By: Jonny Verbeten, PhD
Edited/Updated by: Stacy Keith
As the sun sets over Lubbock on July 4th, the South Plains Fairgrounds will come alive with the boom of fireworks, the sounds of live music, the scent of food trucks, and the unmistakable spirit of community. This year’s line up includes:
H-E-B’s Parade
H-E-B’s Parade will step off at 9:45 a.m. from Ave M, head east down Broadway to MLK Blvd.
For more information on the parade please contact: ks*******@*******ck.us or call (806) 775-2243
GECU’s Picnic Under the Stars
Picnic Under the Stars will start at 3:00 p.m. at the South Plains Fairgrounds
Activities take place from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and will include:
Lubbock Music NOW Stage – featuring
Hannah Jackson 3:00pm-3:45pm
SPiVEY 4:00pm-4:45pm
Lindsey Bruner 5:00pm-5:45pm
Ron Riley Band 6:00pm-6:45pm
Leprino Foods Kids Area hosted by Bass Pro Shops
Sonic Classic Car Show hosted by Caprock Classic Car Club
Food/Beverage and Craft vendors will be on site.
Davis Smith’s Gorilla Law-Palooza Evening Concert (South Plains Fairgrounds)
Evening Concert 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
7:00p.m. – Mariachi Mi Tierra
7:30p.m. – Louie The Singer
9:00p.m. – Lit
H-E-B’s Fireworks Extravaganza will start at 10:00 p.m. featuring classic and contemporary patriotic music.
For 35 years, the 4th on Broadway celebration has been the heartbeat of Lubbock’s Independence Day celebrations. From its humble beginnings in 1991, the event has grown into Texas’s largest free Fourth of July celebration, drawing tens of thousands of Lubbock residents to Mackenzie Park each year to take part in the festivities. The eclectic event has welcomed both nostalgic and crowd-pleasing acts over the years—from Vanilla Ice in 2023 to this year’s headliner, Smash Mouth—and the ever-impressive Caldwell Collective has been a main stage staple.
You can’t tell the story of 4th on Broadway without reflecting on the legacy of Don Caldwell, the founder of Broadway Festivals Inc., whose passing in May 2024 marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the festival’s history. In speaking with Katie Sandifer—Event Director for the festival and a longtime collaborator with Caldwell Entertainment—she reflected, “Don Caldwell’s legacy is woven into every part of Fourth on Broadway. He had a deep passion for Lubbock, its people, and its music, and that vision shaped this festival from the very beginning.” She added that Caldwell’s relentless dedication to making the arts and culture accessible to everyone continues to guide the festival: “As we move forward, the festival will honor his legacy by staying true to those roots—uplifting local talent, fostering community pride, and ensuring that everyone feels welcome.”
Like any major festival, there have been successes and challenges over the years, but Sandifer particularly singled out 2021 as a joyous and memorable event: “After having to shift the event to a televised special in 2020 [due to the COVID-19 pandemic], the return to an in-person celebration carried an energy unlike anything we’d felt before. It reminded us that at its core, the spirit of 4th on Broadway is about connection. In 2021, that spirit was more alive than ever.” Her passion and commitment remind us that the festival is in capable hands: “We’ll continue to highlight the West Texas culture Don loved so dearly, and we’re committed to preserving the heart of what he built while also growing and evolving the event for future generations.”
When asked what it means to the city of Lubbock to host one of the biggest free Fourth of July festivals in the state, Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer stated, “The City of Lubbock is tremendously proud to host the 4th on Broadway celebration this year. I am grateful for everyone who helped carry this tradition forward to ensure the spirit of 4th on Broadway lives on. Our festival is more than just a celebration, it’s a reflection of who we are as a community: patriotic, generous, and deeply connected. I hope to see everyone out there to celebrate our great nation and our great city.”
So, as America marks her 250th Anniversary – we hope you’ll join this amazing community tradition. For more information about this year’s festival, please visit Civic Lubbock. We hope to see you there!