Mark your calendars for the 2018 July 4th Fireworks displays in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Apex and more!
Fireworks on the Fourth of July are some of the best memories we have with family and friends.
Several celebrations include “old fashioned” festivities for families such as face painting, watermelon seed contest, potato sack races, and plenty of live music. The Triangle area is well-known for great music and a wonderful summer atmosphere.
Pick your day, time, and activity and click on all of the links for additional details. Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day holiday!
RALEIGH
All fireworks will be launched from the Varsity Lot at North Carolina State University, which is adjacent to PNC Arena, Carter-Finley Stadium, and the N.C. State Fairgrounds. There are no major visual obstructions in the vicinity so the fireworks can be viewed from all directions. The arena also provides ample parking and restroom amenities.
PNC Arena will open gates at 6 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to launch at 9:30 p.m. Parking at PNC Arena will be free and open to the public. Click here for more information.
APEX
Olde Fashioned Fourth of July – Wednesday, July 4th in Historic Downtown Apex – click here for more info!
Events are as follows:
- 9:00 am: Flag Raising
- 9:15 am: Activities begin (inflatables, water slide, face painting, karaoke contest, carnival games, climbing wall, sno cones, barbecue, and more!)
- 11:45 am: Parade of Wheels line-up
- 11:50 am: Activities end
- 12:00 pm: Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels
- 12:30 pm: Fire Department Splash Down
BURLINGTON
Independence Day Celebration Burlington City Park Tuesday, July 3rd from 5pm-9pm. Join us for the annual July 3rd in the Park Independence Day celebration. There will be live music, great food, amusement park rides, games and of course fireworks at 9:00 pm! Come out and experience this family fun event with Burlington Recreation & Parks. Click here for details.
CARRBORO
Enjoy a small town tradition with big-time fun!
The 2018 Carrboro July 4th Celebration will be held at Carrboro Town Hall on Wednesday, July 4th. More details here.
Help us kick off the event at Weaver Street Market Lawn beginning at 9:30 am!
A parade from Weaver Street Market to Town Hall, starting at 10:50 am, will bring the Weaver Street participants together with those in attendance at Carrboro Town Hall.
Of course, the Kids Fun Zone and Fun Zone Stage will be back and better than ever! Enjoy plenty of activities, games, good food, and live music.
CARY
Independence Eve Celebration – Tuesday, July 3 | Free, Cary Arts Center Pre-show with Applause! Cary Youth Theatre | 6:30 p.m. Cary Town Band | 7:30 p.m. Known at the time as “The Great War” or “The War to End All Wars,” World War I ended on November 11, 1918, exactly 100 years ago this November. To commemorate this upcoming anniversary, the band’s 31st annual Independence Eve Celebration musically recalls the many wonderful tunes written during that war. It will feature music honoring those who served, and, of course, we’ll salute our military service personnel past and present who have helped secure our freedom and liberty through all the years. It’s a celebration you don’t want to miss as we recall The Great War. Learn more here.
Independence Day Olde Time Celebration at Bond Park
Wednesday, July 4 | Activities begin at 8 a.m. | Free
Fred G. Metro Bond Park, Boathouse
Join us for an old-fashioned celebration of our nation’s birth — sure to be lots of fun for the entire family!
Fishing Tournament (Waterfront)
8-10 a.m.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Boathouse. Prizes awarded for the longest and shortest fish in a variety of age groups. The Boathouse will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parade Preparations (Kiwanis Shelter)
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Decorate yourself your family or your bike, trike, stroller, wagon, scooter or battery-powered kids vehicle, (no gas powered vehicles please) and participate in an old-time, kid-friendly parade through the park to celebrate the founding of our country. The parade theme will be “American Pride” You are welcome to provide your own decorating supplies, come already decorated, or use our decorations while supplies last. Supplies and assistance provided by the Cary Teen Council.
Parade In The Park
10:30 a.m.
Show your American pride! Slowly walk, stroll, ride, drive, and parade through the park. The parade begins at the Kiwanis Shelter and will be led by the marching unit of our own Cary Town Band playing a selection of classic American standards.
Family Contests (Boathouse & Spillway)
11 a.m.
Join us for some family-friendly competitions including Donut Eating, Watermelon Eating, Lake Side Olympics, Seed Spitting, Sidewalk Decorating, and more! Age groups for all events are: age 5 & under, age 6-10, age 11-17, and age 18 & up. Please join us for this nostalgic celebration of our independence!
July 4th Celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheater
Wednesday, July 4 | 3-10 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Patriotic performances and music combined with family-friendly activities in an atmosphere that is second to none make the July 4 Celebration at Booth Amphitheatre an event not to be missed! As the last note fades, the celebration is capped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Kids young and old will want to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel which offers a stunning view of Symphony Lake. There will also be an array of contests, magicians, scavenger hunts, rides, and more!
Schedule of Events:
3 p.m. Gates open to blankets, lawn chairs & picnics
3-7 p.m. Kids Activities, Ferris Wheel, Berry-Go-Round, scavenger hunt, and more.
4:30-6 p.m. Watermelon eating, ice cream eating and corn hole contests.
5:45 p.m. Cary Town Band on Koka Booth Main Stage
7:30 p.m. NC Symphony on Koka Booth Main Stage
CHAPEL HILL
With exceptional sight lines, the impeccable surroundings of Kenan Stadium and first-class amenities, there’s no other environment that provides for a more entertaining event. Make sure to get to the stadium early for the best seats. Gates open at 7 pm for Live Entertainment, Watermelon Eating Contest and Gate attractions. The Fireworks display begins at 9:30 sharp! Contributions at the gate of $1 per person and $5 per family help keep this a Tradition. Get all of the details here.
DURHAM
Durham Bulls Baseball July 3 vs. Stripers – Start the 4th of July celebration one night early, as the DBAP will feature a massive fireworks display in advance of the holiday!
FUQUAY VARINA
Independence Day Celebration
Sponsored by: Town of Fuquay-Varina
Tuesday, July 3, Gates open 6 pm, Fireworks at sundown. Click here for more details.
South Park (900 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC)
Celebrate America’s birthday at the Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration at South Park on Tuesday, July 3. Gates open at 6 pm. Live music by Spare Change. Free kids zone. Food trucks on site. Make sure to bring a blanket or chair and get there early to claim a good spot to view the fireworks!
GARNER
July 3 Independence Day Celebration
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Lake Benson Park – 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC 27529
Event Start: 5:00 p.m.
Join us for an evening of fun for the whole family featuring performances by The Embers and the North Carolina Symphony. Your children will love our Kids Adventure Zone featuring inflatables, games and crafts. Bring a picnic, or enjoy delicious concessions provided by food trucks and local non-profit organizations.
Top off your evening with the best fireworks show in the Triangle, and you’ll see why our citizens are so proud of their hometown.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
5:00 p.m. – Kids Zone Opens, Veterans Memorial Tours Begin
5:30 p.m. – The Embers
7:30 p.m. – Veterans Memorial Tours End
8:00 p.m. – Mayor’s Presentation
8:30 p.m. – NC Symphony Performs, Kids Zone Closes
FIREWORKS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE NC SYMPHONY PERFORMANCE (approximately 9:30 p.m.) – Click here for more details.
HOLLY SPRINGS
Thursday, July 5, 2018 – 5-9:30 p.m.
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
2401 Grigsby Avenue
Holly Springs, NC 27540
Join us the day after Independence Day for this traditional celebration of America’s birthday. Admission is free and everyone is invited, including friendly, leashed pets! If you are interested in participating as a vendor or sponsoring this event please click here.
Festivities include: Face painting, Fireworks, Food vendors, Inflatables and rides, Kids crafts, Live Music from the Holly Springs Community Band & The Holiday Band, Skydiving Demonstrations with the All Veteran Parachute Team, Fireworks
The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm, weather permitting and will last about 20 minutes. Please do not bring your own fireworks to the celebration. This includes sparklers. More details here.
MEBANE
July 4, 2018 – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
MEBANE ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTER
City of Mebane’s Recreation & Parks Department presents it’s annual July 4th Family Music Festival on Wednesday, July 4th. Band of Oz will be playing Beach & Top 40 Favorites starting at 7 pm inside the MA&CC. Fireworks will follow at 9:40 pm. More details here.
WAKE FOREST
2018 Fireworks Spectacular
Tuesday, July 3 ~ Gates open at 5:30 pm
Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road
The 2018 Fireworks Spectacular will be on Tuesday, July 3, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Area residents are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the festivities on the Husky Stadium football field or on one of the designated viewing areas on the Heritage High School campus. Spectators may also sit on the home side stadium bleachers. No chairs or blankets will be permitted on the stadium track. Learn more here.
2018 Children’s Parade
Wednesday, July 4 ~ Lineup 10 am
North Main Street & West Juniper Avenue
The Fourth of July Celebration revelry continues on Wednesday, July 4, with the annual Children’s Parade. The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest College Birthplace. No registration is required!
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. along North Main Street. All area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles or be pulled along in a wagon as part of a “walking parade” designed just for them! More details here.
2018 Art & Games in the Park
Wednesday, July 4 ~ 11 am
Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave.
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4, children of all ages will have the opportunity to create a variety of interesting arts and crafts projects, join in a slew of games and activities, and enjoy giant inflatables. All of these festivities will take place at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave. and R.H. Forrest Field, 123 W. Owen Ave.
Game activities will take place at Holding Park and include sack races, a watermelon seed spitting contest and a pie eating contest. More details here.
I hope you found this list helpful. I know how much fun fireworks and July 4th celebrations are with my family and friends! Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July Celebration this year! ~ Amy Shair