberty Fest!" organizers write on their website. "This is fantastic FREE event perfect for the whole family taking place on Sunday, July 3rd, 2016. There will be live music, vendors, children's activities, and Fireworks."
For more information, call (512) 528-9909.

In Marble Falls, there is this:

Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival

It's phunny how Pflugerville ophicials enjoy starting words that normally start with "f" with a "pf" (with a silent "p"), in a nod to the town's name. But this is another matter entirely.

Here's what they say about their own festivities (or is that phestivities?):

Event Time: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Location: South shore of Lake Pflugerville, 18216 Weiss Lane.New for 2016, the festival will take place on the south shore of the lake. The south shore will have restricted public entry on July 4 during festival setup.

The north shore of the lake and beach are open to the public during the day, though parking lots are closed. (See parking information below.)
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE -- SOUTH SHORE STAGE
6 p.m. -- The Lost Counts
7 p.m. -- The Nightowls
8 p.m. -- Welcome and Color Guard
8:15 p.m. -- Camp Mabry Military Brass Band
9:10 p.m. -- FIREWORKS SHOW
9:50 p.m. -- The Nightowls (reprise performance)
11 p.m. -- Event ends
11:30 p.m. -- Last shuttle bus leaves the event site

Shuttle Buses: Please take a bus to Lake Pflugerville. Buses operate on July 4 from Hendrickson High School from noon until 4 p.m. to the north shore of Lake Pflugerville. Dropoff to the south shore begins at 4 p.m. Bus and Parking Schedule
No onsite Parking: There is no onsite parking at the Lake. Lake parking lots close from 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 to Tuesday, July 5. No overnight parking. Handicap permit lots are available. No "drop-off" of items onsite along Weiss Lane or Pflugerville Parkway. Please read details what to bring.

Watercraft Rentals: Pflug Pfun watercraft rentals is open on the North Shore all weekend. Please note that on July 4, all watercraft must be off the lake by 8 p.m. The boat dock will be closed on July 4 except for rental watercrafts and those the public has carried in (such as inflatables). Monday holiday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Children's Area: South shore of Lake Pflugerville from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PFREE Glowsticks will be given away at dusk -- limited supply, one per person. Get them at the Main Information Tent after 7 p.m.

July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration

Round Rock officials plan a full array of activities. Best to let them tell you directly, from the municipal website:

A parade, fireworks, carnival rides, jalapeno pepper eating contest, Swifty Swine Pig Races, children’s games, Sam Bass Shootout, Movies in the Park and skydivers are all part of the City of Round Rock’s July Fourth Frontier Days Celebration.

This event is free for the entire family.
Independence Day festivities will begin with free watermelon at the Lakeview Pavilion in Old Settlers Park and include music from the Austin Symphonic Band.
The event also features a pepper eating contest, vendor booths, Sertoma Rubber Duck Races and full-scale carnival rides! Your family will also enjoy the Swifty Swine Pig Races.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Oh, and this is something you don't see every day: The mayor of Round Rock plans to skydive onto the festivity grounds ahead of the fireworks display. There will be a live stream to watch this if you're not able to see it in person. Here's that link: www.facebook.com/roundrockparksandrec. See related story by clicking here, at the Round Rock Patch.

Summerfest San Marcos

Between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos Park will be the setting for the city's annual -- and free! -- 4th of July celebration starting at 6 p.m. Live music, a children's parade, a patriotic costume contest, food vendors and a grand finale fireworks display will take place, city officials said.

Schedule of events

6:00pm- Festival Grounds open, food & activity booths openAdam Johnson Band kicks off the Festival

6:30pm- Children's Parade registration begins

7:00pm- Children's Patriotic Parade and Constume Contest judging begins

7:30pm- Wyzer takes the stage

9:30pm- Fireworks display starts

Free parking for Summerfest will be available at the Public Library and Actvitiy Center parking lots, City Park and Texas State's Strahan Coliseum parking lot.

Taylor Independence Day Celebration and Night Rodeo

Staged at the Taylor Rodeo Complex, the event will feature a flag raising ceremony, firing of the anvil, a barbecue, rodeo, dance, patriotic program, and fireworks, Taylor 10K & 2 mile run and softball tournament. For more information, call the Taylor Town Hall at 1-928-536-7366 or the Chamber at 536-4331.

Added note: If you find yourself outside the Austin area for your Fourth of July festivities, you might want to check out a link listing fireworks displays and parades nationwide. From Alaska to Wyoming, this list allows users to input their state, and then select from a specific Texas city in a drop menu detailing Independence Day events scheduled there. Click here to access that compilation.