2026 Fourth of July Weekend Events

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

250 Years of America Time Capsule Opening Ceremony

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Nueces County Courthouse Atrium

Help kick off America's 250th anniversary celebration with a special community ceremony hosted by the Nueces County Commissioners Court. Gather at the Nueces County Courthouse Atrium as local leaders and special guests commemorate the occasion and open a historic time capsule, offering a look back at memories and milestones from the past. The free event takes place at the Nueces County Courthouse Atrium, 901 Leopard Street.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Hooks Red, White, & Boom

Time TBD | Whataburger Field

Celebrate Independence Day at the Corpus Christi Hooks Red, White and Boom, an evening packed with family-friendly fun. Enjoy delicious bites from local food trucks, activities and entertainment for all ages, and live music from Scarecrow People as the excitement builds throughout the night. It’s the perfect way to kick off your Fourth of July festivities in Corpus Christi.

First Friday ArtWalk

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Downtown Corpus Christi

Kick off your Fourth of July weekend at First Friday ArtWalk, where Downtown Corpus Christi comes alive with art, music, food, and community celebration. Explore the Marina Arts District as local artists, musicians, makers, and food vendors fill the streets with creativity and energy. From live performances and handmade goods to gallery experiences and local bites, this free monthly event is the perfect way to start a festive weekend on the coast.

Braxton Keith: Independence Day Weekend Bash

7:00 p;m. | Concrete Street Amphitheater

Kick off Independence Day weekend with rising Texas country artist Braxton Keith at Concrete Street Amphitheater. Known for blending traditional country with a modern sound, Keith takes the stage for a special holiday weekend performance with special guest Colton Dawson. Tickets are available online.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Reading of the Declaration of Independence 

9:00 a.m. | Nueces County Courthouse

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Nueces County Courthouse. Beginning at 9 a.m. on July 4, this patriotic gathering offers a meaningful way to reflect on the nation's founding before enjoying a day of holiday festivities.

Heritage Park Market Days

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Heritage Park

Kick off your Saturday by shopping local at Heritage Park Market Days. Browse handcrafted goods, local makers, artists, and small businesses while enjoying delicious food and a family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of downtown Corpus Christi. 

Star Spangled Brunch Club

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Bar Under the Sun (BUS)

Start your Fourth of July celebrations with the Star Spangled Brunch Club at BUS. Enjoy a festive afternoon with DJ sets by ERO_SOUL and ItsOnlyDenzy, specialty coffee from Cafesito, a photo booth by The Social Light Photobooth, and brunch bites and cocktails in a lively downtown atmosphere. 

4th Annual Coastal Comida Fest 

1:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Water's Edge Park

Bring your appetite to the Great Lawn at Water's Edge Park, where the 4th Annual Coastal Comida Fest serves up an afternoon and evening of great food, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun before the fireworks light up the bay.

• Food trucks
• Local vendors
• Live music
• Beer Garden (21+ only)
• Giveaways
• Picnic Tables
• Tented Areas

Admission is free, so you only pay for the food and drinks you choose. Don't forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket, settle in, and stay for the fireworks over Corpus Christi Bay. For convenient parking, the CCRTA will offer complimentary park-and-ride shuttle service from City Hall and the Nueces County Courthouse, with drop-offs at Water Street and John Sartain Street.

Mayor's Big Bang Fireworks Celebration at Gallery 41

5:00 p.m. | Gallery 41

Celebrate the Fourth of July on the downtown waterfront at Gallery 41 Water's Edge Grill with two ways to experience the Mayor's Big Bang Fireworks Show. Choose a VIP patio experience featuring reserved seating, an all-American buffet, full-service dining, and premium fireworks views, or join the outdoor block party with live music by the Michael Burtts Band, food trucks, local vendors, drinks, and a festive atmosphere. 

Red, White & Boom Viewing Party

6:30 PM - 10:30 PM | USS Lexington Museum

Fireworks Viewing Spots

Corpus Christi Marina

Enjoy the Mayor's 4th of July Big Bang Celebration fireworks display from the deck of your boat at the Corpus Christi Marina. Call (361)826-3980 or email marina@cctexas.com to reserve your boat slip and take in views of the fireworks over Corpus Christi Bay.

Corpus Christi Bayfront 

Watch the fireworks light up the night sky from the seawall, T-Heads, and various parks on the Corpus Christi Bayfront. Enjoy the synchronized fireworks show by tuning in to the following stations: US 94.7FM, 95.5FM, 92.7FM, 98.7FM, and 1440AM. 

Downtown Area

• Northbound Shoreline Boulevard between Power Street and Coopers Alley will be closed
• Southbound Shoreline Boulevard between IH-37 and John Sartain Street will be closed
• Southbound Shoreline Boulevard is reduced to one lane between Power Street and IH-37
• Northbound Water Street is reduced to one lane between Coopers Alley and Lomax Street
• Eastbound IH-37 between Water Street and South Shoreline Boulevard will be closed
• Access to establishments fronting Shoreline Boulevard will be maintained via Water Street
• Existing ONE-WAY streets will be temporarily converted to TWO-WAY traffic flow for the duration of the closure
• Access to the T-Heads will be maintained via Water Street
• There will be parking restrictions at various locations where “NO PARKING SPECIAL EVENT” signage is posted

North Beach Area: at 6:00 p.m.

• NB US 181 “Texas State Aquarium/USS Lexington/North Beach” Exit will be closed
• Access to North Beach will be via the Beach Avenue Exit

Parking near the event and along surrounding streets will be prohibited or limited to provide a pedestrian-safe environment for patrons. The public should expect to see NO PARKING signage in place by 7:00 a.m. on July 3. Enforcement of these parking restrictions will begin at 7:00 a.m. on July 4.

The public is encouraged to use the free RTA Park and Ride service. The pickup site will be the City Hall parking lot, and the drop-off site will be at Water Street between Lomax Street and John Sartain Street. The hours of operation are from 11:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the fireworks show.

Safety tips to follow if using fireworks outside city limits:

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use fireworks only under adult supervision.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Only use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable material.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Do not ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding them. 
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish fireworks that don’t go off fully or to put out a fire.

To report the illegal discharge of fireworks, call the non-emergency line at 361-886-2600. Please do not call 911 for fireworks complaints.

Fireworks are illegal within Corpus Christi city limits, including all city beaches.

Stay safe while enjoying the sun and surf! Although lifeguards patrol every day of the week during the summer, it’s important to check beach conditions before heading out. Follow these Gulf Coast water safety tips to protect yourself and your group:

Check Conditions

Check water conditions before going in by looking at the local beach forecast and talking to a lifeguard at the beach. Visit noaa.gov or check out our live beach cameras for real-time updates on tides, currents, and weather forecasts. Speak to a lifeguard on duty for safety recommendations. 

Lifeguards

Whenever possible, swim at the beach with a lifeguard present. Check out the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department’s full lifeguard schedule for more details on sites with lifeguard coverage and mobile patrol throughout the year. In case of emergency, call 911.

Know the Flags

Beach flags provide important safety information about water conditions, surf risks, and marine hazards. Always check the posted flags before entering the water, as they indicate current swimming conditions. Understanding these warnings can help prevent accidents. Know the surf conditions before you head to our gulf beaches. Beach flags are displayed at beach entrances and near lifeguard stations. We want you to play it safe and have a wonderful experience. "Like" us on Facebook to get these daily updates on your phone posted as stories. Just click on the “Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation” logo on our Facebook page and hit “View story.”

Don't Assume

Even on sunny days, dangerous rip currents can form. These powerful currents pull swimmers away from shore and can be deadly if not handled correctly. Learn how to identify and escape rip currents at the Je'Sani Smith Foundation.

Prepare Your Group

Before heading to Corpus Christi beaches, discuss safety plans, review water safety tips, and any address any other important needs with each member of your group. Download a copy of the beach safety coloring bookPDF File or pick up a copy at the Visitor Info Center to teach kids about ocean safety in a fun, interactive way. 

Dogs

Beaches are off-limits to dogs on all major holidays. Redirect your pups down the beach to Padre Balli Park during these times!