Weekend Buzz: July 3-6, 2025
Published on July 02, 2025
By Office of Communication
Here are a few ways you can enjoy your weekend in The American Dream City.
Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
Carter BloodCare is teaming up with the Dallas Cowboys to host the second annual blood drive 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025, at AT&T Stadium. There will be guest appearances from Cowboys Players, DCC, and giveaways throughout the day. Plus, the first 1,000 donors will receive a Ravens @ Cowboys preseason standing-room ticket. Register for this event.
Light Up Arlington
Downtown Arlington lights up the night on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with Light Up Arlington, a dazzling kickoff to the Fourth of July weekend. This FREE, family-friendly event runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This year's celebration includes some of the top musical acts in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region, vendors, food trucks and plenty of kid-friendly fun. The fireworks display, which lasts about 20 minutes, is scheduled to start at 9:50 p.m. Learn more about Light Up Arlington.
First Thursdays in Downtown Arlington
Get ready for an unforgettable evening in Downtown Arlington this First Thursday, July 3rd, 2025! Downtown Arlington is thrilled to feature the spectacular Light Up Arlington celebration as the breathtaking climax to your First Thursdays experience. Enjoy one of the largest and most dazzling Independence Day celebrations in North Texas, right here in the heart of Downtown! Festivities, which are free and open to the public, kick off at 6 p.m.
Wings host Los Angeles Sparks
WNBA squad, the Wings, host the Phoenix Mercury 7 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025, at College Park Center. For more information, click here.
North Texas Soccer Club vs. Austin FC II
North Texas Soccer Club hosts MNUFC2 7:45 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2025, at Choctaw Stadium. View ticket information on the NTSC’s website.
Arlington Independence Day Firecracker 5k
Pull on your running shoes for the third annual Arlington Independence Day Parade Firecracker 5K 7 a.m. Friday, July 4, 2025! The course will run the same route as the parade so you can stake out your spot for the parade. Sign up early to be sure to get your Firecraker 5K t-shirt!
Arlington Independence Day Parade
Starting 9 a.m. Friday, July 4, 2025, Arlington’s favorite family tradition is set to celebrate its 60th birthday with the Arlington Independence Day Parade winding through the University of Texas at Arlington campus and downtown.
FreedomFest: A Fourth of July Celebration at the Museum
This Fourth of July celebrate freedom, courage, and community with us at the National Medal of Honor Museum at our inaugural FreedomFest: A Fourth of July Celebration 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2025. Enjoy a day filled with red, white, and blue patriotic festivities, live music, immersive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and delicious summertime favorites served up from the grill. FreedomFest: A 4th of July Celebration is included with general admission to the Museum. Food is not included and will be available for purchase. Select experiences may require additional fees.
Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M'S®
All-American thrills are waiting for you at Six Flags Over Texas as they celebrate Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’S®, the most breathtaking 4th of July event in the Metroplex in 2025! The night’s sky will be painted with bright and colorful lights while explosive sounds erupt in combination with patriotic music, creating an unforgettable show for all ages. This is your opportunity to celebrate summer with all that Six Flags Over Texas has to offer! You don’t have to wait until sundown to enjoy the thrills — fireworks aren’t the only thing blasting off this 4th of July! The New Texas Giant promises to blow you away and Cloud Bouncer offers pint-sized patriotic thrills until the sun goes down and the dazzling lights fill the sky. Fireworks and other special events and entertainment are scheduled for specific durations and times; all entertainment during Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’S® is weather permitting and subject to change. Select rides may be scheduled to close early in preparation for the fireworks.
Freedom Friday
Join Texas Live! at PBR Texas 8 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2025, to honor all military personnel, first responders, and public service members. Show your badge or military ID at the door for a complimentary VIP table and drink specials all night.
Styx Tribute
A Texas-sized tribute to the legendary Styx starts at 9 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2025, at Texas Live! From power ballads like Babe and Lady to rock anthems like Renegade and Blue Collar Man, Grand Illusion brings all your favorite Styx hits to life — just the way you remember them. Grab your crew and Come Sail Away with Grand Illusion this Fourth of July weekend... you won't regret it!
Show at Arlington Music Hall
The Arlington Music Hall has a show you can enjoy starting 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, it’s FOREVER MAC – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
The largest water park in North Texas is back open daily for the summer. Head over to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor or its website to purchase tickets and passes.
M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations at the Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art is bringing the mind-bending work of M.C. Escher to Arlington for its summer exhibition through Sunday, August 3, 2025. With over 150 works spanning the career of the graphic designer, M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations explores the metamorphic work of one of the most famous printmakers in modern times. View ticket information about the exhibition.
The Smurf Experience
This 13,000-square-foot, fully immersive attraction will transport families into the heart of Smurf Village. The experience will be held at the Arlington Museum of Art. The 75-minute experience will feature nine mission-based zones filled with interactive scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, virtual reality adventures, meet-and-greets with beloved Smurf characters and more. It's hands-on, high-energy and full of Smurftastic fun for kids and parents alike. The Smurf Experience is not to be missed and is only in Texas until the end of the Summer. Tickets are now available at www.SmurfExperienceUSA.com.
Summerbration at Six Flags Over Texas
Enjoy Summerbration at Six Flags Over Texas — the ultimate summer celebration filled with exclusive, limited-time entertainment. Summer is the season for creating memories with friends and family. Through thrills on your favorite rides, refreshing drinks or indulgent treats, and larger-than-life entertainment, Summerbration at Six Flags Over Texas promises to be the most exciting part of your summer. With an ever-changing lineup of spectacular events and amusement, Summerbration offers a series of exclusive experiences you won’t want to miss. From the western thrills of our classic stunt show, Texas Justice, to the spectacular fireworks display of Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’S®, this evolving ensemble of entertainment will make every trip to Six Flags Over Texas uniquely fun. Don’t miss out — like summer, this limited-time celebration won’t last forever. Celebrate summer with us at Six Flags Over Texas!
Downtown Arlington Farmers Market
The Downtown Arlington Farmers Market runs every Saturday through November from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of Front and Center Streets. The market will feature fresh, locally-source produce, unique artisan goods and community connection.
Quilting Retreat: T-Shirt Quilt
At the Arlington Public Library’s annual summer Quilting Retreat, you will create a t-shirt quilt top to preserve your fond memories. It takes place between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library’s Create Room. This class is appropriate for adults age 18+. Sewing machine experience required. Registration needed for use of our machines. Please email makerspace@arlingtontx.gov if you would like to bring your own sewing machine.
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 Resilience 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.
Texas Made
Enjoy a night filled with regional music in Arlington Backyard with live sets from Vencedores del Bravo, Pilotos de Chihuahua, Senderos del Norte, and Sonido Latin Entertainment. Come out, kick back, and enjoy the music starting 5 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Texas Live!
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 their favorite - Napoleon's Last Meal, a buttermilk fried chicken breast over bourbon French toast and served with maple syrup! Guests can also order their 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.
Live! Island Watch Party
It is a free Love Island Watch Party Marathon. The villa has landed at Texas Live!, and things are about to get messy. It’s six nights of non-stop drama July (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 13), heads turning, heart racing, and recouplings that will leave you screaming at the screen -- all on a massive 100-foot display. No tickets, no stress -- Just show up and let the chaos unfold. Sip on custom cocktails crafted for the most instagrammable villa vibes and settle in for the kind of twists that make you question everyone's loyalty. Table reservation available.