There may be no better place to celebrate Independence Day than Round Top. Home to the longest running Fourth of July celebration West of the Mississippi, this small-town tradition has been popping off since 1851. The events surrounding the annual parade continue to multiply, now spanning a full weekend of patriotic activities.

And you don’t have to be a local to attend. All are welcome to join the flag-waving fun in Round Top. 

Here’s your Round Top Fourth of July itinerary:

Attend a Patriotic Concert at Festival Hill

Get warmed up for the holiday weekend with orchestra students attending the Round Top Summer Festival Institute. The Texas Festival Orchestra will offer a world class patriotic performance in the Festival Hill Concert Hall from 3 pm to 4:30 pm on Sunday, June 30. Conductor Dongmin Kim will lead the Festival Hill Orchestra through a slew of American classics and holiday standards including the Star-Spangled Banner and Stars and Stripes Forever.

The show regularly sells out. You can get tickets, here

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The Patriotic Concert at Festival Hill is always a sell-out. (Photo by Chris Pierre Bachman)

Join the Historic Parade and July Fourth Celebration at Round Top Rifle Hall

The main event. This year will mark the 174th July Fourth celebration in Round Top. The parade starts off with a bang with the traditional 10 am cannon blast from the town square on the morning of Thursday, July 4. Expect handmade floats, antique cars and tractors, fire engines, trail riders and longhorn cattle to march through town led by The Round Top Brass Band.

Interested in being a part of the parade? Enter here.

Following the parade, the Rifle Hall will offer a barbecue feast with brisket, pork and sausage, and German potatoes and coleslaw. Dine in the hall, or take your meal to-go. Individual to-go meals will be $16. The Rifle Hall will also be taking pre-orders for to-go meals. Call (979) 249-7335 to pre-order. 

Spend the rest of the afternoon at the Rifle Hall enjoying the outdoor bar and live music from The Round Top Brass Band and Cool Freddie and the Crew. Don’t forget to enter the raffle for a chance at the grand prize — a $5,000 cash gift certificate. 

Grab a Smashburger at Merritt Meat Company

Travel to Merritt Meat Company in Henkel Square for their second annual smash burger lunch following the parade on July fourth. No barbecue will be available. Burgers will be served 11 am until sell out.

Slide Into The Holiday Weekend at The Stone Cellar

Summer Bash with a Splash at The Stone Cellar. This family friendly event, complete with an inflatable waterslide for kids and grown-ups, will take place on Thursday, July 4 From 11 am – 10 pm. Live music by Black Cat Choir from 11:30 – 1:30 and Lee Miller of Howlin’ Waters from 5 – 9 pm. Full food and drink menus available from The Stone Cellar & Jon Perez Lounge. 

Return to the Stone Cellar on Friday, July 5 for a performance by Wyatt C. Ellis will starting at 7 pm.

Make a Splash at the Oakbones Pool Party & Cookout

Red, White & Pool Party. Join chef Victor Hugos and the gang on the Oakbones pool deck for a traditional cookout on Thursday, July 4 starting at 4 pm. Tickets are $40 for the meal. Pool passes for the day can be purchased for an additional $40. Chef Victor returns to Oakbones July 5th and 6th for special dinner pop-ups, check here for details and tickets.

Enjoy a Fireworks Show, Music, Food and More at The Compound

8th Annual Independence Day Spectacular at The Compound. Saturday, July 6th from 6 – 9:30 pm. Expect food trucks, live music by the the Black Cat Choir and drinks from Ellis Motel (full bar).

Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the fireworks show, which begins at 9:15 pm. Admission is $20 per vehicle. Proceeds for this event benefit the Round Top Warrenton-Volunteer Fire Department.

Black Cat Choir performs at The Compound’s 6th Annual Independence Day Spectacular (photo courtesy of The Compound)

Shop Antiques at Fickle International at The Compound

Last Chance Sale: The White Barn at The Compound will be open July 4, 5 and 6 for Fickle International’s sale on remaining inventory prior to the unloading of a new container of antiques from Europe. Follow along here for updates on the July 4th weekend sale and to sign up for the release of the dates for the upcoming container unloading event.

Fourth of July Tailgate at The Monarch

Sips, Bites & Savings: Parade tailgate party starts at 9 am, Thursday, July 4. Shopping and fun continues all weekend through July 7th at The Monarch in Rolland Square.

An action-packed July Fourth weekend in Round Top is one you won’t soon forget. Taking advantage of all this patriotic weekend in the countryside has to offer is sure to make for an unforgettable Fourth of July. 

Cool Off With a Popsicle at Leslie Kristen

This July fourth stop by Leslie Kristen for popsicles, cold drinks, and her famous candy salad – in patriotic colors. Watch the parade from her porch and enjoy 20% off Fourth of July merch and other special deals.