Dallas-area fireworks shows set to light up the North Texas sky

Photo by Vito Palmisano via Wikimedia Commons

Dallas and surrounding cities are gearing up for 2010 Independence Day celebrations.

There's something for everyone, from morning parades to evening fireworks. Show off red, white and blue at these events.

Kaboom Town - 5 p.m. to midnight, July 3

Addison's popular fireworks show, Kaboom Town, is rated one of the top to watch by the American Pyrotechnics Association, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Kaboom Town celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The 30-minute fireworks show is visible from many of Addison's 170 restaurants.

Addison Circle Park is arguably the best place to catch the show. Bring a blanket, listen to live music and watch the Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s Warbird Flyover. The park is screening a free movie following the fireworks.

Getting there:
Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Drive
Addison, TX 75001

Frisco Freedom Fest – 4 p.m. (fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.), July 3

This year's Freedom Fest begins in Simpson Plaza at City Hall. Taste of Frisco is on site with various restaurants present. Children can test their skills at the 25-foot climbing wall. After building up an appetite, check out the Taste of Frisco.

At 7:30 p.m., Pizza Hut Park will host the soccer match between FC Dallas and the Kansas City Wizards. If you’re planning to catch the game, be sure to buy tickets early.

The fireworks show begins just before 10 p.m. and will be visible from City Hall and the Pizza Hut Park area.

Getting there:
Pizza Hut Park
9200 World Cup Way
Frisco, TX 75034

Family Fourth Celebration – 6 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., July 4

The City of Richardson’s free Family Fourth Celebration in Breckenridge Park promises to be red, white, blue and green with recycling containers available in the park. Concessions will be available, including the summer staple – snowcones. Live performances hit the stage at 6:30. Fireworks begin at 9:45.

The city is also providing free round-trip shuttle service from the Rockwell-Collins International Campus at the intersection of Renner and Shiloh roads.

Getting there:
Breckenridge Park
3555 Park Vista Rd.
Richardson, TX 75082

Festive Fourth - 6:30 p.m., July 3

The Farmers Branch Historical Park is hosting a free Independence Day celebration. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the fireworks show. Doors open at 6:30 and Emerald City will perform at 8 p.m.

Getting there:
Farmers Branch Historical Park
2540 Farmers Branch Ln.
Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Star Spangled Spectacular - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., July 3

This free event features games, face painting and a 9 p.m. fireworks show. Many of the Firewheel Town Center retailers will provide special in-store vents and summer sales as well.

Getting there:
The Park at Firewheel Town Center
245 Cedar Sage Dr.
Garland, TX 75040

Patriotic Pops - 3 p.m., July 4

Visitors will hear all the classic Independence Day songs (e.g. Stars and Stripes Forever and Salute to the Armed Forces) from Hector Guzman, the Plano Symphony Orchestra and Patriotic Pops Chorus. Also performing is the 50-piece Vigilantes Drum & Bugle Corps.

Getting there:
Eisemann Center
2351 Performance Dr.
Richardson, TX 75082

Fair Park fireworks - TBD, July 5

No, the date above is not a typo. After some budgeting fireworks in Dallas, Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway promised Fair Park will indeed have fireworks this year. Many people have July 5, a Monday, off work. What better way to end a long weekend?

(As of publishing, the time for this event was not announced. Updates will be provided when they become available.)

Getting there:
Fair Park
1200 S. 2nd Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210

July 4th Celebration - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 3

Tea Thyme Cafe & Bakery in Historic Downtown Carrollton is hosting this family event. The celebration features live music and fireworks. There's plenty of shopping in the square too.

Getting there:
Tea Thyme Cafe & Bakery
1104 S. Elm
Carrollton, TX 75006

Belmont Hotel's 4th of July Bash - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.,  July 4

The Belmont Hotel is hosting a poolside party this Independence Day featuring music from local DJs. Visitors can cool off with a dip in the pool or a beverage while Shoot Low Sheriff performs. The property, on a landscaped stone bluff in Oak Cliff, provides ample views of downtown, making it a popular spot for catching Dallas fireworks displays.

Getting there:
The Belmont Hotel
901 Fort Worth Ave.
Dallas, TX 75208

Old-Fashioned Fourth - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 4

Ever wonder what Dallas's Independence Day festivities were like from 1840 to 1910? Grab the family for Dallas Heritage Village's Old-Fashioned Fourth. Check out historic buildings and play Victorian games with characters in historic costumes.

Get a stick pony and compete in a race or make some ice cream. Dogs are permitted at the event and must be leashed. Free parking is provided. No fireworks are allowed at this event. Door prices are low from $3 to $5 depending on age (members and children three and under get in free).

Getting there:
Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park
1515 S. Harwood
Dallas, TX 75215

Stars and Stripes Celebration - 9 a.m., July 3 (parade); 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 4

Check out the Duncanville Lions Club parade at 9 a.m. July 3. The next day, Duncanville's Armstrong Park features family fun with waterslides, inflatables, food vendors and fireworks.

Getting there:
Armstrong Park
315 E. Wheatland
Duncanville, TX 75116

Plano Independence Day Parade – 9 a.m., July 3

Get an early start the celebrations with Plano’s 30th Independence Parade. The route starts at Plano Senior High School, moves north along Independence Parkway to Spring Creek Parkway, and ends at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Getting there:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (end of parade)
2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75023

Red, White & Lewisville – 9:30 p.m., July 4

The Red, White & Lewisville fireworks show starts at 9:30. For a good view, snag a spot on the south side of Vista Ridge Mall, along the 121 Bypass. For more information, call (972) 219-3401.

Getting there:
Vista Ridge Mall
2401 S. Stemmons Freeway
Lewisville, TX 75067

Lake Cities Fourth of July – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 3

Visitors can win some cash at this free event. Watch the parade, take part in a contest, enjoy some live entertainment, and shop from the arts and crafts booths. Lake Cities Fourth of July will feature games for the kids and a waterslide to cool off. The annual Lake Cities Idol Competition will keep the family busy until it’s time to watch the fireworks show.

Getting there:
Lake Dallas City Park
101 W. Hundley Drive
Lake Dallas, TX

Sunnyfest - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., July 2

The Town of Sunnyvale is ahead of the game with this annual celebration on July 2. If it’s anything like last year’s Sunnyfest, the event will feature games and rides for children, food vendors and a fireworks display. If rain causes a cancellation, Sunnyfest will be moved to July 9. Good to know, in case other celebrations are cancelled.

Getting there:
Samuell Farm
100 E. Highway 80
Sunnyvale, TX

Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration - 5 p.m. July 3 and July 4

Two nights of festivities at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie feature a spectacular fireworks choreographed to a rousing patriotic soundtrack. Family entertainment will include pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce house, live entertainment, and arts and crafts vendors.

Getting there:
Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

4th Fest Island Adventure 2010 - noon to 11 p.m., July 4

This Independence Day at the Bedford Boys Ranch Park features a July 4th celebration with an island twist. A full day of family fun includes a free concert, childrens activities, festival-style treats and a fireworks extravaganza just after dark.

For a few dollars, visitors can cool off at the Splash Aquatic Center featuring three unique pools with water slides, play area, cabana party pavilion and umbrella-shaded patio. Be sure to bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers (no alcohol allowed).

Getting there:
Bedford Boys Ranch Park
2801 Forest Ridge Rd.
Bedford, TX 76021

Family Fireworks Show - 9:30 p.m., July 3

Residents of North Richland Hills, Haltom City and Richland Hills will kick off Independence Day weekend at the Chesapeake Energy Family Fireworks Show with 20 minutes of patriotic pyrotechnics. Parking is free, but vehicles are not allowed along the street so get to one of the locations early.

Catch the simulcast live during the fireworks show on KDKR Radio 91.3FM. The Farside Band will perform a pre-show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the parking lot of Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum. The rain date for this event is July 5.

Getting there:
ATI Career Training Center
6351 Boulevard 26
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
or
Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum
6108 Broadway Avenue
Haltom City, TX 76117

28th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza - 9:30 p.m., July 4

Find a spot along Lake Grapevine and enjoy the fireworks spectacular. Get a view from most any lakeside location, as well as spots throughout downtown Grapevine and the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. See of map of fireworks viewing sites here.

Lea Lashley, Dallas Day Trips Examiner, contributed to this article.