See Fireworks During Fourth of July and All Summer in North Carolina

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 Valdese Independence Day Celebration

1 Valdese Independence Day Celebration

June 30; Town of ValdeseSee on mapSee on map

It’s a special edition of the Family Friday Nights concert series featuring one of the most popular annual fireworks displays in the area. The light display bursts at a lower altitude, allowing for a variety of swirls and explosions of color.

Admission: free

2 Independence Day Weekend at Lake Junaluska

photo credit: Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

2 Independence Day Weekend at Lake Junaluska

July 1-4; Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat CenterSee on mapSee on map

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 9:30 p.m. on July 3.

Admission: most events are free or low-cost

3 Freedom Fest and Fireworks

3 Freedom Fest and Fireworks

July 4; downtown Bryson CitySee on mapSee on map

The old-fashioned street festival features great music throughout the day, arts and crafts, a children's activities area, watermelon-eating contest and more. The fireworks show begins at 10 p.m.

Admission: free

4 Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie

photo credit: Tweetsie Railroad

4 Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie

July 4; Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing RockSee on mapSee on map

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, $60 (park general admission all day); Children, $40

5 Ingles Independence Day Celebration

5 Ingles Independence Day Celebration

July 4; Pack Square Park, AshevilleSee on mapSee on map

Venture to downtown Asheville for a day and night filled with activities for the family. Highlights include children’s activities, Ultimate Air Dogs, a fireworks extravaganza and more.

Admission: free

6 Symphony By the Lake at Chetola

6 Symphony By the Lake at Chetola

July 21; Chetola Resort, Blowing RockSee on mapSee on map

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

Admission: $65 to $150

Piedmont

7 Symphony in the Park & Fireworks

7 Symphony in the Park & Fireworks

June 24; Bailey Road Park, CorneliusSee on mapSee on map

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

8 Annual Lumbee Homecoming

8 Annual Lumbee Homecoming

June 30 - July 8; PembrokeSee on mapSee on map

Events span 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. The fireworks show takes place July 8.

Admission: cost varies; some events are free

9 Independence Day Weekend Celebration on the Lake

9 Independence Day Weekend Celebration on the Lake

July 1; Satterwhite Point at Kerr Lake, HendersonSee on mapSee on map

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

10 Fun Fourth Festival

10 Fun Fourth Festival

July 4; GreensboroSee on mapSee on map

Tuesday 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 after the Grasshoppers game.

Admission: free; a registration fee for Freedom Run

11 Skyshow Charlotte

11 Skyshow Charlotte

July 4; Truist Field, CharlotteSee on mapSee on map

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: $25 and up for baseball tickets

12 July 4th Fireworks

12 July 4th Fireworks

July 4; Southern Community Park, Chapel HillSee on mapSee on map

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

13 Fort Liberty's 4th of July Celebration

13 Fort Liberty's 4th of July Celebration

July 4; Main Post Parade Field, Fort LibertySee on mapSee on map

Celebrate with the men and women of the Armed Forces, featuring live concerts (Sheryl Crow and Gavin DeGraw are 2023's headliners), parachute free-fall demonstrations, a patriotic flag ceremony, kids’ activities, craft beer garden and fireworks.

Admission: free

14 Fourth of July Parade, Pie-Eating Contest and Fireworks

14 Fourth of July Parade, Pie-Eating Contest and Fireworks

July 4; Downtown Mount AirySee on mapSee on map

The day begins with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a parade and plenty of fun activities such as a dunking booth and pie-eating contest. Live music and fireworks take place at Veterans Memorial Park.

Admission: free

15 Raleigh's July 4th Fireworks Celebration

15 Raleigh's July 4th Fireworks Celebration

July 4; Dorothea Dix Park, RaleighSee on mapSee on map

Hop on a shuttle to Dorothea Dix Park from one of the parking decks downtown for this family-friendly event. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with games, live music and food trucks, and the fireworks go off at 9:30 p.m.

Admission: free

16 Liberty's July Celebration

16 Liberty's July Celebration

July 8; LibertySee on mapSee on map

This annual street festival features arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, amusement rides for kids and a fireworks display.

Admission: free

Coast

17 Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast

17 Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast

Various dates June through September; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina BeachSee on mapSee on map

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

18 North Carolina 4th of July Festival

18 North Carolina 4th of July Festival

June 30 - July 4; SouthportSee on mapSee on map

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

19 Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea

19 Independence Day Fireworks by the Sea

June 30; Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Gazebo, Carolina BeachSee on mapSee on map

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

20 Surf City Independence Day Celebration

20 Surf City Independence Day Celebration

July 3; Soundside Park, Surf CitySee on mapSee on map

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

21 Annual Independence Day Celebration

21 Annual Independence Day Celebration

July 4; Historic Corolla Park, CorollaSee on mapSee on map

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

22 Wilmington Pops 4th of July Celebration

22 Wilmington Pops 4th of July Celebration

July 4; Downtown Wilmington Riverfront ParkSee on mapSee on map

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

23 4th of July Fireworks Celebration and Live Music

23 4th of July Fireworks Celebration and Live Music

July 4; Morehead CitySee on mapSee on map

Live music starts at 7 p.m. and leads into fireworks illuminating the sky above Sugarloaf Island.

Admission: free

24 Fireworks Over the Outer Banks

24 Fireworks Over the Outer Banks

July 4; Outer BanksSee on mapSee on map

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

25 Fourth of July Celebration

25 Fourth of July Celebration

July 4; Greenville Town Common, GreenvilleSee on mapSee on map

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

Baseball and Fireworks

Fans enjoy the fireworks show after Friday night Charlotte Knights games | photo: Charlottesgotalot.com

North Carolina is home to 10 Minor League Baseball teams, and they all feature fireworks shows after one of their weekend night home games.

Asheville Tourists (Friday nights)
McCormick Field, Asheville

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

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

Down East Wood Ducks (nights vary)
Grainger Stadium, Kinston

Durham Bulls (Friday nights)
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham

Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Friday nights)
Segra Stadium, Fayetteville

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

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

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Saturday nights)
Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis

Winston-Salem Dash (Friday nights)
Truist Stadium, Winston-Salem

Updated May 31, 2023
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