SAN ANTONIO — Downtown San Antonio is preparing for its largest Independence Day celebration yet as Stars & Stripes on Houston Street returns on July 4, 2026, with a full day of festivities culminating in a major fireworks display over downtown.
Presented by USAA, the annual event returns for its third year and coincides with America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Organizers say this year’s event will be the biggest in the celebration’s history, featuring a new downtown 5K, an expanded parade, a music and food festival, and the return of large-scale fireworks to the city center.
Led by Centro San Antonio in partnership with the City of San Antonio and Visit San Antonio, the event is part of the ongoing On Houston Street Celebration Series aimed at making downtown a premier destination for major community events.
This year’s celebration has also been officially recognized by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission through the America250 national events calendar.
“Stars & Stripes has been around for three years, but this year truly marks the beginning of what we always imagined it could become,” said Trish DeBerry. “As our nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday, we are welcoming fireworks back to downtown for the first time in about 15 years.”
Full Day of Events Planned
The celebration begins with the inaugural Stars & Stripes Downtown 5K at 8:30 a.m. Runners will start at Legacy Park and finish at Civic Park at Hemisfair, where post-race festivities will be held.
At 10 a.m., the Stars & Stripes on Houston Street Parade will take over downtown streets with large balloons, floats, community organizations and patriotic displays celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
The celebration will continue throughout the day with the inaugural Stars & Stripes Music and Food Festival at Civic Park. The free event will feature live music, local and regional performers, food vendors and family-friendly activities.
The evening concludes with the inaugural Stars & Stripes Downtown Spectacular at 9 p.m., a fireworks show presented by FirstDay Foundation. The display will launch from Civic Park and is expected to become a signature Independence Day tradition for downtown San Antonio.
DeBerry said the event is especially meaningful for San Antonio’s identity as Military City, USA.
“There is no better place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than in the heart of our downtown,” DeBerry said. “Stars & Stripes on Houston Street is about honoring our country, celebrating our community, and creating a welcoming space where families, neighbors, service members, veterans, visitors and businesses can come together.”
Stars & Stripes on Houston Street takes place Saturday, July 4, 2026, throughout downtown San Antonio, including Houston Street, Legacy Park, Civic Park and Hemisfair. Organizers are currently accepting parade participants, vendors and sponsors.