The United States of America was founded 239 years ago on July 4, and there are many events around Houston where you can celebrate in style.

The biggest is Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas. It’s held from 4-10 p.m. that day at Eleanor Tinsley Park along Buffalo Bayou. There is a kid’s zone for the little ones to have fun and Clint Black and Josh Turner are the musical headliners. The party wraps up with a gigantic fireworks show. Tickets cost $8 if you buy them online through July 3, but the price goes up to $10 on July 4.

If you’d like to celebrate with a smaller crowd, the Houston Symphony’s annual Star Spangled Salute will be held at Miller Outdoor Theater beginning at 8:30 p.m. This show is free, but if you want seats in the covered area, you’ll need to get them at the box office, which opens at 10:30 a.m. There’s open seating on the hill, so be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs if you go that route.

If you’re looking for something that is extra child-friendly, the Children’s Museum of Houston will celebrate Kidpendence Day! They will have a parade, a brass band, and lots more. All events are included in the admission price, which is $10 per person.

You can also travel back in time at the Fourth of July Celebration at Bayou Bend. This celebration will be filled with crafts, activities, museum docents dressed in period costumes, and more. There’s even a giant Declaration of Independence for people to sign. This event starts at 1 p.m., but at 3 p.m. there will be a reading of the real Declaration of Independence, followed by birthday cake. There’s a bonus with this one: It’s free!

There are too many events in the Houston metro area for us to list them all, but VisitHoustonTexas.com has a list of more events.

Have a fun and safe celebration, and don’t forget that the city of Houston has strict laws regarding the possession and discharge of fireworks.