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City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Jun. 27, 2025
Contact: Communications and Public Information     512-974-2220    Email
Image of fireworks bursting above city.

Event begins at Auditorium Shores at 4:30 p.m. and ends with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Date/Time: Friday, July 4, 2025, starting at 4:30 p.m. with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. 
Location: Auditorium Shores and the Long Center, 800 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
Tickets: Admission is free (VIP options available) 
Event Website: Starspangledfest.com/july-4
 
Join the City of Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) for the 48th edition of the Austin Symphony Orchestra July 4 Concert & Fireworks Celebration presented by H-E-B. This free and family-friendly event is produced by Forefront Networks and performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra and their Music Director, Peter Bay, in partnership with local sponsors. Expect an evening of red, white and blue celebration, a diverse lineup of food and drink options, and live entertainment including artists on both the shoreline stage and on the Long Center lawn stage. The festivities will end with the traditional fireworks show accompanied by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Schedule of Events 

The July 4th Concert & Fireworks event begins at Auditorium Shores at 4:30 p.m. with the opening musical act taking the stage at 5 p.m. Performances will continue from 5 to 8 p.m., then the Master of Ceremonies will take over at 8:15 p.m., followed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The sky will then light up with the annual “mile high” fireworks show. Visit the event webpage for additional information. 
 
Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs, but please do not bring pets except for trained service dogs. A variety of vendors will have food and drinks, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic options, available for purchase. No outside grills/cooking, alcohol, glass or personal fireworks (including sparklers) will be allowed at Auditorium Shores. Attendees should familiarize themselves with the additional allowed and prohibited items and activities prior to arriving and follow Leave No Trace principles. 
 
Getting to and from the Event

  • Bike to the event—The park is open, and attendees can ride directly to Auditorium Shores.
  • Hike-and-Bike Trail—Bring a light and remember that motorized vehicles are not permitted.
  • CapMetro—Free rides are available after 5 p.m. with bus routes operating on Sunday-level service and rail routes operating at Saturday-level service. Please use the CapMetro Trip Planner to find the best transit option.
  • Shared Mobility / Dockless Devices—The southwest corner of Riverside Drive and South First Street will be available for drop-off.
  • Driving—If you choose to drive to the event, expect congestion in and around the downtown area, South Lamar Boulevard, Barton Springs Road and Riverside Drive.
  • Ride Share—Attendees will be dropped off along Lee Barton Drive just south of West Riverside Drive.
  • Neighborhood Parking—Please observe the Bouldin Creek neighborhood “No Parking” restrictions as these will be actively enforced for safety. Parking in prohibited areas (on green spaces and parkland, along rights of way and medians or blocking private drives and lots) or in “Not Permitted” areas may be subject to fines, ticketing and/or towing at your expense.

Attendee parking options

ADA-accessible parking will be available at the Palmer Event Center Garage and One Texas Center.

Road and Lake Closures 

Road closures in the Auditorium Shores area will be in effect around 7 p.m. to ensure safety, including sections of South First Street and West Riverside Drive. Roads in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood will be open to local traffic only. You can find a detailed road closure map and table of closed streets on the City’s event web page. 

Certain roads may close earlier for safety reasons due to heavy pedestrian traffic, but all roads will be reopened by midnight. For safety reasons, Lady Bird Lake between the railroad trestle bridge and the South First Street bridge will be closed to all watercraft from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

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