What road closures are planned for Austin's 4th of July celebration?
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Happy Independence Day!
Thousands of Austinites will flock downtown Thursday to celebrate the Fourth of July with an Austin Symphony Orchestra performance and fireworks show at Auditorium Shores and the Long Center, located at 900 W. Riverside Drive. The free festivities begin at 4 p.m. while the fireworks display is set to kick off at 9:30 p.m.
Whether you're traveling to the event or navigating around downtown Thursday, here's a breakdown of all the planned full and partial road closures in the works near the fireworks show.
How to get to, from Austin's orchestra performance and fireworks show
Drivers dropping off passengers at the event are advised to head to Lee Barton Drive for the event drop-off zone, located just south of West Riverside Drive. Neighborhood parking is prohibited for event guests, with "no parking areas" enforced by the city during the festivities.
Parking in an unauthorized area will result in a $250 fine, per event documents.
Off-site garage parking is available at:
- One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road: Enter via Haywood Avenue off Riverside Drive
- $20 per car
- Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road: Enter via Barton Springs Road entrance
- $20 per car
- City Hall Garage, 163 Lavaca St.: Entrance on Guadalupe Street, north of Second Street
- Four or more hours costs $20 per car plus tax
- State Garage N, 300 San Antonio St.: Pay upon entry for non-state employees
A complete breakdown of downtown paid parking options is available online.
Attendees are also welcome to use the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail or bike directly to the park for the show. Bike racks are available on-site for stowing.
Those looking to travel by bus or rail can utilize free rides on all CapMetro services after 5 p.m. Thursday. The transit authority will be running a Sunday-level bus service and Saturday-level rail service, per its holiday guide.
The following bus routes will transport passengers to Auditorium Shores:
- Bus Route 1, North Lamar/South Congress
- Bus Route 3, Burnet/Menchaca
- Bus Route 7, Duval/Dove Springs
- Bus Route 10, South First/Red River
- Bus Route 20, Manor Road/Riverside
- Rapid Route 801, North Lamar/South Congress
- Rapid Route 803, Burnet/South Lamar
Riders seeking post-event services heading north of the river will need to head to Lavaca and Fourth Streets to access available buses. The last bus will depart around 10:30 p.m.
Those looking to travel south of the river can pick up services at the following spots:
- Routes 1, 10 and 801: Congress and Barton Springs
- Routes 7 and 20: Riverside and Congress
- Routes 3, 30 and 803: Cesar Chavez and West Avenue
Guests can plan their trip using CapMetro's Trip Planner tool.
More event details — including what attendees are allowed to bring — are available online.