Spring’s City Place is set to celebrate America’s birthday with epic drone shows and family fun

The critical and commercial triumph of 1995’s “Apollo 13” solidified "Houston, we have a problem" into the cultural lexicon for better or worse, and you can see it for free at City Place on Friday, July 3 starting just after 8 p.m. Featuring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, director Ron Howard’s riveting historical drama masterfully chronicles the real-life struggle to bring three astronauts safely home after a catastrophic explosion. We’ll supply the popcorn; you bring the Tang and frozen hot dogs.

On Saturday, July 4, join City Place for a drone show of epic proportions as SKYWORKX takes hundreds of its drones to the sky for a stunning display without all the smoke and bangs. Your pups will thank you. There will be stirring live music from the Houston Ensemble, food vendors galore, and plenty of chances for festive photo moments. The fun starts at 7 p.m., and the drones take to the air after the sun goes down.

There are only a few more months to experience Arc ZERO, from acclaimed Australian artist James Tapscott, running now through August 2. The installation features two ethereal, interactive rings of light and mist—Eclipse and Nimbus—positioned along the pond system at City Place Park. It’s a great chance to cool off from a hot summer day or just snag your next Instagram masterpiece to make your friends jealous. Curated by Weingarten Art Group, these immersive works transform the elements of water and air into a luminous dialogue between nature and engineering. Stay tuned for more cutting edge, family-friendly artwork from the Weingarten team later this fall.

All programming takes place on and around The Plaza at 1250 Lake Plaza Drive and is complimentary unless otherwise noted. For updates and details, visit cityplacenow.com or follow along on Instagram @CityPlaceNow.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Young Audiences of Houston | Red, While and Bue Color with Watercolors

Friday, July 3 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Kick off the holiday weekend with Young Audiences of Houston for a hands-on visual arts workshop. Led by a professional teaching artist, this free community workshop invites children and families to explore basic color theory, watercolor mixing, and creative composition. Participants will learn how to channel their holiday excitement into a unique masterpiece using red, white, and blue tones.

Pix On The Plaza: Apollo 13

Friday, July 3 | 8:30 p.m.

If you’re going to watch a movie under the open night sky, you might as well look up at the exact giant rock Tom Hanks and company were trying to loop around. “Apollo 13” is the ultimate true story of the world’s most successful "failed" mission. It’s got suspense, massive rockets, and a stellar cast (Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton) stuck in a freezing, powerless spacecraft 200,000 miles away, while the real magic happens down on Earth.

Vitality Clinic Wellness Series: Caffeine and Recovery

Saturday, July 25 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Start your Saturday with connection, energy, and a refreshing reset at City Place’s newest community wellness experience: Coffee & Caffeine. Hosted by Spring’s own Vitality Wellness, this unique program blends social connections with invigorating wellness practices. Guests can sip on their favorite caffeinated beverage while exploring the benefits of cold plunging in a guided, supportive environment. Whether you’re curious about cold therapy or already a fan, this event offers the perfect opportunity to learn, engage, and recharge. A curated selection of local wellness vendors will also be on deck.

City Place Summer Nights – Red, White & Vibes

Saturday, July 25 | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Soak up the summer with City Place Summer Nights, your monthly end-of-month escape where warm evenings meet cool vibes. As the sun sets, the plaza begins to stir with live music, a rotating lineup of food trucks, and a themed night market filled with local finds. Stroll under the stars, grab a bite, sip something refreshing, and settle into the soundtrack of summer. It’s the perfect way to wind down the month and turn up the night.

RECURRING PROGRAMMING

Strength & Sculpt

Saturdays, July 11, 18, 25| 9 – 9:45 a.m. and Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Yoga

Saturdays, July 11, 18, 25| 10 – 11 a.m.

Transform your fitness journey with our Strength & Sculpt class, a full-body workout that blends resistance training with functional movement to deliver balanced, effective results. Yoga events are BYOM: bring your own mat, and don’t forget a towel and water bottle, because these classes will get your blood moving.

Zumba

Mondays, July 6, 13, 20, 27|6 - 7 p.m.

Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 | 6 – 7 p.m.

Turn your workout into a dance party by joining us for Zumba, now at City Place. With upbeat music as your friend, you’ll move through fun, easy-to-follow dance combinations that get your heart pumping while boosting coordination and confidence.

Soccer Shots

Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Mini (ages 2–3): 5 – 5:30 p.m.

Classic (ages 3–5): 5:40 – 6:15 p.m.

Soccer Shots is an engaging, high-energy children’s soccer program for ages 2 to 5 with a focus on learning basic skills, character-building, and having fun. Enroll the future Dembélé or Bonmati in your family at this official website to get the proverbial ball rolling. After the World Cup leaves town, there’s sure to be more soccer talk around the house.