There’s a lot happening in the coming days in celebration of America’s birthday!
This Independence Day, events that were canceled because of the pandemic will make their triumphant return this year, welcoming thousands of people to parades, live music events, and fireworks shows.
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Here’s a breakdown of what folks can expect around town, and quick tips if you’re roadtrippin’ or catching a flight to your Fourth of July celebrations.
Galveston to celebrate Independence Day with parade, drone show
- Street closures:
- Float line-up will begin at 4 p.m. along 59th Street. At 5 p.m. the lineup group will move to the Seawall between 59th and 57th Streets to help stage the floats and get them in the correct order. At 6 p.m., the parade will begin from 57th Street and head east toward 27th Street.
- The Traffic Division will reopen the Seawall to two-way traffic immediately following the parade.
Freedom Over Texas: Elanor Tinsley Park
- EVENT STREET CLOSURES SATURDAY, JULY 2, 7:00 a.m. – TUESDAY, JULY 5, 5:00 a.m.
- Allen Parkway north and southbound exit ramps from I-45 (South and North Freeways)
- Allen Parkway outbound at Bagby
- Allen Parkway inbound at Taft
- (No access to I-45 S/Heiner/Crosby until 5:00 p.m. on TUESDAY, JULY 5)
- Sabine Street at Memorial Drive and at the Bridge
- Sabine Street at Bridge, blocking south bound traffic to Allen Parkway
- Gillette Street (mid-block) by Federal building (after apartment entrance)
- Walker and Sabine access blocked to Allen Parkway and Sabine Street.
- I-45 North on-ramp and the loop to McKinney remains open
- Crosby Street at W. Dallas Street
- Heiner Street at W. Dallas Street
- MONDAY, JULY 4, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Bagby northbound at Dallas
- Lamar between Smith and Bagby
- Brazos St. at Dallas
- MONDAY, JULY 4, 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Bagby southbound at Rusk
- MONDAY, JULY 4, 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Silver Street at Memorial Drive
- Sawyer Street at Washington Avenue
- Allen Parkway inbound at Waugh
- Allen Parkway Service Road at Montrose Boulevard (access to residents at all times)
- Memorial Drive inbound at Waugh Drive
- Memorial Drive outbound at Bagby
- MONDAY, JULY 4, 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (SHELL Fireworks Display)
- Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive
***The Buffalo Bayou Waterway will be closed on Wednesday, JULY 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. between the Capitol Street Bridge and Montrose Boulevard / Studemont Street.
TRAFFIC NOTES: Designated lane for METRO VIP shuttle buses – W. Dallas (between I-45 and Gillette/north curb lane)
Park Houston
- No charge for on-street parking on city holidays, but drivers have to check for bagged meters, reserved and no parking zones.
Road Travel
We’re breaking records when it comes to travel this Fourth of July weekend. Here’s everything you need to know, whether you’re hitting the road or flying high in the sky this Independence Day.
- According to AAA Texas, 42 million people will hit the road this July 4 holiday weekend, setting new records despite high gas prices, up three percent compared to last year. Right here in Texas, more than three million people will hit the road. These numbers are the highest AAA Texas has ever predicted.
- Thursday, June 30 and Friday, July 1, afternoon drivers will see the busiest traffic.
- July 4 between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. will be the most dangerous time to drive, according to experts.
Flights
Catching a flight instead? There are lots of airport and roadway construction at Bush Airport, so here are some pointers to keep in mind to make your flight on time.
Now, weather you’re flying out of Bush or Hobby airports, it’s always important to make sure you leave early with plenty of time. Airports see the busiest traffic during holiday weekends, so expect added traffic.
- Timing: Due to ongoing airport construction, customers are encouraged to add extra time to their travel plans. Traffic peaks occur between 5 p.m.-8 p.m. daily, particularly on North and South Terminal Roads (i.e., entering and exiting the airport).
- Please check your airline’s app for flight updates.
- Parking Garages:
- The Terminal E check-in lobby and parking garage are closed to support the airport’s renovation of the new Terminal D and E international lobbies.
- The Terminal C parking garage is open, but do anticipate high parking volumes – plan ahead and reserve parking online at visit www.fly2houston.com/parking.
- Check-in Recommendations: For United flights departing from Terminals A and B, customers can check-in and access gates via Terminal B.
- For United flights departing from Terminals C and E, customer can check-in and access gates via Terminal C.
- For United flights departing from Terminal D, customer can check in and access gates via Terminal D.
As always, we want to reminder to be safe and drink responsibly. Plan your ride home from your celebrations now. Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 45 minutes, and these numbers are amplified during big holiday events like Fourth of July. Click here, to find resources that can help you find a sober ride home.
Drive safely my friends :)
KPRC 2 traffic expert
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Airports
TSA: “Fourth of July weekend is almost here and we’re expecting high passenger volumes Friday through next Monday. Please plan ahead and arrive early!”
Recent questions
Construction closures
No active construction closures will take place this holiday weekend, but be aware of plenty event street closures that could impact your weekend drive.
Houston’s big construction projects
Get your traffic news, maps and route planner 24/7 at Click2Houston.com/traffic.