A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Find fireworks in your region. Western      Central      Eastern WESTERN   Bryson City — North Carolina’s Freedom Fest July 4 Spend the day in downtown Bryson City exploring

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Find fireworks in your region. Western      Central      Eastern WESTERN   Bryson City — North Carolina’s Freedom Fest July 4 Spend the day in downtown Bryson City exploring

19 Showstopping Fourth of July Fireworks Shows in North Carolina

Find fireworks in your region.
Western      Central      Eastern


WESTERN

 

Bryson City — North Carolina’s Freedom Fest

July 4

Spend the day in downtown Bryson City exploring local businesses, eating street food delights like funnel cake, shave ice, BBQ, and kettle corn, listen to live music, and then find a spot to watch the fireworks launched off from Airport Hill in the evening.

Downtown Bryson City
(828) 488-3681, greatsmokies.com


Robbinsville — Graham County 2025 Heritage Festival

July 4 & 5

In the heart of Robbinsville, this two-day event is packed with games, crafts, music, food, vendors, live music, and fireworks.

80 Knight Street
Robbinsville, NC 28771
(828) 479-3790, grahamcountytravel.com


Blowing Rock — Fireworks Extravaganza

July 4

Spend the day at Tweetsie Railroad’s Wild West theme park, and after the park closes, experience a fireworks show from the parking lot.

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(800) 526-5740, tweetsie.com


Boone — Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks

July 4

In the morning, watch the parade travel through downtown Boone along King Street. Then, continue the celebrations with cake and watermelon on the lawn of the Jones House. Finish off the day with a fireworks display at Clawson-Burnley Park. 

604 West King Street
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 268-6280, exploreboone.com


Hendersonville — Special Fireworks Celebration Concert

July 4

Locals and visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, food trucks, and two stages of live music, complete with a fireworks show to end the day. 

200 South Main Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 693-9708, visithendersonvillenc.org


Maggie Valley — Backyard Fourth!

July 4

Bring a blanket, games, snacks, and activities to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds for a fireworks show that will begin at dusk.

3374 Soco Road
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
(828) 926-0866, maggievalleync.gov


Sylva — July Fourth Fireworks

July 4

At this annual Independence Day Celebration in downtown Sylva, the littles can enjoy kid-friendly activities while adults enjoy a concert from Gotcha Groove. Fireworks will begin once it gets dark.

76 Railroad Avenue
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2155, mountainlovers.com


 

CENTRAL

Charlotte — Fourth of July Celebration

July 3-4

This two-day event offers a bunch of fun activities, including live music and yoga, in addition to all the outdoor activities that the National Whitewater Center offers. Fireworks shows will take place at the end of each day.

5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28214
(704) 391-3900, whitewater.org


Cary — Independence Day Celebration

July 4

The North Carolina Symphony and Cary Town Band will perform during this event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Fireworks will be set off once both concerts are complete.

8003 Regency Parkway
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 462-2025, boothamphitheatre.com


Raleigh — Fourth of July Fireworks Show

July 4

Enjoy a free fireworks celebration at the stadium complex around the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. 

1400 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 996-3100, raleighnc.gov


Holly Springs — Fireworks Show

July 5

Head out to Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park to enjoy live music, food trucks, and other activities before watching a fireworks display.

2401 Grigsby Avenue
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-3111, hollyspringsnc.us


 

EASTERN

 

Ocracoke — Independence Day Celebration

July 2-4

This three-day celebration, beginning on July 2, will feature a sand sculpture contest, a square dance, an old-time parade, a community beach fire under the stars, and a fireworks show launched from the large National Park Service parking area.

Downtown Ocracoke
(252) 928-6711, visitocracoke.com 


Atlantic Beach — Fireworks Show

July 4

Grab dinner or a sweet treat at Atlantic Beach Circle before ringing in Independence Day with live music, and a spectacular fireworks show. Can’t make it there? Don’t worry, the show will also be visible across the island.

115 Atlantic Boulevard
Atlantic Beach, NC
(252) 726-2121, atlanticbeach-nc.com


Greenville — July Fourth Independence Day Celebration

July 4

Bring your own blanket, grab a spot and enjoy live music, food trucks, a car show and bounce houses at the Town Common. Then, end the day with a bang — a fireworks show will start at dusk.

100 East First Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 329-2489, greenvillenc.gov


Nags Head — Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular

July 4

Head over to the Nags Head Fishing Pier for this fireworks celebration. The show will begin after dark, but there are plenty of restaurants near the pier to grab a bite to eat at before the show begins.

3335 South Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959
(252) 441-5508, nagsheadnc.gov


New Bern — Fourth of July Celebration

July 4

Enjoy live music, games, food trucks, magic, and inflatables, then sit back for a fireworks display at Lawson Creek Park.

1309 Country Club Road
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 639-2901, newbernnc.gov


Southport — North Carolina Fourth of July Festival

July 1-4

This historic annual celebration has taken place for more than 200 years. This four-day festival will feature concessions, a parade, crafts, live music, an art show, children’s activities, a flag-raising celebration, and fireworks.

146 East Bay Street
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-5578, nc4thofjuly.com


Wilmington — Fourth of July Fireworks

July 4

Eat and shop along the Wilmington Riverwalk in the historic downtown district during the day before heading over to the waterfront in the evening for a performance by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks show.

Riverside Historic Downtown
Wilmington NC, 28401
(910) 341-7855, wilmingtonnc.gov


Ocean Isle — July Fourth Fireworks

July 4

Enjoy a July 4th parade down East First Street and holiday market at 5 West Third Street before the fireworks spectacular is launched from the Ocean Isle Beach Pier in the evening.

1 West First Street
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 579-5163, ncbrunswick.com

This story was published on Jun 16, 2021

Anna Mudd

Anna Mudd is a summer 2021 editorial intern at Our State.