Texas America250

Let Freedom Wag
2026-06-27 11:00 - 2026-07-04 18:00 (America/Chicago) | El Paso Animal Services, 5001 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX, 79906, United States
El Paso Animal Services will host its “Let Freedom Wag” adoption promotion from June 27 through July 4, featuring $2.50 adoptions on all pets.

Cultural Exchange in East Texas
2026-06-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Mission Dolores, 701 South Broadway St., San Augustine, TX, 75972, United States
Join Site Educator Amy Kitmacher as we examine legal and illegal interactions between the Indigenous Caddo and Spanish and French settlers in colonial Spain. Learn what it meant to be Spanish in 18th century East Texas. This will be a free lecture. All are welcome to attend. No registration required.

Pop Goes the Fort
2026-06-27 16:00 - 22:00 | Biggs Park, 11388 Sergeant, Fort Bliss, TX, 79908, United States
Fort Bliss MWR and Destination El Paso are teaming up to throw the biggest birthday bash America has seen in 250 years. Get ready for a full week of star‑spangled fun.
🎤 Pop Goes the Fort – June 27
Kick off the celebration with FREE live entertainment, including the incredible 1st Armored Division Band and a major lineup of national‑level performers to be announced soon. Bring your friends, your family, and your patriotic spirit—this is the kind of night you’ll talk about all summer.
What you can bring:

Canopies (designated area only; space is limited)
Picnic baskets & coolers
Blankets & lawn chairs

What to leave at home:

Alcohol
Glass containers
Pets

Splash & Blast
2026-06-27 17:00 | Old Celina Park, 12670 FM428, Celina, TX, 75009, United States
Splash & Blast, Celina’s biggest summer bash, returns to Old Celina Park on Saturday, June 27! Join us for an unforgettable day of free, family-friendly excitement featuring our signature Kids Zone water slides and the Ninja Nation obstacle course. Come hungry and ready to explore, as a curated selection of food and shopping vendors will be on-site offering delicious local eats and unique finds. The energy stays high all day with live music that’s sure to get you dancing, leading up to a historic grand finale: a breathtaking America250 & Celina150 drone show plus a spectacular fireworks display at dark!
Event Website: https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/splash26 | https://www.facebook.com/events/1388442579240217/

America250: A Cinematic Celebration
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., San Antonio, TX, 78214, United States
In celebration of America250, the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office will host a cinematic celebration featuring the 2020 film, “Hamilton,” at the historic Mission Marquee Plaza, located at 3100 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78214. The extravaganza includes theatrical performances by the Wonder Theatre Adult Troupe, photo opportunities, demonstrations of blades and swords used in the 1700s by blacksmith and bladesmith Alex Ruiz, specialty vendors, food, and beverages. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. with the featured film starting shortly after dusk on the original 1948 Mission Drive-In screen. Free and open to the public.

Fort Bliss Rod & Gun Club
2026-06-28 08:00 - 18:00 | Fort Bliss, 3730 Roy Johnson Lane, Fort Bliss, TX, 79916, United States
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Rod & Gun Club!

Show up in your boldest red, white, and blue outfit or rock your military uniform to take advantage of a $2.50 daily range pass!
But we’re just getting started. Snap a pic and share your patriotic spirit with #America250andYou to your socials and you might see your face on our recap post and score wristbands to join us at the Army tent during the big downtown El Paso celebration happening on the 4th of July.
Because let’s be real… Fort Bliss is El Paso, and El Paso is Fort Bliss.
We can’t wait to see you out there repping your pride!
Happy Birthday, America!

SPARK! Places of Innovation
2026-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St., Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program explores innovation and invention in rural America. A companion exhibit featuring innovations and creativity developed in Kerr County will accompany SPARK!. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Adult Workshop: Lost Craft of the Broom Maker
2026-06-28 14:00 - 17:00 | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join Nam Joti, a Texas artist who handcrafts brooms using centuries old traditional techniques, in learning to weave a kitchen baking tool to take home.
In the past, people would break a fiber off from their handmade brooms to stick into baked goods to see if they were cooked through. Cake testers, a tool that utilized broom corn to test baked goods, came about as a result of this practice. Learn the traditional craft of broom making in this hands-on workshop and make a cake tester of your own to carry a piece of history into your home’s kitchen.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for Museum Members.

Freedom Sunday
2026-06-28 18:00 | Church in the Country, 555 FM 256 N, Woodville, TX, 75979, United States
Freedom Sunday is an annual community-wide celebration held the Sunday prior to July 4th in Woodville, Texas, hosted by Church in the Country. Since its launch in 2014, the event has grown into the largest Independence Day gathering in Tyler County, drawing thousands of attendees from across Southeast Texas.
The event is designed to bring the community together around the themes of faith, freedom, and the shared values that define our nation. Freedom Sunday includes a large outdoor gathering featuring live music, a community meal provided at no cost, family-friendly activities, and the county’s largest fireworks display.
More than just an event, Freedom Sunday serves as a unifying moment for the region—honoring the sacrifices of those who have served, celebrating the founding principles of the United States, and creating space for families to gather in a meaningful and memorable way.

Chamizal Express Library 4th of July Programs
2026-06-29 08:00 - 2026-07-03 17:00 | Chamizal Express Library, 2119 Cypress Ave, El Paso, TX, 79905, United States
A series of Colonial Craft Workshop activities including patriotic slime, cardboard state crafts, bedazzled ornaments, pom-pom flags, and parade wand creations.

Monti Warrior Zone Rec Center
2026-06-29 09:00 - 20:00 | Monti Warrior Zone, 21171 Medic Ave, Fort Bliss, TX, 79918, United States
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Monti Warrior Zone (on post)!
Show up in your boldest red, white, and blue outfit or rock your military uniform to take advantage of $2.50 off food purchases of $10 or more!
But we’re just getting started. Snap a pic and share your patriotic spirit with #America250andYou to your socials and you might see your face on our recap post and score wristbands to join us at the Army tent during the big downtown El Paso celebration happening on the 4th of July.
Because let’s be real… Fort Bliss is El Paso, and El Paso is Fort Bliss.
We can’t wait to see you out there repping your pride!
Happy Birthday, America!

Fourth of July Friendship Bracelets
2026-06-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Jose Cisneros Library, 1300 Hawkins Blvd., El Paso, TX, 79925, United States
Participants will create friendship bracelets in celebration of the Fourth of July.

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday at Underwood Golf Course!
2026-06-30 07:00 - 17:00 | Underwood Golf Course, 3200 Coe Ave, El Paso, TX, 79904, United States
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday at Underwood Golf Course!
Show up in your boldest red, white, and blue outfit or rock your military uniform to take advantage of $2.50 bucket of Range balls!
But we’re just getting started. Snap a pic and share your patriotic spirit with #America250andYou to your socials and you might see your face on our recap post and score wristbands to join us at the Army tent during the big downtown El Paso celebration happening on the 4th of July.
Because let’s be real… Fort Bliss is El Paso, and El Paso is Fort Bliss.
We can’t wait to see you out there repping your pride!
Happy Birthday, America!

Tiny Patriot Explorer Day
2026-06-30 10:30 - 16:30 | Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX, 79907, United States
Children ages 3-5 will learn what makes our country special through fun interactive activities.

My Flag, My Story: A National Virtual Show-and-Tell Experience
2026-07-01 08:00 - 2026-07-05 10:00 | Virtual Event
“My Flag, My Story” is a statewide and national virtual engagement initiative designed to honor America’s 250th anniversary by inviting individuals, families, schools, veterans, first responders, and community organizations to share the personal stories behind flags they own or display. Through the submission of photographs and brief narratives, participants help create a living digital archive that reflects the diverse ways Texans and Americans express service, sacrifice, heritage, and civic pride. Selected stories will be featured in a curated virtual event leading into Independence Day 2026, culminating in a coordinated statewide flag display on July 4. This inclusive, non-political program is scalable, educational, and enduring—providing Texas with a meaningful, participatory contribution to the national America250 commemoration and a lasting historical record for future generations.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/15824020/

Our American Revolution Patriots - Find Yours
2026-07-01 09:00 - 2026-07-31 20:00 | College Station Larry J Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S, College Station, TX, 77845, United States
In collaboration with the La Villita Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Independence Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
Join us for a hands-on event where participants will create a personalized “broadside” or graphic honoring their patriot ancestor’s contributions to the American Revolution.
Educational resources and guided sessions will help attendees research and discover their own Revolutionary War patriots as we prepare to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial in July 2026.

Historic Foodways: Aspic, Pemmican and Other American Food Oddities
2026-07-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Starr Family Home, 407 West Travis St, Marshall, TX, 75670, United States
The 19th century, particularly the Victorian era, saw a range of food oddities, driven by both culinary trends, military operations and the realities of poverty. Some notable examples include, pemmican, aspic, celery and molasses, to name a few. Join us as we look at how our ancestors ate. You might be pleasantly surprised or disgusted! It could be both.

North Tarrant Family Fireworks
2026-07-01 17:00 - 22:00 | BISD Plaza, 6351 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, TX, 76180, United States
The North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce invites families, neighbors, and friends from across the region to gather for the annual North Tarrant Family Fireworks celebration on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026.
This year’s free community tradition will help kick off America’s 250th birthday celebration with a 2,500-drone show, fireworks, live music, and family activities. The evening brings residents from North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Richland Hills, and Watauga together for a shared celebration of community, freedom and history.
“We are proud to support area businesses and help bring our communities together to celebrate one another, our freedom and our shared history,” said Jack Bradshaw, president and CEO of the North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s event is especially meaningful as 2,500 drones light up the sky in honor of America’s 250th birthday.”
The fireworks and drone show, produced by PrestoTechnics and Sky Elements Drones, is scheduled from 9:30-10 p.m. and can be viewed from the parking lots of Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City, and BISD Plaza, 6351 Boulevard 26 in North Richland Hills. Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Street parking is not permitted.
A patriotic celebration for all ages
From bounce houses to live music, the event is designed to bring families and neighbors together for an evening of fun and connection. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and family-friendly games to enjoy before the 2,500 drones and fireworks illuminate the night sky.
Event schedule

Bounce houses and food trucks: 5-9 p.m.
DJ Matt Blake: 5-7:45 p.m.
Corndog eating contest: 6:30 p.m.
Patriotic salute to veterans: 7 p.m.
Texas Jazz All Stars: 7:45-9 p.m.
Fireworks and 2,500-drone show: 9:30 p.m.

Outdoor cooking devices, alcohol, and personal fireworks are not permitted.
A regional celebration rooted in community pride
This beloved tradition is made possible through the community partnerships of North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Richland Hills and Watauga, along with generous support from local businesses. Hosting the celebration on July 1 gives North Tarrant the opportunity to begin the America250 celebration early with a 2,500-drone performance that honors the nation’s milestone birthday and showcases the region’s community spirit.
Event title sponsors include Five Star Ford and Medical City North Hills. Community sponsors include Birdville ISD, Buyers Barricades, Christmas Air and Plumbing, Let’s Jump Rentals, Lone Star Events and Tents, and Waste Connections.

America's 250th Celebration Weekend
2026-07-02 08:00 - 2026-07-04 17:00 | Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort, 1 Resort Way, Boerne, TX, 78006, United States
Celebrate Independence Day weekend in true Hill Country style at Tapatio Springs from July 3–5! Kick things off with 2-steppin’ on the patio Friday evening with live music and dinner buffet, then wake up Saturday for the American’s Birthday Breakfast before enjoying a fun-filled day including a Family Field Day at Double L Pool. All weekend long, soak up the sun with exciting pool activities, live music, and festive American-themed buffets.
On Sunday, honor hometown heroes at the First Responders Breakfast (8:00–11:00 AM), complete with emergency vehicles on display. Then cap off the celebration at the 250th Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular on the golf course from 6:00–10:00 PM, featuring a juggler, face painting, sno-cones, a photobooth, concessions, and more—all leading up to a dazzling fireworks show.
Make it a weekend to remember—book your stay now and experience all the festivities, relaxation, and family-friendly fun Tapatio Springs has to offer! 🇺🇸✨

Texas Talking Books Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: "America250 and TBP"
2026-07-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Season 3, Episode 7: America250 and TBP
Learn more about the Texas Talking Book Program’s involvement with the statewide Texas America250 Reading Challenge, related books and materials available in TBP’s collections, and/or items in the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s current Texas America250 lobby exhibit (on view through 2026 and online), as well as about Talking Book Program eligibility and how to apply. TBP provides free library services to qualifying Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. TBP is part of the National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled, a program administered by the Library of Congress. The TBP collection consists of more than 100,000 titles, including hundreds of titles in Spanish, and some in French, German, Russian, and other languages.

250 Years of Liberty
2026-07-02 13:00 - 17:00 | Camp Mabry, 3038 W 35th St., Austin, TX, 78703, United States
The Texas Military Forces Museum, the official Museum of the Texas National Guard, will celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with music provided by the 36th Infantry Division band, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and speech on its historical context and the role of our military in making its words a reality and defending them throughout our history, reenactors in period uniforms will fire celebratory musket and cannon volleys. Guests will be invited to enjoy birthday cake inside the museum after the outdoor ceremony. Bleacher seating, shaded by large oak trees. One hour duration.

Red, White, and Crafty
2026-07-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Sam Bell Maxey House, 812 South Church St, Paris, Texas, 75460, United States
Red, White, and Crafty is a hands-on, craft-focused summer program that invites young creators to explore art, tradition, and community through weekly creative projects. Meeting on Thursdays in July, each session features a new themed craft inspired by history, seasonal celebrations, and classic American pastimes. This program also connects to America250, encouraging participants to reflect on shared traditions and creative expression as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States.
From festive decorations and collaborative art to sweet summer treats and fiber crafts, participants will enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression, all in the historic setting of the Sam Bell Maxey House.

America250 Block Party!
2026-07-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, 317 S. Fulton Beach Rd., Rockport, Texas, 78382, United States
Join us at the Fulton Mansion for a star-spangled Block Party celebrating USA 250! Enjoy an afternoon of festive fun with delicious food trucks, Victorian-inspired yard games, live music, and tours of the historic 1877 mansion. Kids and adults alike can get hands-on with a Victorian-era patriotic craft, making their own red, white, and blue rosette pin to wear with pride. Stroll the mansion grounds, take in the bay breeze, and celebrate 250 years of American history in true Rockport style. Don’t miss this chance to blend patriotic tradition with local charm at one of Texas’ state historic sites!

Levi Jordan & Varner-Hogg Plantations Virtual Book Club
2026-07-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? by Frederick Douglass
This speech was given at a meeting of the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society on July 5, 1852, in hopes of celebrating the 4th of July. Instead, Douglass draws upon his own experiences as an escaped slave and exposes the hypocrisy of America’s claim to Christian and democratic ideals despite its legacy of enslavement. The speech helped inspire the burgeoning abolitionist movement, which fought tirelessly for emancipation in the following decade leading up to the Civil War.

July Fireworks show celebrating America 250
2026-07-02 21:30 - 23:00 | Regional Runningwater Draw Park, 3400 W. 4th, Plainview, TX, 79072, United States
Celebrating 250 years with our Chamber of Commerce annual fireworks show!

The Colors of Patriotism
2026-07-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Mineola League of the Arts Building, 200 W. Blair Street, Mineola, TX, 75773, United States
A Day of Art and Patriotism – Free watermelon slices and lemonde; The Shot Heard Around the World shooting paint and media at a canvas; Pop Art, popping balloons filled with paint and media for teens; Liberty Loops string art; and Art Exhibit through July 11 Honoring the USA. Bring your hangable art or dimensional work June 8-13 for display. All ages. And a free bag of apples for American’s favorite pie while supplies last!

The Colors of Patriotism
2026-07-03 08:00 - 2026-07-11 17:00 | Mineola League of the Arts Building, 200 W. Blair Street, Mineola, TX, 75773, United States
A Day of Art and Patriotism – Free watermelon slices and lemonade; The Shot Heard Around the World shooting paint and media at a canvas; Pop Art, popping balloons filled with paint and media for teens; Liberty Loops string art; and Art Exhibit through July 11 Honoring the USA. Bring your hangable art or dimensional work June 8-13 for display. All ages. And a free bag of apples for American’s favorite pie while supplies last!

Ich Bin Ein Amerikaner
2026-07-03 10:00 - 15:00 | Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites, 414 State Loop 92, La Grange, TX, 78945, United States
Join us at Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill on July 3rd & 4th to celebrate Independence Day as German Texans once did on the Bluff.
Activities include:
-laser rifle range (inspired by 19th-century German-Texan marksmanship competitions!)
-historic games
-patriotic craft
-special tours
-ice cream making
Raise your flag high & proclaim “Ich Bin Ein Amerikaner” to commemorate America’s 250th!

Red, White, and Blue Weekend: Dyeing with Cochineal
2026-07-03 10:00 - 15:00 | San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, 220 2nd St., San Felipe, TX, 77473, United States
Join us this 4th of July Weekend for an extraordinary time discovering natural dyes of 200 years ago!
We know these colors well: Red, White, and Blue. They are a part of our national American flag as well as the Texas flag. But how would those colors be achieved when these flags were first made?
Come out on Friday, July 3rd to learn all about cochineal: the long-standard dye used to achieve deep reds for millennia! Learn where cochineal comes from and how it is used to achieve shades of red and pink for various textiles.
This program will run from 10am to 3pm, with dyed materials staying on display until 4pm. We hope to see you there!
