The 'Dinosaur Capital of Texas' is gearing up for a summer of celebration with two major events in July 2026. Glen Rose will host its annual Fourth of July festival featuring fireworks and live music, followed by a performance from Texas country band Reckless Kelly at the newly remodeled Texas Amphitheater on July 18. The events aim to draw visitors to the small town, known for its dinosaur attractions and outdoor activities.
Traci Niedziela, Tourism Director for Explore Glen Rose, emphasized the appeal of July in 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,' she said.
The Fourth of July celebrations kick off on July 4 with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Citizen Center at 8:00 AM, followed by a hometown parade around the historic downtown square at 10:00 AM. Free registration is available for community participants. From noon to 2:00 PM, Dinosaur World hosts a family-friendly event with live music, hot dog eating contests, giveaways, and life-sized dinosaur exhibits. A ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum takes place at 2:00 PM. 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, starting at 7:00 PM.
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, the Texas Amphitheater will welcome Reckless Kelly for a concert from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The historic open-air venue, located at 5000 Texas Dr, Glen Rose, TX 76043, was recently acquired by the MSAS family and completely reimagined with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. Its signature water moat creates a unique concert experience under the stars. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting at $55.
Glen Rose offers visitors the opportunity to combine summer events with outdoor adventures and family attractions. The town features 98 custom-painted dinosaurs placed throughout the community, each sponsored by local businesses. The Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass, available on the Bandwango app, is the platform's #1 pass by volume nationwide. This free scavenger hunt guides explorers to 35 of the town's 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.
Other attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, where visitors can explore real dinosaur tracks preserved in the Paluxy River bed; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari park where guests can feed giraffes and exotic animals; Dinosaur World with hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits; the scenic Paluxy River Walk; Big Rocks Park with natural limestone formations and river access; Paluxy Heritage Park for picnics; the Historic Town Square with local shops and restaurants; and Barnard's Mill and Art Museum. Glen Rose offers a range of accommodations, from luxurious boutique hotels and charming inns to affordable motels, B&Bs, riverside cabins, and vacation getaways.
