Celebrate independence with the city

The Austin Symphony Orchestra and the city of Austin will hold their 47th Fourth of July celebration this year. The evening is free and will take place at Vic Mathias Shores and the Long Center, with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. (The event itself kicks off at 4 p.m.) The evening will include food and drink, live music in addition to the symphony performance and, of course, fireworks. Attendees can bring blankets and chairs, but nonservice animals should be left at home. Road closures around Auditorium Shores will be in effect around 7 p.m. to ensure safety. Those closures include sections of South First Street and West Riverside Drive. In addition, roads in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood will be open to local traffic only. There is a road closure map and table of closed streets on the city’s event web page. All roads will be opened by midnight. Lady Bird Lake downtown will be closed to all watercraft from 8 p.m. to midnight. More information and VIP options can be found at starspangledfest.com/july-4.