Glen Rose, known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, is set to host two major summer events: a hometown Fourth of July celebration on July 4, 2026, and a concert by Texas country band Reckless Kelly on July 18, 2026. The events provide reasons for visitors to plan an overnight stay and explore the town's unique attractions.
Traci Niedziela, Tourism Director for Explore Glen Rose, said, 'July is the perfect time to discover everything Glen Rose has to offer. 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.'
The Fourth of July festivities 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, Dinosaur World hosts a family-friendly celebration with live music, hot dog eating contests, and giveaways. A ceremony at the Creation Evidence Museum takes place at 2:00 PM. The evening concludes 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 live at the Texas Amphitheater from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The historic open-air venue, recently acquired by the MSAS family, has been completely remodeled with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and features a signature water moat for a unique concert experience. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting at $55.
Visitors can extend their stay with a weekend getaway in Glen Rose, which offers a range of accommodations from boutique hotels and charming inns to riverside cabins and vacation rentals. The town is home to 98 custom-painted dinosaurs, each sponsored by local businesses. The free Glen Rose Dinosaur Pass, available on the Bandwango app—Bandwango's #1 pass by volume nationwide—guides explorers to 35 of the painted dinosaurs. Completing all 35 stops earns one free entry pass to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Visitors can start the scavenger hunt by scanning the QR code at the Visitors Center, where they can also meet 'Rexanne,' the animatronic dinosaur.
Glen Rose offers numerous attractions for summer visitors, 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; Dinosaur World with hundreds of life-sized dinosaur exhibits; the scenic Paluxy River Walk; Big Rocks Park with natural limestone formations; Paluxy Heritage Park; the historic town square with local shops and restaurants; and Barnard's Mill and Art Museum. For more information, visit exploreglenrose.com.
