So you want to celebrate our nation's birthday with a crowd? Here are some of the major celebrations in the Metroplex. Note: Not all feature fireworks, and be sure to check the individual events to see if certain items (glass bottles, pets, chairs, etc.) are allowed.
Tarrant County
Arlington
Arlington Community Band and Celebration Chorale Concerts
First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St.
7 p.m. Sunday; free
Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday; free
On the steps of Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.
9 a.m. Wednesday; free
All concerts: 817-467-0158; arlingtoncommunityband.org
Marches and patriotic music.
Light Up Arlington
Downtown Arlington
6 p.m. Tuesday; free
arlingtontx.gov/parks/lightuparlington
Music at Levitt Pavilion; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
4th of July Parade
Downtown/UTA area (route map online); after-picnic at Knapp Heritage Park, 201 W. Front St.
9 a.m. Wednesday; free
817-330-9872; www.arlington4th.org
4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Arlington Highlands
7 p.m. Wednesday; free
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Bedford
4thFest Independence Day Celebration
Bedford Boys Ranch Park, 2801 Forest Ridge Drive
Noon Wednesday; free
Admission to the adjacent Splash Aquatic Center is $5.50-$6.50; parking $4 at Pennington Field.
Music, bounce houses, food and fireworks.
Colleyville
Red, White and Sousa
The Village at Colleyville
8 p.m. Friday; free
The Vocal Majority Chorus will perform the works of John Philip Sousa. There will also be a gourmet food park.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth's Fourth
Panther Island Pavilion, 1098 W. Peach St.
4:30 p.m. Wednesday; free
Music food trucks, bounce houses, tubing, kayaking, horseback rides, Jet Ski shows and a levee slide; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Stockyards Fourth of July Celebration
Fort Worth Stockyards
11 a.m. July 7; free
Grapevine
4th of July Fireworks and Food
Fellowship Church, 2450 N. Texas 121, Grapevine
6 p.m. Saturday; free
972-471-5700; www.fellowshipchurch.com/july4
Games, bounce houses, food trucks and more; fireworks after.
Fireworks Extravaganza
Lake Grapevine
9:30 p.m. Wednesday; free (some parks may charge)
Viewing from most spots around the lake. Fairway Drive between Texas 26 East and Silveron Boulevard will be closed starting at 9 p.m.
Mansfield
Rockin' 4th of July
Big League Dreams Sports Park, 500 Heritage Parkway S.
7 p.m. Tuesday; free
Family activities, military appreciation, games and music from Poo Live Crew; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
North Richland Hills/
Haltom City
Family 4th Fireworks Show
ATI Career Training Center, 6351 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills
Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave., Haltom City
9:30 p.m. Wednesday; free
Southlake
Stars & Stripes
Southlake Town Square
6 p.m. Tuesday; free
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Dallas County
Addison
Kaboom Town!
Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive
5 p.m.-midnight Tuesday; free
Includes Warbird Flyover and music from Emerald City Band.
Dallas
Old-Fashioned Fourth
Dallas Heritage Village, Old City Park, 1515 S. Harwood St.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday; $9, $7 seniors 65+, $5 children 4-12, free for children under 4 and Heritage Village members
See how Dallasites celebrated the holiday between 1840 and 1910.
Fair Park Fourth
Cotton Bowl
4:30-10 p.m. Wednesday; free, parking $10
214-421-9600; www.fairpark.org
The Dallas Wind Symphony performs at 8 p.m. in front of the Hall of State. All the museums on the grounds will have reduced admission 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Concessions available, or bring a picnic.
Grand Prairie
Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration
Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway
Grandstand gates open at 3 p.m. Wednesday; $5, $3 children 4-12, free for military with ID
972-263-7223; lonestarpark.com
Bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides and games. Fireworks set to music after the last race.
Grand Prairie AirHogs
QuikTrip Park, 1600 Lone Star Parkway
Wednesday; $8-$15, parking free
972-504-9383; airhogsbaseball.com
The game against the Wichita Wingnuts begins at 6:05 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Inside the Wide World of Parks will be bounce houses, face painting, climbing and games, and photos with mascot Ace Bacon.
Denton County
Denton
40th Annual Kiwanis Fireworks Show
UNT's Fouts Field, 2300 N. Interstate 35E
5:30 p.m. Wednesday; free
The band Holler Time will perform, followed by fireworks.
Flower Mound
Independence Fest 2012
LISD School Administration Building, 1800 Timber Creek Road
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday; free
Children's parade, bounce houses and vendors.
Evening Entertainment and Fireworks
Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane
5 p.m. Wednesday; free
Smash Mouth headlines a concert; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
The Colony
Liberty By the Lake
Stewart Creek Park
4 p.m. Wednesday; free
BMX and skateboarding demos, family fun zone and music; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Johnson County
Burleson
Independence Day Celebration
Chisenhall Fields, 500 W. Hidden Creek Parkway
5 p.m. Wednesday; free
Asleep at the Wheel plays at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks around 9:20 p.m.
Cary Darling, 817-390-7571
Twitter: @carydar
