Watching fireworks light up the sky is an experience as American as they come, thanks largely to these displays being part of Independence Day traditions. North Carolina offers beautiful backdrops for these bursts of color in the skies above our mountains, cityscapes and beaches.
You’ll find many Fourth of July fireworks shows, including several multiday celebrations. Plus, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy fireworks throughout summer beyond Independence Day.
Mountains
1 Independence Day Weekend at Lake Junaluska
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1 Independence Day Weekend at Lake Junaluska
June 29 – July 6; Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat CenterSee on mapIt'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
2 Valdese Independence Day Celebration
2 Valdese Independence Day Celebration
July 4; ValdeseSee on mapCelebrate 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
3 Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie
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3 Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie
July 4; Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing RockSee on mapEnjoy 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, $45
4 Independence Day Block Party
4 Independence Day Block Party
July 4; South Slope, AshevilleSee on mapVenture 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
5 Symphony By the Lake at Chetola
5 Symphony By the Lake at Chetola
July 25; Chetola Resort, Blowing RockSee on mapIt’s the signature summertime event of the Symphony of the Mountains, and a fireworks show wraps up the night.
Admission: $85 to $185
Piedmont
6 Symphony in the Park & Fireworks
6 Symphony in the Park & Fireworks
June 21; Bailey Road Park, CorneliusSee on mapBring 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
7 Annual Lumbee Homecoming
7 Annual Lumbee Homecoming
June 24 – July 6; PembrokeSee on mapEvents 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
8 Red, White and Boom Fest
8 Red, White and Boom Fest
June 28; Main Post Parade Field, Fort BraggSee on mapCelebrate 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
9 Skyshow Charlotte
9 Skyshow Charlotte
July 3; Truist Field, CharlotteSee on mapThe 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
10 Fun Fourth Festival
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10 Fun Fourth Festival
July 4; GreensboroSee on mapFriday 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
11 July 4th Fireworks
11 July 4th Fireworks
July 4; Southern Community Park, Chapel HillSee on mapRanked 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
12 Raleigh's July 4th Fireworks Celebration
12 Raleigh's July 4th Fireworks Celebration
July 4; Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium, RaleighSee on mapThis family-friendly event has moved from Dorothea 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
13 Independence Day Weekend Celebration on the Lake
13 Independence Day Weekend Celebration on the Lake
July 5; Satterwhite Point Park at Kerr Lake, HendersonSee on mapWatch 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
Coast
14 Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast
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14 Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast
Various dates June through September; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina BeachSee on mapEnjoy 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
15 North Carolina 4th of July Festival
15 North Carolina 4th of July Festival
June 27 – July 4; SouthportSee on mapFor 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
16 Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea
16 Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea
July 3; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina BeachSee on mapCelebrate 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
17 Surf City Independence Day Celebration
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17 Surf City Independence Day Celebration
July 3; Soundside Park, Surf CitySee on mapEnjoy 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
18 Annual Independence Day Celebration
18 Annual Independence Day Celebration
July 4; Historic Corolla Park, CorollaSee on mapCelebrate 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
19 Fireworks Over the Outer Banks
19 Fireworks Over the Outer Banks
July 4; Outer BanksSee on mapChoose 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
20 Wilmington 4th of July Celebration
20 Wilmington 4th of July Celebration
July 4; Downtown Wilmington Riverfront ParkSee on mapExperience 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
21 Fourth of July Celebration
21 Fourth of July Celebration
July 4; Greenville Town Common, GreenvilleSee on mapThe 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
22 Beaufort's Annual Independence Day Fireworks
22 Beaufort's Annual Independence Day Fireworks
July 5; BeaufortSee on mapThe grounds open at 6 p.m. and leads into fireworks illuminating the sky above Gallants Channel.
Admission: $10 per car
Baseball and Fireworks
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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