25 great Fourth of July weekend festivals and fireworks in D-FW

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No one wants to miss a chance to celebrate the United States, and nothing says Fourth of July like a picnic blanket, plenty of food and fireworks. D-FW Independence Day celebrations include all of that — and more, including a Mustang giveaway, a pie-eating contest and a firecracker glow run.

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Red, White and Boom on the Bridge

Watch the Downtown Dallas skyline light up with a fireworks show at the Continental Bridge for the first time. Pedestrians can also enjoy the show from westbound Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which will be closed to traffic. There will also be music, food, vendors, kids' activities and more. No pets or coolers are allowed at this event.

July 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge, 122 Continental Ave, Dallas. Free. 

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Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration

The annual Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration is back, complete with a family fun park, live music, a Ford Mustang giveaway and (of course) fireworks. The eye-popping display happens after the last live race of the day. All guests over 21 who arrive before 7:25 p.m. are eligible to enter for a chance to win the Mustang. Ten finalists will be announced and given a chance to test keys, and the finalist with the key that unlocks the door will win. Kids will enjoy the bounce houses, pony rides, zip line and petting zoo, and the Vegas Stars will perform on the Courtyard of Champions. The 20-minute fireworks show will begin immediately after the last race. Military members of any branch can receive one free ticket with appropriate ID.

July 3 and 4 at 3 p.m., first race begins at 5 p.m. at Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie. $5; parking is $20. 

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Addison Kaboom Town

Enjoy Addison's spectacular fireworks show, which is rated as one of the five best shows in the country, the day before the national holiday. The  schedule is packed with excitement, from an air show to performances by Dallas Wind Symphony and the Party Machine band. There'll be food, games, prizes and a party. You can also bring your own food for a picnic. Admission is free, but will be cut off once  capacity is reached. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m. Pro tip: Park your car very far away. It'll take you less time to walk to the car than it would to get out of the parking lot.

July 3 from 4 p.m. to midnight at Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison. Free. 

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Light Up Arlington

There'll be food, fun, fireworks and music

July 3 at 6 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St., Arlington. Free. 

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Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration

If you like eating pie and watching low-level fireworks, you'll find what you're looking for in Farmers Branch. There will be three pie-eating competitions: two for adults and one for children. The three fastest finishers in each round will win an award. The $10 entry fee to the competition benefits a local hero. In addition to pie-eating, the celebration will include a high-energy dance band, a kids zone, food and more.

July 3 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch. Free. 

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Red, White and Boom: Hometown Parade and Car Show

Hit downtown McKinney for a parade and classic car, truck and cycle show, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show. Explore downtown's dining and shopping options, and enjoy music, food, activities for the kids and a concert. Enter the parade for a chance to win up to $500; all entries should exhibit a Fourth of July or Olympics theme to match the "Going 4 Gold — USA all the way!" theme of the parade.

July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (end of fireworks show) at Historic Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney. Free. 

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Frisco Freedom Fest and Firecracker Glow Run

Celebrate Independence Day with a Dachshund Dash, Firework Glow Run and Freedom Fest, featuring Children's Expo, an FC Dallas soccer game and a fireworks show including one of the biggest finales in North Texas. Racers competing in the Firework Glow Run sport flashing LED lights and bright fluorescent gear, lighting up the city as they run. Frisco Foodies will enjoy the wide array of samples available for purchase from concessionaires and eateries. There will also be a plaza party, a hometown heroes exhibit to honor the fire and police officers and display their equipment, a community stage and more.

Dachshund Dash starts July 3 at 8 p.m., Firecracker Glow Run July 3 at 9 p.m. at Frisco Square, 8847 Coleman Blvd., Frisco. The Freedom Fest happens July 4 from 4 to 10:30 p.m. at Frisco Square. Free. 

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Castle Hills Fourth of July Freedom Festival 

The Castle Hills Fourth of July Festival is perfect for families and children. While a DJ keeps the music lively, there will also be a water slide, a giant inflatable obstacle course, bounce houses, face painters and more for the kids. Family and friends can also stop by the photo booth for a free photograph. In the beautiful plaza featuring gardens, an interactive water fountain and plenty of seating in the shade, families will also enjoy the concessions and the opportunity to win a $100 gift card at registration. The event will end with a fireworks display. Bring your own blankets and chairs to be sure of a place to sit.

July 4 from 5 to 11 p.m. at Castle Hills Village Shops Plaza, 2560 King Arthur Boulevard, Lewisville. Free. 

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Fort Worth's Fourth

Jet Ski and Flyboard shows throughout the day, along with the largest fireworks show in North Texas, will keep you entertained at this event. The free kidzone includes pony rides, bounce houses, water slides, tubing, zip line, interactive exhibits and more. Food options range from Cajun to corndogs to catfish, and there will be live performances from Gary P. Nunn and Party Machine. Tubing is open to everyone 30" tall and above, and tubes can be borrowed for free or brought from home. VIP tickets are available.

July 4 from 2 to 11 p.m. at Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth. Free.

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Richardson Family Fourth Celebrations 

Richardson is "going green" on a very red, white and blue day this Fourth of July, with designated recycling containers available for cans and bottles throughout the park. Festival attractions include balloon artists, bounce houses, a climbing wall and the Star Spangled Safety Event, which features a firetruck slide and police car bounce house. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic, but concessions are available as well. Entertainment includes Griffin Tucker, the Richardson Community Band and fireworks, which will begin at 9:45 p.m. Free shuttle service is also available from the Rockwell Collins campus to Breckinridge Park, beginning at 6 p.m.

July 4 from 6 to 10:15 p.m. at Breckinridge Park, 5300 E. Renner Road, Richardson. Free. 

Fair Park Fourth

Celebrate Independence Day at Fair Park, the national historic landmark located in the heart of Dallas. The midway will be open, featuring 30 rides, 14 games and 19 concession stands. Enjoy live music from Razzmajazz Dixieland Band in the afternoon and the Dallas Winds (previously the Dallas Wind Symphony) at night. Check out the other attractions of Fair Park as well, including the Texas Discovery Gardens, the Children's Aquarium, the Old Mill Inn restaurant and patio, and the African American Museum.  Stay till the end to sit in the famous Cotton Bowl — the seventh biggest stadium in the country — and watch free fireworks sponsored by Oncor.

July 4 begins at noon, fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. at Fair Park, 1121 First Ave., Dallas. Free,  $5 admission to midway, $10 parking.

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Old Fashioned Fourth

Celebrate 50 years of old-fashioned fun for free at Dallas Heritage Village as the park celebrates its half-century mark. This daytime Independence Day celebration hosts a number of history-themed events, including games (like horseshoe, graces, and checkers), historic buildings open for touring, and costumed interpreters. Visitors may also learn about milking a cow in the Dairy Day event and participate in juggling in the Circus in the Park experience. Kids attempt to spot Teddy bears in the buildings, and can decorate their red wagons for the patriotic parade. A carnival, held by the Junior Historian Volunteers, includes game booths, "fishing" for prizes and a bean-bag toss. Old-fashioned snacks — think popcorn, cotton candy and root beer — will be available for purchase.

July 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park, 1515 S. Harwood St., Dallas. Free. 

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Irving Parade, Reception and Fireworks Show

Irving's celebration begins with a parade through the Irving Heritage District. Participation is free, and it will feature businesses, organizations, families, floats, costumes and custom vehicles. The reception following immediately after includes air-brush tattoos and balloons, live music and free watermelon. Come back in the evening for even more free rides and activities for children, more live music, plenty of food vendors and fireworks to finish the evening.

July 4 parade begins 9 a.m. followed by community reception from 10 a.m. to noon at Heritage Park, 217 S. Main St., Irving. Evening festivities including fireworks July 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. are at Lake Carolyn, 601 E. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. Free.

Other fireworks displays around town

Granbury's Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration: Festival begins at 10 a.m. July 2-3 and 9 a.m. July 4; fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Downtown Square, 205 E Pear St., Granbury. Free.

City of Princeton July Spectacular: Event begins at 5 p.m. July 3; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park/P.O.W. Camp, 500 W. College St., Princeton. Free.

Concerts in the Garden: Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic: Grounds open at 6:30 p.m. July 2, 3 and 4; fireworks around 9:45 p.m. nightly. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth. $22.

Spirit of Coppell Celebration and Fireworks: Celebration begins at 7 p.m. July 3; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Wagon Wheel Park, 345 Freeport Parkway, Coppell. Free.

Mansfield's Rockin' 4th of July: Festival begins at 7 p.m. July 3; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Big League Dreams Sports Park, 500 Heritage Parkway South, Mansfield. Free.

Garland Star-Spangled Spectacular: Event begins at 4 p.m. July 4; fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Firewheel Town Center, 245 Cedar Sage Drive, Garland. Free.

Lake Cities Fourth of July: Festivities begin at 9 a.m. July 4; fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Lake Dallas City Park, West Hundley Drive, Lake Dallas. Free.

Red, White and Blue Blast: Event begins at 5:30 p.m. July 2; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Dr., Sachse. Free.

Liberty  by the Lake:  Festival begins at 4 p.m. July 2; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Colony Five Star Complex, 4100 Blair Oaks, The Colony. Free.

Rockwall Fourth of July Fireworks Show: Live music begins July 4 at 7:45 p.m., fireworks begin around 9:20 p.m. Harry Myers Park, 815 E. Washington, Rockwall. Free.

Plano's All-American Fourth: Food trucks on site July 4 at 5 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at  Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. Free. 

July Fourth in Grapevine: Fireworks begin July 4 at 9:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Park, 2520 Oak Grove Loop South, Grapevine. Free.