Arlington's ready to celebrate the 4th (and 3rd) of July in Downtown

by Ishu Pokhrel, Marketing and Communication Summer Intern for Downtown Arlington

Happy (almost) 4th of July! There’s something magical about watching the fireworks blaze above the rooftops and conquering the sky. So, on Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4, whip out the red, white, and blue and celebrate Independence Day in Arlington, because after two years of COVID-adapted programming, Light Up Arlington and the Arlington Independence Day Parade are back in Downtown!

Celebrate in Downtown Arlington!

Speaking as a UTA student, this holiday weekend is a great way to explore Downtown. Not only are there plenty of ways to share your community spirit, but many Downtown businesses are offering patriotic programming, promotions, and specials to spark attention and create new, loyal customers!

Light Up Arlington on July 3

Light Up Arlington festivities start at 6 p.m. This year's celebration includes some of the top musical acts in our region plus vendors, food trucks, and plenty of kid-friendly fun.

Face painting and a bubble bus are among activities planned for the little ones at the Downtown Library. Vendors and at least 20 food trucks, featuring a variety of food and desserts, will be located throughout Downtown Arlington.

Live Music Schedule on July 3

Levitt Pavilion Stage (100 W. Abram St.)

• 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. : Donovan Keith, Ryan Berg & The Velvet Ears
• 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. : Donovan Keith

Grease Monkey Stage (Corner of Front St. & Mesquite St.)

• 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. : Don Pendley
• 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. : Legacy Four

Arlington Music Hall Stage (224 N. Center St.)

Center Street Stage

• 6:00 p.m. : Mallory Rose
• 7:15 p.m. : Hannah Owens
• 8:30 p.m. : Kiara Mullins with Crash Through The Floor

Music Hall Stage

• 6:00 p.m. : Camille Breitenstein
• 7:00 p.m. : Riley Gilbreath
• 8:15 p.m. : Sorry, No Refunds

Municipal Office Tower Stage (Corner of Mesquite St. & Abram St.)

Special Events and Promotions on July 3

Many businesses in Downtown are joining in on the fun, including:

• Ann's Natural Grocery & Nutrition will be offering a cool down tent/zone right in front of their store on Abram Street.
• Arlington Music Hall is offering VIP “Chicken and a Chair” seating, which includes a VIP table for two, Babe’s chicken dinner, two drink tickets, free water, access to AC, and clean restrooms, and of course, a great view of the fireworks.
• Arlington Music Hall is also hosting a large local artisan market prior to the fireworks! Come early and shop local from 30-50 artists, vendors, and makers. The market, which runs from 5:00-9:30 p.m., will be right next to Arlington Music Hall and Babe's Chicken.
• Create Arlington – In addition to watching the fireworks together, Create Arlington is offering a pre-show Happy Hour and Open Studio.
• Hershey’s Palace will be serving up beer and daiquiris to go.
• Kintaro Ramen, located at 101 Center, is hosting a Pop-up Japanese Street Food Market along the Abram St. sidewalk.
• On Tap will be open from noon to 10pm, offering beer to go in Crowlers and Growlers.

The fireworks display, which lasts about 20 minutes, is scheduled to start at 9:50 p.m. and will be set to music on 95.9 The Ranch FM. Fireworks will be shot from the roof of City Tower, which is located east of City Hall.

Arlington Independence Day Parade on July 4

Light Up Arlington isn't the only way to celebrate Independence Day and show your patriotism in The American Dream City. Head on back to Downtown on Monday morning for the beloved Arlington Independence Day Parade.

Be sure to arrive early for the parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. Each year, tens of thousands of people line the streets to watch the colorful floats, antique cars, marching bands, and other parade entries wind through Downtown.

The theme for this year's parade is “E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One.” Parade organizers said the theme was chosen for many reasons, but most importantly, because we are a nation of people from many backgrounds but we are all one as Americans.

Make Plans Today

Get out of your dorm or apartment or house and experience one of the largest Independence parade and fireworks shows in Texas for FREE! See for yourself why the Arlington Independence Day Parade is the longest-running tradition in Arlington.

Light Up Arlington

Sunday, July 3 from 6:00 p.m - 10:30 p.m
More information can be found at arlingtontx.gov/independence_day

Arlington Independence Day Parade

Monday, July 4 from 9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m
More information can be found at arlington4th.org

Parking in Downtown

Free public parking is available throughout Downtown, but visitors need to be aware of some planned parking lot closures and street closures around City Hall, 101 Center, and the City Tower. Some streets will close for Light Up Arlington festivities as early as 2 p.m. on Sunday. Download the Waze app for updated road closures and driving directions.

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is where creativity, authenticity, and hometown pride thrive and drive what's next. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to the University of Texas at Arlington, a top tier public research university, as well as prolific visual and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Stay in the know by subscribing to our e-newsletter and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.