From backyard barbecues to dazzling fireworks displays, to family get-togethers for backyard barbecues and pool parties, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July. And, this year, the celebrations will be bigger than ever as the country marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Jul7 4, 1776 in in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
With the historic event coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the celebrated international men’s soccer championship, which has brought thousands of visitors to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the July 4 celebrations are expected to be bigger and grander than ever.
Fort Worth’s Sundance Square rolled out the welcome mat to host international, national and local visitors for the two-month period of the World Cup. Besides broadcasting all 104 international soccer matches on giant screens, Sundance Square’s “Summer of Soccer” is hosting daily watch parties, featuring food trucks, music and family-friendly programming Sundance Plaza.
Since July 4 is the first Saturday of the month, Sundance Square will host its Greater Sundance Market, featuring a variety of local craft goods, vintage, jewelry art and other vendors. Free dance lessons, live bands, DJs and fireworks are part of the festivities. Besides Sundance Square, the Fort Worth Stockyards is hosting a major extravaganza to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Red, White & Boots America’s 250th Birthday Celebration will feature a variety of festivities, including rodeos with professional bull riders, Legends of Texas Old West Comedy Shows, live music, lawn games and a variety of drink specials.
The Stockyards were predicted to be a top destination for visitors from other states and nations as a result of its unique Western culture, and is now regarded as “Western Base Camp” for the FIFA World Cup tournament. The 250th Birthday Celebration adds a variety of free and paid events, including fan zones with math screenings and music.
“FIFA is bringing the world to our doorstep, and we are opening our arms to show them the true heart of Texas heritage,” stated Rick Kline, president of operations, for the Stockyards Heritage Development Co. “The Stockyards has always been a gathering place, and this summer it becomes a global hub where fans can celebrate their team’s victory with a dose of Western luxury and history,” Kline stated. Every event in our lineup is designed to turn a simple visit into a lifelong story about the spirit of the West.”
The Stockyards has scheduled 39 days of programming that spans the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, overlapping with the Red, White & Boots Celebration: America’s 250th Birthday Celebration, a 10-day event from June 26 through July 5. Among the highlights are 46 western sports events, including 21 rodeo events featuring bull riding, barrel racing and team roping, which are paid events. The Cowtown Cup Barrel Race on June 15 and the Cowtown Cup “Super Sort” on July 1 are free and open to the public.
For more free fun, check out the Old West Comedy Show, presented daily at 11:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. an entertaining window into the lore and legends of the American West. Also free is the Legacy of the Longhorn, a live 45-minute Cowtown Coliseum show covering the remarkable history of the Texas Longhorn, cattle Drives, and the creation of the Fort Worth Stockyards.
To add to the Western flair, Texas red dirt, country, blues, honky-tonk, and Texas originals will be performed live daily on stages across the Stockyards. In addition, Texas re-enactors and trick ropers also will be performing through the area. Souvenir hunters will find an large selection of playful western swag that honors international soccer. The “cowboy cool” merchandise is available at conveniently located kiosks and powered by Printed Threads.
Another highlight of the Stockyards experience is a visit to Billy Bob’s Texas, where country music, indoor bull riding, line dancing and authentic Texas cuisine make it a popular draw. Known as “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob’s 100,000 square-foot space features dozens of bar stations, pool tables and a “Handprint Wall of Fame.” There is a cover charge as well as a charge for concert tickets.
As always, what would a July 4 celebration be without fireworks? Fort Worth’s Fourth at the Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., is a massive festival, featuring live music, food, and one of the largest fireworks displays in North Texas. Festivities include live entertainment, tubing on the Trinity River, family fun, and a grand fireworks finale. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Admission is free but VIP tickets are available for purchase. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
For more information about Fort Worth’s July 4 festivities, visit: www.fortworth.com/events/annual-events/fort-worth-fourth.
