Glen Rose kicks off its biggest summer events with consecutive celebrations this July: a hometown Fourth of July festival featuring fireworks and live music, followed by Texas country favorite Reckless Kelly performing at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater on July 18. Both events offer the perfect reason to plan an overnight stay in the ‘Dinosaur Capital of Texas’ this summer.

"July is the perfect time to discover everything Glen Rose has to offer," said Traci Niedziela, Tourism Director for Explore Glen Rose. "Whether you're celebrating Independence Day with fireworks and live music or enjoying a world-class country concert at our beautifully renovated amphitheater, we invite visitors to make it a weekend getaway and explore why we're known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas.”

Fourth of July Celebrations Across Glen Rose

Glen Rose welcomes visitors for a full day of all-American celebration on July 4, 2026:

8:00 AM - Pancake Breakfast at Senior Citizen Center

10:00 AM - Hometown Independence Day Parade
Festivities start with a vibrant parade around the historic downtown square. Free registration is available for community participants who want to join the celebration.

12:00 PM - 2:00 pm - Dinosaur World Celebration
Families can enjoy live music, hot dog eating contests, giveaways and explore hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits at this family-friendly daytime event.

2:00 PM Ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum

7:00 PM - Wheeler Branch Park Fireworks
Hosted by the Somervell County Water District, the evening celebration features fireworks and free live music by the Brady Hulsey Band at Wheeler Branch Park.

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Texas country music fans can experience Reckless Kelly live at the Texas Amphitheater, a historic open-air venue recently acquired by the MSAS family and completely reimagined with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The amphitheater's signature water moat creates a one-of-a-kind concert experience under the Texas stars.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Venue: Texas Amphitheater, 5000 Texas Dr, Glen Rose, TX 76043
• Tickets: Available on Eventbrite starting at $55

Make It a Weekend Getaway in the Dinosaur Capital of Texas

Glen Rose offers visitors the rare opportunity to combine summer events with unique outdoor adventures and family attractions. The town is home to 98 custom-painted dinosaurs placed throughout the community, each sponsored by local businesses. With options varying from a range of accommodations including luxurious boutique hotels, charming inns, affordable motels, B&Bs, riverside cabins and vacation getaways; giving visitors plenty of options when planning their trip.

Free Dino Crawl Scavenger Hunt
The Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass, available on the Bandwango app, is Bandwango's #1 pass by volume nationwide. The free scavenger hunt guides explorers to 35 of the town's 98 hand-painted dinosaurs. Visitors who complete all 35 stops earn one free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Stop by the Visitors Center to meet "Rexanne," the animatronic dinosaur, and scan the QR code to start your hunt.

Glen Rose offers a full lineup of family-friendly destinations perfect for a summer weekend getaway:

• Dinosaur Valley State Park - Explore real dinosaur tracks preserved in the Paluxy River bed
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - Drive-through safari park where visitors can feed giraffes and exotic animals
• Dinosaur World - Hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits
• Paluxy River Walk - A scenic walking path along the Paluxy River connecting two downtown parks, ideal for evening strolls
• Big Rocks Park - Natural limestone formations and river access
• Paluxy Heritage Park - Picnic areas and green space
• Historic Town Square - Charming downtown with local shops and restaurants surrounding a postcard-perfect courthouse
• Barnard's Mill and Art Museum - Historic mill

Glen Rose, known as the "Dinosaur Capital of Texas," is a charming small-town Texas destination located approximately 75 miles southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth and 90 miles north of Austin. Nestled in the rolling limestone hills along the Paluxy River, Glen Rose offers visitors a rare blend of natural wonder, outdoor adventure and small-town hospitality. The town's picturesque historic downtown square, featuring a stunning courthouse and locally owned shops and restaurants, serves as the heart of a community rich in paleontological history and natural beauty. From real dinosaur tracks preserved in Dinosaur Valley State Park to the drive-through safari experience at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose provides families and adventure seekers an authentic Texas Hill Country getaway. With diverse lodging options, year-round events and attractions that appeal to all ages, Glen Rose is the perfect weekend escape for those seeking to trade the ordinary for the extraordinary. For more information, visit exploreglenrose.com.

Traci Niedziela
Tourism Director
Glen Rose, Texas
(254) 243-0029

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