Ah, Independence Day! One of the greatest days of the year. Fireworks, baseball, barbecue, live music, and all the summer beer you can drink! I think it’s safe to say that this is exactly the kind of freedom that the Founding Fathers had in mind when they declared Independence from the redcoats in 1776.
And if it wasn’t, then it should have been. Independence Day is awesome, and you should make sure to celebrate your patriotic freedom properly!
This Independence Day will be especially cool for anyone staying in Austin; there is an abundance of cool events happening in the 512. Here are some of them:
1. The H-E-B Austin Symphony 4th of July Celebration
The Annual Austin 4th of July Celebration is an event that takes place at Austins’s Auditorium Shores (aka Vic Mathias Shores) by the Long Center.
The FREE concert begins later in the evening, often around 8:30 pm, but it’s best to arrive early to secure a place for your friends and family. The schedule is as follows: The Austin Symphony Orchestra will be performing at 8:30 pm, and the fireworks show will begin exactly one hour later.
Coolers are welcome! There will be some parking available in nearby garages, but if you want to save yourself the headache, please Lyft, Bus, or Bike!
2. Cedar Park 4th of July Celebration
Alright, I get it. Cedar Park is technically not Austin. But, for the sake of offering the best 4th of July parties, I will make it honorary Austin for the weekend.
Elizabeth Milburn Park – 1901 Sunchase Blvd, Cedar Park
Cedar Park, one of Austin’s biggest and best suburbs, is home to one of the best Independence Day celebrations in town, hosted this year at Milburn Park – 1901 Sunchase Blvd.
The festivities begin at 5 pm with live music and a variety of food trucks!
At 9:15 pm the 4th of July celebrations begin with a fireworks display, which is FREE and open to the public. Afterward, enjoy a Movie in The Park featuring The Sandlot.
What’s not to love with a fireworks display, games, and food trucks. The best parking will be found at Cedar Park High School, Cedar Park Middle School, and the ACC campus up north in Cedar Park. Carpool if you can!
3. Hill Country Galleria Festival
A more recent Austin tradition, Hill Country Galleria is hosting a festival from 4pm – 10pm for live music, shopping, dining, and fireworks. It’s free admission with many local artisan vendors participating too! Bring a blanket for the grassy lawn.
Vista Brewing created special brews for this event: Land of the Free (crisp American Lager), Home of the Brave (citrus IPA), and Revive (dry Amber Ale with caramel malts). Let the fun begin!
4. Eat Some Barbeque!!!
BBQ is classic for us Texans. Very few of us get through the 4th of July WITHOUT stuffing our face with all sorts of sausage. Enjoy this picture below.
There are a number of places to get BBQ for the 4th of July, but if you happen to be clueless the best places to start are The ABGB on Oltorf and Scholz Garden downtown. Both have ample outdoor seating for you to bring all of your friends!
No matter where you go, always remember to be safe. Fourth of July can be remembered for barbecue, fireworks, and FREEDOM—but it could just as easily be remembered for something else.
As the old saying goes:
July the 4th has come and gone, but thoughts of it still linger.
I held a firecracker in my hand…has anybody seen my finger?
Don’t let that be you. Keep it safe, keep it classy, keep it American!
Happy 4th of July, y’all!
