Austin News

Join the City of Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra this July 4 for the annual H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks. This event, planned, produced, and performed entirely by the Austin Symphony with the help of its generous sponsors, is complete with a fireworks display over the city skyline backed by symphonic patriotic classics.  

  

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. for the VIP Table and VIP Lawn areas with some pre-main event entertainment on the new pavilion. Then the free event begins at 8 p.m. with a welcome and special guest, and the concert begins at 8:30 p.m. followed by “mile-high” fireworks. Returning this summer are a variety of vendors from food and drinks to crafts and memorabilia. The event is free and open to the public. Visit my.austinsymphony.org/julyfour for more information.  

 

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 8 p.m. (VIP event begins at 5 p.m.) 

Location: Auditorium Shores and the Long Center |  www.AustinSymphony.org 

Getting There 

For the best experience, park north of Lady Bird Lake in the downtown area to avoid the congestion in and around South Lamar Boulevard, Barton Springs Road and Riverside Drive (all areas south of the park). 

The Bouldin Creek Neighborhood will have neighborhood parking restrictions in place for safety. Parking in prohibited areas (on green spaces and parkland, along rights of way and medians or blocking private drives and lots) or in “Not Permitted” areas may subject you to fines, ticketing and/or towing at your own expense. 

 

Transportation 

•    Hike-and-Bike Trail to get to the park (bring a light and remember, motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail) 

•    Bike to the event — The park is open and you can ride your bike directly to the concert site 

•    CapMetro — Use the CapMetro trip planner to take mass transit 

•    Shared Mobility / Dockless Devices – The southwest corner of Riverside Drive and South First Street will be available for drop-off 

Parking Options 

•    Public Parking Options north of Lady Bird Lake 

•    Convention Center Garages 

•    State Garages L and N 

•    River South Garage at Riverside and South First 

•    One Texas Center 

•    Palmer Events Center Garage 

•    City Hall Garage 

ADA Parking will be by permit at the Palmer Event Center Garage and One Texas Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrance is from the south via Barton Springs Road. 

Road Closures 

Road closures and/or lane reductions associated with this event start at 10 a.m. and may precede actual event start times. There is no on-street parking allowed in the neighborhoods south of Auditorium Shores. All streets will be reopened by midnight. Click here for a Google Map with road closures and parking options.  

10 a.m. 

•    Riverside Drive from Lee Barton Drive to South First Street 

8 p.m. (Be aware certain roads may close earlier for safety reasons due to heavy pedestrian traffic.) 

•    South First Street from Cesar Chavez Street to Barton Springs Road 

•    Congress Avenue Bridge southbound closed to thru traffic 

•    Riverside Drive from South First Street to South Congress Avenue 

•    Barton Springs Road from Lamar to South Congress Avenue 

Lake Closures 

For safety reasons, Lady Bird Lake between the railroad trestle bridge and the South First Street bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

Be Prepared and Leave No Trace 

Please follow Leave No Trace principles. Plan ahead and prepare. Dispose of waste properly. Be considerate of other visitors. 

•    You will be outdoors, so wear sensible shoes, clothes, and hats for sun protection 

•    Pack water for hydration, bug spray, and blankets 

•    Pack a flashlight if you are traveling the Hike & Bike Trail 

•    Personal umbrellas may be used 

•    Folding chairs with attached canopies are allowed 

•    Food and beverage vendors will be on site 

•    Clean up after yourself 

•    Have a plan and tell people who know you where you will be 

•    Have your phone fully charged 

•    Be aware of your surroundings 

Park Rules and City Ordinances: 

•    No glass or Styrofoam 

•    No alcohol allowed on site 

•    Swimming in Lady Bird Lake is prohibited 

•    Smoking and vaping are prohibited in City of Austin parks - Class C Misdemeanor 

•    Vending at the park site without a permit - $200 minimum fine, Class C Misdemeanor 

Prohibited Items: 

•    Drones are prohibited at the event per FAA regulations 

•    No personal fireworks on site, including sparklers 

•    E-Z Up style or pop-up canopies/tents are not permitted 

•    Barbeque grills and cooking is prohibited at the event site 

•    Please leave pets at home, as the fireworks during the performance are highly upsetting to our 4-legged friends. If you lose your pet, check with the Austin Animal Center. 

Austin Police Department 

The Austin Police Department wants to remind the public that officers will be on patrol and enforcing a DWI Enforcement Initiative and an Extended No Refusal Period that will coincide with the upcoming Independence Day holiday season. The DWI Enforcement will begin on June 23 and continue each night thru July 9. Additionally, the Extended No Refusal period will be in effect from June 29 thru July 9. This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws while keeping the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions. Have a plan to get home safely. Don’t drink and drive.  

Austin Fire Department 

The Austin Fire Department reminds you there is always a burn ban within the city limits, and that it is illegal to possess, use, or sell fireworks within the City of Austin. Call 3-1-1, not 9-1-1, to report illegal fireworks. 

Austin-Travis County EMS 

Austin-Travis County EMS will provide multiple on-site medical resources at the celebration. It is going to be very warm outside, so prepare yourself for spending extended time in the heat by pre-hydrating before you go outside. Make sure you and your group know the signs of heat-related illness and how to help. 

Signs of Heat Exhaustion are: 

•    Profuse sweating 

•    Dizziness or Weakness 

•    Pale and clammy skin 

•    Fast, weak pulse 

•    Nausea or vomiting 

If you or someone you are with is experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion: 

•    Move them to a cooler location 

•    Lie down and loosen clothing 

•    Apply cool, wet cloths or compresses to as much of the body as possible 

•    Sip water 

•    If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately 

Heat stroke is a time-sensitive medical emergency and may lead to permanent brain damage or death if left untreated.  

Signs of Heat Stroke are: 

•    Hot, red, dry, or moist skin 

•    Confusion, lethargy, or unconsciousness 

•    Rapid and strong pulse 

•    High body temperature (above 103 degrees F, or skin hot to the touch) 

If you or someone you are with is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, move them, cool them, and call 9-1-1 immediately.  

•    Move the person to a cooler environment 

•    Reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a cold bath 

•    Do NOT give the person fluids by mouth 

Download the what3words app on your phone, this will help first responders locate you quickly if an emergency arises. 

Additional Considerations 

Traffic may be impacted by other Austin celebrations including activities taking place at the Q2 Stadium with doors opening at 1 p.m., musical performances starting at 2 p.m., and a separate fireworks show.  

About the Austin Symphony Orchestra 

Founded in 1911, the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is Austin’s oldest performing arts group. The ASO offers a complete season of musical and educational programming. Masterworks concerts include a series of eight concert pairs running monthly September through May in the state-of-the-art Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts. Our season also features the Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series and programming for the entire family. Popular James C. Armstrong Youth Educations Programs also occur annually and include Tuneful Tales, Young People’s Concerts, High School Concert Tour and a variety of other school programs. 

About the Austin Center for Events

The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies designed to streamline special event permitting on public and private property. ACE is anchored by teams from Austin Public Health, Transportation and Public Works, Parks, Music, Police, Fire, EMS, Austin Resource Recovery, Development Services, and partner agencies, and works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process. 

Original source can be found here.