Light Up Arlington is earlier this year. Here’s when and why
An artist paints a child’s face at Light Up Arlington on July 3, 2023, in downtown Arlington. The event brought in about 67,000 attendees, and city officials are expecting a similar turnout this year. (Courtesy photo | Arlington Parks and Recreation)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image005.jpg?fit=300%2C201&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image005.jpg?fit=780%2C522&ssl=1″>
Red, white and blue splashes of light coloring the sky — one of the only things that could bring over 67,000 people to crowd downtown Arlington on a sweltering midsummer night.
Light Up Arlington does it annually, and it will do so again 6-10:30 p.m. June 29, with vendors, fireworks, live music and patriotism.
Food trucks and children’s activities like face painting and magic shows will scatter 64 acres of downtown for the Independence Day event. Bands will perform at four stages around downtown throughout the evening, and the fireworks show starts at 9:50.
A full schedule and map of festivities are posted on the city of Arlington’s website.
Free public parking is available, though some streets will close around central downtown as early as 3 p.m. June 29. The city recommends attendees download Waze, a map app, for updated road closures and driving directions.
If you go
What: Arlington’s annual Independence Day fireworks show and celebration, Light Up Arlington, with vendors, music and activities.
When: 6-10:30 p.m. June 29
Where: Downtown Arlington, between Division and South streets
Price: Free, with food and activities for purchase
Tips: Free parking is scattered throughout downtown, but attendees should be aware of street closures and anticipated crowd.
Visit here for details.
Typically, Light Up Arlington has been on July 3, but it was moved to the earlier date to accommodate first responders, said Adam Lopez, a Parks and Recreation official who’s in his third year of coordinating the night.
The decision to move the event to Saturday did not come easily, Lopez said. The week of the Fourth of July is abnormally busy in Arlington this year, with Globe Life Field hosting Texas Rangers games six days in a row, including July 3, and AT&T Stadium hosting a Copa America soccer quarterfinal July 5.
All demand a lot from first responders, as does Light Up Arlington and the Arlington Independence Day Parade on July 4, Lopez said. By having the fireworks show early, the city is giving first responders a little time to breathe.
“It’s a very popular week and weekend,” he said. “We want to make sure our first responders all over the city are taken care of for the large undertaking that is going to be done this week.”
Another new to the event? “A bigger, little bit more bang” of a fireworks show, Lopez said. This year’s show will fit what’s traditionally 22 minutes worth of fireworks into 18 minutes, meaning the spectacle will be brighter and boomier.
At 9 a.m. July 4, the city will host its annual Arlington Independence Day Parade, which also spans downtown. Residents can find parade information at the event’s designated website.
Drew Shaw is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601. At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Comments (0)