Independence Fest Is Six Days Away — Gabby Barrett, Free Fireworks, and a 250th Birthday Party at Bakersfield Park

Saturday is blocked. If it isn't yet, it should be.

Independence Fest 2026 featuring Gabby Barrett lands on Saturday, July 4. Each year the festival draws tens of thousands of people to Bakersfield Park — and this year adds a genuine reason on top of the usual draw: the Town of Flower Mound is celebrating America's 250th birthday as part of the programming. Bigger fireworks, bigger headline. A different kind of July 4th.

The lineup runs all evening. Gates open at 5 p.m. Shuttles begin at 4:45 p.m. Emerald City Band kicks off at 5 p.m., Le Freak takes the stage at 6:45 p.m., the National Anthem and posting of colors begins at 8 p.m., and Gabby Barrett starts at approximately 8:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. If you have kids with a hard bedtime, that's the number to plan around.

Gabby Barrett isn't a consolation headliner. She's a multi-platinum artist with more than three billion global career streams, known for the seven-times platinum "I Hope" and the three-times platinum "The Good Ones," and has earned nods from ACM, AMA, Billboard, CMA, CMT, and iHeartRadio. For a free show in town, that's real.

The part people miss every year: parking. There is no onsite parking at the event. A free parking and shuttle service is provided at specific off-site locations. The town recommends the Red Tiger parking lot at Stryker/Ivie & Associates on Silveron Blvd for anyone needing accessibility parking or traveling with strollers. Show up thinking you'll park at Bakersfield and walk in, and you'll spend twenty minutes figuring that out the hard way. Check the site map at flowermound.gov/festival before you leave the house.

The all-day celebration kicks off earlier with the annual Children's Parade, kids' activities, face painting, live entertainment, and free hot dogs. The Children's Parade starts at Leonard and Helen Johns Park at 1800 Timber Creek Rd. before the evening moves to Bakersfield. Two venues, one day — worth knowing if you're planning a family morning.

The event runs 5–10:30 p.m. The rainout date for the fireworks only is July 5. Weather-wise, the town is expecting hot but clear conditions — which, in a North Texas July, is about as good as it gets.

All activities and events are free. Food trucks, local vendors, and bars selling alcohol will be on-site for additional fees. There's also a classic car show and a kids' zone.

This is the one day a year Bakersfield Park earns its size. Sort the parking before Saturday, get there early, and let the town do something it's genuinely good at.