Glen Rose, Texas, known as the 'Dinosaur Capital of Texas,' is set to kick off its summer season with two major events in July 2026: a hometown Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks and live music, followed by a concert by Texas country band Reckless Kelly at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater on July 18. The events provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the town's unique attractions, including dinosaur-themed activities and outdoor adventures.
The Fourth of July festivities on July 4 begin at 8:00 AM with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizen Center, followed by a parade around the historic downtown square at 10:00 AM. Free registration is available for community participants. From noon to 2:00 PM, families can enjoy live music, hot dog eating contests, and giveaways at Dinosaur World, which features hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits. At 2:00 PM, a ceremony will be held at the Creation Evidence Museum. The evening culminates at Wheeler Branch Park with fireworks and free live music by the Brady Hulsey Band, hosted by the Somervell County Water District.
On July 18, Reckless Kelly will perform 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 unique concert experience under the Texas stars. Tickets start at $55 and are available on Eventbrite. The concert runs from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Visitors are encouraged to make it a weekend getaway and explore Glen Rose's attractions, including Dinosaur Valley State Park, where real dinosaur tracks are preserved in the Paluxy River bed; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari park; and Dinosaur World. The town also offers the Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass, a free scavenger hunt via the Bandwango app that guides explorers to 35 of the town's 98 hand-painted dinosaurs. Completing all 35 stops earns one free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Visitors can start the hunt by scanning the QR code at the Visitors Center, where they can meet 'Rexanne,' the animatronic dinosaur.
Accommodation options range from luxurious boutique hotels to charming inns, affordable motels, B&Bs, riverside cabins, and vacation getaways. For more information, visit exploreglenrose.com.
