4th of July Celebrations in the Region

Date Published:

The Research Triangle Region is filled with fun events and family friendly activities, and the 4th of July is no different. Check out where to celebrate the 4th throughout the region.

Durham County:

Children’s Independence Day Celebration

 9:30 a.m. Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham 

Free. Bring the kids and celebrate the birth of our nation in this fun and patriotic parade. Come early to help your kids decorate their bikes, big wheels, tricycles, wagons, even strollers. Parade starts at 10:30 am.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park Independence Week Celebration

Patriotic fireworks show immediately following the July 3rd, 4th and 5th baseball games. 

Free, but you should consider buying tickets to the baseball game to make sure you get in. This is strongly suggested.

Chatham County:

Celebrate in Pittsboro

Pittsboro Summer Fest will be held this year on July 3 as a part of the PBA-sponsored First Sunday events. Please check the Pittsboro Business Association website for updates and information. On Facebook, follow our updates here.

Franklin County:

Wake Forest Fireworks Display
Tuesday, July 3rd, 5:30 p.m.
Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest
The band, Crush, is performing, followed fireworks.
Free

Wake Forest Children’s Parade
Wednesday, July 4th, 10 a.m.
North Main Street
Children can ride their bikes, walk, or be pulled in a wagon along North Main Street.
Free

Arts and Games in the Park
Wednesday, July 4th, 11 a.m.
Holding Park, 133 West Owen Avenue
Inflatables, games, activities, crafts for kids
Free

Granville County

Independence Day Celebration July 3rd

Celebrate a day early at Lake Holt in Butner, NC. 

Gates open at 6. Show starts at 9

Johnston County

Benson’s 4th of July Celebration 

Benson Singing Grove

400 E. Main St., Benson, NC 27504

Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30pm with Mayor’s welcome, flag-raising, National Anthem, etc. A concert with popular local bands will begin at 6:00pm. The night finishes with a great fireworks display beginning at 9:15pm.

Clayton’s Fourth of July Celebration

Wednesday, July 4th, 4 p.m.

Municipal Park

Activities start at 4 p.m. and include free family field games, free ice cream, free watermelon, a free hose-down by the Clayton Fire Department and a free concert. Also look out for food vendors, a cornhole tournament, inflatables and fair rides, bingo and raffles throughout the night. The fireworks shoot off at dark and often the live music, inflatables and rides will run another half hour after the show.

Smithfield Independence Celebration

Sunday, July 1st, 6 p.m.

South Third Street, Historic Downtown Smithfield

Food vendors, water wars, and music by The Seaside Band. The celebration ends with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Lee County

Ammons Farm’s Annual 4th of July Celebration
Field beside Sanford Health and Rehab, 2702 Farrell Road, Sanford NC
July 7, 5-9p
Concessions will be available for purchase. They’ll also have a live DJ and face painting for the kids.
Free, but donations at the gate are encouraged.

Person County

Parade in Uptown Roxboro 

211 North Main Street Roxboro NC

Parade begins at 10 am in Historic Uptown Roxboro and is organized by Directors Round Table. Line-up will begin at 9 am at the intersection of Lamar and Morehead Streets, by the Museum. We recommend vehicles enter from Madison Boulevard. The theme for this year’s parade is Peace, Love, and the 4th of July.

The City of Roxboro organizes/hosts the annual Fireworks Display that will take place the evening of July 4th at Person High School.

Wake County

PNC Arena 

The City of Raleigh has moved the annual 4th of July fireworks display from Downtown Raleigh to the PNC Arena. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to be launched at 9:30 p.m. Free.

Independence Day Celebration at the State Capitol

Wednesday, July 4th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NC State Capitol, 1 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh

This great Raleigh tradition includes a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, the reading of the Declaration of Independence and patriotic music by Raleigh Concert Band. It also features carriage rides, a couple of food trucks, and lots of free family-friendly activities, like quill writing, “Pie the Redcoat,” and a chance to dress up as a Revolutionary era citizen.

Brier Creek Independence Day Celebration

Wednesday, July 4th, 7 p.m.

Brier Creek Commons

Games, bounce houses, prizes, and face painting. Ends with a fireworks display at dusk.

Joel Lane House Celebration

Wednesday, July 4th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Joel Lane Museum House

The historic Joel Lane Museum House offers free admission on July 4th. Take a tour of the house, and enjoy historical activities.

Independence Day Block Party at Neuse River Brewing Co.

Sunday, July 1st, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

518 Pershing Road, Raleigh

Wilson County

Wilson County Fairgrounds 

Fireworks at the grandstand area of fairgrounds start around 9 p.m. BBQ cookout starts at 2 p.m. with local volunteer fire departments competing for best BBQ.

Warren County

Wise, NC Celebration

The small community of Wise will be filled with the patriotic spirit on Tuesday, July 4, as Hawtree Volunteer Fire Department and Wise Baptist Church host the Wise Independence Day Parade and Festival from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.