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The Rio Grande Valley is planning star-spangled festivities for the Fourth of July. It’s the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Here’s a comprehensive look at how local cities and towns are igniting big celebrations.
HIDALGO COUNTY
>> ALAMO
Thursday, July 2
>> 2:30 p.m. Watermelon Festival and Freedom Bash
Admission is free until 6 p.m., after which tickets will cost $7 to enter. Live performers include La Mafia, Grupo Solido, South Texas Homies and more. The double celebration will be held at the Alamo Sports Complex on 600 E. Ridge Rd. Make sure to check out the event’s bag policy since coolers, backpacks, luggage and other large bags are not allowed.
>> SAN JUAN
Thursday, July 2
>> 6 p.m. Independence Day Celebration
The city is hosting a free event full of county performances including T.G. Sheppard. Community members can reserve barbeque spots by reaching out to (956) 223-2350.
>> SULLIVAN CITY
Thursday, July 2
>> 6 p.m. 4th of July Family Fest
The free event is located at Sullivan City Memorial Park on 500 S. Cenizo Dr.
>> DONNA
Thursday, July 2
>> 7 p.m. Donna Night
The city of Donna is hosting an “evening full of fun” at the Donna City Park with a live DJ, splash pad and fireworks show. “Bring your lawnchairs,” the city stated.
>> MISSION
Thursday, July 2
>> 6:30 to 9 p.m. Stars, Stripes & Smiles
Mission is starting its “Party in the U.S.A” at Lions Park on 1500 E. Kika De La Garza Loop. The event is free to attend and will include free food, live music, games and more.
>> PALMVIEW
Thursday, July 2
>> 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks Over Palmview
Palmview will have fireworks, vendors, games and music at its celebration at Palmview City Hall on 400 W. Veterans Blvd.
>> MERCEDES
Friday, July 3
>> 8 to 10 p.m. Fireworks and Drone Show Extravaganza 250
The City of Mercedes is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with food, 21 and over drinks, a live DJ, fireworks and drone show at the Mercedes Dome at 1202 N. Vermont Ave.
>> McALLEN
For its 98th Independence Day celebration, McAllen will host a string of all-day events, which will conclude in its “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show.
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 a.m. Independence 4K Run
Runners are encouraged to wear red, white and blue for McAllen’s 4K run in Archer Park at 101 N. Main St. The event costs $35 to register, but will include perks like a participant shirt, finisher medal and runner bib, according to the mcallenmarathon.com website. Participants must be at least 9 years old. Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on July 1 or after the race hits maximum capacity.
>> 8 a.m. Patriotic Program Archer Park Review Stand
>> 9 a.m. Main Street Parade
Enjoy the lively parade floats drive by as patriotic entertainers wave the U.S. flag along Main Street from Houston Avenue to Beech Avenue.
>> 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Freedom Festival
Stop by for music, food, games and artisans for “classic family fun.”
>> 1 to 4 p.m. Aquatica Extravaganza
Community members can stop by the McAllen Municipal Pool to cool off for $2.50 per entry.
>> 6 to 10 p.m. (McAllen) Concert in the Sky
Community members can go to the Municipal Park located at 1921 N. Bicentennial Blvd. for games, food, live music and more. The fireworks show will light up the night at 9 p.m.
>> EDINBURG
From a fun run to barbeque, Edinburg plans to celebrate Independence Day with a lot of sizzle.
Saturday, July 4
>> 7:30 a.m. Edinburg Firecracker 5K Run
The City of Edinburg is inviting runners to pop off to Ebony Hills Golf Course for a morning 5K run. For $20, those interested can sign-up online at activeedinburg.com. The first 500 runners will receive a shirt.
>> 4 to 11:20 p.m. Texas Cook’em: High Steaks in Edinburg
Register for free to attend a cookout for the Valley. More than 12,000 people are expected to attend this year, according to the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. The event includes a family fun zone, car show, all-day live music, a skydive show, and a cook-off where cooks will prepare barbecue, chicken, ribs, brisket and more. The H-E-B Sizzle and Stripes Firework Show will start at 10 p.m.
>> PEÑITAS
Saturday, July 4
>> Noon to 11:30 p.m. Arriba America Fest
Enjoy cold drinks, a BBQ cookout and fireworks while listening to Norteño musicians. General admission is $5 with kids 12 and under free.
>> HIDALGO
Saturday, July 4
>> 5 p.m. Show in the Sky
The city is celebrating Independence Day with live music, food, a marketplace, rides, a lucha libre, kids show and fireworks show. Event admission is free and it takes place at Payne Arena Grounds on 2600 N. 10th St.
>> PROGRESO
Saturday, July 4
>> 6 to 10 p.m. 4th of July Celebration
“Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and patriotic spirit” to Progreso City Park. The event will include moonjumps, live music, vendors and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show.
>> LA JOYA
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 to 9 p.m. Fireworks Show
The city of La Joya is calling on the community to bring their lawn chairs to celebrate the fourth of July at its City Hall on 701 E. Expressway 83. Complimentary snacks will be provided while supplies last.
>> WESLACO
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 to 10 p.m. Stars and Stripes
The city of Weslaco, Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce and Weslaco’s Economic Development Corporation are hosting a “Stars and Stripes” event with food, live music, drone and fireworks show in downtown Weslaco.
>> PHARR
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 to 11 p.m. Independence Day Festival
Pharr is hosting its festival at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park on 615 W. Eldora Rd. It includes food, a carnival, vendors, a petting zoo and live music. There will be a drone show at 9:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m.
CAMERON COUNTY
>> SAN BENITO
Thursday, July 2
>> 4 to 11 p.m. Resacafest: Celebrating the Spirit of America
San Benito is hosting its free celebratory Independence Day event with live music, fireworks and a car show at Heavin Memorial Park. Performances include Infusion Live Band, Madelyn Victoria, Christina y Los Latinos and more.
>> LAGUNA VISTA
Thursday, July 2
>> 6 to 10 p.m. Independence Day Celebration
Join for food, music and contests at Roloff Park on 122 Fernandez St.
>> PORT ISABEL
Thursday, July 2
>> 9 p.m. Port Isabel Lighthouse Establishment Cinema
The Port Isabel Lighthouse is hosting movie nights all summer. To prepare for Independence Day celebrations, the lighthouse will be hosting a fireworks show July 2 followed by a free outdoor movie screening of “National Treasure”. Visitors can call (956) 943-0735 or visit the lighthouse website for more information.
>> LOS FRESNOS
Friday, July 3
>> 6 to 9 p.m. Independence Day Celebration
The Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce is hosting its celebration at Los Fresnos Memorial Park to include fireworks, live music, watermelon and hot dogs, a jalapeno eating contest, patriotic costume contest and more.
>> HARLINGEN
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 a.m. Freedom Fest 4K
Participants can pay $25 to enter into a morning race sponsored by Gold’s Gym at Lon C. Hill Park at 1217 Fair Park Blvd.
>> 5 to 10 p.m. Harlingen Freedom Fest 2025
Harlingen is hosting its Freedom Fest with music from De Parranda. The free event includes fireworks, a beer garden, food, car show and kids carnival. It will take place at Lon C. Hill Park on 1216 Fair Park Blvd.
>> SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
Saturday, July 4
>> 9 a.m. 4th of July Beach Parade
Get in the sand for a beach parade that starts at Beach Access No. 8 and ends at Beach Access No.4. The parade will include watermelon, water and giveaways.
>> 9:15 p.m. 4th of July Fireworks
Enjoy fireworks over the bay at the Entertainment and Arts District at Stillman’s Landing.
>> LA FERIA
Thursday, July 4
>> 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Independence Day Celebration
La Feria’s event at Veterans Memorial Park will have live music from bands Conjunto Imprezzion and Texas Storm. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.
>> BROWNSVILLE
Saturday, July 4
>> 5 to 10 p.m. Brownsville Sports Park Salute to Freedom Celebration
The event features live music from performances like Grupo Siggno, a car show, food vendors and more. Tailgates open at 5 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m. and the drone lights and fireworks show is expected around 9:20 p.m, according to the Brownsville Sports Park.
>> STARBASE
Saturday, July 4
>> 7 to 10 p.m. Second annual Fourth of July Celebration
Reach for the stars and stripes for Starbase’s community celebration at Boca Chica Beach. The event is hosted by SpaceX, state senator Adam Hinojosa, R-Brownsville and Texas representative Janie Lopez, R-San Benito.
STARR COUNTY
>> ESCOBARES
Friday, July 3
>> 6 to 11 p.m. 4th of July Celebration
The event, which takes place at City Hall will feature live music from Revelado, Los Platiados and Reos De Nuevo Leon.
>> ROMA
Saturday, July 4
>> 7:30 a.m. Firecracker 5K Dash
The Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting its inaugural 4th of July race at Roman Municipal Park to kick off a day of partying. Registration costs $25 and is open until July 2 at 7:30 a.m. At this point, the event is no longer giving out participant shirts, bibs and finisher medals, but is looking for volunteers.
>> 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Back the Blue Car Show
The Roma police department and the city of Roma are hosting their sixth annual car show at the Roma Municipal Park. To participate with classic cars, trucks and custom builds, it costs $20 per vehicle entry and $10 for each additional entry. Registration is on-site on the day of the event and participants will receive trophies for different categories. For more information, contact Ray Rodriguez at (956) 844-2644.
>> Day-long 4th of July Celebration
Roma Municipal Park will have live music, food, carnival rides, fireworks and more. Live music performances include La Incomparable Sonora Bakarash De Gilberto Aldape, El Vayven Del Amor and Los Castillo.
>> RIO GRANDE CITY
Saturday, July 4
>> 10:30 a.m. 4th of July Concert at the Park
The celebration features a performance from the McAllen Wind Ensemble as well as hotdog and donut eating contests. The event takes place at the Rio Grande City’s Veterans Memorial Park.
WILLACY COUNTY
>> LYFORD
Saturday, July 4
>> 8 a.m. 5K Run and 1 Mile Fundraiser
The run/walk, which will begin at the Lyford Resiliency Center, is sponsored by the Lyford Fire Department and entry fee is $10 for the 1K and $20 for the 5K.
>> 3 p.m. Games at Meats n’ Sweets
>> 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Live Music at Lyford Sports Complex
>> 9 p.m. Fireworks Display
>> RAYMONDVILLE
Saturday, July 4
>> 4 p.m. to dusk Raymondville Fourth of July Celebration
Raymondville’s celebrations include a flag ceremony, music, car show, paint ball, dodge ball, watermelon and hot dog eating contests, balloon toss contests, a patriotic pet show and fireworks. Events will take place in Eddie Stark Park, or Smiley Face Park. Contact (956) 865-0711 for more information.