Starting hundreds of years ago, settlers from Europe began arriving in North America and staying. They built settlements and eventually forms colonies — the basis of the first 13 states. By the mid 1700s, colonists outraged by how their overseers (Great Britain) kept finding new ways to extract revenue from the American colonies, decided that the newly-forming nation should be free of English rule. On July 4, 1776 (or soon after), dozens of these revolutionaries signed a Declaration of Independence.
The text of that founding document may be read on the Library of Congress website.
Signing of that document is celebrated each Fourth of July in the United States of America. Families gather. Fireworks are set off. And in North Carolina, towns and cities hold celebrations.
A list of 2018 July 4th celebrations in and around Eastern North Carolina are listed below. Where available, links have been included to town/city websites with more details.
Clayton NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 4-10pm
Join the fun at this Town of Clayton Independence Day Celebration, organized by parks and rec. Address is 325 McCullers Drive, Clayton NC. See details on the town website.
Farmville NC
Tuesday, July 3, 2018 @ 6pm
Farmville’s Celebration will be kicked off by the Chamber’s Annual Little Patriots Parade. The parade starts on Main Street near NAPA (3801 S Main Street, Farmville NC) and Pitt Community College. To join in, walk or bring your bikes/strollers, and parade down Main Street. Event will take place on the Town Commons.
The theme is “American Made”. The Farmville Chamber is planning display of classic and hot rod cars. Enjoy food — including a watermelon eating contest, live entertainment, a kids’ costume contest, and more. The evening will end with fireworks, of course.
Garner NC
Tuesday, July 3, 2018 @ 5pm-until (fireworks start 9:30pm)
The Garner Independence Day Celebration offers an evening of family fun with inflatables, games, crafts, concessions, food trucks, and nonprofit information booths. Picnics may be brought from home, if you like. Enjoy performances by The Embers and the NC Symphony, followed by fireworks. Held at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner NC. See schedule and more details on the town website.
Greenville NC
Parks and Recreation Activities
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 6am-8pm
Enjoy Independence Day Activities at River Park North, 1000 Mumford Road, Greenville NC. See event here.
Town Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 3-9:30pm
Independence Day Celebration with a one-man band, additional performances, and fireworks at dusk. Held on the Town Common, 105 E First Street, Greenville NC. See information here.
Halifax NC
Historic Halifax Activities
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 10am-4pm
Enjoy your Independence Day Celebration at Historic Halifax. Join historic interpreters for living-history activities, tours, a dramatic performance, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Address is 25 Saint David Street, Halifax NC. See information here.
Town of Halifax Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 5pm-until (fireworks 9pm)
Stick around for the Town of Halifax’s annual July 4th Celebration and fireworks display on the grounds of the Halifax County Courthouse, 357 Ferrell Lane, Halifax NC. There will be food, music, children’s activities, a repeat of the day’s dramatic performance, and more. Fireworks display begins around 9pm.
Kenly NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 7:30-9pm
The Town of Kenly’s 4th of July Celebration means “the largest fireworks display in the area” at Kenly 95 Petro, 923 Johnston Parkway, Kenly NC. Before the display, come and enjoy music by a DeeJay and games for children. See event here.
Knightdale NC
Wednesday, July 4 @ 5-9:45pm
Head to the soccer fields at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC, and join the fun of the town’s fourth-annual July 4th Celebration. Bring water and make preparations for the weather. Pets are allowed but discouraged. See details, shuttle and street closure information here.
Macclesfield NC
Tuesday, July 3, 2018 @ 6pm (fireworks 9pm)
Macclesfield Independence Day Celebration will be held by the town at 203 Green Street, Macclesfield NC. Live music by Steel Standin, Naa Naa from “Our Wild Life”, children’s rides, food, vendors, and more. Fireworks begin at 9pm. See Facebook event.
Outer Banks / Beaches
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Celebrations and fireworks are planned along the beaches of North Carolina. An overview, including links to four fireworks shows, may be found on this Outer Banks website.
Raleigh NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 11am-3pm
Join the daytime activities at the North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E Edenton Street, Raleigh NC. There will be music, carriage rides, and much more. See special events planned here.
Rocky Mount NC
Englewood Baptist Church Event
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 6-9:45pm
Join the fun at the July 4th Freedom Celebration, presented by Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 S Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. Features Dan the Animal Man, Roll On Up Gaming, Fast Track Fun Park Go Carts, live music, concessions, and more. This will be a fun evening for the entire family. Festivities begin at 6pm and fireworks begin at dusk. See details and updates via their Facebook page.
City Celebration
Tuesday, July 3, 2018 @ 6-9:30pm
Enjoy family time and fireworks at this Celebration, organized by the City of Rocky Mount. Location is the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, 600 Independence Drive, Rocky Mount NC. See details on the Imperial Centre website.
Smithfield NC
Sunday, July 1, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Start the holiday week early with the Smithfield’s Independence Celebration on July 1. There will be music, games, activities, Water Wars, food trucks, and then fireworks after dark. Held in the historic downtown on South Third Street, Smithfield NC. See details here.
Tarboro NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 6pm (fireworks 9pm)
Family friendly and free. Enjoy amusements, a bubble gum and watermelon contest, food vendors, and entertainment by DJ Slammin. Zambelli Fireworks show begins at 9pm. Join The celebration at Braswell Center Park, 1501 Western Blvd, Tarboro NC. Updates may be posted on the Discover Edgecombe Facebook page.
Wake Forest NC
Tuesday, July 3-4, 2018
Fireworks, games, live entertainment and more are planned for the Town of Wake Forest’s 2018 Independence Day Celebration. This “community extravaganza” offers two days of free family fun.
The free “Fireworks Spectacular” is July 3, inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest NC. Gates open at 5:30pm, program at 6pm.
On July 4, watch a parade and enjoy Art and Games in The Park. See schedule and locations on this Town of Wake Forest event page.
Washington NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Events with fireworks are planned in Washington (6-10pm) and Belhaven (9am-9pm). See event overviews with links on the Little Washington website.
Wendell NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 10:30am-2pm
Head to the Town of Wendell for their July 4th Parade and Celebration. Parade route begins at Main Street and Wendell Boulevard and ends at the J Ashley Wall Town Square, 17 W Third Street, Wendell NC, where a program will follow.
Join the Wendell Historical Society and Town of Wendell for a July 4th parade and celebration. Parade begins on Main Streetat Wendell Boulevard and includes veterans, children in their most patriotic wear, and bands! The procession marchesits way to the Town Square for a program appreciating our military and recognizing our most patriotic children. Reminiscent of how Independence Day was honored in the good ole days,it’s a quaint and wholesome observance for the whole family.
Following the program there will be free hot dogs and time to fellowship with others. See details here.
Wilmington NC
Celebrations of all types are happening in and around Wilmington for the Fourth of July. See a listing at www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com.
Wilson NC
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 2pm
The city of Wilson NC offers several locations for celebrations. Attend a Wilson Tobs baseball game with fireworks, or head to the Wilson County Fairgrounds for a BBQ cookout competition at 2pm and fireworks at 9pm. Events are listed on the city’s Independence Day page.
Zebulon NC
Tuesday, July 3, 2018 @ 5:30-10:30pm AND Wednesday, July 4, 2018 @ 5:30-10:30pm
Join the Carolina Mudcats baseball team for games (starting at 7pm), Independence Day celebrations, and fireworks. The Mudcats for America Series offers two opportunities to celebrate independence and enjoy a baseball game. Gates will open at 5:30pm with first pitch at 7pm, and a Fireworks Extravaganza following each game. The location is Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39 Hwy, Zebulon NC. Tickets start at $10 per person. Reserve tickets by calling 919.269.2287 or buying online via MILB.com.
