ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights: A Star-Spangled Salute
Enjoy an evening of patriotic, toe-tapping music performed with The Houston Symphony complete with cannon blasts and fireworks! All ages. Free. 8:30pm. Miller Outdoor Theatre. 6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston.
La Centerra’s 4th of July Celebration
It’s a spectacular event that begins with a Kid’s Patriotic Bike Parade and ends with music and fireworks! All ages. Free. 4:30pm-9:30pm. La Centerra at Cinco Ranch. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy.
Fireworks will ignite the sky, and country tunes will set the stage for Houston’s signature annual patriotic celebration, US Family Health Plan Freedom Over Texas featuring Darius Rucker. All ages. $8-$10. 4pm-10pm. Eleanor Tinsley Park. 150 Sabine St., Houston. www.houstontx.gov/july4
177th City of Galveston Celebration Independence Day Parade and Fireworks
Nothing says “summer on Galveston Island” better than the 4th of July! Don’t miss this wonderful evening with a glittering parade followed by a dazzling fireworks display over the Gulf! All ages. Free. 7:30pm. Galveston. 37th St. and Seawall Blvd., Galveston.
Red Hot and Blue Festival in The Woodlands
Celebrate freedom in The Woodlands at the 2016 19th Annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival with vendor booths, great food, children’s activities and entertainment on multiple stages plus an amazing 20-minute fireworks extravaganza. All ages. Free. 6pm-10pm. Town Green Park and The Woodlands Waterway, The Woodlands.
Bellaire’s July 4th Parade and Festival
Following the holiday parade, which will roughly be around 10am, the festival begins at the Bellaire Town Square with a petting zoo, moon jumps, carnival games – including a dunk tank – and a mini Ferris wheel. All ages. Free. 9:30am. Bellaire Town Square. 7001 5th St., Bellaire.
July 4 Celebration at Bayou Bend
With performers, crafts, activities, refreshments, and much more, join the The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to celebrate Independence Day at Houston’s home for American decorative arts and paintings. All ages. Free. Noon-5pm. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. 6003 Memorial Dr., Houston.
Celebrate the 4th with live music, a car show, family fun and a 20 minute fireworks show! All ages. Free. 4pm-10pm. Pasadena Convention Center. 7902 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena.
Come out to Katy Mills Mall for a fireworks spectacular! All ages. Free. 9pm. Katy Mills Mall. 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy.
Missouri City’s 4th of July Celebration
Missouri City’s patriotic tradition offers plenty of fun and excitement for the whole family! All ages. Free. 6pm-9pm. Buffalo Run Park. 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd., Missouri City.
The stars and stripes will be in full effect as we celebrate our country’s 240th birthday at the Children’s Museum of Houston 2016 Summer of Spies! All ages. Free with museum admission. All day. Children’s Museum of Houston. 1500 Binz St., Houston. 713-535-7264.
Join the city of Pearland in celebrating our country’s birthday! All ages. Free. 6pm-10pm. Pearland High School Football Stadium. 3775 S. Main, Pearland.
4th of July Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk
Live music & patriotic fireworks show over Galveston Bay! All ages. See website for admission. All day (fireworks at 9:30pm). Kemah Boardwalk. 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah.
Celebrate the 4th with a parade, music, shopping, food and fireworks! All ages. See website for admission information. Downtown Fulshear. 8100 FM 359 South, Fulshear.
Star Spangled Spectacular at Constellation Field
Come out and celebrate America’s birthday and join Swatson and Moe with a Skeeter’s apple pie, enjoy children’s entertainment, a baseball game, and a patriotic fireworks finale. All ages. Free to Sugar Land residents-see website for details.. 6pm-10pm. Constellation Field. 1 Stadium Dr., Sugar Land.
1 Friday
Come take a “Journey through China” and learn about interesting facts, culture, tradition and history of China through authentic Chinese Dance. All ages. Free. 11am. Miller Outdoor Theater. 6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston.
Movies at Miller-Jurassic World
In this thrilling installment of the Jurassic Park franchise, two young brothers visit their Aunt Claire, a theme park executive at Jurassic World. All ages. Free. 8:30pm. Miller Outdoor Theater. 6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
4th of July Weekend at City Centre
The July 4 weekend welcomes four nights of free concerts to CITYCENTRE plus an Independence Day fireworks spectacular that you don’t want to miss! All ages. Free. 7pm-10pm. City Centre. 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston.
Giving Spirits Concert Benefitting The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
Come out to enjoy live “high energy, funky blues with a mix of jazz” variety music from Eric Demmer & The Sax Dawgs in the Plaza and learn more about the local non-profit, Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra! All ages. Free. 7:30-9:30pm. Sugar Land Town Center. Sugar Land Town Square. 2711 Town Center Blvd., Sugar Land.
Cool Nights: Red, White and Zoo
Celebrate the Fourth of July with your favorite animals! Make your own flag, march in a parade with Uncle Sam, and explore the Zoo looking for a few red, white, and blue animals. All ages. Free with zoo admission. All day. The Houston Zoo. 6200 Hermann Dr., Houston.
Summer Movies: It Was a Book First!
Enjoy watching a movie based on some of your favorite books! All ages. Free. 1:30pm. Sienna Branch Library. 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd., Missouri City. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us
2 Saturday
The “Secret Agent Man” singer has 17 Gold records, 29 chart hits and two Grammy Awards. All ages. Free. 8:30pm. Miller Outdoor Theater. 6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston.
Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboarding on Kinder Lake
Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) on Kinder Lake at is a fun and easy way to try out this water sport beneath the shadow of the Houston skyline. All ages. $5 kayak; $10 SUP. 11am-5pm. Discovery Green. 1500 McKinney St., Houston. 713-400-7336.
Houston’s only free writing workshop for kids, presented by HPL Express, Writers in the Schools and Discovery Green. All ages. Free. 10:30am-11:30am. Discovery Green. 1500 McKinney St., Houston. 713-400-7336.
Bring your glass, paper, plastic and aluminum to the mobile recycling station at Discovery Green. All ages. Free. 11am-2pm. Discovery Green. 1500 McKinney St., Houston. 713-400-7336.
Explore talented artists and try your hand at mimicking their signature styles to create your own work of art. Ages 12+. Free. 3pm. Central Library, 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313,
3 Sunday
Enjoy an evening of patriotic, toe-tapping music performed by Principal POPS Conductor Designate Steven Reineke and the Houston Symphony. All ages. Free. 8pm. Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion. 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands.
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market brings locally grown produce, prepared foods, and edible farm products to residents of Galveston and the surrounding areas every Sunday morning. All ages. Free. 9am-1pm. 2508 Postoffice St., Galveston.
American Pride is a spectacular musical about what is right with America. All ages. $25-$40. 2:30pm. Moody Gardens. 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston.
Bayou Bikers meet at Market Square Park on the first Sunday of the month for 25- to 40-mile bike rides exploring the bayous of Houston. All ages (mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires required). Free. 8am. Market Square Park. 301 Milam, Houston. www.marketsquarepark.com
