Eastern North Carolina towns offer various events for celebrating Independence Day, July 4, 2017. Some events are in the Five County Area east of Raleigh, while others are Coastal, and a very few in our list are in the Piedmont area.
Note each event’s date, as some are on July 4th, while others are on the surrounding dates.
If you have the day off to enjoy the Fourth of July, know that many are working to make the day fun! Park service/rangers, town officials, fireworks companies, food workers, and musicians will be working on Independence Day to make it special for you.
Is there a free, public event missing from this list? Let our Editor know. Thank you!
Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington Royals Baseball vs. Bluefield is July 4, 2017, at 6:30pm, with Independence Day Fireworks. Enjoy the game at Burlington Athletic Stadium, 1450 Graham Street, Burlington NC. See schedule on the Minor League Baseball Burlington Royals schedule page.
Carolina/Kure Beach, North Carolina
On Monday, July 3, 2017, enjoy Independence Day Weekend Summer Fireworks By The Sea and Boardwalk Gazebo Music Featuring Rebekah Todd and the Oyssey. For more information on this event, see www.pleasureislandnc.org including any potential fees.
Carrboro, North Carolina
The 2017 Carrboro July 4th Celebration will be held at Carrboro Town Hall on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Event kicks off at Weaver Street Market Lawn, beginning at 9:30am. There will be a parade, 10:50am, from Weaver Street Market to Town Hall. This year, the Kids Fun Zone and Fun Zone Stage return. There will be live music, activities, games, good food, and more. See the Town of Carrboro website at www.townofcarrboro.org/308/July-4th-Celebration for more information.
Corolla, North Carolina
Head to Historic Corolla Park, 1160 Village Lane, Corolla NC, on July 4, 2017, noon-9pm, and enjoy entertainment, family activities, food, and fireworks. See http://www.visitcurrituck.com/events/25th-annual-festival-of-fireworks-2
Duck, North Carolina
Head to the Town of Duck for their 13th-annual 4th of July Parade and Community Celebration. This year, the fun is Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at 9am. See more at www.townofduck.com/special-events/duck-4th-of-july-festivities.
Greensboro, North Carolina
A special “Guided Battlefield” tour will be held by the National Park Service at the Guilford Courthouse, a national park site, on July 4, 2017. Tours are scheduled for 11am and 2pm at the Guilford Courthouse, 2332 New Garden Road, Greensboro NC. Meet at the Visitor Center for this free tour, just one part of the Independence Day events at this park. The tour is part of the Guilford Courthouse “100 years” celebration. Note that in August, a special Founder’s Day will be held to not only celebrate this park, but the 101st birthday of the National Park Service. See more here.
Henderson, North Carolina
On Saturday, July 1, 2017, enjoy an Independence Day Weekend Celebration in Vance County. There will be food vendors, Frankie Faucet and “The Drips” on stage (7-10pm), and more at this free, public event. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Watch the fireworks display over the water and under the stars at beautiful Kerr Lake, Satterwhite Point Park, Henderson NC. Stay to watch the fireworks “over the water and under stars.” A parking fee will be charged by NC State Parks (approximately $6 per car). See www.kerrlake-nc.com.
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Head to downtown Hillsborough for festivities beginning with a community reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by live music by the Music Makers on Sunday, July 2, 2017, 11am-3pm. Set up a picnic blankets and enjoy lunch available from food trucks. There will be kids’ activities, crafts, and “colonial style games.”
This is a free event and is open to the public, held at River Park — located at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion at 144 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough NC. Questions, contact the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough at 919.732.7741. Hillsborough-based nonprofits/businesses that are interested in setting up a booth, email Lindsey at Historic Hillsborough for a vendor application.
See more at www.historichillsborough.org/4th-of-july.
Knightdale, North Carolina
The fourth-annual July Fourth Celebration at Knightdale Station Park will be held on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, 5pm until Fireworks (9:15pm).
This event may still be accepting vendors, though there is limited availability. A list of Food and Playground Vendors is here. An estimated 12,000 attended the Town of Knightdale July Fourth event last year.
See more at www.knightdalenc.gov.
Macclesfield, North Carolina
The Macclesfield Fourth of July Celebration will be Monday, July 3, 2017, 5-10:15pm. Head to downtown, northeast of Wilson NC, for live music, fireworks, and more. Ashton Williams and Steel Standin’ Band will perform live. Its a Zoo Life will have a petting zoo with TLC cameras fliming for its upcoming reality show.There will be rides, food, vendors, and raffles too. Zambelli fireworks are expected to begin at 9:15pm. See more at discoveredgecombe.com/…/town-of-macclesfield-fireworks.
Manteo, North Carolina
The Town of Manteo celebration is on July 4, 2017. Festivities run all day and culminate in a fireworks display over the sound. See www.TownOfManteo.com. With questions, call Nadine Daniels at 252.473.2133.
Nags Head, North Carolina
The Town of Nags Head’s annual Fireworks Spectacular is Tuesday, July 4, 2017, 9:20pm. Fireworks will be visible at the Nags Head Fishing Pier and surrounding areas. See the town website at www.NagsHeadNC.gov.
Raleigh, North Carolina
The ‘Works! along Fayetteville Street in Raleigh NC are scheduled for July 4, 2017, noon-11pm. This free event includes the fireworks extravaganza, live music, food and beverages, arts vendors, street performers, eating contests, and more. Join a picnic on Fayetteville Street or settle in for the fireworks over the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, starting around 9:30pm.
Visit www.visitraleigh.com/…/The-Works for a list of performers and schedule. Questions, call 919.996.3070.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Enjoy an evening of family fun, food, music, kids activities and topping it all off with a fireworks show. This year, the city is celebrating its 150th year!
The 46th-annual city of Rocky Mount Independence Celebration will take place in the stadium at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, , 600 Independence Drive, Rocky Mount NC, on Monday, July 3, 2017, 6-9:30pm, starting with music and concluding with fireworks.
The event kicks off with Swivel Hip taking the stage at 6pm followed by local resident Dina Davis of Battleboro. Davis will sing the National Anthem. There will also be an opportunity to honor veterans and active military personnel. The band, Charlie, closes out the stage portion of the event, with fireworks starting around 9:15pm.
Inflatables will be on hand to help keep younger guests entertained, and food vendors will be on site selling their delicacies.
The Independence Celebration is free and open to the public. Details and vendor forms available at downtownrockymount.com/events/independence-day. For more information, call 252.972.1151.
Rolesville, North Carolina
Rolesville 4th of July celebration is July 4, 2017, 4:30-9:45pm. The location is 121 Redford Place Drive, Rolesville NC. This town event begins at 4:30pm with a parade that will start at Thales Academy and proceed up Main Street and onto Redford Place Drive to the main event. Gates will open immediately after the parade and admission is free, though donations are appreciated. Enjoy food vendors, face painting (for kids), live music, and fireworks starting at approximately 9:15pm. For more info, check out the official page at www.rolesville4th.com, and the event organizers’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/rolesville4th.
Selma, North Carolina
Selma’s free, public All-American Festival is Tuesday, July 4, 2017, 5-10pm. Come celebrate the nation’s birthday at this family-fun event. There will be a “Red, White and Chew” pie eating contest, free watermelon slices, vendors, inflatables, live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, car club showcase, and “one of the best fireworks displays in Johnston County.” For activities, a $5 unlimited play wrist band will be available.
Vendor Spaces may still be available; visit www.selma-nc.com for complete information, or check out the Selma NC Visitor Center on Facebook.
Tarboro, North Carolina
Head to the Town of Tarboro for a Fourth of July Celebration on July 4, 2017, 6-10:15pm. Get your face painted, grab some food or check out the craft vendors. Food and kids inflatables are planned, along with a fireworks show after dark. See more at members.discoveredgecombe.com/…/town-of-tarboro-fireworks, or check out the event list on the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
Wake Forest, North Carolina
The Town of Wake Forest is holding two days of events, July 3-4, 2017, with their Fireworks Spectacular July 3 and a parade/activites July 4. See details and schedule at www.wakeforestnc.gov/july4.aspx. Tickets are $5, $4 in bulk.
Wendell, North Carolina
The Wendell Historical Society is holding an Independence Day event July 4, 2017, 10am-1pm. All are welcome to downtown Wendell NC for a Parade starting at 10:30am, a public program at Town Square at 11am, and free hot dogs after. The Society is online at www.wendellhistoricalsociety.com.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Get to Riverfront Park in Wilmington on Tuesday July 4, 2017, 6-10pm, for their free celebration. Enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, a walk along the Cape Fear River, and fireworks beginning around 9:05pm “launched from a barge in the Cape Fear River”. Questions, call 910.772.4177 or visit www.wilmingtonnc.gov/…/special-events.
Wilson, North Carolina
July Fourth Festival at the Fairgrounds at Wilson County Fairgrounds on July 4, 2017, 2-10pm. BBQ cookout starts at 2pm with local volunteer fire departments competing for best BBQ. Fireworks at the grandstand area of fairgrounds start around 9pm. See details on the Wilson County Fair Facebook page.
The Wilson Tobs are in town on July 4, 2017, vs. the Peninsula Pilots at 7pm. Firework Extravaganza follows the game.
Don’t forget to check out Eyes on Main Street in Wilson, a corridor/gallery of large-scale photographs by renowned professional photographers. See more at www.eyesonmainstreetwilson.com.
*Statewide*
July 4 is Free Fishing Day in North Carolina, so no license required. See more in our article at greyareanews.com/news/state-nc/no-nc-fishing-license-needed-fish-july-4.
