Oh say, can you see? Fireworks all over the Triangle!
The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. Right in the middle of the summer, it’s a classic celebration of freedom, fun, and all things summer. I’ve put together this list for you which shares all of the 4th of July family-friendly fun I’ve found around the Triangle. From fireworks to parades, there are so many ways to celebrate Independence Day in and around Raleigh.
More events will be added to this list as information becomes available!
Note: Though we do our very best to confirm the accuracy of information listed, it’s always recommended to check out the links for each event or even call ahead.
Fireworks in Raleigh + the Triangle
Independence Day Celebration – South Park (Fuquay-Varina)
Tuesday July 1st | 6:00pm
Event Link
Music, food, and fun in Fuquay. Live music begins at 6:30 pm. Food Trucks will be onsite and the Splash Pad will be open from 6 to 8:30 pm. Make sure to bring a blanket or chair and get there early to claim the best location to view the fireworks. Fireworks start at sundown (typically 9:15pm). No alcohol allowed, but coolers are ok.
Wendell Fireworks Show – Wendell Community Park (Wendell)
Wednesday July 2nd | 6:00pm
Event Link
What: Activities at the Fireworks Show will include music and multiple food trucks! Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and activities for their families to enjoy. Please refrain from bringing coolers, pets, or personal fireworks including sparklers, so we can keep this a safe event for everyone!
Fireworks Frenzy – Hunter Street Park (Apex)
Thursday July 3rd | 5:00pm-10:00pm
Event Link
This year’s event features:
– New for 2025! Drone light show – before the fireworks, join us for a drone light show made specifically for Apex!
– Food Trucks
– Kids Zone with inflatables and games
– Fireworks display
Schedule of Events
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Food trucks and fun 9:00 pm (tentatively, based on weather conditions): Drone light show begins 9:20 pm: Break in programming to allow attendees with sensory sensitivities to exit the event or visit our sensory-friendly space at the Apex Senior Center 9:30 pm (tentatively, based on weather conditions): Fireworks show begins
Garner Independence Day Celebration – Lake Benson Park (Garner)
Thursday July 3rd | 5:00pm-10:00pm
Event Link
Mark your calendars for a free evening of fun for the whole family. Enjoy delicious food and great music while your children play in the kids’ zone. Top it all off with a headlining performance by the North Carolina Symphony and the best fireworks show in the Triangle!
The following are prohibited: Alcoholic Beverages, Glass Containers, Grills, Fireworks/Sparklers, Pets, Tailgating, Tents/Canopies, Large Umbrellas, Drones, Soliciting
Morrisville Red White & Boom! – Cedar Fork District Park (Morrisville)
Thursday July 3rd | 5:00pm-9:00pm
Event Link
You don’t have to wait until July 4 to celebrate Independence Day in Morrisville! Join us for Red, White & BOOM, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, and family friendly games. We’ll end the celebration with a gorgeous fireworks show!
Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular – Heritage High School (Wake Forest)
Thursday July 3rd | 9:30pm
Event Link
Thursday, July 3; Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road
The fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The Ray Band, formerly known as The Nigel Experience, will headline our celebration and take the stage at 6 p.m
Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks 2024 – Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium (Raleigh)
Friday July 4th | 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Event Link
The City of Raleigh is lighting up the sky once again this Fourth of July. On Fri., July 4, head to the stadium complex around Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium for a fireworks-focused celebration the whole family can enjoy.
This year’s event brings the fireworks back to the stadium complex after previous years at Dix Park. The celebration will be all about the show in the sky, with no stage, vendors or festival activities. Gates open at 6pm, and the fireworks show will begin at 9:30pm.
Cary Presents: Independence Day Celebration – Koka Booth Amphitheatre (Cary)
Friday July 4th | Gates 3:30 p.m., Fireworks 9:25 p.m.
Event Link
Enjoy a Triangle tradition! Join us for a salute to the red, white, and blue as we honor the birthday of the U.S.A. with the music of the North Carolina Symphony. Enjoy patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics, fun activities for kids and a dazzling firework display over Symphony Lake.
TEXT JULY4 to 51597 to receive exclusive updates while at this event.
General Admission lawn is FREE and does not require a ticket. A limited number of Reserved Table Seats (with parking) are available.
Durham 4th of July Fireworks – Durham Bulls Athletic Park (Durham)
Friday July 4th | Game 6:35pm; Fireworks 9:15pm
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Spend the 4th partaking in a classic American pastime: a baseball game. After the game, enjoy a brilliant fireworks display!
Gates will open for general admission at the end of the 7th inning based on availability for those that would like to view the fireworks show from inside the ballpark. Please note, viewing areas are limited outside of the ballpark. Purchasing tickets to the game is strongly encouraged and ensures a spot inside the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch the fireworks. For day of questions about the fireworks show, please call 919-956-BULL.
Chapel Hill 4th of July Fireworks – Southern Community Park (Chapel Hill)
Friday July 4th | 7:00pm-9:45pm
Event Link
Once again, we’ll gather together and light up the sky! Bring the whole crew and gather for our annual show at Southern Community Park. Fireworks will return for our 2025 celebration. Thank you to everyone who provided input in our July 4th survey last year. The best viewing is from the Southern Community Park ball fields and around the Southern Village Green.
Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival & Fireworks – Downtown Clayton (Clayton)
Friday July 4th | 6:00pm
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The annual Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival and Fireworks will take place on Friday, July 4, along Main Street and end with a spectacular fireworks display.
Festivities begin at 6:00 PM with a bike parade starting in front of Horne Square. Kids of all ages can decorate their bikes, scooters, or wagons and ride down Main Street to Town Square. No pre-registration is required.
There will be food trucks, inflatables, games, a balloon twister, a stilt walker, a rock climbing wall, and plenty of fun for everyone. Don’t forget your bathing suit for the Fire Truck Spray Down at 7:00 PM at the corner of Church Street and Main Street.
Starting at 6:00 PM, stop by for a free snowcone near Horne Square, and beginning at 6:30 PM, enjoy free watermelon slices served by Clayton Town Councilmembers next to Clayton Steakhouse.
The evening will conclude with a fireworks show launched from Clayton High School at dark.
Rolesville 4th Celebration – Redford Place Park (Rolesville)
Friday July 4th | 5:00pm-9:00pm
Event Link
Join us on July 4th for our popular Rolesville 4th celebration! Festivities start at 5pm and include food trucks, inflatables, beer & wine, vendors, and live music (starting at 6pm). The night will end with a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9:15pm.
Brier Creek Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show – Brier Creek Commons (Raleigh)
Friday July 4th | 8:00pm
Event Link
This July 4th join Brier Creek Commons Shopping Center for an evening full of festivities and fun. The Star-Spangled block party is back from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with DJ Mark McNally in the clock tower area. Find your spot in the Brier Creek Commons area for one of this area’s largest fireworks shows that begins after dark. The fireworks soundtrack will be broadcast on Kix 102.9, just tune in after dark and listen to the choreographed show live.
Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration – Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park (Holly Springs)
Saturday July 5th | 6:00pm-9:30pm
Event Link
Keep the 4th going even longer with this event taking place on the 5th of July! The Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration on July 5 is full of fun with live music, food trucks, games, and spectacular fireworks. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free and open to all.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, fun outdoor game, and plenty of water for this fun community celebration! Leashed dogs are welcome, but please be mindful of the fireworks and large crowds. Dog owners are responsible for picking up and properly disposing of pet waste and for the behavior of the pet. Coolers and picnics are allowed. No alcohol.
Other Independence Day Events
July 3rd Celebration – Downtown Cary Park (Cary)
Thursday July 3rd | 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Event Link
Get ready to kick off your July 4th festivities early at our July 3rd Celebration in the Park! Join us for a star-spangled extravaganza featuring a movie screening of Top Gun (PG-13), family-friendly activities, and a mouthwatering lineup of food trucks. It’s the perfect occasion to gather your loved ones and enjoy some pre-Independence Day fun! Stay tuned for the full lineup of activities!.
Cary Town Band Presents Downtown Cary Patriotic Celebration – Cary Arts Center (Cary)
Thursday July 3rd | 7:30 p.m.
Event Link
Set against the backdrop of the historic Cary Arts Center, the theme of this year’s Downtown Cary Patriotic Celebration is By Air and By Sea. Our music pays tribute to the brave service members who defend us from threats arriving by sea and from the sky. The celebration includes the presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, singing our National Anthem, a musical salute to our veterans, and a patriotic speaker. Come join us for our annual tribute to the founding of the United States of America!
Independence Day Fishing Tournament – Bond Park Boathouse (Cary)
Friday July 4th | 8:00am-11:00am
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Join us for the annual Independence Day Fishing Tournament at Bond Park! Anglers of all ages are welcome. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the tournament begins at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest and shortest fish caught in each age group.
Children’s Independence Day Parade – Durham Central Park (Durham)
Friday July 4th | 9:30am
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Bring the whole family to Durham Central Park to celebrate the Fourth of July at the Children’s Independence Day Parade! Families are welcome to decorate bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers using items from the Scrap Exchange and then parade through Durham Central Park at 10:30 a.m. Pssst … there will be free popsicles and fire truck tours after the event.
Olde Fashioned 4th of July – Downtown Apex (Apex)
Friday July 4th | 9:00am-1:00pm
Event Link
This long-standing traditional event features games for all ages, inflatables, the Parade of Wheels, and ends with a splash down from the Apex Fire Department!
Schedule of Events:
– 9 am: Flag Raising / Mayor’s Speech
– 9:15 am: Activities begin
– 11:30 am: Parade of Wheels line-up
Kids are invited to decorate bikes, wagons, tricycles, or other non-motorized vehicles in red, white, and blue. The Parade starts at the corner of Salem Street & Chatham Street. Helmets are required.
– 12 pm: Parade of Wheels
– Fire Department Splash Down right after the Parade
2025 Children’s Parade – North Main Street (Wake Forest)
Friday July 4th | Lineup begins 10:00am
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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!
The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St., and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. along North Main Street. The parade will end at the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave.
2025 Art & More in the Park – Wake Forest Community House (Wake Forest)
Friday July 4th | 11:00am-1:00pm
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On Friday, July 4, from 11 am-1 pm, children of all ages will have the opportunity to create a variety of interesting arts and crafts projects.
Presented by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, Art & More in the Park will take place inside the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave., and outside in the vicinity of the Holding Park basketball court and R.H. Forrest Field.
In addition to the arts and crafts projects offered inside the Community House, the Wake Forest Fire Department will be outside grilling and serving free hotdogs, interacting with the children and their families, and providing information on fire prevention and safety.
Fire officials will also hand out a variety of giveaways, including plastic fire helmets, stickers, and more!
Town of Carrboro’s 4th of July Celebration – Carrboro Town Commons (Carrboro)
Friday July 4th | 9:30am-3:00pm
Event Link
Join us from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4th for a day of fun activities and celebrations. The 12th Annual Community Reading of the Frederick Douglass Essay “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” will be held rain or shine and occur at the Carrboro Century Center from 2 – 4 p.m. Come early to get a good seat!
Activities begin at 9:30 a.m. at Weaver Street Market, followed by The People’s Parade from Weaver Street to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m. led by the Bulltown Strutters. The event continues at Carrboro Town Commons from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and then concludes at the Century Center for the Community Reading at 2 – 4 p.m.
Bring non-perishable items to help support PORCH. Donation bins available at Weaver Street Market and Carrboro Town Commons.
Fourth on First Avenue – Knightdale Station Park (Knightdale)
Friday July 4th | 9:00am-1:00pm
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Celebrate with a day full of fun and festivities! Kick off the morning with a Bike Parade, then enjoy live music from Liquid Pleasure as you enjoy activities like inflatables, cornhole, and axe throwing. Satisfy your cravings with delicious options from a variety of food trucks. Gather your family and friends for a day of music, games, and patriotic fun!