Fireworks, symphonies, and swing music, oh my!

The 2014 4th of July celebrations are ramping up around Houston, and it looks like this holiday will be a hot one. Festivities will take place from Galveston to Tomball, with fireworks a'blazin', and music a'singin'.

So be sure to check out one of these 4th of July festivities; there's no way you can purchase enough fireworks to compare.

Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas

As the Mayor's official 4th of July celebration, Freedom Over Texas is bound to be huge. After all, it's five hours worth of festivities in Eleanor Tinsley Park, where some of the city's other huge celebrations are held (Free Press Houston, anybody?), so it would have to be a rockin' time to fill those shoes.

If you consider this year's lineup, it sure looks like it may live up to its name: there will be vintage aircraft flyovers; a children's entertainment area with a stage; tanks and helicopters from all five branches of the military; the all new "Bud Light Lime-A-Rita Beach Bash," and bigtime music performers to ring in the festivities.

You'll have to purchase tickets to this one, but trust us. It'll be worth the hassle.

4 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley Park

Admission is $8 -$10, and children 5 years old and under are free.

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4th of July Celebration at Bayou Bend

The Bayou Bend and Gardens is holding its seventh annual celebration of the 4th of July, and will include crafts, musical performances, and plenty of activities to entice the entire family out into the sunshine. The Texas Army Fife & Drum Corp will be there, as will a ton of other performers.

The musical component will take place on the Diana Terrace, with a schedule as follows:

• 1:15 p.m. - Celtaire String Band, Colonial Music Adventure
• 2:30 p.m - Mark Seale Trio, Gershwin Swing: American Music of the 1920s - 1930s
• 3:45 p.m. - Lonestar Bluegrass Band, American Bluegrass Standards

But a ton of other awesome things are happening along different parts of the Bayou Bend, including a parade through the grounds and a flag hunt, just to name a few.

1 p.m. at Bayou Bend

Admission is free

Tomball's Annual July Fourth Celebration & Street Party

Sure, Tomball is a far cry from Houston proper, but it's still close enough for us to show it some Fourth of July love. And besides, what person within driving range could pass up a party in the streets, Tomball style?

Tomball's 4th festival is awesome. There are street performers, giant kid zones, live music, food and fireworks, in what is bound to be an all-day celebration of summertime and our great nation. Face painters, a petting zoo, funnel cakes, and music. What more could a celebrator ask for?

Well, how about thousands of mini flags and glow sticks, which will be handed out before the big fireworks show? And we mean big on this one -- Tomball knows how to throw down when it comes to big explosions -- with the spectacular show starting around 9:15 p.m.

5 p.m. at Highway 249 and FM 2920

Admission is free.

17th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza

If you're heading out to the 17th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival, you're heading the right direction for some 4th of July fun. It's one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southwest, and while that alone may be able to sell you, there's more. Live music, kid-friendly activities, and even watermelon-eating contests are on the menu for this extravaganza, so you really can't go wrong with the Woodlands Waterway celebration.

6 p.m. at Waterway Square, The Woodlands

Admission is free.

Galveston Independence Day Parade and Fireworks

The Galveston Independence Day Parade may be the only place in the greater Houston area that you'll find 4th of July floats. Tons and tons of floats. But perhaps that's because it's the only place you'll find a proper parade happening in honor of the holiday -- there will be decorated military vehicles, festive floats, and performers galore during the parade, and it's a must-see for first-timers and parade veterans alike.

What's even cooler about the celebration is that the parade dead-ends into a most spectacular firework display over the water in Galveston, right the Seawall Boulevard. And this year they'll be amping up the ammunition in celebration of the 17th anniversary. So make sure you find your way out to the island, as it's bound to be one very loud, very gorgeous show of lights.

7:30 p.m. at the Galveston Island Seawall

Admission is free.

Houston Symphony presents "ExxonMobile Summer Symphony Nights: A Star Spangled Salute"

What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than listening to the "Star Spangled Banner" under the stars? We can't think of one, especially when you factor in that this symphony under the stars will have a bonus addition at the end: fireworks!

The Houston Symphony will be on hand at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park to provide all of the musical accoutrements, and will help ring in the holiday with every patriotic number under the sun, including Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, which will come complete with booming cannons.

Make sure you stay past the final number, though. The Miller Theatre Advisory Board is providing the fantastic display of lights, and they're sure to awe as they rain down over Hermann Park in style.

8:30 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Admission is free.