The Fourth of July weekend has arrived, and with it comes a slew of fun holiday-related events in Dallas and the surrounding area. But there are also a variety of non-patriotic happenings, including a national tour of a classic musical, a new production seemingly ripped from the headlines, and more.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, June 30
Dallas Arboretum Cool Thursdays Concert: The Dallas Wind Symphony
With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees, attending a Cool Thursdays concert at the Dallas Arboretum isn't so cool anymore. The Dallas Wind Symphony brings the spring/summer portion of the series to a close with a Fourth of July-themed concert, featuring patriotic favorites and more.
Dallas Summer Musicals presents 42nd Street
The 2015-2016 Dallas Summer Musicals season comes to an end with the classic Broadway musical 42nd Street. The production about a young girl looking to make it big on Broadway may seem like it has been around forever, but that's only because the musical, which debuted in 1980, is based on the 1933 movie. The national tour will stay at Music Hall at Fair Park through July 10.
Second Thought Theatre presents A Kid Like Jake
Second Thought Theatre brings its 2016 season to a close with the area premiere of A Kid Like Jake, a play about a young couple struggling to do what is best for their 4-year-old gender-fluid son, who happens to prefer Cinderella to G.I. Joe. The play follows the parents as they try to get a good education for him. The production will run at Bryant Hall through July 23.
Friday, July 1
Feeding Texas presents the 2nd Annual Lone Star Beer Texas Heritage Festival
The Lone Star Beer Texas Heritage Festival is a unique experience with an array of music, food, and fun curated by Lone Star Beer, the National Beer of Texas. The second annual event at the Bomb Factory features performances by Shovels & Rope, Okkervil River, Matthew Logan Vasquez, and Girl in a Coma. This event also includes an assortment of delicious food options, along with activities, arcade games, a photo booth, and more.
Dashboard Confessional in concert with Taking Back Sunday and the Early November
Emo band Dashboard Confessional, like most emo bands, hit their peak in the mid-aughts, thanks to a couple of hit albums. They haven't released new music of any kind since 2009, but true fans are sure to enjoy this concert at South Side Ballroom, which is part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Taste of Chaos tour. Taking Back Sunday and the Early November are also playing.
Saturday, July 2
Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun
The WNBA's newest team, the Dallas Wings, has gotten off to a somewhat slow start at 7-9 through 16 games. But that's good enough for third place in the Western Conference, and with 18 games left to go, there's still plenty of time to get better. Catch Odyssey Sims, Skylar Diggins, and the rest of the Wings in action at College Park Center in Arlington as they take on the Connecticut Sun.
Sunday, July 3
Lone Star Park presents Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration
The annual Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration features two nights of spectacular fireworks at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. Kids can enjoy the Family Fun Park featuring pony rides, a petting zoo, an obstacle course, a zip line, bounce houses, face painters, tattoo artists, and more. Music lovers can enjoy live music by Vegas Stars between the races. Following the last race each night on July 3 and 4 is a spectacular, 20-minute firework display choreographed to music.
Addison Kaboom Town!
Addison’s most explosive party of the year, Kaboom Town!, features fireworks choreographed to music, plus food, bands, spectacular historic warbird flyovers by Cavanaugh Flight Museum, and more. The celebration is city-wide, with a party in the 12-acre Addison Circle Park; watch parties at many of Addison’s 180-plus restaurants and 22 hotels; and the Addison Airport Air Show.
Levitt Pavilion presents Light Up Arlington
For a more low-key Fourth of July celebration on the day before the day, you can head to Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington. Light Up Arlington is an evening of food, fun, fireworks, and free music. The event features Hannah Kirby and Brad Thompson in a back-to-back concert.
Dallas Summer Musicals presents 42nd Street at the Music Hall at Fair Park through July 10.
Figure skater Mariah Bell. Getty Images