USA Todaysays Kaboomtownis among the best Independence Day fireworks displays anywhere. It’s a day full of food, drinks, and red-white-and-blue fun, all on July 3 in Addison.

On July 4 Star Spangled Spectacular is presented by The Dallas Winds at the glorious Meyerson Symphony Center. The sensational Dallas ensemble’s yearly pedal-to-the-metal, red, white, and blue musical salute to mom, apple pie, and the American way also features hot dogs, ice cream, and indoor fireworks, all in the air-conditioned comfort of one of the world’s top performance venues.

J-Lo rules! On July 6 the pop culture icon, actor, singer, and dancer returns to DFW with a deep repertoire of outstanding work to draw from on her sizzling new tour. Jennifer Lopez performs at American Airlines Center in glitzy Victory Park.

On July 12 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Maynard discusses “How the Light Gets In,” the eagerly anticipated follow-up to her beloved novel “Count the Ways,” as part of  the Dallas Museum of Art’s annual Arts & Letters Live series.

The Prom is an uplifting, heartwarming story that celebrates love, acceptance, and the transformative power of standing up for what is right. The Uptown Players’ performance is July 12-28 at the Kalita Humphries Theater.

The Dallas Theater Center’s Public Works version of the popular classic The Little Mermaid is a creative production built for the people of Dallas, with the people of Dallas, and by the people of Dallas — 200 community members of all ages, many appearing onstage for the first time, together at the Wyly Theatre July 12-August 4 with professional actors retelling the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.

Catch a night of classic pop music from a pair of huge 1980s and 1990s artists performing crowd pleasers, including “Step By Step,” “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Straight Up” and “Forever Your Girl” on the national tour. New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, and DJ Jazzy Jeff rip it up on July 14 at Fair Park’s Dos Equis Pavilion.

The family-friendly Sunday afternoon free concert series, Basically Beethoven Festival, is produced by Fine Arts Chamber Players and features professional musicians from notable local ensembles performing a spectacular range of classical music on July 14, 21 and 28 at Moody Performance Hall.

Shrek the Musical is a fun summer romp that takes the show from the silver screen to the stage with colorful costumes, wicked-funny dialog, and characters. The show is July 18-20 at the Winspear Opera House.

Born with a rare medical condition, Emma G. is an author, TEDx speaker and a successful singer-songwriter who uses music to empower, uplift, and inspire audiences. On July 19 she’s at the intimate listening room, Opening Bell Coffee, in The Cedars neighborhood.

Jason Isbell is a talented singer-songwriter from Alabama, a former Drive-By Truckers guitarist who has earned four Grammys. He is also widely recognized as one of Southern rock and Americana music’s most in-demand artists. Isbell and his band The 400 Unit, reportedly named after a mental ward in a state hospital, perform on July 24 at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas.

Celebrated Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry is among the finest in his field. The son of “Lonesome Dove” writer Larry McMurtry is joined by Austin artist Betty Soo on July 26 at Lower Greenville’s historic Granada Theater

Get ready for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s “The Greatest Show On Earth,” this time reimagined with an immersive, 360-degree environment and new technology that creates intimate connections between audiences and performers from all over the world. That’s July 26-28 at the American Airlines Center in Victory Park.