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Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast

Various dates June through September; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina Beach

Enjoy fireworks all summer long in Carolina Beach. There's live music by a different band each Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. The best place to view the fireworks is on the beach strand in front of the boardwalk.

Admission: free

Symphony in the Park & Fireworks

June 21, 2025; Bailey Road Park, Cornelius

Bring your picnic baskets, blankets and chairs, and enjoy performances by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Concessions are available, including wine and local craft beer, plus you can bring your own coolers, food and drinks. Fireworks begin immediately following the symphony’s performance.

Admission: free

Annual Lumbee Homecoming

June 24 – July 6, 2025; Pembroke

Events span more than a week, recognizing the heritage of the Lumbee people in Robeson County. Activities include a golf tournament, 5K run, bike race, parade, car show, outdoor concerts and local markets selling Lumbee wares.

Admission: cost varies; some events are free

North Carolina 4th of July Festival

June 27 – July 4, 2025; Southport

For more than 220 years, Southport has celebrated the nation's Independence Day in a big way, and its festival is North Carolina’s official celebration. Events span several days, featuring picnics, arts and crafts in the park, a car show, parade, fireworks, firemen’s competition, children’s games, live entertainment, food and more. The finale, the largest of the planned events, takes place July 4 at the Southport Waterfront.

Admission: free

Red, White and Boom Fest

June 28, 2025; Main Post Parade Field, Fort Bragg

Celebrate with the men and women of the Armed Forces, featuring live concerts (Parmalee, Neon Trees and Ludacris are 2025's headliners), parachute free-fall demonstrations, a patriotic flag ceremony, kids’ activities, craft beer garden and fireworks.

Admission: free

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

Independence Day Weekend at Lake Junaluska

June 29 – July 6, 2025; Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

It's a family-friendly, multiday celebration at this lakeside resort in the mountains. Enjoy live music, a hometown-style parade, activities on the water, barbecue and kids' play areas. The fireworks show begins around 9:15 p.m. on July 3.

Admission: most events are free or low-cost

Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea

July 3, 2025; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina Beach

Celebrate Independence Day with a special edition of Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast with live music, followed by fireworks after sunset. Arrive early to grab a spot at the gazebo or on the beach.

Admission: free

Skyshow Charlotte

July 3, 2025; Truist Field, Charlotte

The festivities begin when the Charlotte Knights host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. The night concludes with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast lighting up the skyline after the game.

Admission: $30 and up for baseball tickets

Surf City Independence Day Celebration

July 3, 2025; Soundside Park, Surf City

Enjoy live music, food from vendors, children’s activities, fireworks and more. Bring a chair or blanket and grab a spot in the park.

Admission: free

Valdese Independence Day Celebration

July 4, 2025; Valdese

Celebrate independence with one of the most popular annual fireworks displays in the area. The evening will also include a classic car cruise-in, food trucks, dancing and amusement rides.

Admission: free

Tweetsie Railroad

Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie

July 4, 2025; Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock

Enjoy the largest fireworks show in the High Country alongside the iconic train. The park is open for extended hours for the festivities.

Admission: Adults, $65 (park general admission all day); Children, $44

Independence Day Block Party

July 4, 2025; South Slope, Asheville

Venture to Asheville's South Slope for a night filled with activities for the family. Highlights include children’s activities, Ultimate Air Dogs, live music, a fireworks extravaganza and more.

Admission: free

Fun Fourth Festival

July 4, 2025; Greensboro

Friday is an all-day event complete with a block party, Freedom 5K, 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Several couples will even have the chance to "Red, White and Say 'I Do'" at their free wedding, where an officiant, music, flowers and mini reception are all provided. Fireworks complete the day in the Grasshoppers stadium.

Admission: free; a registration fee for Freedom Run

July 4th Fireworks

July 4, 2025; Southern Community Park, Chapel Hill

Ranked by Travel + Leisure as one of “America’s Top Ten Best Towns for a July Fourth Celebration,” Chapel Hill carries on the tradition year after year with this fireworks display.

Admission: free if parking at the Jackson Deck at UNC Hospitals and taking the shuttle

Raleigh's July 4th Fireworks Celebration

July 4, 2025; Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh

This family-friendly event has moved from Dix Park to the stadium complex in 2025. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with games, live music and food trucks, and the fireworks go off at 9:30 p.m.

Admission: free

Annual Independence Day Celebration

July 4, 2025; Historic Corolla Park, Corolla

Celebrate America's independence with live music and a fireworks show on the Northern Outer Banks. The event also features food vendors, a cornhole tournament, watermelon-eating contest and children’s games.

Admission: free

Wilmington 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 2025; Downtown Wilmington Riverfront Park

Experience historic downtown Wilmington while being entertained by live music and enjoying local food vendors. Fireworks begin at 9:05 p.m., being launched from a barge in the Cape Fear River.

Admission: free

Fireworks Over the Outer Banks

July 4, 2025; Outer Banks

Choose from one of these picturesque locations to watch Fourth of July fireworks shows on the Outer Banks, the site of the English’s first attempted colonization in the New World pre-dating Jamestown by 20 years.

  • Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills
  • Nags Head Fishing Pier in Nags Head
  • Fireworks over the sound in Manteo
  • Avon Pier on Hatteras Island in Avon

Admission: free

Fourth of July Celebration

July 4, 2025; Greenville Town Common, Greenville

The Greenville Town Common hosts the largest Independence Day celebration in the area. Spread a blanket and picnic all afternoon while dancing to live music at the amphitheater, dig in at food trucks, grab a cold drink at the beer garden and take in the fireworks over the banks of the Tar River.

Admission: free

Beaufort's Annual Independence Day Fireworks

July 5, 2025; Beaufort

The grounds open at 6 p.m. and leads into fireworks illuminating the sky above Gallants Channel.

Admission: $10 per car

Independence Day Weekend Celebration on the Lake

July 5, 2025; Satterwhite Point Park at Kerr Lake, Henderson

Watch fireworks soar over the lake after an evening of live music, food, vendors and more. You're encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Admission: free; parking, $7

Symphony By the Lake at Chetola

July 25, 2025; Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock

It’s the signature summertime event of the Symphony of the Mountains, and a fireworks show wraps up the night.

Admission: $85 to $185

Baseball & Fireworks

North Carolina is home to nine Minor League Baseball teams, and they all feature fireworks shows after one of their weekend night home games.

Asheville Tourists (select Friday nights)
McCormick Field, Asheville

Carolina Mudcats (Friday nights and select Saturday nights)
Five County Stadium, Zebulon (near Raleigh)

Charlotte Knights (most Friday and Saturday nights)
Truist Field, Charlotte

Durham Bulls (most Friday and Saturday nights)
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham

Fayetteville Woodpeckers (select Friday nights)
Segra Stadium, Fayetteville

Greensboro Grasshoppers (most Friday nights and select Saturday nights)
First National Bank Field, Greensboro

Hickory Crawdads (select Friday nights)
LP Frans Stadium, Hickory

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (select Friday and Saturday nights)
Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis

Winston-Salem Dash (select Friday and Saturday nights)
Truist Stadium, Winston-Salem

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