FOURTH OF JULY in Houston always means hot weather — and lots of events to choose from to celebrate Independence Day!  Here are a few annual favorites…

Freedom over Texas is the city’s official July 4 celebration at Eleanor Tinsley Park from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.  The evening features live music by Pat Green, family activities, and of course, fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free by donating one canned food item for the Houston Food Bank — or $8 without a donation.

The Houston Symphony‘s annual Star-Spangled Salute starts at 8:30 p.m. July 4 at Miller Outdoor Theatre.  Of course, the evening includes 1812 Overture and a fantastic fireworks display.

The Children’s Museum of Houston honors July 4th with a Kidpendence Day celebration from noon to 6 p.m.  The festivities feature a 2 p.m. parade with the High Steppers Brass Band and a 21-Geyser Salute and lots of options for patriotic creativity.  Museum admission is $8.

The City of Katy Freedom Celebration fireworks begin shortly around 9 p.m. on the east side of Katy Mills Mall, 5000 Katy Mills Circle.  LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch hosts its own July4th fun kicking off at 5:30 p.m. with Big Backyard BBQ. This annual favorite features live music by REWIND and Eleventh Hour, food, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

It’s a weekend celebration in The Woodlands!  Catch The Woodlands parade Saturday, July 3, at 9 a.m. through Town Center and Market Street. The celebration continues with a free Houston Symphony concert at 8 p.m. at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The festivities continue July 4 with the Red, Hot, and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. along the banks of The Woodlands Waterway. Live entertainment, bounce houses, strolling entertainment and more. Fireworks kick off at dusk at Waterway Square.

Enjoy historic American family fun at Bayou Bend’s July Fourth Celebration. Free fun from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. with historical performers, crafts, refreshments, and the chance to sign a Texas-sized reproduction of the Declaration of Independence. Bayou Bend, 1 Westcott.

CityCentre hosts a Patriotic Party with fireworks July 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Video Vamp performs music from the 70s and 80s.  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! The evening concludes with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. CityCentre is located at 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway N.

Towne Lake community in NW Houston hosts July 4th festivities from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barker Cypress and West Road. The evening includes music, food, drinks, kids’ activities in the Family Fun Zone, and of course, fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.! Find a map to Towne Lake online.

The City of Stafford hosts a patriotic concert Freedom Rings Concert 2010, July 4 at 5 p.m. featuring the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra.  This free, festive performance is at Stafford Centre, 15050 Cash Road.

Sugar Land’s Red, White & Bluefest continues for its 25th year July 4, 2010 in Oyster Creek Park. The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. with live music, food, and children’s activities such as bounce houses, water slides, and face painting.  The firework display kicks off at 9:30 p.m. after a short patriotic presentation.

Missouri City hosts its own July 4th celebration from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. The evening features a double trampoline show, music by DJ’s Unlimited, food and fireworks beginning at dusk over the lakes.

Its Target Free First Sunday at the Museum of Fine Arts, July 4, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  The theme this month is America the Beautiful featuring free admission and family-friendly activities including the classic musical film, 1776.

Ever been to Round Top for July 4?  This year marks the 159th anniversary of July 4 in Round Top around the square.  The historical parade kicks off at 10 a.m.  Imagine close to 5,000 folks coming in for this parade in a town that has only 77 people!  I’ve actually experienced this parade, and it’s fun celebrating July 4th in a small town!  Top it off with lunch at Royers Round Top Cafe and a 3 p.m. patriotic concert at Festival Hill! Round Top is about an hour-and-a-half west of Houston.