If you’re looking for last minute Fourth of July plans, we’ve got you covered. From dazzling fireworks displays to patriotic pool parties, there’s plenty to do in red, white, and blue.
Fireworks
- 47th Annual Austin Symphony Orchestra July 4th Concert and Fireworks | Thursday, July 4 | 4-10 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | The almost five-decade-long tradition returns to the shores of Lady Bird Lake.
- Red, White + Buda | Thursday, July 4 | 4-9 p.m. | Buda Amphitheater, 204 San Antonio St., Buda | Free | This festival ~20 minutes away from Downtown Austin has it all: food trucks, live music, and fireworks.
- Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival | Thursday, July 4 | 4-9:30 p.m. | Central Plaza, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. T-100, Bee Cave | Free | Take in an all-day live music lineup before enjoying a stellar fireworks show around 9:15 p.m.
- Red, White + Boom | Thursday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Typhoon Texas Waterpark, 18500 State Highway 130, N. Service Rd., Pflugerville | $40 | Spend the day on the water slides, listening to live music + DJ sets, and watching the fireworks show at 9:05 p.m.
- July 4th Parade and Frontier Days | Thursday, July 4 | 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. | Multiple locations | Free | Celebrate America’s birthday with a parade, carnival, live music, and you guessed it — a fireworks show to end the evening.
Pool parties
- BBQ + Pool Party | Thursday, July 4 | 2-6 p.m. | Carpenters Hall, 400 Josephine St., Austin | $55 | Your ticket grants you entry to the pool party with live music by THEBROSFRESH and a plate of BBQ with all the fixins’.
- 4th of July BBQ Bash | Thursday, July 4 | 12 p.m.-2 a.m. | Kitty Cohen’s, 2211 Webberville Rd., Austin | Cost of purchase | Eat barbecue from Micklethwait Craft Meats and sip on drink specials from St. Elmo Brewing and Dos Hombres.
Eats
- 4th of July Party + Hot Dog Eating Contest | Thursday, July 4 | 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. 6th Street, Austin | $10 | The 21+ glizzy-eating competition, hosted by comedian Avery Moore, kicks off at 8:30 p.m.
- Pickled Egg Eating Contest | Thursday, July 4 | 4 p.m. | Haymaker, 2310 Manor Rd., Austin | $20 | Find out how many eggs can be eaten in five minutes and watch the winner take home $350.
- Launderette’s Sixth Annual Lobster & Friends | Thursday, July 4 | 12-8 p.m. | Launderette, 2115 Holly St., Austin | $75 | Have a Fourth of July feast with a seafood boil featuring lobster, shrimp, crab, clams, and more.
Celebrations
- Party in the USA! Y2K Night | Thursday, July 4 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Barbarella, 611 Red River St., Austin | Cost of purchase | Jam to hits of the 2000s on the dance floor with $3 happy hour running until 11 p.m.
- 4th of July Brain Bash | Thursday, July 4 | 7:30 p.m. | The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin | Cost of purchase | See the same lineup that performed at the South Congress music venue four decades ago on this day.