This weekend’s events, fireworks displays, and Monday Independence Day celebrations are mostly on the North Carolina Coast and Piedmont. A few Mountain events are listed.
This listing is subject to changes and additions over the next few days.
Brier Creek (Raleigh/Durham NC) — Show us Your Stripes Block Party
Brier Creek Commons is holding a July 4, 2016, block party with fireworks from 5-7pm. Set up a chair by the Clock Tower Plaza (between Brasa and Blo) and enjoy games, inflatables, face painting, free balloons and fun. More details on the Brier Creek website.
Carolina Beach NC — Independence Day Fireworks
Celebrate Independence Day early on July 3, 2016, with free fireworks and live music.! Music starts around 6:30pm at the gazebo on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Enjoy the entertainment, then get to the beach or gazebo to watch fireworks begin at 9pm. More information is online at www.pleasureislandnc.org.
Cary NC — July 4th Celebration
This celebration is on July 4, 2016, starting at 3pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. There will be children’s activities, a ferris wheel, contests, and live music including the North Carolina Symphony — followed by fireworks. The event wraps up around 10pm. Lawn seating is free; special table seating is available for $40 per person. There may be a parking fee. The Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Parkway, in Cary NC. For more information, visit boothamphitheatre.com/event/independence-day.
The Town of Cary also has July 4th events at the Applause! Cary Youth Theatre and at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. Details for all town events are online here.
Chapel Hill NC — July 4th Celebration and Fireworks
The town’s celebration and fireworks are planned for July 4, 2016, with the stadium gates opening at 7pm for fun including live music and a watermelon eating contest! The fireworks are planned for 9:30pm. Kenan Memorial Stadium is located at 104 Stadium Drive, in Chapel Hill NC. Parking is available around the area, but Stadium Drive will be closed. Details are on the town website.
Crystal Coast NC — Fireworks, Educational Events, and More
Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, and other areas have events going on for the weekend — July 1-4, 2016, there are many area options. Attend a talk about sea turtles, watch a musket firing demonstration, or check out fireworks along the coast. A list of upcoming events for the area may be found at www.crystalcoastnc.org/region/all/events.
Durham NC — Durham Bulls Game and Fireworks
In addition to the game against the Chiefs, an Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for July 4, 2016. The location is the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, Durham NC. More details are on the Durham Bulls website, along with ticket information.
Emerald Isle NC — Glow Party at the Pier and Fireworks
On Monday, July 4, 2016, 7-11pm, the Town of Emerald Isle is partnering with Bogue Inlet Pier to offer fireworks over the ocean starting at 9pm. Get to Bogue Inlet Pier, Emerald Isle NC, and watch the fireworks from the pier or beach. More details are on the town’s website.
Greensboro NC — Fun Fourth Festival
An Independence Day celebration planned in the downtown National Register Historic District, Greensboro NC, July 3-4, 2016. The festival is jam-packed with fun, lively and engaging entertainment for the young and the young at heart. More information online at funfourthfestival.com.
Note that the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball team has a home game on July 4, 2016, versus West Virginia. This night includes a Stars and Stripes Spectacular. Gates open at 6pm, with the game scheduled for 7pm. More information including tickets is available here.
Henderson NC — Independence Day Weekend Celebration
On July 2, 2016, enjoy food, fun, and fireworks at Satterwhite Point, Kerr Lake. Bring a chair or blanket for this evening at the lake, 7-10pm. This is a no-alcohol, family-oriented event. For more about what Kerr Lake has to offer, visit www.kerrlake-nc.com.
Hickory NC — Independence Day Celebration
Come to the Hickory Crawdads’ game on July 3, 2016, versus Kannapolis. Post-game fireworks start immediately after the game. More information and tickets are available here.
Knightdale NC — Third Annual July 4th Celebration
Organized by the Knightdale Parks and Recreation Department, this free July 4th Celebration is July 4, 2016, 5pm until Fireworks (about 9:15pm) at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. Food trucks, vendors and kids activities will be featured, along with a performance by The Embers. Shuttles will be available and will start running at 4pm. More information, including food trucks and vendors, may be found on the town website.
Morrisville NC — July 3rd Fireworks
Kick off the Independence Day celebration with a fireworks display one day early. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks — no glass containers or alcohol. Music and food trucks start at 6pm, with the fireworks set off at dark. This July 3, 2016 event is free. The site is Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway, in Morrisville NC. More details are on the town website.
Outer Banks NC — Fireworks and More
An overview of Outer Banks area fireworks shows July 4, 2016, including information on the best beaches for watching fireworks, may be found on this realty company’s website at www.beachrealtync.com/fireworks-2010.htm. (Don’t let that link name “2010” fool you; dates are for 2016.) Locations include Corolla, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, and a parade in Duck NC.
Raleigh NC — The ‘Works
Get to Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh NC for free entertainment on multiple stages, contests, family fun, and fireworks. The event is July 4, 2016, noon to 11pm. A complete schedule is online here.
Also in the area, there is a free Independence Day Open House on July 4, 2016, 11am-4pm, at the Joel Lane Museum House, 160 South St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh NC. More information is online here.
Rocky Mount NC — Independence Celebration features Rubberband, Fireworks
The Rocky Mount Independence Celebration is at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex Sunday, July 3, 2016, 6-9:30pm, starting with music and concluding with fireworks. Inflatables and other amusements will be on hand to help keep younger guests entertained, and food vendors will be on site selling their delicacies. Parking will be available at both the stadium and the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 252.972.1151.
Smithfield NC — Independence Celebration
The fun starts July 3, 2016, at 6:30pm. Kids’ activities, live music, food vendors, and more are planned, ending with a fireworks display at 9pm. Join the fun on South Third Street, Historic Downtown Smithfield, NC. More details are on the town website.
Southport NC — Fourth of July Festival
A massive festival where 40,000 to 50,000 people come each year to honoring our nation’s birthday, watch a parade, spend the day together, and watch fireworks. Details of this festival’s many moving parts may be found on the website www.nc4thofjuly.com.
Valdese NC — Fireworks Friday Night
Each year the Town of Valdese celebrates Independence day by holding an impressive fireworks display on the football field behind the Old Rock School, 400 Main Street W, Valdese NC. The 2016 fireworks are July 1, 2016. Music starts on the stage at 7pm. According to the town website, their fireworks show is “a brilliant light display that bursts at a lower altitude which allows for a variety of swirls and explosions.” More information is on the town’s website.
Wake Forest NC — Fourth of July Celebration
Fireworks, live music, a parade, arts, and games are planned for this town event. Fireworks are Sunday, July 3, 2016, with gates opening at 5:30pm. The location is Wake Forest High School, 420 W Stadium Drive, Wake Forest NC. The parade and other activities are on July 4, 2016, with details available here. Tickets are $5 for the fireworks.
Wendell NC — Independence Day Celebration
Join the fun on Main Street and at J. Ashley Wall Town Square in downtown Wendell NC. There is a parade, a special ceremony, and more. See details in this article.
Wilmington NC — 4th of July Celebration
This July 4, 2016, event runs approximately 5-10pm, and features live entertainment and food vendors in historic downtown Wilmington NC. The fireworks display starts at 9:05pm and will be launched from a barge in the Cape Fear River. Join the fun at the Foot of Harnett Street / North Waterfront Park, Wilmington NC. More details including parking information may be found on this website.
Wilson NC — Family Day at the Freeman Roundhouse Museum
Summer concerts at the Oliver Nestus Freeman Roundhouse Museum end on July 3, 2016, with a special Family Dan and Independence Celebration! The Museum is located at 1202 Nash Street E, Wilson NC. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
Winston-Salem NC — Dash Baseball Game and Fireworks
Come for the game July 4, 2016, versus the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Independence Day Fireworks follow the game. Tickets and details online here.
Zebulon NC — Carolina Mudcats for America Fireworks Series
The Carolina Mudcats baseball team has fireworks on July 4, 2016, after their game against Salem. There will also be fireworks on July 1, 2, & 3 after their games against Lynchburg. Games and fireworks are at Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39, in Zebulon NC. Come celebrate Independence Day with the Mudcats and the club’s annual Mudcats for America series. The best fireworks show in Eastern North Carolina follows the game.
Statewide — Fish without a License on July 4th
Anglers and would-be anglers of all ages can enjoy “free fishing day” on July 4, 2016, across North Carolina. From 12:01am to 11:59pm, anyone can fish without having to pay for a fishing license or additional trout privilege license in all public waters, including coastal waters. All fishing regulations, such as length and daily possession limits, and bait and tackle restrictions, still apply. For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit the NC Wildlife Fishing page.
