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    Star-spangled celebrations

    The official list of top 4th of July events and fireworks around Dallas in 2023

    Alex Bentley
    Jun 13, 2023 | 3:01 pm
    Fair Park Fourth

    Fair Park Fourth is just one of many Fourth of July events in the Dallas area.

    Photo courtesy of Fair Park

    The Dallas area, as always, will feature no shortage of Independence Day-related events in the days leading up to July 4th and, of course, on the day itself. Below are the biggest and best Fourth of July celebrations taking place this year all around the Dallas area, in chronological order. For a list of Fort Worth-area events, see this list.

    Saturday, June 24

    Market Street Allen USA
    Market Street Allen USA, presented by Credit Union of Texas, is a summer party featuring music from Emerald City Band and Audacity, food trucks, and one of the best fireworks shows in Dallas-Fort Worth. It will take place at Celebration Park in Allen.

    Ennis Freedom Fest
    Freedom Fest at Veterans Memorial Park in Ennis features activities like paddle boats, slides, bounce houses, an obstacle course, and rock climbing wall; live music from Even It Up - The Ultimate Heart Tribute Band; food vendors, with the first 500 visitors receiving a free In-N-Out burger meal; and a fireworks display to end the night. There will also be a colorful bike parade through downtown Ennis on Saturday morning, a Main Street Midway Carnival throughout the weekend (June 22-25), and more.

    Saturday, July 1

    4th of July Weekend in Denton
    4th of July Weekend in Denton is a two-day event, starting with the Yankee Doodle Parade on July 1, featuring a variety of floats, organizations, and more, starting in Historic Denton Square and finishing at Denton Civic Center. On July 3, the July Jubilee in the Historic Denton Square features live music, food from local vendors, inflatables, games, rock climbing, face painting, photo opportunities, a hot dog eating contest, and drone shows sponsored by Denton Noon Kiwanis.

    The Colony Parks & Recreation Department presents Liberty by the Lake
    The Colony Parks & Recreation Department's 26th annual Liberty by the Lake kicks off in the morning with the Liberty 5K, 10K & Mile Fun Run at Stewart Creek Park and a parade from Peters Colony Elementary to The Colony Five Star Complex. That will be the location of the main evening event, featuring games, rides, food, live music, and more. The night will end with an Independence Day fireworks show set to patriotic music.

    Monument Realty PGA District presents Fireworks on The Fairway: Independence Day Celebration
    Omni PGA Frisco Resort will present the official Grand Opening of the Monument Realty PGA District with Independence Day festivities. The evening will be filled with music by Emerald City’s Limelight group, food, carnival games, face-painting, and finishes with a high-tech drone show followed by fireworks.

    Klyde Warren Park presents Independence Day Celebration
    Klyde Warren Park's Independence Day Celebration will feature summer treats from a variety of food trucks, live patriotic music, family-fun games, and the grand finale — a city-wide pyrotechnic display synced to a curated playlist by Dallas native and fan-favorite, DJ Lucy.

    Sunday, July 2

    Star Spangled Spectacular: A Firewheel Town Center Celebration
    Star Spangled Spectacular: A Firewheel Town Center Celebration, sponsored by the City of Garland, will feature a plethora of family activities, food vendors, photo moments, live entertainment, inflatables, lawn games, a fireworks show, and more. The event takes place at Firewheel Town Center.

    Monday, July 3

    The Sound at Cypress Waters presents 2nd Annual Sensory Sensitive 4th of July Celebration
    The Sound at Cypress Waters' 2nd Annual Sensory Sensitive Fourth of July Celebration is an Independence Day event that provides a fun and safe alternative to people and pets who deal with noise sensitivity. Traditional fireworks will be replaced with a colorful patriotic laser light show at dark. The event will also include a concert by 1999 The Legacy of Prince, animal education from Creature Teacher, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Petting Zoo, Disc Dog Demonstrations on the lawn, face painting, and more.

    Lone Star Park presents Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration
    Lone Star Park will celebrate America on both July 3 and 4 with live racing, live music on the Courtyard of Champions Stage from 3-9 pm, featuring Vegas stars; and family activities like a petting zoo, pony rides, face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, inflatable slides, obstacle course, and games. After the last race, there will be 20-minutes fireworks show, choreographed to music.

    Addison Kaboom Town!
    Addison Kaboom Town! features an official watch party at Addison Circle Park with food and drink vendors, musical entertainment, and family-friendly activities. As a town-wide celebration, the festivities extend beyond the park with watch parties hosted by many of the Town’s 200 restaurants. As has been the tradition for decades, the fireworks show will be preceded by the Addison Airport Air Show, an aerial spectacle that can be seen from miles away. The show will begin at 7:30 pm, two hours prior to the fireworks show.

    City of Arlington presents Light Up Arlington
    Light Up Arlington includes live music on four stages around Downtown Arlington, vendors, food trucks, and kid-friendly fun. The fireworks display, set to music on 95.9 The Ranch FM, will be shot from the roof of City Tower, which is located east of City Hall. The next morning on July 4 will be the Arlington Independence Day Parade, featuring 120 entries and traveling around downtown Arlington.

    City of McKinney presents Red, White, and BOOM!
    The City of McKinney celebrates the Fourth of July at Red, White and BOOM!, a two-day event. On July 3, festivities at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park include music, food, kids’ activities, a concert, and a fireworks display. On the morning of July 4 will be a Parade and Block Party in Downtown McKinney.

    City of Carrollton presents Independence Day Fireworks Display
    The City of Carrollton will present a 15-minute fireworks show over Josey Ranch Lake. Residents are encouraged to view the fireworks show from surrounding neighborhoods or from one of the available parking areas. There will be no on-site event; however, viewing from the grassy area around the site is allowed.

    Tuesday, July 4

    City of Irving presents Sparks & Stripes
    The City of Irving's annual Independence Day celebration features a morning parade starting at 9 am throughout the Irving's Heritage District, with the Watermelon Social immediately following at Heritage Park. The evening starts at 6 pm at Levy Event Plaza, featuring live music, fireworks, a drone show, and more.

    Dallas Winds presents "Star-Spangled Spectacular"
    Dallas Winds' "Star-Spangled Spectacular" is a red, white, and blue musical salute to mom, apple pie and the American way, Dallas Winds style. There will be hot dogs, ice cream, and indoor fireworks at the concert at Meyerson Symphony Center.

    Old City Park presents Block Party at the Park
    Old City Park in Dallas will host Block Party at the Park, a Fourth of July event featuring games spread out throughout the park, water gun mayhem on Main Street, and a raffle contest with a surprise prize. The event is also BYOB.

    Plano Symphony Orchestra presents Patriotic Pops Concert
    The Plano Symphony Orchestra's annual Patriotic Pops concert includes a tribute to all the branches of the armed forces. The concert at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson will include traditional favorites "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America," and "Salute to the Armed Forces," as well as a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue."

    Frisco Freedom Fest
    Frisco Freedom Fest features Party in the Plaza, including dancers, music, a Children's Expo, and the Taste of Frisco with Frisco restaurants serving some of their most popular menu items. The fest ends with one of the largest fireworks finales in Dallas-Fort Worth, a 20-minute show following the conclusion of the FC Dallas match vs. DC United at Toyota Stadium.

    Little Elm presents July Jubilee
    July Jubilee, Little Elm's annual Fourth of July event will feature two simultaneous fireworks shows - one from Little Elm Beach and the other at Little Elm High School. Little Elm Park will be open all day with vendors, live music from Empire 6, and more.

    Fair Park Fourth
    Fair Park Fourth will feature hands-on activities for kids, live music, photo opportunities, food trucks, and other concession offerings. As the sun sets, a spectacular firework show will light the sky. Guests can experience the show inside Cotton Bowl Stadium or across Fair Park. In addition to Fair Park Fourth activities, guests can visit some of Fair Park’s cultural institutions and attractions, including the African American Museum, Children’s Aquarium, and Texas Discovery Gardens.

    City of Rowlett presents Fireworks on Main
    The City of Rowlett's Fireworks on Main will feature a dazzling fireworks display, performances by Summer Dean, Live 80, and Emerald City Band, a children's area, food trucks, and more. The event takes place at Pecan Grove Park.

    The Castle Hills Community and The City of Lewisville present 25th Anniversary Freedom Festival
    The Castle Hills community and The City of Lewisville's 25th annual Freedom Festival at Castle Hills Village Shops & Plaza will feature face painters, balloon artists, caricature artists, a bounce house/water slide combo, an ultimate bungee ride, a ninja tower, food trucks, live music, and more. The highlight of the night will be a spectacular fireworks display, scheduled to begin at dusk.

    The City of Plano presents All American 4th
    At Plano’s All American 4th, taking place at Collin College Plano Campus, visitors can enjoy the free kids’ zone, parade by Rotary Parades of Plano, and a fireworks show. Vendors will have food and beverages available for purchase.

    Grapevine presents July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
    Grapevine will celebrate America’s birthday with the annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, featuring spectacular fireworks set to patriotic music. Viewing locations will be around Grapevine Lake, including multiple spots at Oak Grove Park.

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    Movie Review

    Michelle Pfeiffer is an unappreciated mom in Oh. What. Fun.

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 5, 2025 | 2:23 pm
    Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.
    Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
    Michelle Pfeiffer in Oh. What. Fun.

    Of all the formulaic movie genres, Christmas/holiday movies are among the most predictable. No matter what the problem is that arises between family members, friends, or potential romantic partners, the stories in holiday movies are designed to give viewers a feel-good ending even if the majority of the movie makes you feel pretty bad.

    That’s certainly the case in Oh. What. Fun., in which Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire, an underappreciated mom living in Houston with her inattentive husband, Nick (Denis Leary). As the film begins, her three children are arriving back home for Christmas: The high-strung Channing (Felicity Jones) is married to the milquetoast Doug (Jason Schwartzman); the aloof Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz) brings home yet another new girlfriend; and the perpetual child Sammy (Dominic Sessa) has just broken up with his girlfriend.

    Each of the family members seems to be oblivious to everything Claire does for them, especially when it comes to what she really wants: For them to nominate her to win a trip to see a talk show in L.A. hosted by Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria). When she accidentally gets left behind on a planned outing to see a show, Claire reaches her breaking point and — in a kind of Home Alone in reverse — she decides to drive across the country to get to the show herself.

    Written and directed by Michael Showalter (The Idea of You), and co-written by Chandler Baker (who wrote the short story on which the film is based), the movie never establishes any kind of enjoyable rhythm. Each of the characters, including competitive neighbor Jeanne (Joan Chen), is assigned a character trait that becomes their entire personality, with none of them allowed to evolve into something deeper.

    The filmmakers lean hard into the idea that Claire is a person who always puts her family first and receives very little in return, but the evidence presented in the story is sketchy at best. Every situation shown in the film is so superficial that tension barely exists, and the (over)reactions by Claire give her family members few opportunities to make up for their failings.

    The most interesting part of the movie comes when Claire actually makes it to the Zazzy Sims show. Even though what happens there is just as unbelievable as anything else presented in the story, Showalter and Baker concoct a scene that allows Claire and others to fully express the central theme of the film, and for a few minutes the movie actually lives up to its title.

    Pfeiffer, given her first leading role since 2020’s French Exit, is a somewhat manic presence, and her thick Texas accent and unnecessary voiceover don’t do her any favors. It seems weird to have such a strong supporting cast with almost nothing of substance to do, but almost all of them are wasted, including Danielle Brooks in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo. The lone exception is Longoria, who is a blast in the few scenes she gets.

    Oh. What. Fun. is far from the first movie to try and fail at becoming a new holiday classic, but the pedigree of Showalter and the cast make this dismal viewing experience extra disappointing. Ironically, overworked and underappreciated moms deserve a much better story than the one this movie delivers.

    ---

    Oh. What. Fun. is now streaming on Prime Video.

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