The Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, but there are plenty of options for those who want to celebrate Independence Day with a bang. From the annual festival at Woodlawn Park to a low-key cookout at The Hangar Bar & Grill, San Antonio has a Fourth of July celebration for everyone.
For the second year in a row, there will not be a fireworks show at the iconic Tower of the Americas due to heavy construction in Hemisfair Park.
“While we are anxious to hold our Stars & Stripes Over San Antonio event soon, with the construction happening in and around Hemisfair Park and at the Convention Center, we felt like the best decision was to cancel the event again this year,” stated Richard Perez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, in a news release Tuesday. “We are looking forward to hosting the event, complete with fireworks, downtown next year, conditions permitting.”
Despite the correlation between the patriotic holiday and fireworks, it’s important to note that setting off fireworks within city limits is illegal. Last year, the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) responded to 26 firework-related incidents on July 4, including two structure fires. To report the use of fireworks within city limits, SAFD asks that you call their fireworks hotline at 210-207-0202, open from 7-11 p.m. on July 4.
Rather than shoot off your own fireworks, check out some of the Fourth of July celebrations below:
Woodlawn Lake Park
The San Antonio Parks Foundation will host a celebration on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Park from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., including the second annual Fourth of July Zumbathon, 1K and 5K race, live music from the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, food, a children’s parade, and a carnival. The celebration will culminate with the annual the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza.
Attendees can register for the Zumbathon or the 1K and 5K races here. Zumbathon tickets, which are $8 if purchased before Thursday, June 30 at 5 p.m. and are $10 otherwise, can be purchased here. 1K and 5K tickets, which are $10 and $30, respectively, if bought before July 1, can be purchased here. Tickets purchased after July 1 are $40 and $15, respectively. Proceeds for both events go back to Woodlawn Lake Park.
Like last year, the children’s Red, White and Blue Parade will bring kids of all ages and all sorts of patriotic costumes to the streets. To thank those who have fought for our country, the Parks Foundation will set up a cool, shaded getaway amid the festival for military members. The first 500 military members will receive a free Independence Day Care Package.
For more information, click here.
Schedule of Events:
8 a.m. – Zumbathon & 1K Race
8:30 a.m. – 5K Race
9:30 a.m. – Race Awards
10 a.m. – Carnival Opens
11 a.m. – Children’s Red, White and Blue Parade
12 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies at Thomas J. Henry Family Stage
12:30-10 p.m. – H-E-B Military Appreciation Zone
12:30-5 p.m. – H-E-B Customer Appreciation Zone (while supplies last)
12-6 p.m. – Nationwide Family Pavilion Children’s Activities
9:30 p.m. – H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza
10 p.m. – Event ends
Historic Market Square
The Historic Market Square will host The Fourth of July Freedom Fest, a weekend-long affair in honor of Independence Day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12-8 p.m. each day.
The family-friendly event will have children’s activities throughout and food vendors selling gorditas, mini tacos, enchiladas, churros, raspas, funnel cakes, and fajitas. Country bands, rock groups and Tejano musicians will provide the soundtrack for the festivities.
For more information, click here.
Schedule of Musical Acts:
Saturday, July 2
12-1 p.m. – Raul Gabriel
12:30-1:30 – Evolution
1-1:30 p.m. – Monica Saldivar
2-3 p.m. – Creciendo Fuerte, Elora & gasoline alley
3-3:30 p.m. – Monica Saldivar
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Texas Tone Rangers
4-5 p.m. – Adriel Cuevas
5-6:30 p.m. – Palacios Brothers
5:30-6:30 – Heather Leather
7-8 p.m. – Whiskey 2 Step
7-7:30 p.m. – Ryan Vizcaino
7:30-8 p.m. – Sandy Rodriguez
Sunday, July 3
12:30-2 p.m. – Jorge Alejandro
12:30-1 p.m. – Brianna Moreno
1-1:30 p.m. – Marisa Cortez
1:30-2 p.m. – Sandy Rodriquez
2-2:30 p.m. – Angela Mendoza
2:30-4 p.m. – Yoyo y La Verdad
3-7 p.m. – Play It 4ward Karaoke Band
4:30-6 p.m. – David Farias
6:30-8 p.m. – Cañonazo
Monday, July 4
12-1 p.m. – AABCD Dance Company
12:30-2 p.m. – Palacios Brothers
1-2 p.m. – The Crew
2:30-4:30 p.m. – Augie Meyers
2:30-3 p.m. – Marisa Cortez
3-3:30 p.m. – Sandy Rodriquez
4-5 p.m. – Dylan Loza
5-6 p.m. – Ruben V
5:30-7 p.m. – Rock before Dawn
6:30-8 p.m. – Chris Saucedo Band
Pearl Stable
Classic country band the Lone Star Swingbillies will kick off The Pearl’s Fourth of July celebration Saturday from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Pearl Stable. The free event will have food from various Pearl restaurants and beer samplings to celebrate the historic weekend.
For more information, click here.
Stinson Municipal Airport
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, the Stinson Municipal Airport and the Commemorative Air Force – Central Wing will hold a Fourth of July celebration complete with aircraft tours, swing dance lessons, stilt walkers, children’s activities, photo booths and music. Although the family-friendly event is free, attendees can pay a fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 for a 30-minute flight in one of the aircrafts. Reserve a flight by calling 210-268-9496.
For more information, click here.
The Hangar
The Hangar Bar and Grill, located at 8203 Broadway, will host a Fourth of July cookout Monday afternoon in its front yard with games, beer and $2 hotdogs. The event starts at 11:30 a.m.
For more information, click here.
The Alamo
The Alamo will host a Fourth of July event Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with music, living history demonstrations, readings of the Declaration of Independence and more.
For more information, click here.
Schedule of Events:
9:30 a.m. – Bexar Bones Trombone Quartet in the Cavalry Courtyard
10 a.m. – Musket/Long Rifle Firing Demonstration in the Alamo Garden
10:30 a.m. – Reading of Declaration of Independence in the Alamo Garden
11 a.m. – Heart of Texas Band performance in the Alamo Garden
1 p.m. – Free paletas for visitors in the Alamo Hall Patio
2 p.m. – Musket/Long Rifle Firing Demonstration in the Alamo Garden
2:30 p.m. – Reading of Declaration of Independence in the Alamo Garden
Fiesta Texas
On July 2-4, admission into Six Flags Fiesta Texas means much more than roller coasters and funnel cake. For those three nights, a special fireworks show called the “Lights of Liberty” will begin at 9:15 p.m. and can be viewed from almost anywhere in the park, however the best spot is at Lone Star Lil’s. Before the fireworks show, games, prizes and Coca Cola product samplings will be held at Crackaxle Canyon from 2-7 p.m.
For more information, click here.
SeaWorld
SeaWorld will shoot off a firework show set to a musical score at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday night on Ski Lake in honor of Independence Day. Attendees can upgrade their experience by reserving a viewing spot in Ski Stadium with a Fourth of July VIP Fireworks Package, which includes a souvenir sports bottle and glow sword, starting at $24.99.
For more information, click here.
This story was originally published on June 29.
Top image: Fireworks explode near the Tower of Americas during the 2014 Fourth of July celebration at Hemisfair Park in San Antonio. Photo by Scott Ball.
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