How to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Houston This Year

One of my favorite things to do for It’s Not Hou and its readers is to round up fun events and goings on around town. Obviously, that’s been a thing I haven’t been able to do much over the past few months.

I wanted to round up some ideas of how to celebrate the Fourth of July in this weird COVID-19 world we are still living in. With cases on the rise in Houston and bars and restaurants recently being scaled back or closed again, here are some ideas.

Below are my picks for responsibly celebrating the 4th in Houston — from where to get food/drinks to-go to virtual or drive-in events and fireworks!

Note: Will try to keep this up-to-date with new offerings, so check back again soon! Last updated: July 1 at 8:19 a.m.

Celebrate With the City — Virtually

The 2020 Freedom Over Texas bash is back in a brand new way. ABC13 will stream this year’s virtual celebrations with musical performances by Pat Green, the Houston Symphony, Trae Tha Truth, and more shenanigans!

Cook Out or Order In

Food is 90% of the celebration anyways, right? Well THAT we can still get from cook-out deals or order-in specials from local restaurants!

• B&B Butchers: Get your grill on with B&B Butchers’ Summer Grill Packages — there are several options ranging from $65 to $999!! Learn more.
• Hopdoddy: Get all your burger needs from Hopdoddy! The Quarantine Together grill package serves five for just $25! Get the deal.
• Saint Arnold Brewery: Order ahead for an all-in-one pack from Saint Arnold’s — comes with 2 six-packs, pulled chicken, sides, and more for $100. Order online.
• Max’s Wine Dive: Famous for fried chicken and bubbly, you can get just that this July 4th! To-go or to-stay, get a bucket of fried chicken and two sides for $45 (add the champagne for a total of $90). Call to order!
• Flying Saucer (Sugar Land): Step up your grilling game with a 4th of July grilling bundle for $45 from the Flying Saucer at Sugar Land Town Square. Available for carryout or delivery July 2nd – July 4th. The bundle includes 8 Beer Brats, 8 Fresh Hoagie Rolls, and all the fixing. Add on a 6-pack of American craft beer for $15 more with a purchase of the grilling bundle. Call (281) 242-7468 to order!
• State Fare: Get a bucket of somethin‘ to celebrate your freedom this year. State Fare has Buckets To-Go! Just call ahead to order: 832-831-0950
  • Bucket Smoked Wings (2lbs) – $16
  • Bucket Fried Catfish Pieces (3lbs) – $36
  • Bucket Fried Chicken (2lbs) (Dark) – $16
  • Bucket Fried Chicken Tenders (2lbs) (White) – $18
  • Bucket 6pc White and Dark Htown Hot Chicken (3 White and 3 Dark) – $26
• Fajitas A Go Go: You can be the chef with Fajitas A Go Go at-home fajitas kit for $100. The DIY Fourth of July Grill Pack comes with a cookbook, two pounds of angus sirloin flap steak, one pound of shrimp and one pound of Fajitas A Go Go’s signature boar sausage, all ready to throw on the grill; Go Go Seasoning; chips & queso; guacamole; rice; beans; pico de gallo; cheese; sour cream; flour tortillas; and one liter of Fajitas A Go Go’s Margarita Agave Mix. Call to order! 713-661-0501
• Georgia James: Nothing says “Let Freedom Ring” like some high-quality BBQ, and that’s what you can expect to-go from Georgia James. Get a half brisket for $65 or smoked short ribs $50. Sides from $10-$12. Order online and pick-up is on the 3rd or 4th! Order up.
• Loch Bar and Ouzo Bay: These two spots next door to each other are doing something similar! Take a bottle of champagne to-go with Crab Cakes (Ouzo Bay – 832-430-6610) or a bucket of fried chicken (Loch Bar – 832-430-6601) for $115. Call to order!
• Sticky’s Chicken: Sticky’s Chicken will feature its Wing Trays, Chicken Over Rice Trays and Karaage Over RiceTrays. Wing Tray options include 50 pieces for $55, 75 pieces for $65, and 100 pieces for $85. Choose from among four flavors: Smoke Shallot Glazed, Asian Tingz Dry Rub, SLAB (Sweet Loud And Bangin’) and Original Sticky’s. Chicken Over Rice and Karaage Over Rice Tray options include a small for $100 (10-15 servings) and a large for $125 (35-40 servings). Call (713) 703-5230 or email getstickys@gmail.com to place orders.
• H-Town Restaurant group: You’ve got options here.
  • Hugo’s: It’s $79 for the Independence Day skirt day package that feeds four and includes 2 pounds skirt steak, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, chips, tortillas, pico de gallo and tres leches cake. Order by July 2 at 713-524-7744.
  • Backstreet Cafe: Get the Independence Day barbecue package for $85 (it serves four). In it there’s a smoked chicken, a rack of pork ribs, chimichurri, barbecue sauce, choice of two sides (macaroni and cheese, Brussels sprouts, baked beans, watermelon salad) and choice of dessert. Order by July 2 by calling 713-521-2239.
  • Caracol: There are a few Independence Day packages from Caracol! Order over the phone 713-622-9996.
    • Pollo Costeno includes two wood oven-roasted chickens, adobo, grilled onions, two dozen corn tortillas, two side dishes and one dessert ($70, for four).
    • Costillas a las Brazas includes 2 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs, adobo, pickled onions, two sides and one dessert ($75, for four).
    • Botana Oaxaquena includes 1 pound ready-to-grill chorizo, 2 pounds ready-to-grill marinated skirt steak, Oaxacan cheese, habanero sauce, 2 dozen corn tortillas, two sides and one dessert ($130, for four).
    • Sides options are tamal Azteca, papas bravas, Brussels sprouts, guacamole, Mexican rice and refried beans.
    • Dessert options are flan or horchata tres leches.

Drink Local

Texas recently announced a crack down on bars and restaurants amid spike in COVID cases, so I’m sure local bars and restaurants will bring back some of their to-go practices. I’ll update this post as more come in.

• Eureka Heights: My fave Heights brewery has closed its taproom, but drive thru is open 1 to 7 pm daily. Check their Insta for the latest brews, but I love their Peach Party and Double Hockey Sticks for a light and easy summer beer.
• FM Kitchen: Get cocktails to-go by the glass or by the quart from FM Kitchen! Deets in an Insta post.
• Holler Beer: LOVE their dollar pills and Czech my phone beers! They usually open daily from 4-8 p.m. Online!
• 8th Wonder: Order online for curbside pickup! They have a six-pack with one of each of their classic brews, or try the new light TEX (been needing to try it myself!).
• Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co: Get beer AND food to go from Buff Brew — order online for pickup. I love the Dreamsicle and Lighten Up beers — both easy drinking — but keep an eye on availability because I’ve seen them run out.

Attend Some Socially Distant Events and Fireworks in the Suburbs

Some suburbs of Houston are continuing on with some virtual and non-virtual festivities. If you’re interested, please attend with the proper precautions!

• Sugar Land: Celebrate with your community by tuning into a virtual celebration! Learn more.
• Katy: 9 pm fireworks show and music will take place at Katy Mills Mall. Learn more.
• Tomball: A free fireworks show will take place at Business Highway 249 just north of FM 2920/Main St. The city has released some guidelines to follow. Attendees can tune in to music from their cars by tuning into 95.3 FM. The display starts at 9:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Magnolia: There will be fireworks beginning at dusk in Magnolia Learn more.
• Rosenberg: It’s a fireworks-only event in Rosenberg. Learn more.
• The Woodlands: While the event has been canceled, you might be able to catch the fireworks near the Lone Star College – Montgomery at approximately 9:30 p.m. Please remain in your cars. You can also stream the show online. Learn more.