The Town of Chapel Hill is starting a new 4th of July tradition for 2019. They’re moving the celebration and fireworks from UNC’s Kenan Memorial Stadium, where it has been for several years, to Southern Village and Southern Community Park.
One reason for the move is that there is new synthetic grass at the stadium, and synthetic grass and fireworks are not a good combination.
You’ll have a couple of choices of how to experience the 4th of July celebration and you’ll be able to see the fireworks from both of them, and the fireworks will be viewable from other locations too (scroll down for a list!)
The 4th of July celebration and fireworks will take place Thursday, July 4th, 2019. It will be free to attend.
The fireworks will be launched from Scrogg’s Elementary School at 9:15 p.m. Here’s where to go to watch the fireworks:
Southern Community Park
1000 Sumac Road, Chapel Hill
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This is the place to be if you just want to spread out blankets and chairs and relax. No pets, glass, tents, alcohol, fireworks or sparklers.
Southern Village Green
400 Market Street, Chapel Hill
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This will be the place to go if you want to enjoy a celebration before watching the fireworks. Market Street and the Village Green will be open to the public. Merchants will have food and drink for sale, so you can dine in or grab a bite to go.
Also:
- Enjoy live music on stage from Idlewild South
- Kids’ Zone will include activities and face painting
- Show Tar Heel pride in the UNC Athletics Zone
Other locations
Southern Community Park and Southern Village will offer the best views of the fireworks, but you’ll be able to see them many other locations. Chapel Hill town staff have created a 3D model of where the fireworks will be visible in areas around the community and you can see some images at the bottom of the Chapel Hill 4th of July page.
Besides Southern Community Park and Southern Village, the following locations will offer views of the fireworks. In order from best to worst:
- Carrboro High School
- Merritt’s Pasture
- UNC Memorial Hospital
- Greenbridge
Parking for Chapel Hill 4th of July Celebration
Village Green: Parking options in and around Southern Village will be the same on the Fourth of July as they are on all weekends with one exception: Market Street around the Village Green will be closed to vehicles.
Southern Community Park:
- The Park & Ride lots will be open
- The Southern Community Park lot near the pavilion will be open
- The Dog Park lot on Dogwood Acres Dr. will be open
- On street parking in the Dogwood Acres neighborhood is prohibited
- The Scroggs Elementary lots will be closed
Shuttle Service for Chapel Hill 4th of July Celebration
Chapel Hill Transit will operate free, limited shuttle service. Shuttles will run from both the Chatham County Park & Ride lot at the intersection of 15-501 South and Old Lystra Road as well as the Jones Ferry Park & Ride in Carrboro.
Starting at 6:30, riders will be dropped off and picked up at the Southern Village Park and Ride lot on Sumac Rd. every 15 minutes. The shuttle will continue for 30 minutes after the end of the fireworks display.
More Triangle 4th of July Celebrations
Learn about the 4th of July celebrations throughout the Triangle or just look at this day-by-day list:
