North Texas has one of America’s best Fourth of July firework shows, says this list
Though fireworks are only allowed in the Lone Star state for a total of 25 days per year, North Texas hosts one of the nation’s best Fourth of July firework shows, according to a new ranking from USA TODAY.
Half a million visitors show up for an air show every July 3 at Addison Kaboom Town!. USA TODAY’s 10BEST readers’ choice awards has voted this as one of the country’s best firework shows for four years in a row. Additionally, it was ranked as one of the best Fourth of July festivals in 2016.
Addison is approximately a 45-minute drive from Fort Worth, so if you cannot make the trek, there are other local shows or options to buy your own fireworks.
What to know about Addison Kaboom Town!
North Texas’ biggest fireworks show returns for America’s 250th birthday. Around 500,000 people visit Addison annually for the city’s Airport Airshow, followed by Kaboom Town!, the city’s huge fireworks display.
This year, the festivities go from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, July 3 at Addison Circle Park, with the fireworks launch happening around 9:30 p.m. Free parking is available at multiple parking garages around town. Tickets are $5 for kids and $11.50 for ages 10 and up.
What to know about buying and using your own fireworks
- Texas allows the sale of consumer-grade “Fireworks 1.4G” like fountains, firecrackers and sparklers, but bans bottle rockets with sticks shorter than 15 inches, pop rockets under 26 inches total length and any fireworks not approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to the Texas Occupations Code.
- The Fourth of July sales period runs from June 24 until midnight July 4, per state law.
- Though fireworks can be sold in Fort Worth, no fireworks – including sparklers and pop snaps – can be set off within Fort Worth city limits (except for shows inspected by the Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office and approved by the city), according to Fort Worth city code.
- Violations for improperly using fireworks are a Class C Misdemeanor with fines up to $200, escalating to a Class B Misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000 or 180 days in jail if property damage tops $200 or someone is injured, per the Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Where to watch fireworks near Fort Worth
- Fort Worth’s Fourth returns for its 19th year at Panther Island Pavilion on July 4 with free admission, live music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Festival in Grand Prairie features live horse racing, a petting zoo, pony rides, and fireworks after the last race. It takes place on July 3 from 3 to 11 p.m. with the first race beginning at 5 p.m. General admission is $10.
- Grapevine is hosting their 4th of July America 250 Golden Jubilee Fireworks Show on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. (show is 18-minutes long). Viewing is free, you just have to secure a good spot!
- North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce’s Family Fireworks is hosting a free show on July 1 starting at 5 p.m. until the firework show at 9:30 p.m. Bouncehouse, food trucks and other entertainment will be in BISD Plaza, 6351 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills. But you can also view the show from Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Avenue, Haltom City.
- Light Up Arlington will take place on July 5 at 9:30 with a free fireworks and drone show. The event can be seen anywhere in the Arlington Entertainment District.
Where to buy fireworks in Fort Worth
FM 1187 between I-35 and I-287 in Burleson is packed with stands offering fireworks priced from $2 to $1,500, with options including sparklers, Roman candles, artillery shells and fountains. See our article about the Burleson stretch of firework stands with both small mom-and-pop shops and the big corporations.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.