Here are a few ways you can enjoy your weekend in The American Dream City. 

59th Annual Arlington Independence Day Parade

The Arlington Independence Day Parade, a privately organized event, will be held in Downtown on Thursday, July 4. The theme for this year’s parade, which begins at 9 a.m., is “Home Run for Heroes.” The Arlington Independence Day Parade started in 1965 and is billed as the oldest, longest running event in the city. Be sure to arrive early for the parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. Each year, tens of thousands of people line the streets to watch the colorful floats, antique cars, marching bands and other parade entries wind through Downtown. Visit the Parade website for updates. The parade will be preceded by the 2nd annual Firecracker 5k at 7 a.m., a certified event that is expected to draw several hundred participants to Downtown. The parade will also feature the Independence Day Parade Mascot, Sparky. The parade will be broadcast live July 4th on Spectrum channel 16 and 15.1 digital, AT&T U-verse channel 99 as well as on arlingtontx.gov/broadcast. 

4th of July Celebration Powered by Coca-Cola®

Join Six Flags Over Texas for the 4th of July. The Celebration will include live entertainment on the Carousel Stage from 8-9pm before the Firework Spectacular at 9:30 p.m. Then you can sit back and watch the night sky light up like never before! If you want to secure your spot to view the fireworks, check out the VIP Package! The Firework Spectacular will start at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 5 and 6, 2024.

Discover Summer

Arlington Public Library's Discover Summer is returning from June 1 to July 31, 2024. Everyone is invited to enjoy fun activities all summer long. Free programs, classes, experiences, and more will be available for all ages. Whether you're a lifelong resident or new to the area, you are invited to join for an amazing summer of fun, learning, and community engagement! Click here to check out all the programs this summer. 

City of Arlington Pools and Splash Pads

It's officially pool season! Find more information like pool hours and admission costs by clicking here.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor 

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the largest waterpark in North Texas, is open daily for the 2024 season daily through Sunday, Aug. 11 and then will be open during Saturday and Sunday the rest of August. Hurricane Harbor offers guests more than 40 rides, slides, attractions, and pools across a sprawling 47 acres with three million gallons of water. Families can enjoy the adventures of Splashwater Beach and Hook’s Lagoon and experienced thrill seekers can take on Tsunami Surge, Typhoon Twister and Wahoo Racer. One of the park’s newest attractions is Banzai Pipeline, a four-story waterslide complex boasting three unique body slides that will spin, splash, and swirl guests down nearly 300-feet. For more information, including park hours, special events, dining options and to purchase tickets, please visit www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas.

Theoria Eclipsium: Curiosity, Captivation, Connection

UTA Libraries Special Collections is proud to present Theoria Eclipsium: Curiosity, Captivation, Connection, an exhibition featuring over 500 years of Eclipse History! The exhibition features maps, rare books, and photographs from Special Collections and shows that regardless of time period or scientific knowledge, eclipses bring us together! This exhibition was produced in collaboration with students in Dr. Kim Breuer's Medieval Science and Technology class. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., inside UTA Libraries Special Collections, on the sixth floor of Central Library until Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Eclipse glasses and other giveaway items will be available for viewers of the exhibit, while supplies last.

Little Explorers – Downtown Library 

Stop by The Play Room at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library on 10 a.m. Fridays for a morning of play-based learning.  This come-and-go program will vary week-to-week as librarians explore art, math, science, engineering, and fine motor skills.  Join the Arlington Public Library for a playfully discover the world around us! Designed for ages 1-4. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the APL at (817) 459-6900 or by email at [email protected].

Family Storytime – Southeast Branch Library

Join the Arlington Public Library’s fabulous library staff to sing, read and wiggle during storytime at the Southeast Branch Library 10:30 a.m. Fridays. This storytime is geared for ages 2-5. They will read books, sing songs, and have an activity after the program each week. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (817) 459-6900 or by email at [email protected].

Tween Design Club

Architecture! Fashion! Movie sets! Book covers! Websites! Inventions! Theme parks! Whether it's the buildings we live in, the vehicles we ride, the clothes we wear, or the objects we use, design is all around us. This club is dedicated to the design thinkers of the future. This summer, the Arlington Public Library will gather each week to focus on one interesting topic to explore, then we will develop our own unique designs based on these discussions. The event takes place 2-3 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2024, at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library’s Children Play Room. For ages 9-13 ONLY. No registration necessary. To encourage peer camaraderie, club members are encouraged to attend meetings as many weeks during the summer as possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (817) 459-6900 or by email at [email protected].

Creativity Corner 

Swing by the Southeast Branch Library 3-4:45 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2024, and dive into your creativity with this school-age through teen process art program. Each week will have a theme and sensory element to offer us inspiration and guidance as you work to make an original piece of art using a wide array of supplies (including but not limited to buttons, pipe cleaners, baking soda paint, watercolors, yarn). Creativity Corner is part of our Supporting Neurodivergent Access to Programming series.  Because this program uses hot glue and some small-sized craft supplies, it is not recommended for very young children. Each week this program is available while supplies last. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (817) 459-6900 or by email at [email protected].

Independence Day Party (50+ yrs)

Celebrate Independence Day with some good ol' fashioned ice cream floats and 4th of July Jeopardy at this 50+ event 12-2 .m. Friday, July 5, 2024, at the East Library and Recreation Center! All you have to do is join at the Senior Hall, where there will be prizes for the winning table and delicious floats for everyone. Registration required. Please call 817-275-1351.

Wings host Atlanta Dream

Your hometown WNBA team, the Wings, host the Atlanta Dream 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2024, at College Park Center. For more information, click here. 

Rangers host Tampa Bay Rays    

Your hometown Rangers host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game weekend set at Globe Life Field 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 5, 3:05 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and 1:35 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2024. Ticket information can be found on the Rangers’ website. 

Copa América Quarterfinal 

The CONMEBOL Copa America 2024™️ is coming to AT&T Stadium 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2024 with the winner of Group B will face the second place finisher of Group A in the quarterfinals. Tickets are available now at SeatGeek.com.

Pet Adoptions Event 

Join Arlington Animal Services mobile adoption truck will be at DICK’S Sporting Goods with furry friends to meet 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024. Stop by to visit with an adoptable pet to get some pet therapy and possibly a forever friend. Cannot make it to the event? See adoptable pets by clicking here - or meet them in-person at Arlington Animal Services at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76018, open until 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Adult Spelling Bee

Are you a word connoisseur? Show your spelling skills and compete in this fun, friendly spelling bee 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library’s [re]Brary Room A & B. Meet other spelling fanatics and participate to win a prize!

KUTUB: Arabic Book Club 

The Arabic Book Club “Kutub” meets on the first Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m., at the at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library’s Dream Study Room. Members will discuss novels, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, music, feature films or documentaries that explore Arabic culture. Read and discuss what you’ve read. Exploring new cultures, values, and practices is what makes us better human beings as any culture has things to teach us, regardless of differences. Open for adults and seniors. No registration required.

Cricut for Beginners

Join the Arlington Public Library as you design and cut using the Cricut Design Space Software and take home a collectable summer sticker 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library’s Tinker Room. This class is limited to the first 8 in attendance and is appropriate for ages 9+.

Sunday Brunch

Ventana Grille at the Tierra Verde Golf Club clubhouse is now serving brunch from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each Sunday. Menu items include four savory Eggs Benedict entrées, Shrimp-N-Grits, Ginger Salmon, and our favorite - Napoleon's Last Meal, a buttermilk fried chicken breast over bourbon French toast and served with maple syrup! Guests can also order off of our à la carte menu, making the Sunday Brunch a great option for families, picky eaters or those with smaller appetites. Reservations Welcomed: 817-548-5047.