Celebrate Independence Day in The American Dream City with Free Fireworks Display, Downtown Parade
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Posted on July 05, 2021, July 05, 2021

Arlington Fireworks Display

Celebrate Independence Day in Arlington with a spectacular firework display on Saturday, July 3 near Globe Life Field followed by a red, white and blue, fun-filled parade through Downtown on Monday, July 5.

Arlington’s free firework show is set to begin at 9:30 p.m. in the skies over Globe Life Field and surrounding Entertainment District venues. Select Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium and Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center parking lots will be open to the public starting at 8 p.m. so that families can set up chairs around their vehicles or tailgate to enjoy the fireworks display, thanks to the City’s partnership with Texas Health Resources. Tune in to 95.9 The Ranch from your vehicle or The Ranch mobile streaming app to enjoy patriotic music that accompanies the display. Visit www.arlingtontx.gov/fireworks for public parking lot information and other details.

Arlington’s 4th of July festivities don’t end there. Head to Downtown on July 5 for the annual Independence Day Parade, which begins at 9 a.m. Spectators are invited to line the streets in the heart of Downtown to enjoy dozens of floats, marching bands and other patriotic entries in the long-time parade, organized by the Arlington 4th of July Association.

"It's been over 15 months since COVID-19 hit our community and our nation, and since then we've all made sacrifices to keep one another safe and healthy. When we cancelled the parade in 2020 out of concern for our community, we made a promise to come back stronger than ever in 2021. We are keeping that promise and the Grand Marshals in the parade will be our healthcare workers who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe," said William Busby with the Arlington 4th of July Association. "Let's celebrate these heroes together!"

The theme for this year’s parade, billed as the largest Independence Day Parade in Texas, is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

For those wondering why the parade is being held this year the day after Independence Day, Busby said the answer is simple. 

"Since the parade was founded in 1965, it has never been held on a Sunday. Independence Day is observed federally on Monday, July 5th this year, and we can not wait to celebrate with our community on Monday morning," he said.

Visit arlington4th.org for more details.

Before the fireworks and after the parade, residents and visitors are invited to stop by and support Downtown Arlington’s many shops and restaurants.

“Ask anyone from Arlington and they’ll tell you: our hometown’s Independence Day parade and fireworks show are the biggest and best in Texas,” said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. “After the cancellation of events in 2020, our businesses are thrilled to welcome everyone back for the parade this year. This is a real testament to our community’s commitment to caring for and about each other, and to the Arlington 4th of July Association for its commitment to this long-standing tradition.”

The City’s annual fireworks show and related festivities are expected to return to Downtown next year. Planning for this year’s fireworks show began months ago before COVID-19 cases in our community began to improve. Because of public health and safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic, the City decided to keep this year’s fireworks display in the Entertainment District for a second year to better allow for social distancing.

Arlington Fireworks Display

9:30 p.m. Saturday July 3

Near Globe Life Field

These parking lots will open to the public at 8 p.m.
• Texas Rangers Lots M, N, F, G, B, C, T and W
• AT&T Stadium Lot 4
• Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center parking lot

No vendors or other events will be available at this year’s fireworks show, though Texas Live! establishments will be open to the public.

Spectators are encouraged to enjoy the display at or around their vehicles, keep all trash with them, and bring their own food and drinks.
For more information, please visit arlingtontx.gov/fireworks.

2021 Parade Route

Entertainment District, Downtown Arlington, City Council District 1, City Council District 5, 4th of July Parade
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