Fourth of July Celebrations

JULY 2-6, 2026

Make America 250 a celebration to remember with all the free Independence Day festivities around The Woodlands! The party starts early this year with the Firecracker 5K, followed by a patriotic symphony performance, an All-American hometown parade, and more. This year only, the beloved Red, Hot & Blue Festival & Fireworks Extravaganza features a drone show spectacular to honor this milestone anniversary. From electrifying entertainment to historic moments, book your hotel now for a week of nonstop family fun!

Let Freedom Chalk

JUNE 22 to JULY 2

Calling all residents of The Woodlands! Celebrate this Independence Day with your friends and neighbors through a community-wide chalk-drawing contest! While supplies last, 10-color packs of chalk will be available at The Woodlands Township's front desk between June 22 and July 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A winner from each village will be awarded on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Firecracker 5k

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Ignite your patriotic spirit for America 250 with the Firecracker 5K! On July 2, 2026, celebrate this Independence Day with a family-friendly footrace around The Waterway. This one-time-only 5K is open to runners of all abilities and recommended for participants ages 10 and up.

Star-Spangled Salute

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Gear up in your red, white, and blue as the Star-Spangled Salute returns to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Houston Symphony will take the stage on July 3, 2026, for a selection of patriotic favorites. This free Independence Eve spectacular has been a tradition at The Pavilion for more than 30 seasons, delighting generations of proud-to-be-Americans. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-concert activities, including photo ops with patriotic characters, arts and crafts, and sponsor activations. The show begins at 8:00 p.m., no tickets required!

Fourth Of July Parade

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Wake up to bugle calls and cheering crowds at the 50th Annual South County 4th of July Parade. From 9:00-11:00 a.m. on July 4, this 1.3-mile parade—complete with floats, fire engines, marching bands, and more—will make its way around The Woodlands. The procession will pass through Market Street and beside Town Green Park. Pre-parade activities begin at 8:00 a.m.

Red, Hot & Blue Festival

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Celebrate freedom with a variety of patriotic activities at multiple locations throughout The Woodlands! The Red, Hot & Blue Festival is an annual tradition taking place on July 4 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Most sites feature live bands playing from 6:00 until the Fireworks Extravaganza at approximately 9:30. View the complete lineup of events at each location below.

NORTHSHORE PARK

Northshore Park showcases the America 250 drone show at 9:25 p.m. and the best view of the Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:30 p.m. Festival activities also include face painting, balloon art, concessions, and live music by Jonah Miles. The Fourth of July Parade Awards will be presented on the stage at 7:00 p.m.

Please Note: Access to the park will be impacted due to event setup and teardown. Vehicular traffic will be limited July 2 through July 3 and again on July 5. For safety and security, no vehicles will be allowed in the park on July 4.

TOWN GREEN PARK

Festival activities at Town Green Park include a special effects display and fireworks show as well as strolling entertainment, face painting, balloon art, children's arts and crafts, concessions, and live music on two stages. This festival location is larger in size and will provide a close-up view of the primary fireworks show. It may also offer a decent view of fireworks set off at other locations!

• Freedom Stage | Flashpoint
• Independence Stage | Rewind Band

WATERWAY SQUARE

Festival activities at Waterway Square include face painting, balloon art, concessions, live music by Time Warp, and a fireworks show launched from the Waterway Square Parking Garage.

HUGHES LANDING

Festival activities at Hughes Landing include fireworks and live music by D'Luna.

Please Note: There may be limited visibility of the fireworks here due to trees and buildings.

ROB FLEMING PARK

Festival activities at Rob Fleming Park include fireworks only at 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks Launch Locations

The Red, Hot & Blue Festival concludes with the Fireworks Extravaganza, one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the Greater Houston Area. This show-stopping finale will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. with a primary display located at Northshore Park near Lake Woodlands. A secondary, close-proximity (special effects) display will occur at Town Green Park with additional shows at Waterway Square and Rob Fleming Park.

Insider Tip: To ensure you have the best fireworks visibility possible, keep an eye out for the teaser shots fired from all launch locations at 9:00, 9:10, and 9:20 p.m.

PLEASE BE ADVISED

Fireworks are dangerous and can result in serious injury or property damage, so the use of personal fireworks is strictly prohibited in The Woodlands under Township Covenants and Standards. Let's keep the celebration safe by leaving the fireworks to the professionals.

Transportation

To reach festival locations, attendees are encouraged to hop on a free Town Center Trolley. Alternatively, the Research Forest Park & Ride (3900 Marsico Place) is offering complimentary shuttle services during the event. All buses are ADA compliant and operate approximately every 20 minutes, with the first departure from the Park & Ride at 5:00 p.m. and the final departure at 8:45 p.m. The last shuttles will leave festival sites at 11:00 p.m.

NORTHSHORE PARK & HUGHES LANDING

• Drop-off / Pick-up | Trolley Gate on Lake Front Circle, near Lake Woodlands Drive.
• Please Note: There is a half mile walk to Northshore Park from this location.

WATERWAY SQUARE

• Drop-off / Pick-up | Eastbound Lake Robbins Drive, near Fountains Plaza.

TOWN GREEN PARK

• Drop-off | Eastbound Lake Robbins Drive, near the park entrance.

• Pick-up | Westbound Lake Robbins Drive, near the entrance to H-E-B.

Parking

Town Center is home to multiple free and paid parking options, including lots and garages. Free parking will also be available during the event at The Woodlands Township Townhall (2801 Technology Forest Boulevard), Rob Fleming Park, and Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. Accessible lots can be found at the Green Lot, The Lodge at Rob Fleming Park, and 9320 Lakeside Boulevard. Limited curbside parking will be available along:

• Lake Robbins Drive
• Waterway Avenue
• Waterway Square Place
• Timberloch Place

Please Note: Parking is prohibited along Market Street, Lake Woodlands, and Lakeside Blvd.

Special Offers

The Woodlands is THE PLACE to be to celebrate Independence Day, so let your hair down and soak up some sun while you're here. For an extra special treat, make the most of your trip with exclusive discounts on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more!